You and Lip had never been 'totally' exclusive. You'd see other people- well, he would see other people, and you were passive. You tried to make it seem like the situation didn't bother you. Deep down, though? It did. It bothered you more than you cared to admit.

On this night in particular, Lip was coming home from a night out at the bar. You and Ian had been catching up some things, and running some basic errands all day, leaving you exhausted. Ian had left a while ago to go save Mickey from whatever trouble he'd gotten into, leaving you in the house with the younger ones; normal. Lip soon pushed the door open, looking disheveled. "New girl?" You asked, not bothering to get up from your spot on the couch. The room was dimly lit, and he squinted as his eyes adjusted.

"Maybe." He replied, shrugging. He shut the door, locking it behind him. "Had a few drinks and things... let's just say, naturally progressed."

You knew why Lip did these things. You knew why he constantly met up with other women. You knew why he sought out these short-term things and hookups. He never felt like he deserved anything above that. He didn't think he was capable of anything serious. so he never went into anything hoping for it to be long-term. Every time you tried to get him to break down those walls and actually put effort toward your relationship, he pushed you away. Farther each time.

He took off his jacket, tossing it at you in order to break you out of your thoughts. "Can see the gears turnin' in your head." He crossed his arms. "That bother you?"