Set a Match to it (gallavich)

4

This was as far fetched as it could get, Ian thought. It probably wasn't even Mandy. He just wanted it to be Mandy. He should move on, him and Mickey said their good bye. It's been seven months, who knew where Mickey could be? Mickey could be dead for all Ian knew. Ian physically winced at the idea.  

Mickey and Ian weren't kids anymore, their worries were far passed hiding from the fucked up excuse of a dad, from trying to fit in a quick bang when the store ran slow. Their troubles then would seem intoxicating to anyone on the outside looking in, people would pity their story. To them, that was life. It was a twisted kind of fun, a thrill nothing could ever replace. Then their relationship morphed as their troubles changed. Ian's troubles. Ian's disorder. Ian was the problem. Mickey morphed into the man Ian always wished for, and Ian wasn't able to see it through his fogged brain and distracting highs. 

Before he knew it Mickey was in prison. Monica took advantage of Ian's broken mind and planted a twisted, ugly, and desperate image of Mickey. He was so used to his family looking down on Ian, waiting for him to explode. Fiona acted as if he was a child, who needed to be watched. Hide the knives. He thought he was fine, he really did. Monica was the only one who understood, and looking back Ian realized that wasn't the best source of influence. For years Ian watched Monica leave, and he called her selfish. Before he knew it, he was doing the same thing. Hearing Monica say those words was better than any drug Ian had ever tested.  

He knew better now. 

Wasn't he being selfish now, though? Just as Monica was when she came back, just to die in their arms. Her last and final fuck you. What if Mickey moved on and Ian came back just to rip his metaphoric scab off. Ian moved on when Mickey came to him seven months ago, their feelings were the same though.  Mickey and Ian's lives were like oil and water, no matter how they felt towards each other. Which ever way you looked at it, Mickey and Ian could never share the same life unless it was hidden in a different city.

Come to think of it, Ian wasn't looking to win Mick back like some desperate house wife. He just wanted to make sure he was safe. That's all. He didn't want to admit it but evidently, Ian was desperate. The missed phone call broke though Ian's subconscious with a big bang , Ian was not going to give up until he tried everything he knew. Even if it meant running to Mexico. Mickey wouldn't have called him just because.

Thoughts of Mickey paraded through Ian's head, and before he knew it he was at Mandy's. They haven't talked in a while and he missed her. For some reason showing up here out of blue felt wrong and evasive. Although, if Mickey was evolved and Ian called, Mandy would tell him not to come, he knew that for sure. He couldn't risk it.

Ian reached the door and hesitantly raised his fist. He took a deep shaken breath and knocked twice before he could stop himself. 

Before Ian could react, Mandy opened the door within seconds. When she saw who it was her breath hitched and her eyes widened. "Uh, Ian. What the fuck are you doing here?" She demanded in a low voice. 

Ian couldn't answer, what was he supposed to tell her?

He opened his mouth to speak, but was stopped when another voice spoke from behind Mandy.

"Who's at the damn door? It better be that fucking pizza, make sure you don't tip. I've waited long enough."

Ian watched as Mandy shut her eyes in defeat, and she automatically tried closing the door. Ian's strong arm snapped up and stopped the door from closing and pushed it open, harder then he meant to due to the loud slam it caused. Mandy stumbled back a few steps, and Mickey appeared behind her to check on the noise. 

Except it wasn't Mickey. It was a tanner, stronger, blonder Mickey. 

The two young men locked eyes for what seemed like forever, and as if on a timer a cascade of "What the fuck?" was blurted from each mouth.