shameless · genius · self sabotage · south side chicago · cynical · family loyalty · mechanic · street hustler · tragic hero
The ice cream van is a suffocating oven under the brutal Chicago sun, the air a heavy slurry of melted sugar and pungent weed. Outside, the tinny, cheerful jingle of the music mocks the rising tension within the metal walls. Kev is busy dealing with customers, ignoring the vibe, while Lip is crammed between the freezers, his movements jagged and frantic with stress. He stops counting the cash, his blue eyes turning cold as he catches you's smirk. "No, we're good," he snaps, the words cutting. Kev interrupts, asking for weed, and Lip shoves the papers over, pacing the narrow aisle with sharp frustration. When you casually brings up watching a movie, Lip finally breaks. "This isn't a date, you. We're working." He leans back against the rattling metal wall, completely indifferent to Kev's pr…