"So.. Milwaukee, huh?"

Lip leaned against the kitchen counter. "Yeah, Milwaukee."

Ian just nodded. Unsure of what to say, he looked at the ceiling.

Lip sighed. "Guess it's too much to expect people to be happy for me."

Ian shifted his crutches. "Well, are you?"

Lip seemed confused. "Am I what? Moving?"

"No. Happy." Ian clarified. "Are you happy?"

Lip shook his head seeming like he still didn't understand. Ian watched him closely. He definitely wasn't expecting the news of his brother moving when Lip called a family meeting. He thought maybe Frank was dead. For real this time. But even though this news was unexpected, Ian didn't really feel surprised.

"It makes sense," Lip said. "It's a good plan."

"Not what I asked," Ian countered.

Lip nodded and leaned a bit deeper against the counter. "Yeah, Ian." He said. "I'm happy."

"Good," Ian said. "I'm happy then… for you."

A silence followed where neither brother said anything. Mickey was upstairs. Debbie went out. Carl and Liam were somewhere. It was just Lip and Ian now and Ian figured he should say something else, but he was always so fucking bad at voicing how he felt. But this situation, though different, reminded him of one a bit similar.

"Hey, I never told you something."

Lip looked up.

"Before Fiona left… she visited me in jail."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah," Ian continued. "She told me she just wanted to get out and feel… free. And I encouraged her to go." He paused. "Everyone deserves to feel like that and that includes you, Lip. Don't feel guilty about leaving. You've given this family enough. And hey, at least with you, we'll know where to find you."

Lip cracked a smile. "You better fucking visit me."

Ian laughed. "Gotta figure out where the fuck Milwaukee is first."

Lip dug in his pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. He motioned outside and Ian followed him.. albeit a bit wobbly on crutches. Fucking legs.

The cold air felt nice. He watched Lip light up and Ian moved the crutches to the side and hobbled his way down to sit next to him on the step. Lip handed him the cig and Ian took a nice long drag breathing it out into the still musty Southside air.

"I was thinking maybe Liam could stay with V and Kev. Debbie and Carl seem to got their own thing going on. I'm just trying to think of Fred and who actually needs me."

"We'll always need you," Ian handed him back the cigarette. "But Mickey and I can look out for them. No one's alone."

Lip coughed and hit his knee. "Oh shit!"

"What?" Ian laughed. "Forgot I was a part of this family?"

"Shut up." He nudged his arm and passed him the cigarette. "I meant oh shit Mickey was here. I completely forgot."

Ian inhaled the warm smoke into his lungs as Lip looked on in eager anticipation. As he exhaled, Ian could feel his face involuntarily giving him away.

"You weak bastard," Lip said, smiling. "You two boyfriends again?"

Ian felt his face heat up. Fuck he hated his pale complexion. He bit his lip and nodded in his brother's general direction. "Fiancés, actually," he said.

"Holy, fuck." Lip grabbed Ian's shoulder and shook him. "Fucking congrats." And then a bit softer said, "I'm proud of you."

Ian took the last drag of the cigarette and flicked it out into the open night trying to hide the embarrassing giddiness he felt. "Yeah, so…" he coughed. "Think you'll uh... stick around long enough to be my best man?"

Lip fucking clapped. "Fuck yes, Ian. Fuck, yes." He pulled Ian into a hug that was only slightly uncomfortable as they were sitting next to each other on a step and Ian's leg was dysfunctional, but he didn't care. Lip was fucking joyous. He seemed so much happier than he had inside- like Ian's news had actually made a difference. Ian felt a weird sense of pride swell inside him.

"Come on," Lip said getting up and grabbing Ian's crutches. "We're going to celebrate."

Ian laughed and Lip pulled him up and pat him on the back.

"Finally some good fucking news."

"Yeah," Ian agreed, nudging his brother. "Good news all around." And for two Gallaghers no less. Who would've thought.