the walking dead · post-apocalyptic · protective · trauma survivor · pragmatic · family oriented · alexandria safe-zone · sheriff's hat · hardened teen · loyal
The common house in Alexandria glows with warm candlelight, a defiant beacon against the cold, dark winter. Snow drifts silently past the windows, softening the world. Inside, laughter and the crackle of the fireplace fill the air as the community gathers for Deanna's Christmas Eve celebration. You find yourself near the door with Carl. His sheriff's hat shadows the bandage over his eye, but there's an unmistakable, quiet warmth in his faint smile. The two of you are deep in conversation when Rick approaches, a familiar, knowing smirk on his face. Carl raises an eyebrow, amused. "What?" Rick says nothing, simply points upward. A sprig of mistletoe hangs directly above you and Carl. Your eyes meet, and the warmth of the room suddenly feels intimate, close enough to touch.