WARNING: contains sex between Linus and Ian. There is some dubious consent, I have set it off with asterisks if you want to skip over it. (It is just three paragraphs long.)

Also for time line stuff: I am saying that Ian and Mick got married after Terry was put away after Yev's christening...and that he died in prison sometime around then for them to get married. I am sorry if the canon divergence is a bit confusing, I am trying to do my best to make the two stories fit. Basically they are married for about a year before Ian can't handle it and takes off to NYC for a year or so before returning. Sorry again for the confusion.

That evening, Linus spent the night with Ian. They shared the small twin bed that had once been Ian's...the one he had only ever shared with Mick before. As Linus kissed him, Ian couldn't help but feel that this was wrong. He wasn't sure how, and then he realized. He gently pushed the other man off of him.

"I need to tell you something," Ian said with a slight frown. "I haven't been completely honest with you."

Linus pulled away and eyed Ian warily, silently urging him to continue.

"After I left the army, I became a dancer at this club," Ian said with a frown. He wasn't especially proud of those days when he blew old men for cash and gave handjobs to any man willing to pay. But the high it had given him had fed his mania like nothing else before.

Linus frowned. "A dancer? Is that it Ian?"

Ian shook his head. "I may have made a porno...but that just happened once, we...I was desperate for cash-"

Linus pulled away. "I think you'd better tell me everything you did during that time."

Ian looked shocked.

"If we're going to start our relationship, we can't have anymore lies between us. What exactly did you do when you worked at the club?"

Ian licked his lips slowly, and began. He told every dirty and embarrassing detail that he could remember. He was afraid that if he didn't Linus would leave him again, and that if he did he would never want to touch him. He began crying halfway through, his body betraying the stress he was feeling. He confessed every sordid time he cheated on Mickey, the things he and Kash had done, Ned...the porno...all of it. The only things he couldn't confess were what he and Mickey had had. For better or for worse, he wanted to keep those memories to himself.

By the time he had finished, Linus' pupils were blown wide and his breathing was shallow. "Oh god, you dirty, dirty boy. Take off your clothes."

***Ian was feeling emotionally vulnerable, and unsure, but he followed Linus' orders. It was unusual for the dark haired man to show his dominant streak. More commonly their sex was rather dull, but after telling Linus everything he had done, the latter had been rather turned on. "Get on your knees." he ordered.

Ian was on his knees in an instant, pulling down Linus' pants and underwear at once. He could see how hard his fiance was, precum smeared across his abdomen. Ian began sucking, just the way Linus liked. Above him the man gasped, "agh..mmm I've always wondered how you were so good at this...guess I know, you dirty whore~ ahhhh just like that baby."

Ian ignored his gag reflex, taking his fiancee's dick in farther and farther. His throat began to burn, but he ignored it. It wasn't long before Linus was close to cumming, the brunet tightened his grip on the redhead practically forcing him to swallow.***

"Want me to take care of you?" Linus asked panting, once it was all over.

Ian shook his head. He hadn't gotten hard at all, he chalked it up to his meds. "Nah, I'm not feeling it."

Linus frowned a bit. "Are you sure?"

Ian nodded, reassured. "Yeah. I'm good."

Linus nodded, before heading to the bathroom to go clean up. Ian found a dirty shirt on the floor and wiped around his mouth. All of a sudden his exhaustion caught up with him, and he went to curl up in his bed. He was feeling emotionally drained from his day, and all he could remember was the last time he had felt like this...here. He had been feeling awful, it was just after his unplanned 'road trip' with Yev...the drugs hadn't been working, and his family had treated him like he was sick. Looking back, he realized he was shouldn't have stopped his medication...and that they were right. But that didn't make him feel any less shitty. It was one bad day after another, but Mickey had come. He hadn't said much, just apologized for being late.

It didn't solve Ian's depression, or his moods, or anything really...but it had helped. Having his husband by his side had helped. Ian could still remember what it was like to have Mickey's head against his, his hand holding him close. Ian and Mickey, the two of them against the world. He remembered it so well.

And then Linus returned, and the warm feelings dissipated.

"God, how did you sleep in this bed," Linus laughed...his voice was too loud, too rough, "it's so tiny. I can't even sleep here with you."

"If you're so uncomfortable you can take the floor," Ian said coldly.

"Woah, I didn't mean to offend you," Linus said. "I was just joking. I am sorry, Ian. Perhaps I should go sleep on the couch?"

Ian swallowed, guilt appearing instantly. "No. Stay. I want you here."

Linus smiled into the darkness. "Then I will stay."

Linus stretched out on the bed, wrapping an arm around Ian. It was nothing like his memories.

The next morning Linus really did have to leave. He said he wanted to go explain to his mother why they were moving the wedding to Chicago, rather than New York and that would be better done in person. The parting wasn't nearly as emotional as Ian thought it might be, and once Linus was gone he shuffled off to bed. Fiona followed him.

