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queers-gambit · 4 months

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Campus Breakdown

prompt: ( requested ) after a hard day, at least you can come home to him.

pairing: Carmen 'Carmy' Berzatto x female!reader

fandom masterlist: FX's The Bear

word count: 1.6k+

warnings: reader's a graduate student, cursing, small angst but mostly small hurt bigger comfort.

The door slammed shut in a forceful rattle, making Carmy perk up from his place on the couch. "Baby?" He called, setting aside the magazine you left behind.

"Carmy?" You sounded confused, exiting the foyer to round into the living room. "Hey, what're you doing home so early?"

"Uh, pipe burst at work, left Fak t'deal with it," he sniffled, muting the television. "What's up with you? Or do you always slam doors happily around here?"

You sighed, "Sorry, I just - it's been a day and a half, you know?"

He pouted dramatically, offering, "Wanna tell me 'bout it?"

"It won't fix what happened."

"No, but it might help get it off your chest, filter a little emotion."

You nodded absently, "I think I might want a glass of wine first - maybe two."

He felt a surge of empathy in his chest, knowing that distant look in your eyes and the way your entire demeanor seemed absent, distracted, exhausted. Work often kicked his ass, too, so there was an understanding after so many nights you had let him rant and rave about whatever went wrong - it was only right to return the favor.

Carmy readjusted the pillows and coffee table, leaning over to light the scented candle you kept there; grabbing a blanket to prepare for you. When you entered the living room, you had stripped out of your pants and was pouring a glass of wine, leaving the bottle on the cleaned-up coffee table; sighing when you dropped onto the couch.

"All right, pretty girl," Carmy chuckled, pulling your feet into his lap. You readjusted with a small grumble as Carmy then tossed the blanket over you, but left your feet out for him to massage. "Tell me what happened today."

You held up a single finger, downing more than half your glass of wine. Carm's brows perked up, blinking in shock before nodding slowly when you swallowed. "Today. Fucking. Sucked," you told him.

"I can see that, and feel it - your feet are knotted," he noted, working his thumbs into the meat. "Did you sit down at all today?"

"Well, no, 'cause I had to work alone today," you groaned. "Lisa has mono, Brittany had to make up some exam, Benjamin apparently had a meeting with the bursar's office, and Stacy literally stood outside, fighting with her boyfriend - like what!?"

Carmy offered you a stale look in reaction to your story, "She get docked?"

"Well, yeah, I mean, I kinda had to; she didn't bus a single table, she didn't talk to a single customer, like, the only other person working with me today was Carl and he was in the kitchen the whole time."

"Doesn't sound exactly fair..."

"It's a shitty campus diner, Carmy, 'fair' isn't exactly in their vocabulary, but the tips are semi decent 'cause we have that 'drunk rush special'. Oh! Wait! That's not all," you hummed, taking another gulp. "'Cause why would anything go right on a day I worked the entire floor alone? Right?"

"What else?" He asked, turning in his seat so he could face you directly; still massaging your feet, but leaning his cheek on your bent knee to remain close.

"The fucking register went down."

"You mean the only one in the whole place?"

"Yep, of course! 'Cause why the fuck wouldn't anything go right?" You scoffed. "And it's not like any of this was, like, hidden, you know? It was very obvious I was working alone, the register was fucked, but do you think that made anyone empathetic towards the situation? No, of course not, they wanted to just pay their bills and leave. Which I fucking get! But like, what!?"

"What'd you do?"

"Took cash only," you shrugged. "ATM was still up and running, so it was on them," you wiped you eyes, sighing deeply. "Still bitched the whole time though, complained to whoever listened. End of the night, that new manager even docked my tips, you believe that?"

"Hold up - for what?" Carm snapped.

"Customers were that pissed, Carmy, so a few of them dined-and-dashed, someone had to pay," you whined, head tilted back. "Like I did any of this on purpose? Like I went and unplugged shit myself? Like I wanted to make my life significantly harder? Do people even fucking think by themselves now? Where's the empathy?"

"Nah, they definitely lack in that department," he chuckled. "Know what I'm gonna say, right?"

"Hmm? Oh, Carmy, no," you groaned, "I'm not working at The Beef."

"It's ten times better than where you work, baby," he pouted. "And I could use someone with experience like yours with the customers. Richie's not always the best 'face of the store', you know?"

"No, Carmy," you refused sternly.

"C'mon, why not?"

"You as my boss? And boyfriend? Fuck no!"

"I'm literally so nice!"

"Yeah, that's exactly what Sydney says," you laughed, nudging his stomach with your foot. "Baby, no. Listen, I appreciate it, I really do, but I get ten times the tips at that shitty diner than I would at The Beef, and it's right on campus so I lose literally no time."

He sighed, "You're only, what? A year out from your Masters?"

"Just about," you grumbled with a pout.

Carmy chuckled, "C'mon, baby, don't torture yourself. Get a new job."

"I'm not, I'm just - " You cut yourself off with a sigh, hating that advice (as if it were just so simple), shaking your head and finishing your wine. "I'm just dealing with my current circumstances, I'm sorry I came home in a bad mood - "

"No, hey, wait," Carmy sat up, reaching for your cheek to hold, "I didn't mean to make you feel as if I was shutting you down. Baby, I always want you t'talk to me, okay? I just mean, there's something better out there, and you deserve better than that place. I hate seeing you so stressed out," he pouted dramatically, making you snicker lightly.

"You're one to talk," you reminded softly, sitting up so you could nestle under his arm. "You're stressed out, like, more than 90% of the time."

"Hey now, we're talkin' about your day, not mine," he deflected with a small chuckle. "What if I asked around a bit? You know, a different server job? I can check out places close to campus, but you'd get much better tips and better customers at a nicer place."

You groaned, "Now that sounds nice." He chuckled with you now. "I mean, it's bad enough I have to deal with those creepy frat boys in class, but in the diner, I have to play nice 'cause they tip with daddy's money well if I don't shut them up. It'd be nice working somewhere they couldn't even afford t'walk into."

"See? I'm good for something."

"You're good for everything, Carm, shut up," you laughed, leaning up to kiss his jawline. "I'm just tired of this whole 'pay your dues' bullshit. You know? I get having to suffer a little to build a better character, but for fuck's sake."

Carmy pouted, "Sounds like a second glass of wine kinda rant?"

You pouted back at him, nodding, both mockingly making little noises as he lifted from his sitting position to snag the bottle of wine. You smiled as he poured, watching his face, loving the effect he had on you; feeling calm and serene, and it wasn't the alcohol. When the bottle was set aside again, he tugged your legs over his lap and laid one of his arms around your shoulders; keeping you snuggled close and under the blanket.

"What else happened?" He asked softly, kissing your temple.

"I don't want to sound like I'm just bitching."

"How else do you expect to blow off steam? Huh?" He countered. "You're not bothering me, I want to hear this, baby - all of it. So, lemme recount, yeah? Okay, so, you worked alone your whole shift with only the frycook in the back, the cash register went down, and that made a buncha customers all pissed off. Enough that a few dipped off and you had to cover their bills. But the ATM was good, so they could still pay cash, but they were still being dickheads, yeah?"

"Mhm," you hummed, halting yourself.

"Nuh-uh, c'mon, what else?"

Tears sprung to your eyes as your head lulled onto his shoulder. "It was just a really shitty day, Carm," you whispered, giving a small sniffle. "Guys are grimy and gross, they garnished my wages 'cause of those dashers - I told you. It was a fucking shit show! Oh, and a few bulbs blew all within 10 minutes of each other - like fully snap, crackle, and pop, blew out. So, I had to call the electrician, he took over 2 hours to get there, so, part of the back dining room was darker and this group of guys all decided to sit back there - it was so fucking creepy!"

Carmen frowned, listening to you rant and rave about how overworked and under appreciated you were. He held you tight, raking a hand through your hair, tracing invisible patterns on your upper arm; keeping you close as the wine slowly sunk into your blood. You grew less lucid by the passing hour, mostly the exhaustion sinking in, but Carmy didn't mind.

He just adjusted you both on the couch so he was laid out with you safely tucked between the cushions and his body. You had long since changed subjects; going from shitty work conditions to sports to your coursework load, then to The Beef, breezed over whatever Richie's daily attitude was about, then quietly debated if Carmy was taking the weekend off to spend it with you. Now, the TV was the only light on in the apartment, wine bottle empty, you resting on Carmy's chest; his arms tight around you, blanket tangled around your legs, both speaking quietly into the night before sleep claimed you both.

