10.
Tell you a secret, I'm not alarmed
So what if I'm crazy? The best people are
All the best people are crazy, all the best people are
Mickey didn't know how or why he ended up back near Salomé or Ian. He was a guy and he needed his space to figure everything out, yet he had Salomé persuading him back over to her place and it was not a shock to find Ian inside of her home. It's not that he was upset with Ian over what happened, it's just that he simply needed his space and also he wanted to deal with what happened all on his own. This entire situation was fucked up, his father had caught him in an intimate moment with someone he cared about and it happened to be another guy. Mickey started to think over the next past couple of days that maybe he was in the wrong.
Maybe he shouldn't feel the way he does when it comes to Ian, another guy. Was Mickey even really gay? Or was it just simply sex? Mickey's had meaningless sex before in his life and he's had some pretty decent fucks before in his life but the best sex he's ever had was with Ian. He'd never mention it to the guy but it was truth. For as long as Mickey has known, sex with the same gender was never acceptable and you were immediately considered a faggot and less of a man, at least that's how it was viewed from a ignorant man's point of view. He's had a few encounters with gays in jail but his first time happened to be with Ian. With Ian everything was different, it wasn't about labels and it was two people expressing themselves with their bodies but deep down Mickey knew it was more than just sex.
The tension in the living room was thick. Mickey sat in the living room with Ian and Tony, Tony stretched out comfortably on the chaise lounge chair while Ian kept his eyes trained on the side of Mickey's face. Mickey sipped on his corona his eyes trained on the television trying his hardest to ignore Ian's intense gaze on the side of his face. Mickey gave Ian the side eye in annoyance biting down on his tongue to refrain from saying anything to the red haired boy, with the bounce of his leg he turned his attention to Tony who laughed at the screen.
"What is this shit we're watching, man?" Mickey finally spoke.
Tony pulled his hazel eyes away from the screen to stare at the older grumpy dark haired teen, "It's the Muppets. Everyone loves the Muppets."
"I don't. Can't we watch some action, guns blazing, people getting chased, shot at or somethin'?" Mickey argued, sipping from the glass bottle.
Tony scoffed, "Typical. Just typical coming from a guy like you, wanting to watch nothing but violence."
Mickey raised both of his eyebrows high as he finally glanced over at Ian who was frowning at Tony after moving his eyes from Mickey's frame. Mickey let out a low breath as he placed the empty bottle onto the coffee table in front of him, placing both of his elbows on the edge of his knees, "All I asked is for you to change the fuckin' channel to something everybody in this room wants to watch."
"You don't live here. My house, my tv so you either watch what I'm watching or go in the kitchen and put your apron on and get to chopping onions or something tú el gueto carajo. (you ghetto fuck)" Tony snapped, flicking his wrist at Mickey.
Ian noticed Mickey started bouncing his knee again which meant that he was trying his hardest not to get into anything, also his fist balling was a dead give away. Ian placed his hand over Mickey's causing the dark haired nineteen year old to turn his attention to Ian, eyeing the way his hand looked on his own skin.
Once Ian removed his hand he furrowed his brows as he defended Mickey, "As far I know you don't live here either. Salomé owns this house and pays the bills here. You're just living here rent free, so the television really belongs to her and as the guests of this house you're supposed to make them feel comfortable. I know a bit of Spanish and if you have a problem with the way we live then you must have a problem with the way your sister lives as well...since she says she feels more home here on the south side than back in Cairo. So I guess that makes her gueto too."
Tony rolled his eyes as he tossed the remote onto the coffee table getting on his feet, "Whatever. My sister and I weren't raised to live in filth so she better enjoy it while it lasts."
Ian continued frowning as Tony said those words watching as Tony stomped out of the living room and up the steps to the second floor of the town home.
"Hard to believe that asshole is related to Salomé," Mickey replied after letting out a low whistle, "He was this close to having his face through that fuckin' screen." Mickey pointed at the tv as he snatched the remote with his other hand.
Ian chuckled as he slouched down in the couch, "Yeah I don't know...I actually would have liked to see that. He's been acting weird lately. Different from when Mandy and I first met him."
