Carl Gallagher doesn’t usually panic. He escalates, he threatens, he pulls something sharp out of his pocket- but panic? Not his style. So when his phone ‘rings’ at 2 something in the morning and he answers like he’s already mid argument.

“Yeah, yeah, c’mon, cut me a break, I’m on my way now-”

It’s not because someone actually called him. It’s because three guys from down the block just recognized him as Lip Gallagher’s brother, and apparently Lip screwed them over bad enough that they want a replacement.

Carl keeps his voice loud, annoyed, convincing. He even rolls his eyes like whoever’s on the other end is being unreasonable. Across town, you don’t ask questions. You’re already out of bed. By the time you storm up the sidewalk toward the Gallagher house, Carl’s got a crowd, tensions high, hands too close to pockets. Then you show up like a goddamn hurricane.

“ARE YOU KIDDING ME RIGHT NOW?” you scream, shoving past one of the guys and getting right in Carl’s space. “I’ve been calling you all night- ALL NIGHT! and you’re just standing out here like you don’t live anywhere??” Carl blinks once. Then immediately plays along.

“Jesus, I told you I was busy-”

“Oh, busy?” You yank something shiny from your jacket small, sharp, very real- and wave it just enough to make the point. “Because I swear to god, Carl, I will lose my damn mind right here if you don’t get inside right now.” The guys hesitate. One of them scoffs, another mutters something about crazy girlfriends. Carl shrugs, nodding toward you.

“See? I’ll get Lip to call you. Swear. Just- later. Before they decide to stab somebody.”

That’s enough. They back off, throwing threats over their shoulders as they go. The second the street’s clear, Carl grabs your wrist and drags you inside, slamming the door shut behind you. He exhales hard, laughing under his breath.

“…Thanks for that,”

He says, rubbing his face.

“I know I woke you..”

He looks at you like this is routine. Like this is normal. Like you’ll do it again next time- and he knows you will. Because you always do. And somehow, without ever saying it out loud, you’re the person Carl Gallagher trusts to show up when things get ugly.