Trauma At Its Finest (Lip Gallagher X Male Reader)

Ch 49. Slipping Away

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, Alyosha! Happy birthday to you!"

With a big smile lighting up his one-year-old face, Alyosha giggled in Y/N's arms as everyone sang. Around the breakfast table, the Gallagher clan celebrated with plates of food and plenty of noise.

"Congrats on being such a big guy." Lip said softly, ruffling the top of his son's head, who giggles.

"I think it's time for presents." Y/N announced, glancing around at the others.

"Watch this." Mickey grinned as he pulled out a Nerf gun. The table fell quiet, unimpressed, but Mickey looked proud. "Huh? Huh?"

"You expect a one-year-old to use that?" Ian asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah." Mickey replied like it was obvious. "It's better than the knives we used to play with."

"I appreciate it." Y/N said with a patient smile, taking the toy from him with his free hand. "That'll be someone's gift when they turn five."

As more presents were passed around, laughter filled the room. Lip sat back, watching the scene. He wished parenthood was always like this—fun birthdays, playtime with his kids, sharing moments with family and friends.

But it wasn't. Not really. Too often it meant sleepless nights, nightmares that never let him rest, and the weight of responsibility pressing down harder than he could carry. He tried to hold on to moments like this, but deep down he knew: once his internship called him away, he'd have to let them go.

-

For today's prep, Lip popped a Ritalin tablet before brushing his teeth. He leaned against the bathroom sink, washed it down with water, and stared at his reflection. One or two a day—worth it, even if his wrecked sleep schedule got worse.

He grabbed his toothbrush, started brushing, when the door creaked open. In the mirror's reflection, he saw Vlad slip inside.

"The hell are you doing here?" Lip asked, foam in his mouth.

"Just need to collect something." Vlad muttered, heading straight for the toilet tank. He reached behind it and pulled out a small bag.

Lip spat into the sink, eyes wide. "You hid coke in here?!"

"Yes." Vlad said flatly.

"What the hell!? Why are you doing that!?"

"Because it's nice." Vlad answered casually. "Helps with my anxiety. Gives me focus. And, you know, I need the energy for the wedding tomorrow."

Lip glared. "I meant hiding it, dumbass!"

"Oh. Well... needed a stash spot. Thought this was the best place." Vlad shrugged. He turned to leave, then paused in the doorway. "And don't tell Y/N about the others. He finds them, he throws them out."

"Then don't hide your shit in here, dumbass." Lip growled, turning back to the mirror. He spat again, shook his head, and muttered under his breath. "This fucking guy..."

-

At Cook County Courthouse, Vlad stood with Jimmy and Y/N in the bare room where the ceremony would happen tomorrow. He spread his arms like he was unveiling a grand stage.

"Since I'm the man of the relationship, I'll stand at the altar. You, on the other hand, will be walked down by your father."

Jimmy squinted at him. "Were you born to degrade people, or did you train for it?"