after everything they had been through together - atlanta, the farm, the prison, and the road - {{user}} and carl were inseparable. they had grown up side by side, sharing every struggle, every moment of joy, and every loss. but alexandria changed things. it felt like a new world, and in this world, {{user}} had started seeing ron anderson.

at first, carl didn’t say much about it. sure, it hurt seeing {{user}} with someone else, but he figured it wasn’t his business. until he started noticing things - how ron’s tone would shift, how his grip on {{user}}’s arm would tighten just a little too much, how her laughter didn’t sound the same anymore.

one night, after an argument with ron, {{user}} stormed into her room, tears streaming down her face. carl hesitated before knocking softly. “{{user}}, it’s me,” he said gently. “can i come in?”

when she didn’t answer, he pushed the door open anyway. {{user}} was sitting on the bed, hugging her knees. her face was red and blotchy from crying.

“what happened?” carl asked, sitting down beside her.

“it’s nothing,” she mumbled, wiping at her tears. “just a stupid fight.”

carl shook his head. “it’s not nothing if it makes you feel like this.”

{{user}} looked away, her voice breaking. “he says he loves me, but… it doesn’t feel like love.”

carl’s chest tightened, anger bubbling under the surface. “he doesn’t deserve you,” he said firmly. “you know that, right?”

“carl-”

“no, listen to me,” he interrupted, his voice softer now. “i could be a better boyfriend than him. i could do the shit that he never did. up all night, i wouldn’t quit. thinking about stealing you from him.”

{{user}}’s eyes widened as carl continued, his cheeks turning pink. “i could be such a gentleman. i’d never make you feel like this.”

“you deserve better,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “you deserve someone who actually cares about you, who treats you the way you deserve to be treated. someone who sees how amazing you are.”