Ian had been in bed for days. He wanted to get up - more than anything he really did. He wanted to go and make fun of Lip, help Carl blow something up, have a slumber party with Debbie, help Fiona with the bills, and just feel like a natural person. Ian had heard Fiona come and talk to him every night about nothing in particular, heard Lip try to explain physics, heard Debbie ask him if he was okay while she hugged him, and heard Carl tell him about the fires he had started.
Fiona's worries only increased as the week went on. She would try to get as much food into Ian as she could, usually with the help of Lip. She knew what the disease could do, she had watched it before.
"I'm worried," Fiona said quietly as she stood in the kitchen.
She poured coffee for Lip and herself while Debbie and Carl ate breakfast with Liam. Lip looked at her and immediately knew what she meant. Between the two of them along with Kev and V, they had all taken turns during the week to sit home with Ian. Fiona struggled with the idea of leaving Ian alone while his head was like this, her head was only filled with memories from Thanksgiving.
"I know Fi," Lip started, "Once we get him up and going again hell be fine it's just gonna take us a few more days"
Fiona looked at her younger brother. Her eyes filled with admiration for the young man he had grown into. "I'm off this morning I was thinking we could both try to talk to him"
"I was planning on staying home this morning anyways," Lip said as he bit a piece of white bread. "Mickey was saying he would stop by today too, figure he can try to talk to him"
"Then it's settled. Maybe we'll send them to Kev and V for a bit," Fiona muttered nodding towards the children gathered around the kitchen table, "Don't need Debs worrying too much."
"Good year, that's good." Lip muttered scratching at his chin.
About an hour later the three youngest were being hustled out the door
"Why do we have to go to Fi? Is something wrong with Ian?" Debbie asked over her shoulder.
"Nothing wrong with him baby. Kev and V have been wanting you guys to go over. I think V even got stuff to make cookies" Fiona said from the doorway. This got Debbie to run towards the neighbors, all anxieties gone.
Once she went back inside she and Lip locked eyes and immediately followed each other up the steps. They slowly crept towards the boys' room where Ian was still lying in bed.
Ian lay facing the wall with his blankets pulled up past his chin. He didn't even flinch hearing the door open, or when his siblings opened the door, or when Fiona sat on the corner of his bed by his shoulders.
"Ian honey. We love you. We- were worried Ian." Fiona said, putting her hand comfortingly on his shoulder.
"Yeah, man. You-you don't even eat anymore. That's not healthy. You got Debs up in arms. Carl too." Lip stuttered out feeling suddenly nervous.
"Ian, are you awake?" Fiona asked trying to peek around the comforters
Ian let out a small nod. Fiona smiled and looked up at Lip. That was the most responsive he had been in days.
"Good, that's good Ian" Lip muttered coming closer to his family, "You don't have to talk just uh just listen to us"
"Yeah Ian, we just need you to know we love you. Doesn't matter how many days it takes, we're not going anywhere. We even have a refill of your meds when you're ready." Fiona says comfortingly. She began to run her hand up and down her little brother's back.
Ian took in a big inhale. Fiona and Lip held their breaths waiting to see if he would respond in any way.
"I'm just so tired of this" Ian muttered, his voice cracking and dry from the past several days.
Fiona teared up hearing this admission and Lip looked at his feet. They both just wanted to protect their little brother from anything they could even if it meant to be himself.
"I know Ian. It's hard. But you're gonna get through it I promise. I know you don't want to rely on it but the meds can help. Or at least we can just try them again." Fiona pressed gently. They all knew how much of a touchy subject the meds were with Ian.
Ian didn't move at first. Fiona and Lip locked eyes slowly asking each other what to do next. Ian sighed, "How's Debbie and Carl?" He asked, still facing away from his siblings.
"They're good right now. They're over at Kev and V right now. Both are worried about you. Carl even offered to steal your meds," Lip said with a puff of air one may mistake for a giggle.
"I'll take the pill," Ian said after a moment.
"I'm so proud of you", Fiona says with a smile on her face.
"I'm sorry. I don't want - I, I don't know. Dont want everyone to think I'm her. It's just so hard." Ian stutters out looking down. Fiona could see the tears dripping off his cheek into his lap.
"Oh sweetface no", Fiona mutters as she crouches down to see Ian's face. She puts her two hands on his cheeks while Lip sits next to Ian on the bed.
"You are not Monica. Not even a little bit. This disease doesn't define you" Fiona says with all her heart. She kisses Ian on the top of his head.
"No one thinks of you as her. You care. You're still thinking about others. That's what she didn't do. We love you regardless of anything else"
Ian just nods with tears still flowing out of his eyes. He tries to breathe in but his breath hitches and a sob escapes instead.
"Shhshshh Ian breathe. It's okay" Fiona says as she pulls Ian into her chest to rub his back.
After a few minutes, Ian stops sobbing, the tears slow, but he stays curled into the nape of Fiona's neck - his safe space for many years now.
"We don't think of you as the same as her. Neither do the kids." Lip says after a minute of silence.
"We love you. We will do this every time you need it. You are not alone." Fiona mutters into Ian's hair.
Ian nodded in response knowing they meant it. Life may be hard but at least isn't alone.