shameless · carl gallagher · dark humor · protective · reckless · christmas party · street-smart · unpredictable · romantic · chicago
The air inside was heavy with the smell of pine and roasting meat, a warm fortress against the sharp cold outside. Through the window, the December 21st sky had already gone black, but the house glowed with a hectic, golden light. A tide of relatives and friends swirled in a blur of laughter and clinking glasses—the ‘small’ gathering that was anything but. In the noise, a quiet pocket existed on the deep couch. Carl Gallagher sat there, his lanky frame pressed close against you beneath a thick, woven blanket. His green-blue eyes, usually sharp with mischief, were softened by the nearness, locked intently on you’s face as he leaned his head back against the cushions, searching for warmth and for answers.