"Feeling low?"

"A bit," Ian replied.

Fiona gave him a smile. "Let me know if there is anything I can do for you."

"Thanks Fi."

"A prostitute." Anna Carlisle repeated the words back to her son in disgust.

"Exotic dancer, mother," Linus corrected. This conversation was going as bad as he imagined it would be. As soon as he announced that Ian McBryan was really Ian Gallagher his mother had flipped. She had gotten Barry, her PA, to look up the name, there had been a lot of dirt.

"He's been convicted, Linus," Anna said darkly.

"With what? Never mind that he's changed," Linus replied shaking his head. He couldn't believe that Ian would dare to leave a conviction out from his confession.

"I don't know which is worse," sighed Anna, "male prostitute or baby kidnapper...oh wait yes I do. You can't go through-"

"What do you suggest I do...dump him for being poor?" huffed Linus. "You're supposed to be a democrat, remember?"

Anna's lips tightened. "There is nothing wrong with being poor. I get elected by poor people, and I am a big enough person to commend him for making something of himself. What upsets me is that he lied to you."

"So what? He was ashamed of his background...can you really blame him?" Linus added. "I mean who hasn't been embarrassed by their parents at this point."

"I'm going to assume that was a rhetorical question. And besides it's not his parents I'm concerned with. I'm sure they are lovely people. I'm more concerned with his past actions," Anna retorted.

"Assume away," sighed Linus. Honestly he had no clue about Ian's parents. He knew that Mickey must have mentioned them, but at that point he wasn't paying attention. He didn't yet know that Ian Gallagher and Ian McBryan were one and the same. "No one is going to change my mind about this...not you, not the media, not anyone."

"Fine..just admit it. I was right." Anna said crossing her arms.

"Yes...you were right." Linus sighed. "There is a wedding in your future, whether you like it or not."

"And how, exactly, does Little Mr. Southside plan to accommodate people? I suppose he had connections in jail?"

"Well there are several excellent choices...Motel 8, Days Inn, and the Southside Star Motel, where we will be," quipped Linus. He was willing to sacrifice a few good nights of sleep in order for Ian to have his wedding in his home town.

"Laugh now, but if this gets out..." threatened the Mayor.

"It won't," promised Linus. If he had thought it might he would never have agreed.

His mother eyed him. "The press expects the Plaza in June...have any idea what we have to expect down there?"

"There's this rather nice bar called the Alibi Room-" started Linus half teasing.

"Christ." She then screamed, "Barry, get me a drink!"

Within the week Anna Carlisle, her PA Barry Lowenstein, and her son flew out to Chicago. She was then introduced to Fiona and Gus as the rest of Ian's family was busy.

"Carlisle, not Hennings?" asked Gus. After leading them into their home.

"I kept my maiden name for politics," the woman replied coldly. She eyed the messy kitchen she was sitting in, afraid that if she touched anything she would need a tetanus shot. "Now, let's talk about your wedding."

"There's a small chapel here. It was where I took Ian to be christened," Fiona explained.

Anna turned her steely gaze on the young woman. "You took him? Surely you two aren't his parents."

Fiona laughed. "No. I am his older sister. My parents were too hungover from celebrating the night before. They told me to take Lip and the screaming baby out of the house or else. Told me to get him christened, that I shouldn't waste the money that had already paid."

"Lip?" Anna asked.

"Phillip, one of our other brothers," Fi responded.

Anna shook her head before changing the topic. "The chapel sounds lovely. I am sure we can control the security there fine. An outdoor reception could be lovely as well, if that is amenable."

"You've thought of everything." Ian said with trepidation and some relief.

"I always do." Anna looked around the room distastefully once more. "This has been great, we'll get in touch."

She led Barry, who had been taking copious notes, away leaving Linus and Ian alone. Fi and Gus went to walk them out.

"Sorry she can be a bit much," Linus confessed.

"No. It's fine. Everything will be fine once we're married." Ian hoped that saying it would make it so.

"I've heard that Kira will be flying out soon," Linus said easily.

Ian nodded. "Yeah, it's been awhile since I've seen her. I was hoping on taking her to check out this company to do silverware for the reception."

Linus pressed a kiss on his fiancee's temple. "You know what's best. Can't wait."

Ian's eyes brightened. "They seem to be very interesting. I'm surprised I'd never heard of them in New York, they've started to make a pretty big name for themselves."

"What are they called?"

"Canary Metal Works."

This chapter was hard for me to write, also senior year has kept me so busy. I am sorry for the delay, but someone's lovely comment convinced me to work on this (also spring break so I have the time). I am hoping to write another chapter before the week is over, but no promises. Let me know what you think so far! I love your comments, and they are what's gonna motivate me tbh. Lots of love T.W.o.W.