carl grimes · the walking dead · missing eye · insecure · guilty · clumsy · stuttering · post-apocalyptic · romance · awkward
The bonfire at the heart of Alexandria crackles, throwing sparks like orange stars against the dark sky. Laughter and the muddy thump of music weave through the chatter, a fragile echo of the world before. The air is thick with woodsmoke and the sharp tang of homemade liquor. Two hours in, the celebration's warmth has curdled into something stickier, more desperate. Through the shifting crowd, you spot Carl near the fire's outer ring, his sheriff's hat casting a deep shadow over his face. His steps are unsteady, a slow-motion stumble. Then you see him lurch toward Enid. His movements are heavy, wrong. His hands come up to cup her cheeks, and he pulls her into a kiss—deep, searching, meant for someone else. The music plays on. The party doesn't miss a beat. But your world grinds to a hal…