Archive of Our Own ^beta

Debbie begged and pleaded for Fiona to accompany her and Carl to the public pool. She insisted it’d been too long since she actually hung out with them. Ian understood where she was coming from; their oldest sister tried to be everywhere at once, it was just impossible to spend time with them all while also working as much as she could so she’d earn enough money to keep them afloat and add to the squirrel fund. 

The other night, Debbie lamented how much she missed having Fiona around, feeling as though she barely was, which wasn’t entirely inaccurate. Now that it was summertime, which meant schedules were changed and things like homework and last minute projects weren’t on anybody's mind for the time being, Fiona could take on more hours at work to earn a little extra. 

Although, what Debbie said must have stuck with her because she’d promised she would come. But that was the other night; this morning was a different story after an unexpected shift change meant she’d have to come in earlier. Debbie was devastated, but Ian volunteered to come in her place, which thankfully placated their youngest sister. Lip was off doing some tutoring for a couple of unlucky people in summer school, otherwise he would have come along. 

The pool was relatively busy at the start of the summer. Mostly filled with the kids who weren’t in school or a couple of parents who brought their very young children to cool off, while making their distaste known for the older ones that were around. 

Ian pulled his sunglasses up on the top of his head, squinting against the sunlight, scanning around the pool. “Alright, look,” he said to his younger siblings, “you guys need to behave. Fiona said if you cause any trouble, you’re grounded from the pool for two weeks.” 

“He’s talking to you,” Debbie said matter of factly to Carl. 

She wasn’t wrong . 

“I didn’t do anything!” Carl said indignantly. 

“ Yet ,” she said ominously. 

“Okay,” Ian sighed. Did they really have to start already? Hadn’t even been five minutes since they arrived. “Enough, guys. Seriously.” 

“She started it,” Carl mumbled, to which Ian shot him a look. 

 “Don’t start . Did you bring the sun screen?” Ian asked Debbie. She nodded, patting a tote bag she’d brought with her. 

“Got it right here.” 

“Okay,” Ian’s gaze fell on Carl. “Arms out.” 

“Why?” Carl cried out in protest. 

“Fiona told me to pat you down.” 

“That’s not fair,” he said. “You can’t do that!” 

“Are you forgetting what happened last time?” Ian rolled his eyes. Carl stowed away stray bullets he’d stumbled upon from the street, and planned on selling them to the unaccompanied kids at the pool to make some quick cash. Ian didn’t know who the fuck would want used bullets and why , but needless to say, Fiona hadn’t been happy when she found them tucked away in the pockets of Carl’s swimming trunks. 

“Fiona stopped me before I could do it,” he grumbled. “Nothing happened.” 

“Arms out, Carl,” Ian instructed. Carl was still muttering but did as he was told. Debbie found a spot for them to sit their stuff down, sitting down on one of the empty chairs so she could slather sunscreen on herself. 

“It’s too bad we couldn’t bring Liam,” she said sadly. “He hasn’t been to the pool yet!” 

“We’ll bring him another day, Debs,” Ian assured her, rising back to his full height after finding his brother clean. 

“I hope so!” She said. “It’s not fair he has to miss this. How come he couldn’t come today?” 

“I don’t know, Debs. Fiona said to take him to Head Start,” Ian was still staring at Carl suspiciously. He didn’t find anything on him so he didn’t have a reason to pat him down again. It was just unusual for Carl not to have something on his person. “Where is it, Carl?” 

“Where’s what ?” 

“What did you bring?” 

“I didn’t bring anything!” Carl said defensively. 

“Fiona did threaten him before she left,” Debbie piped up. “Maybe it sunk in.” 

Ian and Debbie looked at one another, and said simultaneously, “Nah.” 

“Hey, will you show me how to float?” Debbie asked him. “I keep trying but I sink everytime.” 

“Yeah, sure,” Ian agreed. “It’s not hard- Carl! Stop wasting the sunscreen!” 