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emjayewrites · 4 months

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PASTRY PASSIONS (4/?) (Luca x blackfemoc!)

PAIRING: Luca x Symone (black!original character)

SUMMARY: When Symone secures a coveted position as the social media manager at Noma, the renowned Michelin-starred restaurant, she is thrilled to be part of a team that pushes boundaries and captures gastronomic excellence. As Symone immerses herself in the vibrant atmosphere of Noma, she catches the eye of Luca, a talented and career-focused pastry chef within the same establishment. Luca is captivated by her presence, however, with his desire to maintain a clear boundary between work and personal life, he resists the growing attraction he feels toward her. Despite their shared passion for the culinary world, Symone and Luca find themselves entangled in a delicate dance between friendship, ambition, and unspoken desires. As the duo collaborates on various projects, from showcasing exquisite pastries to capturing behind-the-scenes glimpses of culinary artistry, they face numerous challenges that test their resolve. Amidst the intense pressures of Noma’s demanding environment and the weight of their individual aspirations, Symone and Luca must navigate their relationship in a career-driven world, where the line between personal and professional blurs, and decisions made can shape not only one’s heart but also their future in the industry.

WARNINGS: slow burn romance, drama, angst, grueling work conditions/not-so-glamorous life of the culinary world, cursing, slight age gap, sexual content. RATED M (18+)

TAGLIST: @cinewhore @kdoxkeic @wakandamama @afro-hispwriter @nolita-fairytale @lovebittenbyevans @blowmymbackout @superhoeva @barefoothighlander @ihyperfixateoncharacters @soufcakmistress @celestianstars @vlvtkyssis @fadingbelieverexpert @arctvrvs @scottlangswife @lilyed777 @suckthatskittlebiiitch @write-fromthe-start @pantherxrogers @penny44224 @roxyfan14-blog @aieshawilliams2001 @cillianmirphy @sarcasticmrfox @zeeader @eddiemunsonreader @geekyfer @retrouvailles-film @stargirlfics @mauvecherie-writes @spellbinding10 @blckgrl-sunflower @beahil @stnexus @iamcurlycubana @motivation-idontknowher @shar74nett @blackpearlbutterfly @virgosapphire79 @a-lumos-in-the-nox @creativitybewarebeware @becauseimher @crispysublimecupcake @wordswithoppar @mintbong420

AUTHOR NOTE: This is my first fic for FX’s The Bear. This contains spoilers from Season 2, so please don’t read it if you haven’t watched it. In “Honeydew”, Luca mentions that he’s been working as a pastry chef/chef for 14 years, so he has to be in his early/mid-30s (32-34-ish?) and there will be a small age gap between him and Symone. Also, Chapters 1-3 are set a month and a half before Marcus’ stage trip in January. Please DM me if you want to be added to the tag list. Enjoy reading!

CHAPTER IV: Bain-Marie

BAIN-MARIE: A water bath that prevents delicate desserts from curdling, cracking, or overcooking as they bake.

As the days rolled by at Noma, the tension between Luca and Symone lingered like a silent storm. Despite their brief yet intense connection in Oslo, their interactions were now cloaked in an uneasy atmosphere. Both danced around each other, caught in a web of unspoken emotions and unresolved feelings.

Symone tried to bury her emotions beneath a façade of professionalism. She threw herself into her work, channeling her energy into creating social media content for Noma. Yet, every time she glanced in Luca's direction, her heart fluttered, reminding her of the bond they shared during their time away.

Meanwhile, Luca wrestled with his own internal conflict. He found solace in the familiar chaos of the kitchen, throwing himself into refining pastries and mentoring Marcus. However, thoughts of Symone were a constant distraction, leaving him grappling with the unspoken tension that lingered between them.

One afternoon, amidst the controlled chaos of the kitchen, an unexpected lull provided a fleeting moment of respite. Luca stole a glance across the bustling room and found Symone engrossed in her work at an empty table, typing away on her laptop.

Summoning his courage, Luca navigated the sea of busy chefs and made his way toward her. With each step, his heartbeat quickened, nerves coiling in his stomach.

"Hey," he greeted softly as he approached Symone.

Symone looked up, surprised at the interruption. "Oh, hey Luca," she responded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

"Mind if I... we talk for a sec?" Luca asked, his voice tinged with a touch of uncertainty.

"Sure, what's up?" Symone replied, setting aside her work to give him her full attention.

They faced each other, the air thick with unspoken words. Luca hesitated, searching for the right words to articulate the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside him.

"I know things have been weird between us lately," Luca began, his gaze earnest as he met Symone's eyes. "And I just wanted to say... I don't want it to be like this."

Symone nodded in understanding, her expression softening. "Me neither. It's just... complicated."

"Yeah," Luca agreed, a rueful smile crossing his face. "But maybe it doesn't have to be."

Their eyes held a silent conversation, a myriad of emotions passing between them. For a moment, the chaos of the kitchen faded into the background, leaving only the palpable tension between Luca and Symone.

"So...what're you suggesting?" Symone wondered as her eyebrows furrowed. She inched closer to him, causing her delightful scent of vanilla and cherries to waft through his nostrils. Her smell beckoned him and it took all of Luca's willpower to not kiss her right then and there.

He's been trying to be on his best behavior since they came back from Oslo, giving her time and distance to process what happened between them, yet Marcus' advice kept echoing in his mind: he needed to uncomplicate it.

Was he scared shitless? Of course; he didn't want to be in yet another office situationship, however, Symone was proving to be too hard to forget and Luca was willing to risk it at least one more time. Call him reckless, yet he'll be an idiot to try to keep playing this platonic bullshit with her, especially after the weekend they had.

"I dunno," he shrugged, "but I don't want to be here at work feeling awkward as hell, y'know? Symone, we...had fun in Oslo, alright? Why can't we continue to have fun here?"

Her annoyed eye roll tempted him to chuckle, yet somehow he managed to keep it together. Luca enjoyed watching her reactions; she was such an open book.

Symone crossed her arms over her chest, which emphasized her breasts even more, much to Luca's chagrin. "I thought we agreed to leave it in Oslo?"

"I know, I know," Luca admitted, trying to diffuse the tension with a half-hearted grin. "But can't we at least be civil? Working like this is driving me crazy."

Symone sighed, her frustration evident. "It's not that easy, Luca. Things are different here, and we have our responsibilities."

"Yeah, responsibilities," Luca echoed, a tinge of disappointment in his voice. "I get it, but does that mean we can't even talk without it being weird?"

She hesitated, looking away for a moment before meeting his gaze. "It's not about being weird. It's about keeping things professional."

"Professional," Luca repeated, the word feeling like a barricade between them. "I guess I just miss how things were."

Symone's expression softened, a flicker of nostalgia crossing her features. "I miss it too, believe me. But we can't go back."

"Can't or won't?" Luca challenged, a hint of defiance in his tone.

"Luca...don't do this." Symone's gaze softened briefly before she regained her composure. "This isn't the time or place for... this."

An awkward silence settled between them, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavy in the air. Luca ran a hand through his hair, his frustration evident.

"Alright, then," he said finally, trying to sound nonchalant despite the ache in his chest. "I'll leave it alone."

Symone's gaze softened, a hint of regret flashing in her eyes. "Luca, I..."

But before she could finish, Luca gave her a small, understanding nod. "It's fine, really." With a heavy heart, Luca pivoted on his heel to turn away and get back to his work, but something – someone –stopped him.

"Luca," she stated in a harsh whisper, her fingers lightly gripping his wrist, halting his departure. Her eyes pleaded with him, conflicted emotions swirling within them. "Please."

He turned back around, caught off guard by the sudden contact, and met her gaze, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. "Yes, Symone?"

"I didn't mean for it to be like this," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the kitchen's clamor. "It's just... it's complicated. Can we talk about this later? Just you and me?"

He searched her eyes for a moment, seeing a mix of regret and longing. "Sure," he said. "Where?"

Symone's grip on his wrist loosened, her hand falling back to her side. "My apartment. I can make us dinner."

"Trying to bribe me with food, huh?" Luca let out a low whistle, shaking his head in mock displeasure. "That's cold, Symone."

