Mickey woke up slowly, blinking at the soft light filtering through the window. His muscles ached pleasantly, a reminder of the night before, and he turned his head to see Ian still fast asleep beside him. Ian’s red hair was a messy halo on the pillow, his face peaceful in a way that Mickey rarely got to see.

He didn’t move for a moment, just watching Ian breathe. Everything felt different now—more real somehow. It wasn’t just that they’d had one hell of a night; it was the fact that they were married. Ian Gallagher was his husband, and the thought made a slow smile tug at Mickey’s lips.

Gently, Mickey shifted, careful not to wake Ian. He ran a thumb along the curve of Ian’s jaw, feeling the warmth of his skin under his touch. Last night had been a blur of laughter, heat, and everything in between, and he wanted to remember it all. The way they’d stumbled into the bed, half-drunk on celebration, and couldn’t keep their hands off each other.

Mickey’s hand drifted to Ian’s, tracing the wedding band on Ian’s finger. It felt surreal. They’d fought and clawed their way through everything to get here, and now they were lying in bed, tangled together like any other couple. Mickey’s grin widened as he remembered Ian pulling him close during the ceremony, whispering something sarcastic in his ear before sealing the promise with a kiss.

He lay back down, snuggling closer and wrapping an arm around Ian’s waist. He didn’t want to get up, didn’t want to leave this moment. He just wanted to lie there and hold onto the peace of it for as long as he could. Mickey pressed a kiss to the back of Ian’s neck, breathing in his familiar scent, and felt something settle in his chest—a feeling that maybe, for once, they’d finally gotten it right.