"Hm." Mickey muttered as he channel surfed, knowing he had a lot of options.
Ian continued to stare at Mickey making his eyes go wide and drop the remote into his lap swinging his head at an angle to face Ian. "You got something you want to say to me too, Gallagher? Cause if you keep staring at me like that, your face might kiss the screen too."
"Are you okay? Are we okay?" Ian spoke slowly, licking his lips a bit as he felt his heart pounding roughly against his chest.
Mickey blinked, "What are you talking 'bout?"
"I think you know what I'm talking about." Ian hinted, his eyes trailing over the bruises on Mickey's face.
"Jesus Christ, Gallagher. So my dad finds us fuckin' and beats the shit out of us, we lay low for awhile and you suddenly think there's something wrong?" Mickey answered, crossing his arms.
Ian didn't understand this. Why was Mickey brushing this off?
"Mickey not only did your dad beat me but he beat his own kid without a care. Your father has a problem with what we are..." Ian started earning an eye-roll from the paler boy.
Mickey scowled, "There is no we, Ian. Just forget about it."
"Forget about it? How can I forget about it when the guy I'm in love with won't tell me how he feels and keeps denying that he's gay?" Ian voiced with a deep frown.
Mickey's eyes went wide at Ian admitting that he's in love with him. He didn't know how that made him feel at all, to know that Ian had felt that way about him, especially so soon. Mickey just thought this was causal sex and nothing more, now the kid was talking about love? Nah.
"You shut your mouth about that shit, alright? I ain't gay and you don't love me because I don't love you." Mickey answered, his eyes meeting Ian's whose dark eyes immediately showed pain within them.
It was silent between the two before Ian swallowed the lump in his throat, letting the words from Mickey echo throughout his brain. Mickey didn't mean that, Ian knew that. If Mickey didn't love him then he wouldn't have beaten the mess out of Jimmy/Steve's father. Mickey was just scared to come out of the closet, much like Ian was in the beginning and Lip found out. Ian knew that Mickey's father would never accept him but when the day that Mickey does choose to come clean, Ian might still be around or maybe not.
"Ya know Mick? It's not hard for me to wear my heart on my sleeve, you know that. I also get that you have to put on this tough guy front 'cause you're scared. I'm not afraid to scream from the rooftops that I identify as a gay man and I know you feel the same way about me. I know it, I can see it and I can feel it. I just wish you would talk to me without that bullshit on your tongue and just because you say you're not gay, which it's clear that you are-something, doesn't mean that it doesn't hurt when you lie to my face. I'll still be around 'cause I can't let you continue living a lie about your sexuality particularly to me, I won't." Ian spoke, his smoldering eyes piercing through Mickey's.
Mickey was at lost for words as Ian got to his feet, leaving Mickey with his thoughts.
Salomé glanced at the clock on her kitchen wall, then glancing at the watch on her wrist to count the seconds before bending to open up the oven. "Mandy and Mandy's boyfriend can you start bringing the dishes into the dining area? Thank you."
"Ah, it's Lip." Lip added as Mandy pulled him along with a smirk on her face.
Salomé hummed as she pulled the pan from the oven then gently placing it over the stove. Tossing the mittens to the side she gave a satisfied sigh as she stared at the presentation of one of the many meals she spent preparing for her friends.
"Why are we having this dinner, Meme?" Tony's voice entered Salomé' ears.
Salomé handed over the tray full of a tea set to her brother, "Everyone deserves a little bit of fun from the chaos lately, no?"
"I just hope you know what you're doing, inviting these people into our home." Tony replied, as he carefully turned heading into the dining area.
Salomé gently shook her head at her brother's doubtful ways, taking a deep breath as she untied the apron from her waist. Making her way over to the pantry, she pulled the door open to place the apron on the hook of the inside of the door. Turning around she met Ian who eyed the kitchen.
"Is there anything else that needs to be brought into the dining room?" Ian politely asked as Salomé made her way over to the taller, red-haired boy.
Blinking Salomé gave Ian a small smile, "No. Tony, Mandy, and Lip brought everything in already," Ian nodded his head as he stared out the small window behind the bench in the kitchen which made Salomé intertwine their hands, "Are you alright, my ginger star?"