Symone managed a small, rueful smile, a glint of warmth in her eyes. "Hey, it's the least I can do."

Luca chuckled softly, the tension in the air easing just a fraction. "Alright, fine, but I can't promise that I'll enjoy it as much as I want to."

"Liar," Symone quipped. "You know damn well you've been itching to try my cooking."

"We shall see, Symone." He glanced over at his workstation. "I have to finish up my work, but I'll see you later, okay?"

"Okay," was her response.

Symone silently watched as Luca headed back to his tasks.

______________________________________________________________

The hours passed slowly for Luca, his mind occupied with a mix of anticipation and uncertainty about the upcoming evening. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the kitchen, he found solace in the familiarity of his work, channeling his restless energy into perfecting the desserts for the evening service.

As the day wound down, Luca glanced at the clock, realizing it was time to leave. With a sense of both apprehension and excitement, he made his way to Symone's apartment, the thoughts of their impending conversation swirling in his mind.

Upon arrival, Symone greeted him with a warm smile, the aroma of a homemade meal filling the cozy space. They exchanged a few light-hearted remarks about their day, attempting to mask the unspoken tension that lingered between them.

Dinner progressed smoothly, the conversation flowing more easily than expected. Symone's culinary skills surpassed his expectations, and Luca couldn't help but admit how much he enjoyed the meal. They laughed and reminisced about shared experiences, momentarily letting go of the weight that rested between them.

As they finished their meal, Luca sensed Symone's demeanor shifting, her expression becoming more earnest.

"Luca," Symone began, her tone tinged with a mix of hesitation and resolve. "I've been distant, and I want to apologize for that."

A reassuring smile appeared on his lips. "I understand. I'm sure it can be weird coming back after all the things we've done in Oslo." He added a sultry wink at the end and Symone kissed her teeth at his antics. "I'm not sure about you, but after something like that, fucking you like that, I can't just be friends, Symone. Don't you miss that? Don't you miss how we felt together?"

"I do miss it," she confessed, her eyes meeting his with a twinge of vulnerability. She wouldn't lie to herself to say anything else; it took so long to admit it. Since that weekend in Oslo, all she could dream about was Luca's big, calloused hands on her smooth skin. Symone was unable to shake off the feeling of Luca inside of her, fucking her relentlessly. Call her touch starved, a sex feign, whatever; yet it was no denying how wonderful it felt to be with him, even for a brief moment.

Luca's heart skipped a beat at her honesty. "I miss it too, more than you know."

The air between them crackled with unspoken emotions, but there was an unspoken agreement, a silent understanding that they both yearned for more than just professionalism between them.

"I want to find a way to balance this," Symone said, her voice soft but resolute. "But I don't even know where to start. I mean—fuck!" She used both hands to cover her face and mumbled out a few incoherent sentences. Exhaling a deep breath, she finally removed her hands from her face. "Sorry, I can be a bit melodramatic. Obviously, what we had was fun..."

"Yes," smiled Luca, "it was really fun. I'm down to keep going if you are, Symone. Just say the words."

If it all was that simple, she thought. But it could be...

As soon as that intrusive musing popped up in her mind, she quickly forbade it, pushing it to the deep depths of her consciousness. Symone felt a mix of emotions swirl within her, a whirlwind of hesitation, desire, and caution. Luca's proposal sounded both appealing and daunting at the same time.

"It's not that simple," she murmured, her gaze lingering on Luca, feeling a tug-of-war between her longing to reconnect and the fear of the repercussions. "Listen, this is hard for me to navigate, okay? I have a career to worry about. I mean, we both have careers. What if someone finds out?"

"Then we figure it out, Symone," Luca said all too calmly. "This isn't my first go-around for something like this and I can understand your concern, your worry, but...how 'bout we put a timeframe on it, okay? Let's say until Noma officially closes its Copenhagen restaurant? Until then, we're friends with benefits, a couple, whatever you want to describe it."

Wow, he has all the answers, doesn't he?

A sense of frustration flickered within her, the conflict evident on her face. "And at work?" she wondered, rolling her eyes at the uncomfortable ease he had towards this. It sounded ludicrous and she hated the idea of sneaking around. It made her feel all too reminiscent of her younger, teenage self hiding her boyfriend from her nosy, overprotective father.

Been there, done that, and still remember the punishment of that entire ordeal.

Luca shrugged nonchalantly. "Work is work, but alone time is just us."

"And then what? What happens after Noma closes?"

His demeanor remained composed, a hint of determination in his eyes. "We'll cross that bridge when we get there."

Symone pondered his proposition; it stirred a sense of reluctance, yet there was an undeniable pull toward Luca, a chance to rekindle something they had lost, which was something she so desperately craved. "Are you sure about this?"

"Yes," he agreed. "Whether it's at your place or mine, we can be whatever you desire, and at work, we are strictly professional. How does that sound, baby?"

"Baby?" Symone scoffed. "So we're jumping right in with the affection, huh?"

"Fuck yeah," he said as his eyes twinkled with mischief. He eased out of his chair to saunter over to her. Despite his innate desire to erase any specific timeline from their connection, he recognized the necessity of gently rekindling their relationship.

He towered above her, the gravitational pull between them was undeniable, a magnetic force that seemed to transcend the boundaries of logic and rationality.

As he stood there, close yet not touching, Luca grappled with the conflicting desires within him. He prided himself on patience and adhering to rules, but Symone had a way of dismantling his resolve, sparking an urgency that tugged at his restraint.

"Symone," he began, his voice softer, a deep timbre, and he reached out tentatively to caress her cheek. "We'll do whatever you what, okay?"

The touch sent a jolt through both of them, a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken connection that lingered between them. Luca felt the familiar tug of attraction and the urge to unravel the intricacies of their bond, and as much as he tried to exercise restraint, reminding himself of the importance of patience and understanding, his fervor for her managed to overtake his entire existence.

Cupping her chin, he leaned down to kiss her. Their lips met in a passionate embrace, igniting a fire within them that burned hotter with each passing second. Time seemed to stand still as they lost themselves in the intoxicating taste of each other's lips, their bodies pressed together in a desperate need for closeness. The world around them faded away, leaving only the electrifying sensation of their kiss. It was a moment of pure bliss, where desire and longing merged into one unforgettable experience.

Their embrace deepened, and a low, passionate moan escaped Symone's lips, echoing the intensity of their connection. Her fingers tangled in Luca's hair, gently massaging his scalp, heightening the pleasure of their intimate exchange.

Luca pulled at her clothing, and Symone quickly got the hint, separating briefly to remove her t-shirt. Her breasts were covered by her bra yet Luca still growled at the sight of her — she was still as gorgeous as he remembered.

"C'mere," he said as his hands wrapped around her waist, pulling her back to him. Symone melted into him, her body responding instinctively to his commanding presence. Their lips moved once again in sync, a dance of passion and longing, as Luca's hands trailed up her back, tracing the delicate curve of her spine. With a surge of courage, he unclasped her bra, letting it fall to the floor, and exposing her breasts to his hungry gaze.

Luca's eyes darkened with desire as he hungrily took in the sight before him. He leaned down, capturing one of her hardened nipples with his lips, teasing it with his tongue. Symone gasped at the sensation, arching into his touch, craving more.

Sensing her need, Luca gently lifted her off her feet and carried her towards the bedroom. Symone's heart raced with anticipation as they entered the room, the soft glow of the bedside lamp casting a warm ambiance over the space. She could feel the heat radiating off Luca's body, a tangible reminder of their growing desire.

As he laid her down on the bed, she reached up to pull him down on top of her. Symone's hands roamed over his muscular back, feeling every inch of his sculpted form as they continued to explore each other.

Breaking away from their embrace, Luca looked into Symone's eyes with a mixture of tenderness and urgency. "I want you so fuckin' much, Symone," he whispered hoarsely. "Do you want me too, baby?"

She nodded in silent agreement and with practiced ease, Luca removed her lounge pants and panties before discarding his own clothing. They were both naked now, their bodies entwined in an embrace that left no room for doubt or hesitation.

Luca gazed at Symone with reverence before claiming her lips again in a passionate kiss. His hands roamed over her body, refamiliarizing himself with every curve and dip before settling between her thighs.

Symone moaned as he began to explore her most intimate parts with skilled fingers, eliciting waves of pleasure that coursed through her body. She clung to him tightly as they moved together in perfect harmony, lost in sheer ecstasy. Her back arched into a bow and her hips moved in tandem with his ministrations.

