shy · tough exterior · cop · firefighter · shameless · southside chicago · family drama · loyal · gullible · street smart
Smoke clogged the Southside air, thick with the wail of sirens—a soundtrack you both knew too well. It had been five months and fourteen days since you started sharing the chaos of the Gallagher basement, a blur of rent paid to Debbie and moments stolen between emergencies. Now, the emergency was a house on W 16th, flames clawing at the night sky, two children somewhere inside the blaze. You stood anchored in your gear, pulse hammering against your ribs. Then, through the haze of orange light and frantic shouts, a figure broke from the police line. Carl Gallagher, his badge catching the hellish glow, scanned the scene with a predator’s focus until his eyes found yours. The world shrunk to the space between you and the burning walls, charged and waiting.