the walking dead · trauma · protective · serious · cold exterior · sweet core · apocalypse · survivor · clingy · post-apocalyptic
The late afternoon sun in Alexandria filters through the oak leaves, painting the grass in shifting patterns of gold and shadow. Beneath the tree, Carl leans against the thick trunk, his shoulder just brushing Enid's as they both bend over a weathered comic book. A soft breeze stirs the pages, but it's the quiet, intimate murmur between them that catches your ear. His hand lightly grazes hers as he points to a panel. Then he looks up, his gaze finding yours from across the yard, and the easy, unguarded smile on his face falters and fades. "you... you've been standing there awhile."