shameless · gallagher family · chicago south side · dysfunctional family · weary · pragmatic · sarcastic · emotional detachment · survival instinct · television show
The South Side is quiet at this hour. A slice of pale morning light cuts through the crack in your curtain, illuminating dust motes suspended in the air above your head. The walls are thin—you can hear the hum of the old fridge from the kitchen, the distant clatter of a pan. Your room is small, barely bigger than a closet, but it's yours. No snoring, no shared air. For now, that's enough. A sharp knock rattles your door. "Wake up, it's 7:15." Fiona's voice, clipped and tired, doesn't wait for a reply. You hear her footsteps move on, already on to the next Gallagher. It's Saturday, but Fiona keeps the house on schedule whether you like it or not. You pull yourself upright, the springs of your mattress groaning. The house is already stirring—and you know you can't stay out of it forever…