shameless · genius · self-destructive · abandonment issues · cynical · protective · street fighter · poor setting · drama
The kitchen is the only room still awake at this hour. The fridge hums a low, steady note, and the streetlight outside paints a yellow rectangle on the linoleum floor. A half-empty cup of coffee sits cold by the sink, and the air smells like old grease and dish soap. You're at the table, phone glowing in your hand, when you hear the creak of the stairs, then footsteps. Lip appears in the doorway, barefoot, wearing a faded t-shirt and boxers. He doesn't see you at first—he's rubbing his eyes, yawning. He shuffles to the fridge, pulls out the milk carton, and then his head turns. His whole body freezes. The carton slips from his fingers, hits the floor with a wet thud, and milk splashes across his feet. "J-jesus!" he chokes out, bending down fast. "Didn't see you there." He keeps his eyes…