"That's right, baby, let me know how much you need this," he crooned. "Do you want to cum?"

"Yes." Symone could feel the waves of pleasure building within her. She moaned his name, her body surrendering to his touch.

Luca's lips trailed down her neck, nipping and kissing at the sensitive skin before making his way down to her breasts. He took one nipple into his mouth, sucking and flicking it with his tongue while his fingers continued their rhythmic movements.

Symone could hardly think or speak, completely consumed by the sensations coursing through her body.

With a wicked grin, Luca slid down her body until he was positioned between her legs. His tongue replaced his fingers, sending a jolt of pleasure through Symone's entire being. She cried out as he expertly circled and flicked at her clit with a teasing touch before plunging it deep inside of her.

Symone's hips bucked uncontrollably as Luca continued to tease her with his skilled tongue. She felt herself getting closer and closer to the edge, ready to topple over into pure pleasure.

But just as she was on the brink of release, Luca stopped and moved back up to kiss her deeply. Symone groaned in frustration and pulled him closer, craving more of his touch.

"I want you inside me," she whispered against his lips.

Without hesitation, Luca positioned himself between her thighs and slowly pushed himself inside of her. They both moaned at the feeling of being joined together again after so long apart.

Their pace quickened as they moved together in perfect sync, each thrust taking them higher and higher towards their climax. Symone dug her nails into Luca's back as he drove into her with a new intensity. The room was filled with their moans and the sound of skin slapping against skin. They were both lost in the moment, consumed by their desire for each other.

"Harder," Symone gasped, her eyes locking onto Luca's.

He obliged, picking up the pace and thrusting deeper into her. She felt his hands grip her hips tightly, his movements growing more urgent. Symone could feel herself getting closer to the edge once again, the pleasure building inside of her like a fire that was about to explode.

With a guttural groan, Luca leaned down and captured her lips in a searing kiss as he reached his own climax. Symone followed soon after, crying out his name as she rode out the waves of pleasure coursing through her body.

They collapsed onto the bed in a tangle of limbs, both breathing heavily and basking in the afterglow of their lovemaking.

"I missed you," Luca said softly, stroking Symone's hair as they lay there together.

Symone felt the soft, gentle touch of Luca's fingers as they combed through her braids, soothing and comforting her. "I missed you too," she replied, turning to face him with a smile. "I can't believe we finally did this again."

Luca chuckled. "Me neither. But it was definitely worth the wait."

______________________________________________________________

The sun filtered through the sheer curtains as Luca and Symone lay tangled in each other's embrace. Symone traced lazy circles on Luca's chest, her fingertips gliding along the contours of his toned muscles and the outlines of his tattoos. Each touch sent a shiver down his spine, igniting a dormant fire within him. He reveled in the weight of her body against his, the softness of her skin against his own.

Luca let out a contented sigh, savoring the feeling of her being in his arms. It had been too long since he had held her like this, since they had been together in this way. He couldn't believe how much he had missed her.

"How 'bout I make us some breakfast?" he said and Symone let out a chuckle. "What? Aren't you hungry?"

"I can eat," she replies, "but I figured you'd want to...enjoy each other's company for a little while longer."

"Ah..." Luca smiled at the revelation of her words. "I mean, I'm a good multitasker. I could always cook something and fuck you at the same time."

"Bullshit," she scoffed, giving him a playful nudge.

He tilted her chin upwards so that they were at eye level. "Do you wanna take that bet, love?"

Symone's eyes sparkled with mischief as she considered his proposition. The thought of Luca managing to cook breakfast while simultaneously pleasuring her seemed both impossible and enticing. She couldn't deny that the idea excited her.

"Alright," she finally conceded, an impish grin spreading across her face. "I'll take that bet."

Luca's eyes widened in surprise, a flicker of excitement glinting within them. He never backed down from a challenge, and this was no exception.

He led Symone towards the kitchen and instructed her to take a seat on one of the barstools before donning an apron, washing his hands, and getting to work.

As he moved around the kitchen with fluid motions, Symone watched intently. Luca put on a fresh pot of coffee and then set off to gather supplies for waffles.

"Do you have any bacon?" he asked as he examined the refrigerator.

"Nope," she quipped, "but there's prosciutto."

"Interesting," he mumbled to himself. "Alright, prosciutto it is." He started the batter for the waffles, and he gazed at Symone as he whisked the ingredients together. "Spread your legs."

The unexpected command intrigued her, and she did as she was told, spreading her legs as wide as she could. She was ready dripping with arousal and it was no way of hiding it.

Luca licked his lips in anticipation. "Fuckin' hell, you're soaking already. I am always amazed by how quickly you become wet for me."

"I mean it helps when you're easy on the eyes."

"Charmer," Luca goaded as he carefully poured the batter into the waffle iron. He set the timer and then turned his attention back to Symone. "Play with your pussy."

Symone felt a rush of excitement at the command, but she tried to keep her composure as she reached between her legs and began to tease herself. She let out a soft moan as she circled her clit with her fingers, feeling the familiar tingling sensation begin to build within her.

Luca watched her studiously, his eyes darkening with desire. He could see how ready she was for him, and it only fueled his own arousal. Symone couldn't help but squirm under Luca's fiery gaze as she pleasured herself in front of him. She focused on her pleasure, rubbing her clit and occasionally dipping a finger inside herself. She let out another soft moan, imagining it was Luca's fingers bringing her to the brink of ecstasy.

He couldn't resist any longer and stepped forward, placing a hand on her thigh as he bent down to capture her lips in a passionate kiss.

Symone eagerly responded, wrapping her arms around his neck and deepening the kiss. She could feel his hard length pressing against her through his apron, and it only made her want him more.

Breaking the kiss, Luca pulled back slightly to look into Symone's eyes. "I couldn't wait any longer," he whispered huskily.

Symone nodded in agreement before leaning back on the barstool and spreading her legs wider for him. Luca wasted no time in positioning himself at her entrance.

He slowly pushed inside of her, savoring the feeling of being surrounded by her warmth. They both let out a simultaneous moan as he began to move within her, their bodies moving together with ease.

The sound of the timer going off distracted them from their intimate connection, causing them both to chuckle. Luca pulled out and helped Symone off the barstool. He then turned off the waffle iron and skillfully plated their meal.

"C'mon," he ordered, gesturing for Symone to follow him to the dining table. He set their plates down, but instead of sitting down as she expected, Luca pushed her gently against the table, causing her to gasp in surprise.

"Hands on the table," he instructed, his voice low and deep.

Symone shivered at his dominance and complied without hesitation. She braced herself against the table as Luca moved closer behind her, pressing himself against her back and running his hands up her sides.

"You like being told what to do?" he whispered into her ear before nipping at her earlobe.

"Yes," Symone breathed out in response, feeling a surge of pleasure shoot through her body at his touch.

"Good girl," Luca praised as his hands lingered on her ass. He slapped the right buttock harshly and Symone hissed at the sting. "Fuck, Symone, you have no idea what you do to me. Can I have like this, baby? Can I bend you over the table and fuck you?"

Holy shit, she thought. She nodded her head hurriedly.

"Use your words, baby," he told her as he sent another slap to her ass. "Tell me what you want."

"Yes, yes," was her response. "Please fuck me, Luca."

Luca's deep chuckle was like honey to her ears and Symone's entire being went abuzz with exhilaration. She felt his pierced penis head brush against her entrance before slowly pushing inside of her once more. Symone moaned loudly as Luca filled her, feeling every inch of him as he began to move within her. He set a steady pace, his hands roaming all over her body as he kissed and nipped at her skin.

With each thrust, Symone's pleasure intensified until she was overwhelmed by it. She could feel the heat building in the pit of her stomach, signaling her impending release.

"Luca," she gasped out, gripping onto the edge of the table for support.

"I know, baby," he grunted in response, picking up his pace. "Me too."

Symone felt as if she were on fire, her body consumed by the pleasure Luca was giving her. Her mind was hazy with desire and she could only focus on the sensations coursing through her.

Luca's hands moved from her hips to cup her breasts, kneading them gently as he continued to thrust into her.

His movements became more frantic and desperate as they both chased their climax. Symone could feel herself getting closer and closer until finally, they both reached their peak together.

