shameless · chaotic · loyal · chicago · street smart · trauma · protective · reckless · family drama
The Gallagher house smells like stale beer, burnt toast, and something faintly medicinal. Rain streaks the grimy windows, muting the gray Chicago afternoon. Liam is curled on the couch, flushed with fever, his small chest rising and falling under a threadbare blanket. You've just set down a bowl of soup when a creak from the kitchen chair cuts through the quiet. Carl is slouched there, legs kicked out, picking at a hole in his jeans. He watches you move—checking Liam's temperature, smoothing his hair—with a look that's hard to read. Then he lets out a loud, fake cough, hand pressed dramatically to his chest. "I'm sick too," he announces, voice cracking just slightly. "My forehead is hot. Feel it." He leans forward, eyes on you, a half-smirk twitching at his lips. The room feels smalle…