TRIGGER WARNING: hints to canonical-rape/abuse

Mandy had never been able to master the art of sleeping through anything like the rest of her family. She woke up at anything, every shift and squeak. So when Lip shut her door, her eyes flew wide open. She laid with her back to the door and her body tensed in fear. She sent up silent prayers that it wasn't her father, that it was the early morning and not late at night, that she didn't have to be mistaken for her mom for the fifth time in two weeks, that please God it was only one of her brothers. The pitch black curtains that hung in her windows kept out enough light that she couldn't tell what time it was. She shut her eyes and willed herself back to sleep.

"Mandy?" Then for the second time that day, her eyes flew wide. She let out a sigh of relief and exhaustion, and rolled onto her back.

"Hi," she whispered groggily, smiling a sleepy smile. Her hand flew out and shoved down the covers indicating he should join her. He grinned and stripped off his shirt and pants before crawling in with her.

She now turned to mirror him, "Hi," he murmured. "Can I- um," he reached a hand up almost to touch her face, and she placed it against her cheek. They didn't tell you that there were certain things you needed more after meeting your soulmate, like their touch and general closeness. They also didn't tell you that you could pick up on their emotions like they were your own after only a little while.

"Yeah, he wasn't here last night. I'm-" She wanted to say fine, but they both knew that was bullshit. He'd seen her tense when he opened the door, could feel the pain and resignation slowly building before he'd first spoken.

"You thought I was him?" Their voices were hushed in the still air. She nodded slightly.

For once, her guard wasn't coming up. She didn't feel the need to be tough, and act like she was alright. He knew she wasn't, and somehow she was thankful for that. He leaned in and kissed her softly. Then, she whispered, "Can you just hold me, for a little bit?"

She rolled to face away from him, and he pulled her to him gently. They took a deep breath in perfect sync, "Mandy?"

"I was just about to fall asleep, asshole."

He snorted, "Mandy, I had an idea."

"Does it involve staying right here? Because I'd like that," She snuggled back against him, yet her tone remained firm.

"For now, but..." He trailed off and kissed her head to gather up his courage and words, "Move in with me?" He added, speaking into her hair.

He felt the surprise and what he could only describe as relief suddenly emanate from her. "Okay." She whispered.

"Okay." He replied, and smiled inwardly.

She kissed the hand she held in her own, and laid her head back to rest on the pillow.

Mandy hadn't really been able to go back to sleep. It wasn't that she was nervous or scared, at least, not of moving in. She was just surprised, and it was a lot at the moment. So, she stayed awake there for almost half an hour before deciding she should get up instead.

She had wiggled carefully out from under a sound asleep Lip, and now her feet padded almost silently down the hall. She made her way to the bathroom, careful to avoid the creaky floorboards, she didn't want everybody to wake up and ruin everything just yet.

She was close to Mickey's door and the bathroom when she noticed it was already open. He never left his door open. She nearly went to get the hammer when she heard calm voices from inside. Leaning carefully against the frame she tried to listen. Then she wished she hadn't, choking on a gasp, she brought a hand to her mouth.

Soulmates? What the fuck? Why hadn't he told her? Either of them?

There was silence for a good five minutes before Ian walked out. They didn't say goodbye, or anything, and Mandy had no warning when he faced her scared and stunned in the hallway. "Mandy... how much did you hear?"

"Enough." She squared her shoulders subtly, but Ian knew her well enough to pick up on it.

"I was going to tell you."

"When?" She snapped, her eyes flaming now.

"Mandy, I don't know what the hell is going on. Neither does he and- well, it's him. How am I supposed to tell you that?" His eyes were apologetic and pleading her to just forget it and help him. Mandy understood those were his rock and a hard place eyes, and when she decided she'd glared at him long enough she nodded and rolled her eyes.

"I have to use the bathroom. We'll talk about this later." She pushed the door slightly, but faced him still, "You gonna go home?"

"I guess? Unless you want me to stay. I mean you have Lip, though..." He gestured vaguely toward her door.

She was about to suggest he go, when she remembered the conversation she'd just had, "Stay. At least for a few minutes, Lip's asleep and I need to talk to you about something." She waited for Ian to walk into the kitchen to whirl on her brother. "What the hell, Mickey?"

"Mandy, I..." He didn't have a sentence to come after that. All he could think about was Ian and the other universe he'd seemed to be in when he touched him.

"Just tell me how long you've known." She crossed her arms, her face hard.

"Jesus, Mandy, I don't fuckin' know."

She sighed and her look of disappointment was brief but unmistakable. "Okay."

He groaned, and fell back on his bed as the bathroom door shut behind her.

A/N: Hi, sorry this chapter's so short. I promise the next one will be longer! Hope you like it so far xx