what you and i have makes me free

Full magazine edit of Chapter 17 of Cooperative Gameplay by @gallavichy

this chapter was so so good, I loved the interview and knowing more about Ian and Mickey's life during the 2 years gap.

it was kinda weird not being on Ian pov and I kinda missed Ian ngl

but I'm dying to hear more about Ian and Mickey's trip to Disneyland ! what did they do, what attraction they loved and how stupidly romantic they were !

can't wait for the epilogue even though I don't want it to end 😭

have a great week gray 🤍

thank you! so glad you enjoyed! <3

i missed ian, too. but my justification for keeping him in chicago was because i wanted mickey to gush about him, and i don't think he would have in the same way had he been in mo's place during the interview. and if ian had been there, as the writer, i would've felt like i had to constantly talk about what he was doing, as well, and the interview wouldn't have felt realistic, as kristy wasn't tasked with interviewing mickey and ian and absolutely does not care about him as much as we do. 

someone a while back suggested a trip to disneyland since it isn’t far from mickey’s la home. it’s a super cute idea and what i think happened is it was a massive milkovich-gallagher trip that acted as a christmas gift for all the gallagher kids. it’s mickey, ian, mo, mandy, liam, carl, debbie, and lip. fiona was invited but i feel like she chose to stay back and instead have the house to herself for a week. i imagine her dancing around in her underwear and enjoying doing whatever she wants lol

they all flew out together from chicago the week before christmas, stayed in mickey’s house, and spent two days at disneyland and another two touring la. 

lip and mickey hung out because they like each other and have all sorts of nerdy conversations.

liam had the time of his life in every way and filmed his trip so he could make it into a youtube video.

at disneyland, carl and debbie were able to let go and just be kids for a few days. carl got a goofy hat with the long ears and wore it around.

ian made mickey mouse jokes about mickey constantly and mickey started calling him merida.

everybody wore their santa hat mouse ears and took pictures in front of the castle. mickey posted all the pictures to his private account and a select few to his mick milk account.

they all had wristbands to get them into the lightning lanes so they rode most rides in the park over the two days. they all hung out in various groups throughout the day, but on the second disney night, ian and mickey went off together and walked around, only riding a handful of rides and mostly just being alone together during a busy, chaotic week. they got food together, held hands, and talked.

At last, we present to you the complete list of our wonderful creators! We mods are so grateful for these amazing individuals; without their talent and patience this fanzine wouldn’t be the awesome project that is shaping up to be.

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ARTISTS: 

@spoonfulstar, @psychicskulldamage, @doodlevich, @steorie, @darthvaders-wife, @sentimentalspiders, @sheto, @danihelvetti, @filorux, @maccreadysimp and @mere-mortifer

You can also find their links here! Show them some love. 💙

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With linearts by the amazing @wolfestw, @grumpymickmilk and @cryptoeim!

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STICKERS

by the awesome @wildxwired!

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WRITERS:

@xgoldendays, @twinklyylights, @gallavictorious, @lady-ekaterina, @southside-forever, @unbridgeabledistances, @suzy-queued, @livinginsunnyhell, @chat-noir12, @energievie, @notherenj-nowherenj, @mishervellous, @depressedstressedlemonzest, @lipgallagherstan, @captainjowl, @arrowflier and @ms-moonlight-inn

Read the zine’s fanfinctions extracts here! 

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GRAPHICS

by the wonderful @imikhailo and @luminoustrace!

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PLAYLISTS

by the amazing @gingit-cake!

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Preorder a copy of the Odi Et Amo Fanzine here! Preorders close October 12!

Disclaimer: I don’t know what it’s like to actually live with bipolar. That makes me nervous because I want to do right by it, so if I miss the mark on prompts like this, please do let me know. Also, this starts out a bit dramatic because when aren't they, but I promise they chill out.

Take Off Your Mask (don’t compensate for me)

Mickey is at the bathroom sink, getting ready to brush his teeth, when Ian comes in behind him. He watches the reflection of that messy red hair get closer as he squeezes minty toothpaste onto his brush—well, onto a brush, he’s not totally sure whose is whose at this point. Ian’s arms wrap easily around his waist, hands dipping just a little too low for common decency, and Mickey leans back into him as Ian bends to breathe against his neck.

