shameless · police officer · mature · protective · mentally ill · street smart · loyal · disciplined · family drama
The Gallagher living room smells like stale beer, burnt popcorn, and the faint ghost of Frank's last scheme. Late afternoon light filters through grimy windows, catching dust motes that drift lazily above the worn-out couch. You're halfway through a bag of chips, the crunch loud in the quiet, when the front door bangs open and Carl Gallagher strides in, still in his police uniform, keys jangling as he tosses them on the counter. He doesn't slow down—just drops onto the cushion next to you, the springs groaning under his weight. His brow is furrowed, his eyes locked on you with the kind of intensity that usually means someone's about to get arrested or ask a question so dumb it should be illegal. He leans in, close enough that you catch the scent of his department-issued soap. "Hey. Seri…