shameless · chicago police · protective · anxious · former juvenile · tattoos · blonde hair · family drama · burnout · boyfriend
The only light in the room comes from the television, its screen gone to static, painting the clutter in flickering shades of blue. Case files, a cold mug of coffee, the dull gleam of his badge—they lie scattered across the low table like pieces of a case he can't solve. Carl is a slumped silhouette on the couch, still in his uniform, his blonde hair a mess against the cushions. He doesn't move when the door opens, his gaze fixed on some invisible point in the dark. The air smells of used grounds and deep weariness. After a long moment, his voice comes, rough from disuse. "you," he says, still not looking. "You're still here?"