“Mmm, again?” Mickey murmurs as Ian licks that sensitive patch of skin just behind his ear, those broad, warm palms heavy on his hips. “Didn’t I just take care of that?” he adds, pushing his hips back.

But Ian shifts so they don’t make contact, their lower halves stubbornly separated even as he plasters his chest to Mickey’s back, and Mickey knows something is wrong.

“You uh…” he starts, suppressing the sudden fluttering feeling in his chest, the one you get when you stand up too fast. He swallows. “You feelin’ good, man?”

As requested by this lovely anon!

+ Mickey’s surprise

Well, not now, but soon! Starting 11th of July!

@gallavichthings​ very kindly said I could share some optional prompts based on the themes! If you like, feel free to use any of these prompts as inspiration for fanfic, fanart, gifsets, edits, videos, meta, or any sort of original creation etc. You don’t have to stick to the exact prompt, you can use them as a jumping off point. The posting date for each theme is here, so please make sure to post anything you create on the correct day or anytime afterwards as long as you make it clear what day it was for. That’s right, you can post things anytime after each posting day for the theme, so you’ve still got lots of time! (Please always tag @gallavichthings and feel free to also use the tag #GW2021) You can also add any prompts of your own in the replies.

Day 1 - Theme: Post-Series Finale. July 11th.

Day 2 - Theme: Fantasy AU. July 12th.

Day 3 - Theme: Travel/Vacation. July 13th

Day 4 - Theme: Lyrics/Quotes. July 14th

Day 5 - Theme: Fix-it/Re-Write. July 15th

Day 6 - Theme: Historical AU. July 16th

Day 7 - Theme: Meet-ugly. July 17th

@gallavichthings

Mickey organises the surprise anniversary party and thanks the family (his family) after with a drunk photo of Ian.

+ a message from Big Brother Lip

Gallavich Week 2021

Gallavich Week is here! Are you all ready?

This year it’ll be from July 11th to July 17th. Themes are below.

Quick reminder that all kinds of fan works are accepted as long as they’re original. No sign-ups required, just post your work on the correct day and tag us.

More details and guidelines after the cut.

Themes

July 11th - Post-Series Finale

July 12th - Fantasy AU

July 13th - Travel / Vacation

July 14th - Lyrics / Quotes

July 15th - Fix-it / Re-write (aka canon-divergent)

July 16th - Historical AU

July 17th - Meet-ugly (examples here)

We look forward to seeing all of your creations!

Mickey: im a knife

Well, since you asked…

Let me caveat my answer by saying: when I make the claim that I think Ian was in love with Mickey pretty much from jump, I mean that he was as much in love with Mickey as he could be in his situation. When he and Mickey first do the do he’s a 15 year old kid whose only “real” relationship had been with his 30-something year old closeted, married boss. He’s as in love as any other 15 year old gay kid could be when he finally finds someone his own age, someone who he could connect with and relate to in a neighborhood where he could get knifed for just being who he is. Which is to say, a lot, but it’s a pretty superficial love at this stage. He does get hit hard though, and he falls quickly.

Gif credit: @isabellelightboob

Ian’s in puppy dog love at this point and at 15 years old that feels very real, but the longer they keep it up, the deeper it gets. Over the years it evolves. This is not the love Ian has for Mickey now in season 10 after years of alternately being together and apart, after the endless shitstorms they endured. It’s not even as intense as the love Ian has for Mickey in season 3 that causes him to lose his shit when he learns of Mickey’s wedding which leads him to push Mickey to try to admit his own feelings before Mickey can go through with it. We know at this point Ian’s in love - he urges Mickey to say it and he drunkenly lets it slip to Lip. This type of love is all consuming and in this case, extremely destructive.

ETA again (please someone stop me from thinking about this): The fact that Ian was so in love with Mickey so early is the foundation of their relationship for years to come. It’s the reason why they keep coming back to each other. It was and is SO important to Ian and pushes him to make all the decisions he makes from that moment (when he falls in love) forward. I actually don’t think it’s remarkable or surprising Ian fell in love so quickly (when you’re young you fall in love easily and often) but I do find it pretty amazing that his love has endured.

