ok so the early stages of ian & mickey’s relationship had moments of violence and emotional turmoil obviously, but there’s also this wholesomeness about it?? like, here is ian, a victim of grooming who really longs for organic connection and finally gets it with a boy his own age, develops a crush on said boy, and is persistent in wanting to spend time with him even if he’s met with rejection. he sees the potential for something more with mickey and thrives off of the moments when mickey lets his guard down and reciprocates ian’s attention. it’s the classic ‘i like a boy, i hope he likes me back’ scenario.
and then there’s mickey, a boy who’s known nothing but physical and emotional abuse, and is constantly on guard about revealing fundamental truths about himself in his hostile home environment. he has no one to really be himself around until ian gallagher comes along and offers that outlet (because they do actually enjoy being around each other outside of sexual encounters). it’s puppy love for him too, as much as he tries to deny it. mickey had encased himself in a hard outer shell out of necessity and a survival instinct, but ian shows up out of nowhere and cracks it wide open, and all the love mickey had concealed within himself and kept hidden away, so sure he’d never find a way or a reason to express it, came flooding out. and idk, i just think that’s neat.
theartofmadeline
origamiaround
kianamaiart
turnnoffyourmind
