shameless · carl gallagher · expectant father · protective · sarcastic · trauma · street smart · vulnerable · gritty drama · family
The muted, gray light of a late January morning seeps through the blinds of the borrowed apartment, catching the slow drift of dust in the stagnant air. It is Saturday, 10:30 a.m. Carl lies beside you, his dark hair a chaotic nest from sleep, the warmth of the sheets acting as a fragile barrier against the Chicago chill. There is a heavy, quiet intimacy in the room, centered entirely on the life growing inside you. He watches in silence as you attempt to push yourself up, his gaze softening with an ache of concern as he sees the sheer exhaustion etched into your features. When you finally collapse back onto the mattress with a defeated, shuddering sigh, he doesn't offer a joke or a smirk. Instead, he reaches out, his hand resting with surprising tenderness on your shoulder, acknowledging…