Gif credit: @gifshamelessus

I know I mentioned in the thread that I’m assuming prompted this ask that I believe the dugouts were so important for both Ian and Mickey because that’s when I think Mickey started falling in love with Ian, but it’s also when Ian realized he already was in love with Mickey. Before the whole Kash incident happened, I’d argue that they were really developing a friendship, as tentative and precarious as it probably was, but you don’t just run to your fuckbuddy when you’re emotionally compromised, nor do you drop whatever shit you’re clearly dealing with to comfort the dude you’re just fucking if you don’t have some type of feelings for them. I’m sorry, you just don’t. Ian cared. Mickey cared. Everything that happened after that only strengthened their feelings. Ian was just a bit quicker to get there, but when they’re at the dugouts their relationship shines. Boy has it so bad and there’s a look in that scene that makes it so, so obvious for me. Ian’s radiating love.

Gif credit: @lookatthelights

ETA: Season 2, for this reason is so important, but I’ll forever be on the bitter bus that all their development happens offscreen. Imagine how much they bonded that summer! This is the season where they fell in love - working together, hanging out, banging whenever they fucking wanted. It’s why Ian feels so bold to fight for what they have after Frank walks in on them. And it’s why it kills Mickey to break it off.

I think Ian and Mickey are perfect for each other because they’re so complementary. When we first meet Ian, he’s not innocent by any stretch of the imagination but he’s open, sweet, loving. You see this first and foremost with his family - he absolutely loves them, unconditionally. Even Monica, unfortunately, and to some degree, Frank. He has such a huge capacity to love that it’s so easy to believe that when he and Mickey start up, he just as easily falls for him. (Consequently, this is part of why Ian’s downfall is so tragic to me. He absolutely does not deserve the shitty hand he’s dealt. My poor Ian.) Mickey, on the other hand doesn’t have the same type of home life or family. I’d argue, and most Mickey fans would probably agree, that Mickey was starved for love. He clung to the first person to show him any kind of attention and care. But just because Ian loves so freely and Mickey accepts it so fervently, and it started when they were both so young and they’re both so flawed and fucked up doesn’t mean that it’s not real or any less beautiful.

“who put the fuckin’ cereal so far back?” lip calls from the gallagher kitchen. “it never goes past the pencil line,” he mutters, and mickey enters in a pair of red plaid boxers, his torso covered by the same grey tank top he’s had for as long as lip has known him.

“fuck you say?” mickey nods towards lip, his back straighter than a board as he stalks over to the refrigerator where he’s standing in front on his tip-toes.

lip falls back onto his heels, “i can’t reach the goddamn tootie fruites,” he groans.

franny laughs from the living room, “you said tootie!” she exclaims, running into the kitchen and pointing at lip. she sticks her tongue out before jumping onto the couch and standing on the cushions, her butt against the headrest as she continues watching her show on TV.

“debbie give her coke or some shit?” mickey jokes, but lip doesn’t find his quip amusing. instead, he backs up from the refrigerator and puts his hand on the small of mickey’s back, pushing him towards the metal ice box. “i’m shorter than you, shithead, what makes you think i can reach the goddamn box?”

lip rolls his eyes and perches himself on the countertop. “i don’t fuckin’ know, mick.” mickey tries anyway, but his fingertips barely grip the edge.

“it’s a lost cause, man.”

just then, tami enters the gallagher house with fred in his stroller. her eyes instantly drift to the top of the refrigerator where she spots the box of tootie fruites. “thank god you guys have cereal, we’re all out at our house,” tami bumps mickey out of the way with her hip and grabs the box with ease, “lip, remind me to get more, will you?”

lip stares at tami dumbfounded as she pours a handful in front of fred. his mouth opens and closes a few times in quick succession as he tries to think of something to say, but, eventually, mickey speaks up. “yo, toss us the fuckin’ fruit toots, or whatever the fuck they’re called.”

“jesus,” tami grabs the box off of the kitchen table and tosses it across the island and mickey who fumbles and drops the box on the ground. lip snatches it then, and carries it upstairs with him before mickey has a chance to react.

“fuckin’ thief,” mickey mutters under his breath.