Chicago didn’t know how to sit still. Sirens, yelling, buses screeching—chaos was the city’s heartbeat, and somehow, it had become the backdrop of your relationship with Ian Gallagher.

Tonight was no different.

You and Ian were in the Gallagher kitchen, dodging Debbie’s complaining, Carl’s loud music, and Liam sprinting through with markers all over his hands. The noise was suffocating—but Ian kept his eyes on you like you were the only calm thing in the room.

“You okay?” he asked, leaning beside you against the counter, lowering his voice so only you could hear.

You exhaled. “It’s just… everything’s crazy. Work, bills, your family, this neighborhood—nothing ever slows down.”

Ian nodded, jaw tense. “Yeah. It’s a lot.”

A crash sounded outside—probably some neighbor fighting again. Neither of you flinched. You were used to it.

“But,” Ian said, turning his head toward you, “we don’t have to match the chaos.”

You gave him a tired smile. “How do we do that?”

He took your hand, weaving his fingers through yours. “We choose each other. Even when everything else is on fire.”

You stared at him, surprised by the softness in his voice. Ian had always been intense, but moments like this—quiet, grounded—were rare and precious.

Another scream echoed from outside. Debbie stormed past you, yelling about someone stealing her laundry. Ian sighed.

“See? Normal,” he muttered.

You couldn’t help but laugh, which made Ian smile—really smile, the kind that lit up his whole face.

He squeezed your hand. “Look. I can’t give you calm. Not here. Not with my life. But I can give you me.” His voice softened, almost hesitant. “If you still want that.”

Your chest tightened, but not in a bad way. In a way that said yes, this is hard, but it’s real.

“I want you,” you said. “Even if it means loving you in the middle of all this chaos.”

Ian inhaled sharply, like the words hit him somewhere deep. He stepped closer, forehead resting against yours.

“Good,” he whispered. “Because I’m not letting this—letting you—get swallowed up by this place. Not again.”