Hello readers! Thank you to everyone who has either alerted me or this story and thanks to the reviewers!

Well, this one is a tad longer and it might frustrate you but dealing with these two, you already knew that! Expect the next chapter by the middle of next week.

Disclaimer: Any recognizable themes or characters belong to their rightful owners.

Tell me what ya think!

Here we go!

"The End Days"

Chapter Three: "Matters of Fact"

Ian can't accept facts, but he does believe in pipe dreams.

-;- -;-

"….she works at the Garden Springs spa."

"Is she pretty?"

"Well, on the dead-eyed Russian hand-whore scale, she'd rate about a seven."

Russian; Ian almost dropped his drink when he found out exactly who Mickey was marrying. His rapist, the woman who is on his bastard father's beck-and-call to have sex with guys and whatever else prostitutes do is going to be his wife soon. That fucking whore is an actual whore; Ian isn't sure whether to find that sad or ironic.

He is thankful for the fact that Mandy is preoccupied with Lip to connect any dots with his questioning; he had to stop himself from asking too much about Mickey when they were on the train headed home after school. He needs to find Mickey somewhere out and about- going to Milkovich manor is out of the question. But he needs to do it fast.

-;-

"Ian, I'm talking to you." Fiona flicked a stray Fruit Loop at Ian's forehead to catch his attention.

"Sorry, what did you say?" Ian sat up straighter in the kitchen stool as if to say, 'you have my undivided attention.' Ian can't even focus on one thought at a time, let alone Fiona and her conversations.

Fiona, sighing and smiling a consoling smile, repeats herself, "I said is everything cool with you? You've been in the clouds for a while and don't think I didn't notice that bruise and split lip last week. It's looking better."

Ian was taken aback a little, he barely even thought about the physical part of the incident with Mickey as much as the emotional. His lip is fine and the bruise is barely noticeable, at least he doesn't think so, Casper didn't say anything about it; although, that may be because they were a little preoccupied.

"Yeah, yeah that was ROTC stuff and I had a lot of hard tests and you know I'm stupid-"

"Nope! Don't." Fiona pointed her index finger at Ian's face.

"What?"

"Don't ever call yourself stupid, ever. Multiple choice and short essay questions don't mean shit they don't determine who you are, okay?"

Ian didn't respond, just nodded. He wished life was just question and answer. Ian would know what he was supposed to do with himself, and it would be a hell of a lot easier to figure out.

-;-

"What? Do you think we're boyfriend and girlfriend here?"

Ian ditched his homework not too long after Fiona left the house. It wasn't too long until he decided to hunt for Mickey.

He was coming up short by walking around the neighborhood. He went to the abandoned building where they last were together and nothing, he went to the gun store up the street from the Kash n' Grab and nothing.

He even went to the Garden Springs spa.

Ian wasn't prepared to see her in actuality again but he prepared himself for the possibility by standing in a below ground alley, waiting for the next person to come out. He hoped for Mickey, but his assumption was proved right; the whore waltzed out the seedy joint with another walking sex toy and lights a cigarette before making her way down the street. His stomach lurched at the thought of that thing carrying Mickey's baby.

Ian needed to leave.

He started to just walk aimlessly until he subconsciously took route to the building where he does his ROTC training on the roof. He took the stairs up and the air suddenly changed around him, his feet started to feel like lead and his heart started pumping. Ian feels him up there and stops at the top step, contemplating. He didn't really plan out anything to say or do. Ian just wanted to see him and change his mind about the wedding, somehow.

Ian place one foot in front of the other and began walking around his makeshift setup, his body was like a magnetic compass he just knew exactly where Mickey was. He began maneuvering around until he heard the sound of rocks being thrown down.

Mickey.

He turned a corner on the roof where it was clear and far across the space sat him. Mickey didn't notice Ian, he just picked up a rock from the cluster next to him and chucked it, the rock skipping on the ground and landing, further each time.

Ian's heart fluttered instantaneously at the sight of him. He loved and hated it. He will admit, Mickey looked depressed, his hair was a little wild and he grew his facial hair out; he was wearing that brown sweater again and his eyes were red. Ian needed to grab the bull by the horns and just say something.