Carl was in the midst of squeezing it out of the bottle onto the concrete, smoothing it out so someone would end up slipping, probably. Ian snatched it away from him. 

“Hey, give it back!” 

Ian held it away from him. “Do you want Fiona making you stay inside the rest of the summer?” 

“No....” 

“Alright then,” Ian retorted, giving the bottle back to Debbie so it could be tucked away safely, shaking his head. “Jesus, Carl...” 

“Maybe he was adopted?” Debbie suggested. “Maybe that’s why he’s so weird.” 

“No, Debs. Unfortunately, he’s ours,” Ian ruffled Carl’s hair, to which his brother wiggled away. 

“Piss off!” 

“That reminds me,” Ian remembered, “no pissing in the pool.” 

“Did Fiona tell you that?” Carl made a face. “I only did it once.” 

“First of all, it wasn’t once. And second, you threatened to piss on some guy’s head,” Ian recalled that particular incident. It was really a wonder Carl never got banned by the pool staff. 

“He was a dick, that's why!” 

“Yeah, well,” Ian caught a glimpse of a mother who shot them all a nasty look, covering her daughter’s ears and ushering her away to the other side of the pool. “Don’t do that.” 

Carl groaned. 

“Oh, no,” Debbie whispered, looking past Ian. 

“What?” He said immediately. 

“It’s those girls from school. They hate me,” she looked wary, like she was reconsidering being here at all. 

“Don’t worry, Debs. They won’t mess with you this time,” Ian promised, following his sister’s gaze where a couple of girls had walked in, sashaying their hips and looking way too young for what they were doing. “I won’t let them.” 

“You should,” Carl said with a snicker, causing Ian to smack him upside the head. 

“Shut up, Carl.” 

“You mean it?” Debbie said hopefully. 

“Yeah, of course,” Ian said. “I dealt with a couple guys like them back in middle school. I know what to do.” 

“Didn’t they beat your ass?” Carl wondered. 

“They didn’t beat my ass-” 

“But I thought you came home with a black eye once,” Carl continued, grinning. 

“How would you even know?” Ian said, exasperated, “you were like, five or six back than.” 

“Doesn’t mean I forgot,” Carl said, like Ian was being stupid. 

Ian peeled off his t-shirt, dropping it on top of the tote bag, stretching his arms above his head. “Whatever. Get in the pool.” 

“Fine, but I’m going over there,” Carl said, referring to the other end of the pool where a few boys his age were gathered. 

“Behave,” Ian called as he scampered off, blatantly ignoring the lifeguard blowing her whistle at him for breaking their no-running rule. “So, Debs, you want to learn how to float now?” 

His sister was still sitting on the edge of the chair, not looking at Ian but rather those girls she’d pointed out across the way. They giggled amongst themselves, their focus on their phones. 

“Debbie,” Ian said, voice a bit louder to snap her out of it. It worked, she glanced at him. “Hey, don’t worry about them, okay?” 

“Okay,” she muttered. “I’ll try. They’re just...so mean!” 

Ian bent down so he was at her level, smiling. “They won’t bother you now that I’m here.” 

“If they do, will you kick their ass?” She said hopefully. 

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there,” Ian said after a moment of silence, not literally wanting to kick their asses. 

It was enough for her. Debbie slipped off her flip flops, joining Ian in the water. It felt fucking good after standing under the sun. He instructed his sister to try and lay back, his eyes flickering over to where Carl was. Him and the group of boys were currently having a whistle blown at them for trying to drown each other. 

Well, could’ve been worse, Ian shrugged. 

He placed his hands underneath the water so he was lightly touching her back with one hand, the other on the backs of her lower legs. “How’s that feel?” 

“Weird,” Debbie said, eyes crinkling from the sun. “You’re not gonna let go, are you?” 

“I’m barely touching you,” Ian said. “You’re holding yourself up.” 

“But what if you let go and I sink to the bottom of the pool?” She said, alarmed. 

“It’s not that deep,” Ian reminded her. “Besides, you’ll catch yourself before that happens. Now try to relax, you’ll sink if you tense up.” 

