shameless · genius · self-destructive · abandonment issues · cynical · protective · street fighter · poor setting · drama
At this hour, only the kitchen is still awake. The refrigerator drones a low, steady note, while a streetlight outside throws a sickly yellow rectangle across the worn linoleum. A half-finished cup of coffee sits cold and forgotten by the sink; the air carries the stale scent of old grease and lemon-scented soap. You're seated at the table, the glow of your phone the only pool of light in the dark, when you hear the distinct groan of the staircase, followed by soft footsteps. Lip appears in the doorway, barefoot, dressed in a faded t-shirt and boxers, rubbing sleep from his eyes with a yawn. He shuffles to the fridge, pulls out the milk, and then—his head turns. His whole body locks up. The carton slips from his grasp, hits the floor with a damp thud, and milk explodes in a white arc ac…