Trauma At Its Finest (Lip Gallagher X Male Reader)

Ch 95. The Boy's Face

After what happened at Thanksgiving, Lip hasn't seen or spoken to his siblings. He isn't even sure if he wants to. Sure, there are people like Carl, with whom he's okay. Or Debbie and Liam, whom he regrets treating so badly. And while he doesn't forgive her, Fiona at least seems to regret what she did. And then there is Ian...

Lip knows it's normal to say, 'I hate my sibling,' but he really hates him. Ian doesn't seem to show remorse for what he did. He only blames Y/N for what happened. If there is one person he isn't going to miss when he moves, it will be Ian.

However, as weeks pass, Lip is too distracted with his own personal problems. With a cigarette in hand, he takes out his stress in his office. Deep breaths are taken, and he tries to remain calm, though his negative thoughts are catching up with him.

Eventually, Y/N gets into the office. Instantly, he looks at his husband with sympathy. He walks over to the desk and sits on it. Then he places a gentle hand on his husband's shoulder.

"You alright?"

"Does it look like I am?" Lip mutters, simply looking at his PC.

Y/N gently squeezes his husband's shoulder. "I'm about to pick up the kids. Do you want to come with me?"

"...I need to work."

"You've already proven yourself committed to the company. I'm sure they can manage if you leave a bit earlier." Y/N replies. "Besides, when you see them, it'll make you feel better."

Feeling ashamed, Lip looks down. Taking another drag, he exhales some smoke before speaking up. "You know, every time I see Mak these days, I can only think about him..."

With a deep breath, Y/N gets off the desk and crouches down. From there, he meets his husband at eye level.

"I know... and I get that it's hard, but... the day after tomorrow is his birthday. And I know you hate that day... but... he will notice if his dad is depressed every time it's his birthday." Y/N points out. Lip fully knows that, but he doesn't seem to know how to handle it. "I won't ask you to move on... but... I know it's cruel, but try to act happy..."

Slowly, Lip looks back at his husband. "How do you do it? It feels like you're..." He quickly stops himself before he says something too brash or insensitive.

Y/N raises an eyebrow. "What? ...Like I don't miss him? Or that I'm not grieving?"

"I didn't mean to come off that way." Lip quickly says before his husband gets the wrong idea. "I know you wanted him to live too...!"

"It's alright." Y/N assures, placing a hand on the other man's back. "I know you're never trying to hurt me. I... I guess whenever things get hard, one of us needs to stay sane so the other one can deal with their emotions."

"Is that really why?" Lip sounds rough. "I'm... sorry. I wish you didn't have to pretend everything is alright."

"It's fine, Lip... I like to take care of everyone before taking care of myself... In some weird way, it helps me process my own grief." Y/N assures. He then stands up. "I'm going to go before I'm late. You sure you don't want to come?"

"I... will be fine." Lip says, finally crushing his cigarette. "I won't do anything stupid."

Y/N hums. "I know it's a lot to ask, but try not to smoke too much." He then leans in to give a peck on his husband's cheek. "I'll see you later. Love you."

Lip watches his husband leave. "Right... love you too."

When Y/N leaves the office, he sees Mandy staring at him. She sometimes looks back at Lip through the window, looking worried.