They collapsed onto the table in a heap of sweaty limbs and heavy breathing. They stayed there for a few moments, catching their breaths and basking in the afterglow of their passionate encounter. Luca pressed kisses to Symone's neck before slowly pulling out of her and helping her stand upright again.

He turned her around to face him and pulled her into a tight hug. "Best waffles I've ever had," she joked breathlessly, causing Luca to chuckle again.

"You can have them every morning if you want," he replied with a smirk.

After a few minutes of standing there in each other's embrace, they separated and cleaned up the kitchen together. It was a comfortable silence between them now, filled with stolen glances and shy smiles.

As they sat down at the dining table to finally eat their waffles, Symone couldn't help but think about how perfect this moment felt. Even though she knew that this wouldn't last forever, she felt content with just being with him, and she wanted to revel in this feeling as long as she possibly could.

______________________________________________________________

A couple of days later, Luca woke up with a newfound pep in his step. The previous night, after a long and mentally draining distance, he had made up with Symone.

As he made his way to Noma, Luca couldn't help but smile at the memory of their passionate encounter. It felt like a turning point in their relationship, a moment of understanding and connection that they hadn't experienced before. And as he entered the chaotic kitchen of Noma, Luca's heart was still filled with that exhilarating energy.

Luca walked into the bustling kitchen of Noma, and he spotted Marcus, the stagiaire he had been working with lately, and motioned for him to join him at the workstation.

"Today, we're going to tackle the shiso gelee," Luca said, his voice filled with confidence.

"Yes, Chef," Marcus nodded eagerly, ready to learn from the master.

"So just watch me. When you're comfortable, jump in. Don't try to be a hero and then fuck it up."

"Yes, Chef," affirmed Marcus as he focused on Luca's movements. Marcus watched as Luca carefully demonstrated each step of the plating process to Marcus, explaining the importance of precision and attention to detail. "It's like Operation," commented Marcus.

"Bzz," joked Luca as he placed the final layer, a caramel cracker, on top. "Alright, there you go." Luca wiped his hands on the towel that was strategically placed in his apron's pocket. "Go 'head and try that out for me."

Marcus grabbed a nearby fork and dug right in, chewing delightfully. "Whoa. It kind of tastes like a, um..."

"Minty Snickers bar?" interrupted Luca.

"A minty Snickers bar," laughed Marcus. "That's crazy. Yeah."

A small smile appeared on Luca's face. "Symone said the same thing when she tried it. I want you to think of a name for it, if you're up for the task, that is. I don't think Minty Snickers bar will gel well with our customers."

"Yeah, of course, no problem," Marcus grinned. "Thanks for teaching me."

"It's my pleasure," Luca replied before turning his attention back to the other tasks at hand. Amidst all this chaos and creativity, there was one person who continued to linger in his mind – Symone.

He wondered what she was doing at that very moment; if she was thinking about him as much as he was thinking about her. He yearned to see her again and wanted to have another recap of their last time together.

As lunch service came to an end and preparations began for dinner service later on, Luca decided to take a smoke break. The fresh air would do him good after being cooped up in a hot kitchen all day.

Luca stepped out of Noma's kitchen and into the cool Copenhagen air. The chill in the air was refreshing after being holed up in such a high-intensity environment for hours on end. He lit a cigarette and took a long drag, savoring the taste and feeling of the smoke filling his lungs.

As he exhaled, Luca's mind wandered back to Symone once again. He couldn't help but smile as he remembered that night, and early morning, together. But as much as he wanted to see her again, Luca knew that work came first. And with dinner service about to begin, he needed to focus on that.

"Chef?" called Marcus, snapping Luca out of his thoughts.

"Yeah? What's up?" wondered Luca as he finished his cigarette and flicked it onto the ground.

"Making sure you're good, that's all," said Marcus with a shrug. "You seem...cool now. I figured you spoke to Symone?"

"Yeah," nodded Luca, "We cleared the air. Thanks, Marcus."

"So, it won't be awkward between y'all no more?"

"Nah," chuckled Luca. "No more awkwardness. Let's go back inside and get ready for dinner service."

As he re-entered the kitchen, Luca immediately got back into chef mode, checking on all of his team's stations and making sure everything was running smoothly. The air in the kitchen was filled with a symphony of sizzling pans, clinking utensils, and the rhythmic chopping of vegetables. Luca's team moved with well-rehearsed precision, each member focused on their designated tasks.

Maria, Luca's trusted sous chef, was delicately crafting miniature chocolate tarts. Her nimble fingers danced across the counter, gracefully shaping each tart shell and filling them with a luscious ganache that tasted like pure decadence. Not too far away from her, Theo and Marcus worked together on the bread, kneading and separating the dough, getting it ready to use as tonight's dinner rolls.

The dinner service entered its peak hours, and Luca's mind was still preoccupied with thoughts of Symone. He couldn't wait to see her again and make up for all the lost time they had spent apart.

But just as he was about to sneak off for another smoke break, the door swung open and Symone stepped in, followed by James and Rene.

"Thank you for coming to Hart Bageri despite such short notice, Symone," said Rene with a warm smile. "James and I can't wait for your plan to come to fruition."

"It's my pleasure, as always," replied Symone with a charming smile. "And thank you for the pastries."

Luca couldn't help but be intrigued as he watched James and Rene warmly speak with Symone. He was aware of their previous collaborations but wondered what specific project required her to be at Hart Bageri. As much as he wanted to talk to Symone to figure out what was going on, work always came first, and he needed a small reprieve before jumping back in.

The kitchen was finally starting to wind down after a successful dinner service. The last of the customers had left, and the staff was busy cleaning up and prepping for the next day's service, Luca finally had a chance to approach Symone. He took a moment to swing by her office.

"Hey," Luca said, catching Symone's attention as she finished up some paperwork at her desk. "I saw you earlier with James and Rene. What's this project you're working on together?"

Symone looked up, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Ah, Luca," she said, smirking. "If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, would it?"

Luca leaned against the edge of her desk, a playful smirk mirroring hers. "Well, surprises can be quite exciting, don't you think?" he teased.

She chuckled softly, her gaze never leaving his face. "True, true. But I think we both know that other things can be equally exciting."

His heart raced at the implication in her words. Memories of their passionate encounters flooded his mind, and he felt the familiar heat of desire igniting within him. Despite the professional façade they had to maintain during work hours, there had always been something simmering just beneath the surface. It was a delicate dance they performed, balancing their insatiable lust with the need to maintain a certain level of professionalism in the workplace. But now, with Symone's suggestive comment hanging in the air, Luca couldn't resist the magnetic pull between them any longer.

With a coy smile, she leaned back in her chair, and Luca took a seat at the corner of her desk.

"Do you have any plans for tonight?" he asked, his voice low and seductive.

Symone felt a shiver run down her spine at the sound of his voice. "Just you," she replied, matching his tone. "But I do have some work to finish up here first."

Luca gave her a playful pout. "Can't it wait?"

She couldn't help but laugh at his impatience. "As much as I would love to jump into your arms right now, I have some important paperwork to take care of before we can have any fun."

He rolled his eyes in mock annoyance but nodded understandingly. "Alright then, I'll leave you to it. But don't take too long," he said with a wink before getting up from the desk. "If you want, I figure we head over to my place if that's alright?"

"Yeah, that's fine," she smiled. "I'll be ready in an hour."

"Sounds good."

Symone watched him walk out of her office, feeling a sense of longing and excitement building within her. She quickly finished up her work and made arrangements for the next day before grabbing her belongings and meeting up with Luca for their evening together.

That night, as soon as they arrived at Luca's apartment, he pulled her into a passionate kiss as soon as they stepped inside. Symone caught quick glimpses of his space: most of the walls were painted a deep burgundy, the color contrasting nicely with the exposed brick. The apartment was very much bachelor pad with an industrial feel complete with abstract paintings and a mixture of wood and leather furniture. It smelled exactly like him, sandalwood and the musk from his cologne.

His hands roamed over her body, igniting sparks of desire that coursed through her veins. They fell onto the couch, their lips still locked in a fierce embrace. Symone felt Luca's hands unbuttoning her blouse, and she eagerly reciprocated by pulling his t-shirt over his head. They both knew what they wanted, and there was no use wasting any time.