"Mickey," was all Ian could managed to say before his throat seized from anticipation and fear. Mickey's arm stopped mid toss and he dropped the rock to the ground, his eyes snapping up to where Ian was standing. He looked so broken, conflicted and Ian wasn't sure how to gauge what he will do.

It was like a standoff; Ian's breathing was becoming ragged and his hands began to shake next to him. He felt like he wanted to cry. Mickey just stared back and looked a little embarrassed to Ian, maybe because he was caught being on "their" roof. Ian almost flinched when Mickey began to stand and walk towards him, silently. He tried to stay as still as a statue when the gap between them was becoming shorter.

"Um, I'll go," Mickey quietly said; his voice was hoarse as if he was yelling all day long. Ian barely registered what he said but the sound of his voice made his stomach drop. Mickey cut around him to leave but Ian wasn't having any of that, he grabbed Mickey's arm and wasn't surprised when he jerked his arm back.

Then the stare down returned.

"Was I wrong?" Ian forced out. Mickey's eyebrows shot up his forehead, confused.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Mickey asked. Ian knew Mickey was trying to keep his face impassive- it wasn't working.

"Was I wrong about what I had said? You don't love me? You don't love me, too?" Ian's voice was cracking but he refused to allow Mickey to see him cry. Ian saw a multitude of emotions rain over Mickey's face until he controlled himself and knitted his brows.

Mickey walked up to Ian, this time, past the barrier of personal space and breathed out, "I. Can't. Do. This." Ian shook his head.

"Why? You gonna become a married man and magically become not gay? I saw that whore today, you're gonna marry that chick? You're fucking rapist?"

"Shut the fuck up!" Mickey roared. Ian didn't flinch at Mickey's anger at all, he has a fire in him now.

"No, no fuck that! I had to watch that shit! I had to see that! Your piece-of-shit dad ruined us!" Ian said this practically nose-to-nose with Mickey. Mickey wore the face of surprise, undoubtedly because Ian was never this way to him.

"You don't think I know that?" Mickey replied, eerily calm, he added, "I- you…its better this way."

Ian scoffed, "Bullshit! Why is that?"

"Just is."

Ian threw his arms up, he is pretty sure he is standing in front of the most stubborn human being. Mickey tried to turn and leave again but Ian grabbed his arm once more, tight enough so he couldn't pull away, "No one else is here," Ian said to the side of Mickey's face. Mickey looked at Ian, his eyes glossing over in unshed tears; he successfully blinks rapidly to keep them at bay.

"I'm doing this to protect you. My dad won't give a shit if he takes us both out. I can't be gay. What the fuck don't you get about that?" Mickey asks, voice cracking.

Ian swallows and lets Mickey's arm go, "I get that, I know we can't hold hands and fucking just be together out here, I get it. You don't have to protect me from your dad, we can be more careful…" Ian knows he sounds weak, but he can't help but plead. He needs Mickey.

Mickey sighs and rubs his hand roughly down his face, scratching his facial hair, "I'm protecting you from me too,"- Ian sharply inhales- "I'm not going anywhere, I'm the type of screw-up who lives and dies here; I'm not going anywhere. You are going to go be a fucking officer and shit in the army and find some motherfucker who is gayer than a fucking rainbow that can do shit with you."

Ian didn't stop the tear that escaped his eye. He was dumbfounded by Mickey's revelation. Does Mickey not think he is good enough for him? If he does, Ian knows that he won't be able to fix that, Mickey has to within himself. Ian doesn't think about any repercussions next, he just grabbed the back of Mickey's neck and kissed him. Mickey didn't try to pull away; he didn't try to do anything. Ian noticed, and became hurt.

"What? Mickey, please don't ignore this." Ian whispered to Mickey's mouth. Mickey looked up into Ian's eyes and licked his lips. He almost went for a kiss before he stopped and lightly pushed on Ian's chest.

"I…can't…you have to let me go," Mickey said as he turned and walked away.

Ian didn't stop him this time.

-;- -;-