Mickeys face went red with anger, but mostly hurt. This didn't turn out the way he thought it would and this was definitely not the reason why he came back to the city. He stormed out of the store as soon as Ian said the word boyfriend. This is why Mickey didn't do relationships, than people would try to fuck with him and make him their bitch and Mickey was nobody's bitch; not even Ian Gallagher's. He was half a block down when Ian caught up to him stopping him on the sidewalk.
"What the fuck did you think was going to happen between us Mick, Honestly? It's been over four years did you think I would wait for you?" Ian grabbed him by the shoulder so they would stand facing each other. "You expect me to wait for you? You want me to put my life on hold and spare your feelings… like you spared mine when you married that Russian whore?" Mickey hated when Ian brought up the past just to throw it in his face, he didn't need this shit. He was Mickey fucking Milkovich he didn't need Ian Gallagher, he didn't anybody. He proved this in New York for four years before Mandy came and fucked it all up.
"Do whatever the fuck you want Gallagher, I don't need this shit" Mickey turned back around and started to walk away but Ian stopped him again.
"Of course not, You're Mickey fucking Milkovich! You don't need anybody right?" Ian replayed Mickeys own thoughts back to him scaring him a little. He had no idea that Ian paid close attention to him, even after all these years Ian was still the only one who could weasel his way under his skin; and that made him itch.
"Go back to your fucking faggot boyfriend Gallagher. I'm not going to chase you around like some bitch, I aint playing this game. Fuck off" Mickey wasn't going to play cat and mouse with him anymore, he was done. If he wanted to be with someone else fine, like every other guy Mickeys been with Ian's expendable.
"I'll go back to him… Just as soon as I'm done with you" Ian had a smug grin on his face, but not the same kind he gave Mickey when he managed to get something he wanted. The kind of grin that showed he had the upper hand on Mickey, if they were going to argue Gallagher was going to win. Mickey was close to snapping and Ian could feel it, he was hoping for it. Ian was expecting Mickey to strike him, he was preparing for the Milkovich beat down; but nothing. Ian just served in the army, what makes Mickey think that anything he could do would hurt more than anything that happened overseas? Ian was smiling because he knew damn well he was winning, he was getting Mickey riled up and ready to attack, he was hoping he would strike and prove him right- but nothing. He knew he was aggravated, so maybe if he added just a bit more fuel to the fire he would get him where he wanted. "Why would I give someone like Aaron up for someone like you? He's loaded, he OWNS a car and he's going to university next fall… And you're going to be stuck in the same place while everyone else moves on and forgets all about Mickey Milkovich. The closeted faggot of the south side"
"Whatever man, I'm gay but I aint no faggot like you. You came chasing after me remember? Now what do you want, I'm the one leaving and you're the one looking like a bitch" Not the reaction Ian was hoping for, mostly because now that it had been pointed out- it was true. Ian was the one who followed him outside, he is the one trying to pick a fight about this. No way was he going to let Mickey win another fight, not after so many years of him yearning for the dark haired boy who broke his heart. Luckily years of serving in the army taught him to put on a brave face, as if he was ready for anything; even though on the inside he was scared. Ian wanted Mickey to hit him, hit him to prove his point that he is still the piece of shit guy from 4 years ago. Ian wanted to be done with Mickey, just so he could finally move on with his life all Mickey had to do was hit him.
"You take it up the ass don't you? You're a faggot" Mickey just laughed, He knew that Ian was trying to get a rise out of him but he just couldn't seem to do it. He was mad, livid in fact- but there was something in the back of his mind that was telling him not to strike or fight back and to just walk away. Maybe it was the years of not seeing Gallagher, perhaps the guys that Mickey fucked were finally fulfilling their purpose of removing any feelings for Ian from inside. Maybe it was that it's been so long that Mickey didn't want to have to play these games just to get what he wants; he just couldn't find the strength in him to touch Ian.
"Just go back to your boyfriend, Gallagher."
Ian was losing it, how did Mickey somehow get the upper hand in this conversation? Why wasn't Mickey reacting the way he wanted him to? It seemed no matter what he said to him didn't get him where he wanted. It was like anything he said Mickey was numb to, it didn't bother him. He was sure it bothered him but he seemed different, as if he had heard or seen worse. What was going on here? The only thing that Ian saw from Mickey was nothing, a whole lot of nothing, like Mickey was hollow. His eyes were like passageways into a dark black place that nobody should ever be, not even the bravest of people like Mickey. What had he seen in New York that made him seem more…Empty? Ian began to worry a little but he didn't let that show to Mickey, he was still worked up and determined to hurt him some more. Mickey turned around again and was walking away, yet again Ian caught up and stopped him for the third time.
"I'm not done with you yet!" Ian shouted as he grabbed Mickey harder, pushing him so that his back was pressed up against the brick wall of a building. Mickey grabbed Ian by the sweater and turned him around even harder, so that now Ian's back was pushed up against the hard wall. This is it, Ian thought to himself as he braced himself and closed his for any oncoming blows… but nothing. Ian opened his eyes to see Mickeys face close up to his, with his dark empty eyes looking directly into his as if they were going to rip out his soul. Mickey still had Ian's sweater crumpled in his fist and Ian thought for a brief second he was going to kiss him.
"You may not be done with me Gallagher" Mickeys eyes never leaving Ian's as he spoke. "But I'm sure as fuck done with you"
With that Mickey let Ian go and he walked away this time Ian didn't bother trying to stop him. There was something in Mickey's voice and eyes that seemed so cold and so empty that it frightened Ian. All the other times that the two had fought like this one of them would be left in tears, but it would never seem like it would be completely over for either of them. After not seeing each other for four and half years it still didn't feel like it was over, how else would they explain the previous night? How else would they explain this fight that just happened, trying to retaliate any stab or comment with an even worse one, playing a game of who can hurt who more? Then it dawned on Ian that Mickey wasn't playing a game, and if they were then he was willing to let Ian win because that's how hurt Mickey truly was.
The empty stare in Mickey's eyes, and the little words he spoke all told Ian that yes; He had finally won this fight with Mickey… But also that Mickey was actually gone for good this time.
