Trauma At Its Finest (Lip Gallagher X Male Reader)

Ch 94. A Heated Thanksgiving

After everything that has happened, Lip and Y/N both know the slip-up isn't going to be a one-time thing if it isn't taken care of properly. That's why the alcoholic's husband suggests going back to therapy. Although the blonde thought he was over his bad habits, he admits he can't handle this on his own anymore.

Thus, with his husband sitting next to him, he receives full support as the troubled man shares his story.

"...And I keep having these nightmares about them before we got to the funeral... about how everyone left..." Lip receives a squeeze from his husband, which makes him more comfortable to share his problems. "I felt so nervous about seeing them... and talking to them, but when Carl got to the house... I just... froze. He acted like nothing had happened... like he didn't respond to any of my calls or messages..."

The therapist hums, listening closely. "What happened then?"

"Well... I tried to ignore these feelings, but I kinda erupted during the funeral... during which I saw everyone again, but I barely talked to them. No one even talked about Frank... just our kids. But when we buried him, a therapist came to us, because Y/N thought it would be good to have an intervention..."

"And why did you think that?" The therapist looks at Y/N.

"I had a fight with my brother for a long time, but Lip helped me make things right. I thought, 'If Lip could do that for me, I want to do the same for him.' He often has nightmares about what happened. And I just wanted to make him happy."

"And you thought the best way to do that is through an intervention?" The therapist asks.

"Honestly, yes." Y/N admits. "His situation is more complicated. You heard what he said about Fiona and Ian... To be honest, I don't even care if we get close like we used to. I just want Lip to have at least some kind of closure—whether it's accepting the situation and not seeing each other, or agreeing to meet up from time to time."

The therapist hums and looks back at the other man. "What did you think about what Y/N did?"

"I... understand where he's coming from... but at the time, I just felt... so angry." Lip lets out several exhausted breaths before speaking again. "It started out alright, but then everyone just began arguing... and then yelling... and then they blamed me for the fallout. I just freaked out... blamed it on Y/N and left... All I wanted was to forget everything... and I didn't even think rationally, so I just went to the bar... and drank..."

"You sound like you regret your actions."

"I do... I've been sober for seven years... and I just threw that all away..." Lip looks deeply ashamed, clenching his fists. "I needed to be better. I've got seven children... and I don't want them to go through the childhood I had..."

After several minutes, the married couple got back in the car to go home. Despite talking and processing what happened and his feelings, Lip never feels good after therapy. Thus, he quietly sits in the car, listening to the music of the radio in the background while his husband drives him home.

"You're alright?"

"I'm a bit better..."

Y/N hums softly. "You're not mad at me because of what I did?"

"No." Lip looks back at his husband. "Like I said, I get where you're coming from. But... maybe let me know next time."

"Right... sorry..." Y/N looks a bit guilty, thinking maybe if it wasn't so sudden, Lip could've handled it better. "You know, out of everyone in the world, I want you to be happy. I consider myself your biggest cheerleader... and I feel like if you feel like you're going to freak out or want to drink, you should go to me."