Ian smiled down at the curly haired beauty giving her hand a comforting squeeze, "Not really. Is everything okay with you and Tony?"
"I don't know. Let's get rid of our madness for tonight with this party, Shall we? We can't be late." Salomé spoke, her eyes shining as she stepped back her hands still in Ian's.
"Okay." Ian smiled as the two made their way into the dining room.
Mickey's eyes shot to Salomé and Ian's enjoined hands, letting out a snort as he cracked open another beer. Salomé made her way from around the head of the table where Mickey sat, to grasp the can away from Mickey's hands before he could even take a sip.
Waving her finger in his face Salomé stared into Mickey's eyes, "We drink tea first before the potion."
Mickey watched Salomé in annoyance as she walked down the table to sit at the other head of the table. He turned to Mandy who laughed at his expression, "Is she serious?"
Salomé stared at all the faces around her. To the left of Salomé sat Mandy and Lip, to the right sat Tony and Ian leaving Mickey at the other head of the table. There was small chatter between Lip and Mandy while Tony reached for the first dish. Being Salomé she slapped the front of her brother's hand who glared at her for doing so. "We must pray first."
Tony scowled as he crossed his arms and leaned back to press his back into the gold velvet chair.
"So uh, Salomé is it? What's on the menu for this tea party or whatever the hell we're calling this?" Lip addressed the twenty year old Spanish-Egyptian.
Salomé smiled at the wide-eyed boy beside her as she arched her back trying to get comfortable in her seat, "The dish in front of your plate is Kushari."
Lip pursed his lips as he stared at the first dish. Tony rolled his eyes as he filled the boy in on what the dish was exactly, "Kushari is considered like a pasta dish. It obviously has pasta in it, tomato sauce, rise, lentils, caramelized onions, garlic, and chickpeas."
"Sounds good." Ian commented.
"Next to that is Dukkah which is a spread that goes onto the flatbread, Mandy helped me prepare. Or you can use it on the tomatoes or cucumbers."
"You cooked?" Mickey chuckled at his sister, who went to punch his shoulder.
Lip nodded turning his head to Tony waiting for him to inform him a bit more on it. Tony sipped from the tea cup as his hazel eyes flicked up to meet Lip's tropical eyes, "What? I don't need to narrow it down more for you do I? She clearly said it's a spread so it's like a dip. And you say he's intelligent? Could have fooled me." Tony mumbled the end part towards Mandy but the entire table heard.
"Uh, what the fuck is your problem?" Lip barked.
Tony waved his hands in the air as he placed the tea cup back onto the saucer, "Oh nothing."
Salomé gave her brother a warning glance which he replied with an innocent smile, "Lastly we have Paella Mixta and Jasmine tea."
"All of this looks rad, Lo." Mandy grinned over at her friend who winked back at her.
Tony angled his head as he stared at Lip, "Do you need me to explain what's in the last two dishes too Philip or can you use your high GPA to figure it out?"
"Hey why don't you just shut the fuck up?" Mickey exclaimed, leaning his elbows on the table ignoring Salomé who scolded him on doing so.
"Excuse me?" Tony blinked as he met Mickey's heated stare.
"I think you heard him." Ian said.
Tony folded his knee over the other, "I'm just making sure my guests are comfortable, is all."
Mandy laughed humorlessly, "Yeah, okay. Just stop acting like a bitch and enjoy this dinner that your sister was so nice to set up for all of us."
"That's right I am a bitch and don't you forget it. I'm the head bitch in charge," Tony sassed as he sipped on his tea.
Lip snarled, "A dumb one at that."
"Aw, Philip you seem a little upset. What is Mandy's pussy not doing it's job?" Tony argued.
Just as Mandy tried to charge over the table, Lip latch onto her waist quickly while Tony let out a laugh although it was cut short once a gunshot was fired. Everyone in the room became quiet as they stared at Salomé who sat calmly in her chair, her face blank as she lowered her gun. Mickey and Ian eyed each other before turning their head to see a bullet in the wall behind Mickey.
Lip was the first to speak, "What the hell are you thinking firing a gun inside the house like that?!"