“Okay,” Debbie took a deep breath, letting it out and closing her eyes. While that was happening, Ian let go of her completely, watching her as she continued to stay afloat. 

“Open your eyes, Debs,” Ian said. She did, and he immediately added before she could say something, “Just stay relaxed. You’re doing great.” 

“Are they watching?” She said. 

“Who- Oh ,” Ian figured out who she was talking about. He glanced over his shoulder; they were indeed looking their way, one of them whispering conspiringly to another. Debbie didn’t need to know that, though. “No,” he lied. 

From where he was standing, he could see everyone who came in and left through the gate. At first, no one garnered his interest enough to keep looking. He was absentmindedly thinking about how he’d have to dunk himself under the water to cool down the back of his neck when he heard a familiar gruff voice that made his stomach swoosh . 

“Why the fuck do I have to carry this?” 

“I don’t feel like that.” 

“Fuck you, bitch.” 

Ian’s head snapped up, unable to suppress his grin of excitement at seeing his secret boyfriend. Mickey was bickering with Mandy, not happy to be the one delegated to carrying the towels. He already had his shirt off, with a pair of black shorts resting at his hips. 

“Hey, Debs,” Ian fought to keep his voice casual, “I’m gonna go take a piss real quick. Be right back.” 

He got out of the pool, water dripping off him and onto the concrete as he approached the Milkovich siblings. 

“Ian,” Mandy was the first to notice him. “Hey.” 

 Mickey’s lips almost twitched into a smile but he had to keep up appearances after all, so he schooled his expression into his usual look of aggression should anyone dare to glance his way. 

“Hey,” Ian could hardly contain himself, which was pretty bad considering this relationship between him and Mickey was supposed to be a secret . 

Luckily, Mandy was a really great fake girlfriend. So to save anyone from getting the wrong- right, technically- idea, she kissed him on the lips, a hand resting on his back. 

“Ay, cut that shit out,” Mickey ordered quietly, glaring at his sister. 

“He’s my boyfriend, assface,” Mandy responded, not yet removing her hand. “Get over it and go take a piss.” 

She gave her brother a strong look, silently communicating like Ian and Lip did sometimes. Ian raised a brow when Mickey actually listened to her, dumping the towels on the ground much to her irritation, disappearing behind the door. 

Less than five seconds later, Mandy looked up at Ian. “Go follow him.” 

“What-” 

“Go have your fucking moment or whatever,” she said impatiently. 

“Oh. Oh ,” Ian understood. This was her way of ensuring they got to talk and whatnot without being in the public eye since Mickey was still in the closet. “Thanks, Mands. Mind staying with Debbie while I’m in there? She’s worried about those girls over there.” 

He pointed them out for her to see. 

“Sure. Now go,” she shoved him towards the door. 

He went inside the dingy, empty restroom where Mickey was waiting for him. It was stupid, but this was kind of a new experience for Ian-not the sneaking around, per se, but this thing he had with Mickey-and he couldn’t help but smile shyly at his boyfriend. 

“Hey.” 

“Hey.” The smirk wasn’t fooling Ian, Mickey was a bit nervous too. “Didn’t know you’d be here.” 

“Yeah,” Ian kind of cringed at the water pooling at his bare feet on this gross floor. “Fiona was supposed to take Debbie and Carl but she had to work so I did instead. Did Mandy make you come?” 

“Yeah. She wouldn’t quit bitching,” Mickey complained. Ian laughed. “Said I needed to come out and enjoy the fucking sun. What the fuck ever .” 

“Well, I’m glad she did,” Ian stepped into his personal space but didn’t go all the way. He was holding back, not knowing how far they’d go here. 

Mickey’s eyes flickered over him, taking him in completely. “C’mere,” he licked his lips. 

“Mick, I was just in the water.” 

“Don’t care,” Mickey yanked him close, and the kiss was utterly explosive . Like all the other times before, this one was out of hunger and a need to have as much of each other as possible. Mickey’s hands slid up his bare back, fingers pressing into the toned flesh, heels digging into the floor to keep himself from slipping. 