As they continued to explore each other's bodies with eager hands and lips, Symone felt the familiar heat building within her. She moaned softly as Luca trailed kisses down her neck and across her collarbone, sending shivers of pleasure through her body. Symone couldn't believe how naturally they fit together, their bodies moving in perfect synchronization. She couldn't help but let out soft moans as Luca worshipped every inch of her skin. Symone felt like she could get lost in Luca forever, drowning in the overwhelming rush of feelings he ignited within her.

"I could never get enough of you," he said as he removed her last article of clothing. "God, Symone, you don't understand what you do to me."

Luca bent down to take one of her nipples in his mouth and sucked on it gently, eliciting a gasp of pleasure from Symone. His hands continued their exploration, caressing her thighs and slipping between her legs to find her already wet with desire.

All mine, he thought as their bodies eventually connected again. And I'm never letting you go.

And from the one sentiment, he knew that this could never be something casual, especially when it came to her.

TO BE CONTINUED....

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douceurrrr · 10 months

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𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬

paring(s): carmen berzatto x adamu!reader

summary: thanksgiving is tomorrow and you’re stressed but luckily carmy can fuck that out of you.

warning(s): kitchen sex, missionary, oral (f), hard fucking, you being a slut for carmy. WRAP IT BEFORE YOU FUCKING TAP IT!

“fuck.” you muttered for the tenth time, to be honest you didn’t even know why you were doing this by yourself when your boyfriend is literally a chef but you invited your dad and Sydney and carmy invite everyone from the restaurant. thanksgiving was always hard for you and syd since your mother’s death, so you wanted everything to be perfect. You had pulled all of your grandma’s old cooking recipes and tried to master all of them but you just found yourself into some deep shit. You even woke up early than usual, threw on carmy’s blank white t-shirt and some panties and went to work. after a little while you hear heavy footsteps coming from the bedroom you and carmy shared.

You didn’t turn around at the voice saying, “whoa what’s going on here?” carmy says from behind you, not failing to notice your attire and the smell of food in the air

You were so focused on scrambling and trying to get everything done that you didn’t give him a answer. Carmy shakes his head at you before walking towards you with his hand reached out, about to touch your shoulder but you stop him. “carmy if you touch me, I’ll stab you with this fucking knife.” you grit at him, you obviously didn’t mean it but you were just to stressed out for any physical touch. Carmy look at you with surprised look.

Carm takes a few breaths before speaking,“jesus babe, what’s got you all stress out?” he says, folding his arms. You set the knife down before turning your attention to carmy. “thanksgiving, that’s what.” carmy nods at your response and takes a look around at the kitchen, shit was everywhere, the kitchen looked like your state of mind at that moment. “babe we have until tomorrow, why don’t you just take a break and come back to it la-” your protests cut him off as you try to explain to him why you can’t wait later but he cuts you off, with his lips.

You moaned in his mouth as his lips caressed your lips, messily. His nose is pressed against your cheek as he granted his touch access into your mouth which you accepted. soon enough his hands travels to your ass and tightly grabs it before slamming his hands down on it causing you to moan in his mouth more. He then pulled away to clear the counter top with his hand, making everything fall on the floor. He hopped you on top on the counter before saying, “spread your legs, hot stuff.” he muttered. You did what he told you to do, spreading your legs and leaning on your forearms.

Carmy glanced at the wet spot on your panties before looking up at you. “you look like a fucking dream, baby.” he groaned. his fingers hooks onto your panties before yanking them down and tossing them somewhere in the kitchen. carmy them slides his hands behind your knees, pushing them down to get a better look at your pussy. his dick grows at the sight of wet, plushy cunt. “ready angel?” you nod rapidly in response. His pink lips brushes against your folds as his nose bumps against your clit with each lick. You struggle to breathe when the pleasure is just too good. His tatted hands are placed on your body, one on your thigh and one on your belly, keeping you down. you jolted in surprise when Carmen shakes his head side to side, getting a satisfied reaction from you.

“holy fuck, carmy.” you moaned, breathlessly. his tongue is houdini and your pussy is the act, working all his magic.

Carmy glides his tongue on your clit, making your hands fly to his hair. “right there, huh?” carmy smirked as you grabbed tighter on his brown locks. Your eyes disappeared in your brain as you were close to cumming. “fuck carmen, fuck!” you squeaked, cumming all over carmen’s face. “m’gonna fuck you now, sweetheart.” carmen says, not wasting any time getting his pants off.

He didn’t even bother taking his shirt off.

You head fucking spins as carmen taps his cock on your clot a couple of time before pushing in intensely, filling you completely with his cock. You mewled, clawing at his plain blue shirt until his pelvis pressed against yours. “you still stressed out? hm?” he uttered as he starts to pick up the pace. You could barley respond to him as he was thrusting in all the right places. “answer me or I’ll stop, I swear to god.” He says, seriously.

You finally bring yourself to answer him. “no I’m not stressed” you cried. Your pussy submerges his cock with each thrust, bringing a gush sound.

Carmen’s naw clenched as he can feel the intensity of a orgasm coming. Carmen’s hand comes up to you shoulder, pulling you in his thrusts. You sob his name, grabbing tighter on his shirt that stopped above his v-line. Everything was so aphrodisiac as you tighten around him, letting him know your close. He brings his thumb to your clit, helping you get to your goal. “cum f’me you deserve it, babe.” He says which gave you the green light. You squeal his name as your orgasm washes over you and your body dissolves into pleasure. Carmen’s hot, sweaty body collapses on top on you with cum dribbling out of your cunt. “fuck that was incredible.” he says into your chest.

Carmen then leaned up from your chest and looked around the kitchen. “next year, you should let me fucking help you.” he chuckled.

#the bear #the bear hulu #hulu the bear #carmen berzatto x reader #woc #black!reader #fanfic #hulu #carmen berzatto #carmen berzatto x you #carmen berzatto x black!reader #carmen berzatto x adamu!reader

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callmebrycelee · 8 months

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MY MAN CRUSH MONDAY IS...WILL POULTER

FULL NAME: William Jack Poulter

DATE OF BIRTH: January 28, 1993

PLACE OF BIRTH: Hammersmith, London, England

AGE: 30

SIGN: Aquarius

BEST KNOWN FOR: Portraying Gally in The Maze Runner and The Maze Runner: The Death Cure; Jim Bridger in The Revenant; Mark in Midsommar; Adam Warlock in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3; and Luca on The Bear.

HEIGHT: 6 feet and 3 inches tall

#mcm #mcm 2023 #man crush #man crush monday #man crush mondays #will poulter #the maze runner #the maze runner the death cure #the revenant #midsommar #adam warlock #guardians of the galaxy volume 3 #gotg vol 3 #aquarius #actor #blue eyes #hulu the bear

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curriedprince · 2 months

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Sydney should be allowed to stab Richie once a season. 🔪🩸

#artists on tumblr #the bear #syd adamu #sydney adamu #hulu #hulu the bear #i support womens rights and womens wrongs #i support womens wrongs #blood #knife #fyp #fypシ #for you page #for you #fanart #horror

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daiz3 · 10 months

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#artists on tumblr #my art #artwork #procreate art #marcus the bear #the bear #the bear hulu #the bear fx #hulu the bear #luca the bear #AHHHHHHHHH

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aestheth1cc · 7 months

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Carmy having to apologize to Marcus and Sydney is my Roman Empire

#it’s still bothers me like Marcus was not doing what he was supposed to do and HE quits like be serious #as of miss Sydney #this was literally you’re doing and like everyone makes mistakes and Carmy yelling at you for the risotto was not cool but you quit?#you yell at Richie?#you’re cracking under pressure for what you were screaming crying throwing up to do #and you know the environment #ain’t no way #the bear #fx the bear #hulu the bear #jeremy allen white

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onceknownfriend · 10 months

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By Emily Flake via The New Yorker

#the new yorker #Emily Flake #cartoonist #cartoon #the bear #the bear fx #funny #the bear hulu #hulu the bear #fx the bear

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bookwatching · 8 months

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The Bear - every book I spotted in season 2

Culinaria Spain: Spanish Specialities, Marion Trutter e Günter Beer

The Gaijin Cookbook, Ivan Orkin e Chris Ying

Tu Casa Mi Casa: Mexican Recipes for the Home Cook, Enrique Olvera

The Zuni Cafe Cookbook, Judy Rodgers

Frida's Fiestas: Recipes and Reminiscences of Life with Frida Kahlo: A Cookbook, Marie Pierre Colle

