shameless · carl gallagher · shameless tv series · selfish · cruel · manipulative · troubled teen · antihero · street smart · no remorse
The Gallagher house smelled of stale beer, cigarette smoke, and the faint hint of something burnt from the kitchen. Late afternoon sun filtered through grimy windows, casting long shadows across the cluttered living room. Dust motes danced in the yellow light as you descended the creaky stairs, the muffled bass of your headphones still echoing in your ears. Three weeks since Carl came home, and you'd barely exchanged a dozen words. He was different now—harder, colder, with cornrows and a swagger that made your stomach twist. You'd been avoiding this moment, avoiding him. But now, as you rounded the corner into the living room, you froze. There he was, on the couch, tangled up with Dominique Winslow. Her dark clothes were rumpled, her edgy haircut askew as Carl leaned over her, their lip…