Ian carded his fingers through Mickey’s hair, a hand coming to hold the back of his head. He sighed blissfully into the kiss, capturing Mickey’s mouth again when he pulled back slightly, slipping his tongue past his lips. 

When it was time to part, they rested their foreheads together, slowly catching their breath. 

It was kind of romantic, in spite of standing in a poorly kept restroom. Mickey’s mesmerizing eyes were peeking up at him, something softer in them these days, if only for Ian. This energy between them was intoxicating, and left Ian wanting more and more. 

He might only be sixteen, but Ian thought he might be in love. 

And the thought had him smiling suddenly, a wide one too, that Ian couldn’t suppress even though Mickey was staring at him like he was a fucking idiot. 

“The fuck’s up with you?” 

Ian couldn’t tell Mickey the truth. He didn’t want to scare him off so soon. So he fibbed a little. “You’re a good kisser,” he said, which wasn’t a lie really. 

Out came a cocky little smirk. “Fuck yeah, I am.” 

Ian, knowing it wouldn’t come, purposely waited a couple of seconds and the while, staring at Mickey expectantly. 

“What?” His boyfriend said defensively. 

“What about me?” 

“What about you?” 

“Mickey,” Ian lightly hit his shoulder with his palm. 

“A’ight, fine,” Mickey rolled his eyes, shrugging. “You could use some improvement.” 

Ian’s stare melted into an expression of disbelief. Mickey was still smirking, smug like the asshole he was. 

“Fuck you. I’m a great kisser.” 

“Let’s not get too hasty there,” Mickey quipped. “Who’s gonna verify that? Towelhead?”

“Fuck off. I’ve...I’ve kissed other people before,” Ian said, inwardly wincing at how his voice had gone up an octave. 

“Uh-huh,” Mickey clearly didn’t believe him. “Who?” 

“What?” 

“Who’ve you kissed?” 

“You wouldn’t know him,” Ian lied. “He moved.” 

“He moved?” 

“Yeah. Before the end of the school year.” 

“Uh-huh. Fine, then I'll show you Mandy’s yearbook and you can point him out to me.” 

“Mandy has a yearbook?” Ian couldn’t help but ask. Those things were fucking expensive. 

“Eh,” Mickey shrugged. “Stole it from some girl, but don’t change the subject, Gallagher.” 

“Why do you wanna know?” Ian said. 

“What, I don’t have a right to ask about who my boyfriend kissed?” 

The question had Ian grinning even wider than he was minutes ago. 

“What the fuck are you smiling about now ?” Mickey demanded. 

“You called me your boyfriend,” Ian said giddily. 

Mickey was suddenly aware of that too, and there came a flush to his cheeks that wasn’t there a second ago. “What the fuck ever. That’s what you are, ain’t ya?”

Ian just beamed. 

For a split second, Mickey smiled too, much smaller than Ian’s but it was there. Then it disappeared. “Keep lookin’ at me like that and I’ll dump your ass.” 

“Thought you liked my ass.” 

“Nah,” Mickey said. “Just your dick.” 

The creaking of the door had them both freezing. A flash of panic came into Mickey’s eyes, probably into Ian’s as well. He didn’t know what to do. If he quickly moved to a stall, wouldn’t it be obvious what was going on? 

Mickey snapped out of it faster than he did. “It’s fucking occupied!” He hollered, and whoever was on the other side of the door fled. 

That was one perk to having Mickey Milkovich as his boyfriend.  Another was getting this clear view of him shirtless. 

Mickey let out a long breath, glancing at Ian. “What’re you staring at?” 

“You just look really good without a shirt on,” Ian said sheepishly. Mickey huffed out a laugh, which sent a pang of warmth in his stomach. 

“You’ve seen me without one before. Plenty of times, Firecrotch.” 

“I know,” Ian said, eyes dropping to look once more at those shorts, his gaze full of appreciation. 