"This is my house. If I want to fuck it up, I can." Salomé hissed with authority, tilting her head as she stared over at the eldest Gallagher boy.
Salomé pushed herself from the table with the gun still in her left hand, making sure that everyone's eyes were on her. Tony began to pick at his nails hiding his nerves and secretly proving his suspicions about his sister to be correct.
"Now that I have your attention, let's get one thing clear. We are now passed the time we were supposed to have this party. I dislike not being on time, everything has to be in order! Now that you all ruined it, we're all behind schedule." Salomé breathed, pinching the bridge of her nose.
Ian swallowed, "It's not too late to start. It's only six-forty-five."
Salomé reopened her eyes looking as if she were on the verge of tears.
"Why don't you put the gun down?" Mickey suggested as Salomé' brown eyes surfed the room.
Salomé grinned as she heard the slight whispers dance around in her head.
"Teach them a lesson, Salomé."
"Why? Are you scared?" Salomé laughed as she pressed the cool barrel against her temple, watching as everyone around her stared at her in worry.
It seemed as if everyone were on their feet now, except for Tony who watched his sister with a small smile.
"Salomé just put the gun down, we don't want you or anyone else to get hurt." Ian coached as he slowly inched towards the girl.
Salomé breathed out a laugh as she removed the gun from her head and began waving it around, "Why must things never be on time? Don't you wonder how I've made it through all this time?"
"What is she talking about, Tony?" Mandy yelled out to Tony who remained unbothered.
Tony sighed, "I told you guys about her but you didn't listen to me. Want to know who the real Salomé is? Well you got her!" He finished as he latched onto a tea cup, sipping the rest of his tea.
"What?" Lip questioned, clearly confused as he stared at everyone around him.
Salomé shifted her gun to Tony, "Oh dear Akh (brother) don't socialize with my friends like I'm not even here. After all we're behind on schedule because of you."
Tony rolled his eyes, "I know I know, Meme. You tell me this all the time, If I don't think I shouldn't talk."
As Salomé got ready to reply she jumped as the doorbell rung. Tilting her head at the noise she turned her gaze back to the people in the room with her, "Oh more guests!"
Salomé stepped to Ian who continued to hold his hands out while Lip shifted on his feet at the exchange, "My ginger star, do your friend a favor and hold onto this for me?"
Ian's dark green eyes stared down at the weapon Salomé held out to him correctly. Ian didn't hesitate as he gripped onto the gun and Salomé's hand. The honey skinned girl gave Ian a smile as wide as a Cheshire cat, "Oh mi amor don't look so frightened! The show must go on, no?"
Standing on her tippy toes she pressed a kiss to Ian's cheek as she spun to face the rest, "I hope I look presentable."
"You look wonderful." Tony stated, knowing that no-one else would.
Salomé smiled over at her brother as Ian put the lock on the gun before placing it in the back of his waistband. Mandy, Lip, Mickey, and Ian all watched as Salomé exited the room with a bit of pep in her step.
Once she were out of the room Mickey was the first to grill, "What the fuck was that?"
As Salomé made it to the front door she smoothed down her clothes before placing a wide grin on her face; reaching for the handle of the door. Pulling the door open Salomé stepped back in shock to see four familiar faces standing before her.
"Hello Salomé, or should I say Alice?" The man to the right declared with a wink, his big blue-green eyes filled with amusement.
Gulping Salomé placed a smile on her face, searching the voices in her head to give her the confidence that she needed.
"Don't be rude Salomé aren't you going to let your family and your husband in?" Viviano, the man to the left delivered with a beam.
Salomé stepped back as she waved her family inside, accepting a kiss on the lips from her husband who entered first, along with her brother and his wife Dixie, leaving her father for last.
A/N: Yeah this deserved an update. After I finish the last chapter of 'Been That Way' I'll be back to writing this story. So boom a lot happened in this chapter, the Gallagher's and the Milkovich's have now seen a different side to Salomé. OH and let's not forget that we just found out the girl is also married!
As always thanks for the love on this story.
Be sure to let me know your thoughts on this chapter below as well.
More to come soon!
-ALES