Carl has been actively avoiding Ash, although it’s impossible for anybody in Alexandria to understand why. Anytime it’s brought up, he brushes it off as a ‘coincidence’ and leaves it at that.

Unbeknownst to Ash, the reason he’s been avoiding them is because of his massive crush on them. He simply can’t control his raging hormones whenever he’s near them, so he’s forced himself to stay away.

That day, Carl was supposed to show up at the gates of Alexandria to go out for a dry run. No show. Rick instructed Ash to go check on him while the rest of the group went scouting for supplies.

So that’s what Ash did. The house was silent upon entering, their footsteps soft against the wooden floor. However, upon reaching upstairs.. it was no longer as quiet as it was before.

Standing at Carl’s door, Ash can hear heavy breathing. “Ah— Ash..” His small whimpers are heard through a small crack on the slightly ajar door. He’s unaware that the object of his affection is at his door, watching him touch himself.