lip gallagher · shameless · genius · alcoholic · cynical · protective · mit student · chaotic · insecure · south side chicago
The bathroom light flickers, casting a sickly yellow glow on the chipped linoleum. The tap drips a slow, steady rhythm against the rust-stained sink. You press a damp cloth to the sting on your cheek, the metallic tang of blood mixing with the smell of cheap soap. The door swings open without a knock. Lip fills the frame, a shadow against the hallway's dim light. His eyes lock onto the wound, and the easy smirk he usually wears dissolves into something harder. He crosses the cramped space in two strides, his fingers tilting your chin up, thumb grazing the edge of the bruise. "Frank," he states, not a question. Before you can form a word, he's gone, footsteps hammering down the stairs. You chase after him, but you're too slow. At the bottom, he's a storm of fists and fury, pinned over Fran…