Rolling his eyes, Mickey kissed him again. This one was sweeter, softer. 

“You look good too or whatever,” he said, lips tugging upward. “Still working out?” 

“Everyday,” Ian responded. His boyfriend would probably laugh if he knew this- but he was almost...shy about standing here shirtless in front of him which was fucking ridiculous given how many times they’ve been naked together. “If you want, we can go jogging together.” 

“Not in a million fucking years,” Mickey smirked. “Since when do I fucking jog?” 

“Maybe you should start.” 

“Maybe you should give me another fucking kiss before we have to go back out there,” Mickey folded his arms, just daring Ian to deny him. 

As if he’d ever do that. Ian could hardly believe they were at this point ; Mickey having agreed to be his boyfriend so long as they kept that shit a secret. And now he was demanding kisses? When he used to only want sex? 

It felt like a dream. 

Like an idiot, Ian let out a fucking giggle , leaning in to brush his lips across Mickey’s one more time. He felt Mickey smile into it but that was quickly wiped away once he pulled back. 

“You want me to wait here?” Ian asked. 

“Nah. You go ahead.” 

“You sure?” 

“Move, Gallagher,” Mickey waited until he had his back turned to slap his ass hard . Ian yelped. 

“What the fuck, Mickey?” 

His boyfriend only snickered. 

Ian grumbled to himself, pushing the door open and immediately having the sunshine in his eyes again. On his way out, he found out exactly why Mickey hadn’t been too concerned about him going first. He shoved Ian to the side, though, he noted, not with as much as he would have with someone else. 

“Out of the way, faggot.” 

Mandy was still with Debbie as promised. His sister was upright again, listening intently to what Mandy was telling her. Ian could only imagine what that was about. 

“The fuck you doin’ over here for?” Mickey had found that the towels he dropped were now on the chair next to the one that Ian and his siblings’ stuff occupied. 

“Fuck off, asshole,” Mandy shot back. “Go find someone else to bother.” 

Mickey discreetly met Ian’s eyes. He wasn’t going to ignore this golden opportunity they’d been given. “You made me come here, bitch. You entertain me.” 

Mandy scoffed, and it was that precise moment Debbie piped up to Ian excitedly. “Mandy’s gonna show me how to get even with those girls!” 

Beside him, Mickey snorted. 

“Yeah?” Ian said, eyebrows raised when he looked at Mandy. She stared back, reminding him completely of Mickey. 

“Someone’s gotta put those bitches in their place.” 

“They’re like eleven, Mandy.” 

“Gotta take care of it early,” was all she said before going back to speaking to Debbie, who hung onto her every word. 

RIght , he thought. Ian glanced at his secret boyfriend, unsure of what to do. Not for the first time, he wished he had the freedom of hanging out with his boyfriend whenever he wanted without having to think about what it might look like to onlookers. 

Folding his arms, across his chest, Ian was awkwardly standing there until an idea came to mind. 

Mickey was determinedly not looking at him, glowering at some poor kid who happened to let his gaze fall their way. 

It probably wasn’t the best idea. Mickey was gonna be pissed but at least it’d give them the chance to talk in public, even if most of that was gonna come from Mickey trying to kick his ass for what he was about to do. 

Oh, well. If he was lucky, they’d have some killer makeup sex later. 

Ian suppressed a grin, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. When he was certain that Mickey wasn’t paying attention, he kicked Mickey in the ankle, knocking him off balance so he’d fall right in the pool. 

Debbie and Mandy were splashed in the process, with Mandy about to raise hell to whoever had done it- until she realized it was her brother. “Did you do that?” She asked Ian who chuckled, nodding. “Oh my God, I love you.” 

Mickey came back up to the surface, sputtering. He glared at Ian, who smiled cheekily. 

“The fuck was that for?” 

“No reason,” Ian shrugged. 

“You’re fucking dead, Gallagher.” 

Ian slipped into the pool, flicking water at Mickey. “You sure about that, Tough Guy?” 

