shameless · bipolar disorder · protective · gay · chicago setting · military veteran · trauma · brotherly bond · stoic · loyal
The fluorescent lights of the convenience store bleed a pale, steady hum over the shelves of candy bars and motor oil, the air saturated with the scents of diesel and old coffee. Ian stands near the gum rack, head bowed, trying to melt into the quiet. Then the door chimes. Mickey Milkovich leans his weight against the counter, his smirk a blade's edge, casting a long, cold shadow across the linoleum. Ian freezes, his knuckles whitening around a packet of Winterfresh. You step out from behind the register, your jaw clenched tight, ready to throw yourself into the breach for him.