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artemiseamoon · 2 years

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Cherry Blossoms in Chicago

Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto x f reader | The Bear masterlist

Week 20 @writer-wednesday

Words: 1,162

Warnings: brief mention of stress and his brothers death

An: it’s happening! I though I would start with Michael cause you know, Jon. But here we are! It’s blue eyes over here first.

It’s been four months since you reunited with Carmen. He was quiet in school, shy, he didn't really have any friends and he stayed to himself. You weren’t the most extroverted person in the world, and the two of you eventually bonded over senior year.

But there was only so much you knew about Carmen, you only got so close. When you left college, you and Carmen didn’t keep in touch. He wasn’t the best communicator and anytime you tried to reach out to him, he took a long time to reply or didn’t reply at all.

Any hope for you and Carmen reconnecting finally died when he moved away, and you didn’t see him again for a long time. Though, his accomplishments outside of Chicago were a big deal, especially in the culinary world. The lack of communication from him didn’t sour how proud of him you felt, you hoped he was proud of himself too.

Over this time, you lived your life, graduated college and had boyfriends. Your crush on Carmen made its way to the back of your mind as you moved through your life without him. You didn’t think about it again until he came back home, after Michael's death to run resturaunt.

Carmen was in town for two months before you visited and ordered some food. You could tell he was stressed, tired, overwhelmed. Still, at the sight of you, Carmen’s brilliant blue eyes lit up. You could tell in that moment, your short lived-friendship stayed with him too.

From there, you would visit a few times. Carmen never really had time to talk and didn't seem to live a life outside of the restaurant. You didn’t have your first real conversation with him until the both of you ended up on the same train one morning.

When Carmen sat next to you, you initiated a conversion. You led most of it, Carmen still didn't say much, just like he did in high school, but he was slightly more relaxed and seemed happy to sit next to you. He listened closely to everything you said.

Carmen didn’t want to talk about himself, and even when you asked how he was doing, he said fine and ran his fingers through his wild hair. You didn’t push the topic any further.

Over the next few months, you and Carmen continued to have little interactions like this. Though they never lasted more than 10 minutes. Whenever you came into the restaurant, Carmen gave you something for free. Or something he made for you.

Carmen may not have been the best communicator, but he did it best though food, you could feel all the love and attention to detail he put into it.

Feeling hopeful and energized by the start of a beautiful Spring, you decide to get Carmen out of the restaurant for a couple of hours. You wanted to see the cherry blossoms in the park for a few days now and figure it could be a nice thing to do with Carmen. A peaceful chill activity that could bring him out of his ball of stress, perfectionism and anxiety.

A few days ago you saw the sign that the place was closed for renovations, so if there was any time to successfully get him away, it would be now. When you show up, he's inside with the crew and lets you in. You follow him back to his office.

“Hey. You're hungry, want some food?” He asked.

“Not yet but I’m here for you.”

“For me?”

“Yeah, you.”

His blue eyes remain locked on yours as he tries to figure out what you mean by that.

“Take the apron off, we’re going out.”

“I can’t. I have too much to do.”

“The place is closed. Right?”

“Right. And we're doing renovations. I have to be here.”

“Carmen, you practically live in this place. You can take an hour or two. Trust me. It will be worth it. Maybe grab some food to go.”

Carmen grins, “what are you planning?”

“It’s a surprise. Come on, apron.” You point at it. Looking past him, you see Sydney walking by.

Sydney smiles at you and mouths, “please. Take him. He needs this.”

You chuckle to yourself and point at the apron again. Carmen shakes his head, he’s still not sure about this. But he eventually takes off the apron. You take it and put it on his desk.

“Good. Now, how about we take two sandwiches and some drinks.”

Carmen laughs, “okay. Okay.” He leads the way out of the office.

The relaxed walk through the park is just as calming as you dreamed it would be. At first, Carmen was still tense, but as you walked, you noticed him relax little by little. You even stopped to smell the flowers, which he refused to do at first, then gave in.

“Nice right, see.” You grinned at him.

One of the cherry blossom flowers falls off. Carmen catches it and awkwardly offers it to you. You take it and tuck it in behind your ear.

“Guess that one was for you. '' He slides his hands in his pocket as he observes you.

“Thank you tree,” you start walking again, he falls in step with you. Your eyes drift to his arms. His biceps were distracting. In his left hand he holds the bag with your sandwiches and two soft drinks.

“How about this spot?” You point to a bench under one of the trees. Carmen answers with a nod and you both take a seat.

He uses the space between you to set the food and drinks out, using the bag as a barrier between the food and the bench. As he does this, his hair falls into his face.

“This is nice. Thank you.” He said, his eyes still cast downward.

“My pleasure.” You wait for him to look up, he doesn’t yet.

“Um,” he glances up and runs his hand over his mouth, “we’re having family style dinner later, if you want to come.” He breaks eye contact. “You could uh, bring your guy, if you want.”

“I don’t have a guy, not anymore.” Carmen’s beautiful blue eyes dart back to yours. “It's done, mutual clean break. No drama. It just wasn't…the connection wasn't there.”

“Shit. damn, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be...It’s a good thing.” You pause, Carmen stares at you. “I feel fine.”

“Okay. Family dinner then?” The flower falls away from your ear where you tucked it, Carmen catches it. After a moment of hesitation, he places it back.

You smile warmly at him, “I’ll be there.”

Carmen smiles shyly. His eyes land on your outfit as he hands you a drink. “You look nice.”

“Thanks. It's gorgeous out today, figured why not wear my favorite outfit.”

“It looks good.” his eyes continue to burn into you and that school girl crush of yours grows tenfold. Carmen looks away and hands you a sandwich. “Let’s eat.”