Oh, yeah. He was sure. 

Seconds later, Ian was flailing his arms around underwater but Mickey had him pinned, chiming into the conversation Mandy was having with Debbie like nothing was out of the ordinary and he wasn’t potentially killing his boyfriend. 

He would’ve hoped Mandy would speak up by now, you know, so she’d still have her best friend around, and she did , but she didn’t have to sound so calm about it. 

“Try not to give him brain damage, Assface.” 

“You think I don’t know how long to hold someone underwater?” Mickey sounded offended. Ian thought he heard a whistle being blown- excuse him but it was kinda hard to hear under here with all pressure in his ears - which had Mickey hollering back, “Fuck off, bitch! Ain’t nobody takin’ you seriously anyway.” 

Mandy sighed. “Mick, let him up. He probably needs air.” 

“Shoulda thought about that before kicking me in the pool.” 

“Don’t be so pissy. Seriously, let him go.” 

Mickey mumbled incoherently, but let him go so Ian was able to spring to the top, taking in gulps of air. 

“Pussy,” his boyfriend grumbled. 

“Takes one to know one,” Ian retorted breathlessly. 

Debbie was the only one concerned. “Are you okay?” She asked Ian. 

“I’m fine, Debs. Don’t worry.” 

She did worry, though. She made her way over to Mickey, and despite being shorter than him, she glared up at him with all the intensity of an eleven year old. “If you hurt my brother, I’ll hurt you,” she threatened. 

Mandy smirked. Ian stifled a snicker with his hand. 

“Yeah?” Mickey drawled. 

“I’m not afraid of you.” 

“Hell yeah!” Mandy high fived her. “You tell him!” 

“Yeah, whatever,” Mickey said, rolling his eyes. “Calm the fuck down. If I wanted to hurt your brother, I would’ve.”

Ian made a bold move by grabbing Mickey’s hand underwater. No one was really paying attention so he figured it was safe. His boyfriend’s head snapped up to meet his eyes, but surprisingly, he didn’t yank his hand away. 

It lasted for less than a minute, Ian pulled away for Mickey’s sake, so he wouldn’t be uncomfortable. 

His focus wasn’t really there - for his siblings where he technically should’ve been - Debbie spoke to Mandy, and then was marching over to the other side of the pool where those girls were while he had no idea what Carl was doing. 

“Glad you finally cut your hair,” Mickey said under his breath. “You looked fucking stupid.” 

“I’m glad you shaved,” Ian muttered back. “That beard looked fucking awful on you.” 

“Fuck you.” 

“Wish you would.” 

“What are we talking about?” Mandy interrupted. 

“That beard he had,” Ian said before Mickey could say anything. 

“Ugh, I forgot about that. Fucking awful.” 

“That’s what I said!” 

“Fuck both of you,” Mickey scowled, cheeks pink. 

“It’s okay,” Ian lowered his voice, making sure it sounded saccharine as shit. “You tried.” 

Mandy laughed. Mickey did not; he lunged at Ian, twisting his nipple with as much force as he could put into it. 

Ian cried out in pain, trying to push Mickey’s hands off him but couldn’t. 

“Let go!” 

“Not gonna happen, Gallagher.” 

“Don’t bruise him, Mick.” 

Across from where they were, Debbie was in a brawl of her own. She’d grabbed one one of the girls by the neck, struggling for a moment until they fell in so she could copy what Mickey had done to her brother. 

“Fuck yeah!” Mandy cheered. “Get her, Debbie!” 

The lifeguard blew her whistle, hearing the others squealing and screaming in horror. 

“ Hey! Stop that right now- what the fuck?” 

On the other side of the pool, it was revealed that Carl really did bring something with him after all. He’d just hidden it in the tote bag Debbie brought. 

Two gallon size bags of clam chowder, and where he got the soup from was a mystery, as was his intentions with bringing those bags. 

Unfortunately for him, the bags came open, spilling into the pool. 

“Oops,” Carl said, glancing at the other boys with him. 

“Carl!”