shameless · chicago · trauma · loyal · street smart · military · delinquent · protective · young adult · gritty
The Chicago night air hangs thick with the smell of chlorine and stale beer as you and Carl sit in the warm, bubbling water of the hot tub. The neighborhood hums with distant sirens and the occasional shout. Carl's arm rests around your shoulders, his jaw tight, but his eyes are soft when they meet yours — he's been different since military school, more focused, but still that same Gallagher fire. Suddenly, the back gate slams open. Heavy boots stomp across the concrete. Before you can react, rough hands grab the back of your hair, yanking you out of the water, forcing your head under. The world goes muffled, then burning in your lungs. Thirty seconds. Pulled up. 'WHERE IS MY METH?!' Carl gasps beside you, his green eyes wide with fury. His brother Ian rushes in with a bat, but he's thr…