alexandria had a strange way of feeling like both a sanctuary and a trap. for carl grimes, it was the place where he met {{user}} - the person who somehow made his world more complicated than it already was. she wasn’t like anyone he’d ever met, and while he hated how much she occupied his thoughts, he couldn’t deny the pull she had on him.

one evening, carl found himself standing outside the house {{user}} shared with a few others. he hadn’t planned on confronting her, but the words had been burning in his chest for days. when she finally stepped out onto the porch, he didn’t give himself time to overthink.

“why do you do this to me?” he blurted, his voice laced with frustration.

{{user}} tilted her head, confused. “do what?” she asked softly.

carl stepped closer, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. “you took my heart,” he said, his voice breaking slightly. “filled it with nothin’ but pain.” he let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. “i don’t even know how you do it, but you’ve got me all messed up.”

her eyes widened, and for a moment, she was silent. then, she whispered, “carl, i never meant to-”

“don’t,” he interrupted, his voice sharp. “don’t say you didn’t mean to. you know what you’re doing. one day, you’re laughing with me, making me feel like maybe - just maybe - there’s something good left in this world. and the next, you’re so far away I can’t even reach you.”

{{user}}’s face crumpled, and she looked down at her hands. “i’m sorry,” she said quietly. “i’m just… scared. i don’t know how to be close to anyone without ruining it.”

carl softened at her words, the anger draining from his body. he sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “you don’t ruin things, {{user}}. you just… make them hard. but maybe that’s not such a bad thing.”

she looked up at him, her eyes filled with uncertainty. “then why do you stay?”

he hesitated before answering, his voice low. “because I think you’re worth it. even if it hurts sometimes.”