The Chicago Tribune Good Eating Cookbook, Carol Mighton Haddix

The Hungry Eye: Eating, Drinking, and European Culture from Rome to the Renaissance, Leonard Barkan

Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect, Will Guidara

Leading with the Heart, Mike Krzyzewski

#bookwatching #books #books seen in tv series #literature #reading people #tv series #hulu #the bear #hulu the bear #coach k

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fruitybugboy · 10 months

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my thoughts on the bear season 2

#hulu the bear #the bear #carmen berzatto #carmy berzatto #richie jerimovich #syd adamu #sydney adamu #the bear fanart #richie knows people he knows theyre in love #the bear fx #my art

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queers-gambit · 7 months

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Affirmation King

prompt: ( requested ) attending university as a full-time student is hard, but your boyfriend makes some of the stress worth it.

fandom masterlist: FX's The Bear

word count: 3.1k+

note: author gives unsolicited advice in the form of sharing a citation website to make college essays a little easier! this is not meant as promotion or anything, it's just your author trying to share a resource they know of.

warnings: cursing, small hurt large comfort (reader snaps a little at Carmy but he handles it like a fucking pro), author gives unsolicited college advice in the form of a recommended website, reader is in a masters program and not undergrad, fluff.

The 16 inch screen glared into your retinas, fingers feeling numb from the hours pounding away at the loose keyboard. When the screen started to warble and darken, your head ducked down slightly to try and preserve your visual; glaring up at the offender when they pressed the screen closed after forcing you to retract your hands.

"You're cute and all, but not so cute as to interrupt me like that," you deadpanned, eyes wide and burning from your lack of lubrication via blinking.

"You've been sat here for hours, it's time for a break."

"Funny when I say that to you, it's always, 'Get outta my kitchen.'"

Carmy smirked, "Come eat something."

"Let me finish this essay and - "

"No, it's time for a meal."

You felt your irritation spike, narrowing your eyes slightly, "I'm on a deadline, Carmen, so either be fucking helpful and productive or get the fuck out of my space. I've got work to do and you're just slowing me down."

He offered a patient look, asking, "Is that what you really wanted to say?"

You paused, then shook your head, "No... May I try again?"

"Of course," he nodded.

"I appreciate you trying to... Alleviate some of my stress," you spoke slowly, stringing the sentence together in realtime, "but this project isn't something I can ignore right now, so, I'd like to finish this thing before we do whatever else."

"Better," he teased, knowing you ran a short fuse when stressed out and overworked. "What's got you riled up?"

"I have this 20-page paper due."

"20 pages!?"

"It's not that bad, honestly, once you have your thesis together," you chuckled dryly. "it's just time consuming and meticulous."

He frowned and stepped forward to press a kiss to your forehead, mocking in a sarcastic tone, "You're doing amazing, sweetie."

"I'm so tired," you pouted up at him. "Do I really need this degree? This is so much stress for such a little thing such as a piece of paper that cost me $50k just to say I'm allowed to join the work force."

"Hey, hey," he laughed. "Just remember what you're working towards. You're one assignment closer to your internship turning into a full-time gig, right?"

You nodded, "You're right. I want that job so bad... I just hate how busy I feel - it's like, how can I remember to eat let alone write 6 different response posts to my classmate's work?"

Carmy nodded with empathy, "Just remember that end goal, baby. Keep grinding, keep moving. Almost at the finish line, right?"

"Right," you nodded with a smile. "Thank you, angel face."

Carmy smiled at you before softly asking, "Want me to bring you anything? Something to eat, drink, a condom?"

"Stop quoting Mean Girls at me!"

His hands shot up in defense, deflecting, "I was just trying to be a gracious host. If the missus wants anything, I'll make sure she has it."

"Pretty sure 'missus' is a term used for wives - " His groan made you laugh lightly, then covering, "No, thank you, baby, I'm okay. I should only be about another hour or so...?"

"All right, yeah, sure. I'll start dinner in 30, okay?"

"Sure," you smiled, already distracted again as you lifted your screen again to stare at the Word document that had been haunting your hard-drive for about 3 weeks now.

"Hey," he interrupted, "don't forget your glasses."

"Thank you," you mumbled, reaching for the special, blue-light filtering glasses Carmy had gifted you when you first started your Master's program. He claimed staring at a computer screen was going to cause long-term damage (he read an article) and got you a pair, which, you had to admit, made a huge difference.

Your hair was raked into a new bun as you reread the last of your essay, trying to get back in the academic mindset in order to finish the last bit of your assignment. There were textbooks spewed around your work table; laptop plugged in, highlighters and pens and notebooks within reach and a nearly-finished bottle of water was set to the side. You wrote ferociously once you got back on the right mental track, feeling your headache stir to life as you blindly reached for your water bottle.

However, when you picked it up, you blinked in mild shock when the bottle was heavier than before. Glancing over, you realized Carmy had replaced the bottle because there, under where it had sat, he left you a handwritten note:

replenish what you lost from crying!

You chuckled, knowing you were a stress cryer and when tackling big assignments like this, you were ten times as stressed as usual. Still you worked, even putting your headphones on to play soothing background noise - like rainfall. Your neck cramped, back ached, temples throbbed, and hands were cramping. Still you worked, using sticky notes to flag the important quotes you wanted to use from your textbooks and notebooks. Your stomach growled, your eyes begged for reprieve, chest felt tight, and shoulders were too tense.

Still. You. Worked.

Deadlines were important to you, and while you were a professional procrastinator, you always turned everything in on time - no matter your mental state. You could smell whatever Carmy had started cooking, focused on writing as you only used spellcheck as you went - and still you worked. You knew you surpassed the hour limit you told Carmy, but you couldn't stop, you were so close to finishing, it almost put tears back in your eyes, but this time out of relief. You only paused to look at online sources and apply chapstick, cracking your tightly-wound knuckles, and when you finished the last body paragraph of the essay, grinned to yourself.

All that was left was your conclusion, to create a bibliography, and to edit - but you were almost home free!

Suddenly, you jumped in fright when a hand planted on your shoulder; whipping around to see your boyfriend's own startled expression. "Sorry," Carmy apologized with a wince when you removed your headphones, "didn't mean to scare you, just wanted to check on you."

You nodded, 'Yeah, no, I'm almost done. Like give me 20 minutes, almost done-almost done."

He smiled softly, "Dinner's ready when you are."

"I'll be there soon, thank you, angel face."

"Can I help with anything?"

"Uh," you cocked your head, "you know what? Maaaaybe..."

"Really?" He grinned, perking up. "You never let me help!"

"It's not really work, per se," you amended, "but would you mind letting me read this out loud to you - see if it makes sense? The mark of a good writer is to act as if the audience knows nothing about the subject and make them understand, and you're exactly that."

"Lemme hear it," he nodded, taking a seat, "I might not be much help but I can still try."

You agreed and finished typing the outline of your conclusion, then scrolled to the top of your word document, and explained to him what your class was before starting to read. He listened intently, sitting on a spare stool with his elbows resting on his knees; keeping him leaned forward to provide his undivided attention. You managed to reword a few sentences, only noticing they didn't make sense when you read them out loud. Once or twice, Carmy even offered an alternative phrasing you liked - making the changes and rereading, then continuing through your assignment.

By the end, you were able to beef up the conclusion and Carmy was grinning at you in pride. "That's real good, baby," he complimented, "it all made sense and rolled nice together. I think that has to be an 'A'-worthy paper."

"You should be the one grading theses, my professor's the worst," you frowned. "It's why I got so in my head, I got a fucking 76 on my last essay and need to do really well on the next few to help average my grade."

"What about the tests?"

"We don't have any, this class is all about writing material and turning it in," you pouted.

"Hey," he spoke seriously, making you look at him in question, "I'm really proud of you."

You giggled nervously, "Oh, yeah? Why? What for?"

"For doing this," he nodded to the desk. "Look at all you're doing, baby, there's no way I'd ever be able to keep up with this kinda shit. You're doing such a great fucking job - I want you to remember that. What you're doing ain't easy, but you're handling this like a pro."

"I cry, like, everyday..."

"So what? You still get shit done while emoting - call that multitasking, baby."

"Got me there."

