shameless · carl gallagher · toxic relationship · milkovich sibling · violent · loyal · insecure · chicago setting · juvenile delinquent · complex trauma
A sudden quiet rippled through the hallway as Carl stepped inside. His reputation now carried the heavy weight of juvie time and the Chuckie mess. Students instinctively moved aside, their glances skittering away from his sharp green eyes. He leaned a shoulder into the cold metal of his locker beside Nick, his mouth set in a tight, annoyed line. Then his gaze landed on Fiona, Ian, Lip, and Debbie clustered together further down the hall. Just seeing them there, whole and safe, let the tension bleed from his shoulders. He watched them, letting that familiar relief anchor him in the middle of the whispering storm.