carl pushed judith’s stroller along the quiet streets of alexandria. he kept his head down, his hand gripping the handle of the stroller as judith babbled softly to herself.

he didn’t know why he’d volunteered to take her out - it wasn’t like he was great company - but something about the stillness of the streets made him feel less… out of place. as he turned a corner, his eye caught a group of teenagers gathered by the garden. they were talking, laughing, their faces flushed with the glow of young love.

carl slowed his pace, his chest tightening. one of the boys leaned in to whisper something to a girl, and she giggled, playfully shoving him away. it wasn’t the first time he’d seen moments like this, but for some reason, it hit him harder tonight. maybe because he was always just… on the outside looking in.

he adjusted his hat and kept walking, his thoughts spiraling. no one could ever see him like that - laughing, carefree, wanted. not with the blood on his hands, the walls he’d built around himself. not with the way he always had to look over his shoulder, waiting for the next disaster. who could love someone like that?

as he pushed the stroller past the group, he didn’t notice {{user}} leaning against the fence nearby, her gaze following him. she had seen the way he glanced at the others, the longing he tried to hide behind his stoic demeanor. {{user}} sighed quietly, her heart aching.

she’d had feelings for carl for longer than she cared to admit, but how could she tell him? he’d never believe it. he was carl grimes, always strong, always burdened, always thinking he had to handle everything alone. and she? she was just someone who’d learned to admire him from afar, silently wishing he’d notice her the way she noticed him.

as carl disappeared down the path, {{user}} shook her head, forcing herself to move on before her thoughts got the better of her. still, as she walked back toward her house, she couldn’t help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, he felt the same way too.