"Seriously, though, you're not told enough what a fantastic job you're doing; how strong and resilient you have to be to deal with this kind of stress day-in and day-out. I see the hard work you put in," he promised, "and I want you to know how fucking proud I am of you. It's all gonna be worth it one day, but until then, I love watching you grind through school. I might not take the classes with you, but I'll help however I can, whenever I can."

"Thank you," you whispered. "It's really nice to hear... I feel myself burning out and it's nice to be reminded that what I do now will influence my future. Validates me in feeling stressed out, you know? Sometimes, I feel silly 'cause, like, there's so many bigger things to be upset about and here I am, stressed out at a place that's guaranteed to stress me out..."

"It's not silly, it's normal. College ain't easy," he reminded, "and you're just trying to keep yourself afloat."

"Yeah, but there's bigger things in life than something trivial as my education."

Carmy scoffed at you, shaking his head, "Ain't no way."

"What?"

"My girl just said her feelings are trivial... Nah, she said her emotions about her education is trivial," he shook his head again. "Should wash your mouth out with soap - talkin' crazy like that. Baby, you know, first and foremost, your education is high on our priorities list, but your emotions? You think they're trivial? Nah, if anything causes you to have any emotion, it's valid - it's not something silly or redundant."

You pouted slightly, "You always know what to say."

"Hungry?"

"You're the perfect man," you laughed, looking at your document again and humming. "Okay, so, lemme just cite my sources and turn this in."

"Then you wanna have date night?" He smirked.

"No, no, I'm so tired - "

"I meant we can stay in."

"Oh, then count me in!"

"Change into something cozy when you're done, we can watch a movie with dinner. Yeah?"

You agreed, accepted his kiss of encouragement, and then took his leave to reheat the dinner that had surely cooled off. It didn't take long to cite everything when you used an online citation source website - that IS N O T plagiarizing! It's a handy-dandy tool you discovered your undergraduate freshman year by an actual professor. It was as simple as choosing which style, APA or MLA, and then to either paste the URL of the website you need sourced or you type in the book's information. Hit the generate button and BAM! A perfect citation for your bibliography every single time.

Or if you didn't like that, you could always just Google citation examples and do your best to write it out yourself. But the website, Citation Machine dot net, was a great tool. After perfecting your in-text citations and saving your work, you uploaded it to your university's assignment portal, crossed the essay off your to-do list, and stretched on your feet.

Cleaning up your space minimally, you hustled to your bedroom to get a quick hot, relieving shower, change, and then met Carmy in the kitchen. "Hey," you sighed with a soft smile.

"Hey, doll. All done?"

"For tonight," you groaned, "but tomorrow's a new day with new assignments."

"That's a future problem we'll handle at a later time," he eased, showing you your dinner plate. "Ta-daaaa!"

You grinned, "Oh, baby, this looks amazing!"

"Yeah, well, I kinda figured as a full-time student right now, nobody was gonna remind you what incredible job you're doing, so, I'm more than happy to step up to the plate. And what better treat than your favorite meal, huh?"

"Thank you," you whispered, pecking his lips.

You often thought his love language was "food", but then you realized it was technically under the acts of service and quality time. He loved cooking for you - it was like a gift. He loved cooking with you - it was time spent bonding. He loved introducing you to new dishes - it's a present! He loved when you let him give you a culinary lesson - it was time well spent.

"C'mon," Carmy lead you to the living room, both crashing on the couch you had been gifted from your grandmother's house when she was put in a nursing home. Normally, you wouldn't have splurged on something like this, but considering it was free, you and Carmy were happy to use it. Settling together on the couch, you got cozy under a shared blanket and Carmy flicked some movie on for background noise, but instead of watching, he just asked you about your coursework.

You told him what you could, shaking your head and huffing about how annoying your program was. How hectic. How jam packed and fast-paced it all seemed to be. How your head felt like it was spinning. How you couldn't nail down workable coping mechanisms and just felt totally out of control. You were spiraling.

You needed this rant session.

Carmy listened intently.

He never once tried to say, "oh, but if you had time management," or anything like, "if you do THIS instead..." or some bullshit, "my way works better." His bright and wide blue eyes watched you the entire time, sighing when you got to the end of your meal and vent session.

"It just feels like, I turn in one assignment, I get three more right after. Turn in those three, and all of a sudden, there's another 10!"

"Does the syllabus say anything about that?" He wondered.

"No, it just said what our reading schedules were and when major assignments are due. But those dates all got shuffled around that it feels like a train wreck. You know, if the original schedule was kept from the syllabus, I wouldn't feel so worked up! It's the rearrangement and added assignments without warning that's throwing me off."

"That doesn't sound easy," he validated. "Anything I can do to help?"

"No, you're doing more than enough," you whispered, pecking his lips. "Thank you for dinner."

"I made dessert, too."

"No!" You gasped with a grin.

"Mhm - wait here. I'll grab it."

"Wow, dinner, movie, and dessert?" You teased, "I'm being spoiled tonight."

"You've been working your ass off for weeks now," he smirked, standing from his seat to pick up your plates, "this is the least I could do. I know I said it, but you know how good a job you're doing, right? Damn, baby," he chuckled, "ain't no way I could ever handle shit like that on the regular."

"I could't do what you do, either."

"We all balance our crazy different. Want some tea? Wine?"

"Tea would be great."

"Comin' up."

When Carmy returned, you pulled the blanket back to let him sit again with the dessert plate between you both; two steaming mugs of tea sat on the coffee table. "What's this?" You wondered, seeing a sort of pastry.

"Marcus told me 'bout this," he chuckled. "Kinda like a poor man's version of this one thing he makes. So, look, it's Pillsbury Crescent Rolls, right? In the middle, there's raspberry preserves - or jam if you want that instead. It's baked then drizzled in melted white chocolate."

"Wow, you got all fancy on me," you beamed.

"Hardly, more like I was a little impulsive after hearing your essay. Figured you could use some dessert - you really earned it, baby. You always earn dessert," he grinned, "but tonight, you were kickass. Know that? Hear me?"

You shook your head, "This is nothing compared - "

"Hey, hey, nah," he interrupted, "nah, nah, don't do that, don't try to invalidate or downplay yourself. Look, shit is always hard in college, right? But you handle it so well, I can see the work you're putting in and the little reward you receive in return, and know that shit's gotta add up for you. But my baby just keeps cool, does her work, and does what she can to earn the grades she does. Right?"

"I mean, I try to..."

"You succeed. C'mon, lemme hear you say it. 'I kick college's ass.'"

"I kick college's ass."

"'I work hard.'"

"Carmy - "

"Saaay it!"

You huffed, "I work hard."

"'I'm an incredible hard worker.'"

"I'm an incredible hard worker."

"'I am only human.'"

Another breath in, repeating, "I am only human."

"'I am a success.'"

"I try to be a success."

"That wasn't the quote."

"Well, I don't know if I'm succeeding because grades aren't finalized yet and I have - "

"No, no, no," he smirked again, "you're still successful 'cause you're doing such a kickass job. You could get a fucking 'D' on something, and guess what? You're still successful 'cause you don't let this tear you down, you learn from mistakes and apply whatever lessons you learn to your upcoming assignments. Some people say you might even learn more from losing and failing than from undisputed success. Look, I'll be honest, I thought my job was hectic as shit, but hearing your essay tonight? Goddamn, you're not just beautiful, but so fucking intelligent, too. Baby, I was shook - that sounded like some academic paper that college kids need to defend their thesis or some shit. Something scholarly, not some assignment you gotta hand in by a deadline so you just wrote down whatever. So, give yourself credit and tell yourself you're a success."

With a long, deep breath, you answered earnestly, "I'm a success."

"Good girl," he muttered, handing you a fork finally. However, unlike Mikey all those years ago, you didn't launch your utensil at anyone and used it to cut off a corner of pastry.

You moaned when you tasted the gooey goodness. You managed through a mouthful, "Mmhhh! Mhm! Mhm! If you make this every time I have some assignment pissing me off and stressing me out, I'm afraid I'll get used to this treatment."

Carmy grinned, "You deserve whatever dessert you want, whenever you want. Huh? Yeah? Lemme hear you say it."

With another grin, you mused, "I deserve whatever I want, when I want it... And however I want it!"

"Atta girl!"

"You're so fucking corny," you laughed lightly, feeling as if you were falling in love with him again, "but thank you, my Affirmation King."

requesting rules and masterlist

The Bear masterlist

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