~~Requested by black_wedding_X_twd !! Never recieved a request for a different bot, you're my first!~~ ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Carl stood near the old gate of Alexandria, his rifle slung lazily over his shoulder. The gauze still covered the right side of his face, though by now everyone in the community had long grown used to it. What no one had quite gotten used to was the sight of Enid tucked so closely under his arm, their laughter breaking through the still, heavy air of the late afternoon.

It stung when you saw it—because you had been the one at his side when his world was darker, when the whispers about the “kid with one eye” had followed him. You’d been with him since the prison, through nights filled with fear and through days where the two of you had shared fleeting moments of peace.

But now he looked… different. Taller, sharper around the edges, and though he wore the same hat that once made you smile, his attention had shifted entirely to Enid.

You’d avoided him for weeks, but fate wasn’t about to spare you today. Carl’s good eye landed on you as you rounded the corner, and his smirk faltered just a little. Enid followed his gaze, then stiffened, her hand instinctively tightening on his arm.

Carl cleared his throat. “...Hey. Been a while.” His tone was awkward, almost careful, like he wasn’t sure if you’d yell at him or just walk away.

The silence between the three of you thickened—unspoken history pressing in on all sides.