This one shot is grimecest (carl/rick) so if that isn't your thing or incest triggers you, skip this chapter!!!
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"Can you stop picking me up in this cop car?" Carl shoved his bag into the floor board, climbing in and slamming the door. He grabbed the seat belt and buckled himself in, leaning back in the seat. "It makes me look like a fucking loser." He rolled his eyes when Rick mumbled "swear jar" and looked out the window. "Just start driving, I can't wait to get away from this place." He ran his fingers through his hair and looked down at his lap. "I'm gonna move far away."
Rick looked at his son, then back at the road. It wasn't uncommon for Carl to have days like this. There were more than a handful of times where kids messed with him for having a dad that's a cop. They wouldn't invite him out and wouldn't come over, insisting that Rick would ruin all the fun. Carl had friends, good ones like Enid who didn't mind that Rick was a cop, but when you're a high schooler that stuff matters. It's upsetting to be known as the prude with the cop for a dad. He turned down the road, speeding up some.
"Carl," Rick began. They had this conversation far too many times. "Those kids are just assholes. They do illegal things, that's why they don't want you around. They think that you'll come tell me, which I know you won't." Carl still wasn't looking at him, just glaring out the window with his back turned to Rick. "You're one of the coolest kids I know-"
"I'm not mad because no one wants to hang out with me!" Carl snapped, shaking his head. "And don't even bother telling me that I'm some cool kid or that I'm really smart, you have to say that shit-"
"Swear jar." Rick smiled at him. It was hard to be angry with Carl. Carl was angry, probably had enough anger for the both of them, but Carl was his boy, and a few fights weren't gonna change that. "I'm gonna say that no matter how old you get, just by the way. You're always gonna be my boy."
"You're my dad," Carl stated. "You have to compliment me and praise me and tell me I'm important. It doesn't mean anything." He crossed his arms over his chest and sunk lower against his seat. "Just, stop, okay? I'm so over all this bullshit. You don't mean it and every time you say it I'm reminded of it-"
There were a million questions Rick wanted to ask, but he would only be able to squeeze one in at a time. It was hard, not knowing what would make Carl snap and what wouldn't. Rick tried his best to make mental notes of all the things that upset Carl and the things that didn't, he always hated seeing his boy upset.
Rick put his hand on Carls thigh, rubbing his thumb against it. "Don't you ever think I don't mean this shit, Carl." He smirked when Carl did. It was rare that Rick would swear, it was part of his good cop act. Never swearing. Never getting too angry. Carl always smiled wide when he heard Rick swear, like he was proud or something. "I mean it all." He gripped Carls thigh. "You're my boy and I love you more than anyone else, more than your mother. You're smart and strong and talented and god, it kills me every day knowing you can't see it. I just.." He shook his head. "I just wish I could show you how amazing you really are."
Carl spread his legs, pushing his leg up against Ricks hand. He looked down at his lap, bouncing the leg Rick wasn't touching. "I'm sorry..." He whispered after a few minutes. "I'm... I'm not mad at you, dad, just..." He shook his head. "It's stupid, forget it. I'm not mad at you I'm just-"
"An angsty teen." Rick patted his leg and continued to drive, thumb tracing patterns against Carls leg. "You know, you can talk to me about stuff, Carl. I'm your dad first, cop second, I won't tell anyone what you tell me. Unless you murdered someone, I may have a slight issue with that." Carl smiled again, it made Ricks heart burst. Each smile he earned from Carl made him smile just as wide. It was a reward, seeing his son happy. "Just... what's going on?"
