Echoes (part 2) - The Bear S02 // S01

Echoes (part 2) - The Bear s02 // s01

I love you dude. Let it rip

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strange currencies | carmy x fem!character

maybe take a peek at this first, a little something of an intro to whatever this is going to turn out to be.

|| summary ; in the middle of a stressful afternoon for carmy, sydney gets a surprise visitor. - this is from carmy's pov to start us off. additional parts will switch between him and the fem!reader pov

|| setting/timeline ; this picks up during the remodel of the beef into the bear, probably a few weeks in give or take. and who knows how far it'll go. Ill be sure to add notes if the timeline skips ahead or goes back. I also don't think there will be many season 2 spoilers, I may mention some things/scenarios that do come up but i don't plan to add anything that would ruin s2 for anyone. || warnings ; swearing, arguing/shouting, carmys pov, general stress, not proof-read or anything special

|| word count ; 1,096

An alarm is going off and it won't stop going off for what seems like forever. 'Is that in my head?' Maybe, probably definitely. Carmy was dreaming, though some would call it a nightmare, about The Bear, the renovations, the absolute clusterfuck it had all turned into.

That fucking alarm did not stop.

'Riche would you cut that fuckin' thing off I can't even hear myself think!' That was Jimmy, fucking Jimmy.

'It's go fast boats mojito, all one word.' Richie's triumphant when he gets off the phone.

Sydney and Sugar sigh in relief, Jimmy seems to relax, too, 'Now, can I tell you a story of a complete and utter failure?'

Carmy doesn't understand why any of them seem chill when he can still hear the alarm blaring, echoing between his ears, and it should drive him crazy but he doesn't mind it.

The alarm. The alarm, the alarm, the alarm. "Shit- oh, fuck-" Blue eyes fly open, arm flinging out to reach the clock on the bedside table, hand slapping the snooze button in the dark. 6 AM. Carmy might've been bright-eyed but he was never bushy-tailed in the mornings. Not when he rarely went to bed before midnight, not when he slept for shit most nights. The dreams never stopped. Some of them even lead to him sleepwalking, which is totally fucked. Who does that?

His morning routine was simple, straightforward. That was one thing Carmy could generally count on despite the shitshow that was everything else lately. Wake up, shower, get dressed, try to eat something, brush his teeth, attempt to tame his hair, then promptly fuck it up before he'd walk out the door by the sheer number of times he ran his fingers through it. Everything else that happened after he left his apartment had become a totally different story. Actually, everything else, since he'd come back to Chicago, since Mikey, had felt like a derailment from the life he had figured out for himself.

It was no surprise that Carmy wasn't alone at The Bear for very long before Sydney showed up, Sugar a short time after, then the rest of the family filtered in as the morning ticked on. He stood next to Syd in front of the three calendar months they'd taped to the wall. Their schedule that's surrounded by permits, checklists, edits in the margins, so many fucking sticky notes, and "motivational" add-ins like 'fuck my fucking life'.

A six-month project that they had to squeeze into three. A timeline that was confident - cocky - actually crazy.

Every second counts.

To everyone except Richie apparently, who doesn't roll in til after noon. "Yo, what's goin' on ya fuckin' replicants?" Still wearing one of his many 'The Beef' shirts, in his track pants and stupid sunglasses. Carmy's jaw tenses, biting back a retort before greeting him with a lackluster "Cousin" as he passes by and into the office to talk to Sugar. Permits, so many fucking permits. And money. How did everything cost so much god damn money? Blue eyes linger on the half-assed 'budget' he'd written in sharpie on the inside of an empty pizza box a couple weeks ago while his sister reminds him of the million and one things they needed to do before they could ever start with the real renovations.

The facelift that Fak keeps insisting is not only a facelift but an actual gut based on all the shit they might have to actually tear out to make this place into what he and Syd envisioned it could be. The project that he'd very stupidly said they could do in six months, which really needed to be done in three because if they weren't up, running, and turning enough profit within eighteen months they were fucked.

"That's a CP," Sugar and Syd had told him in near unison when he'd asked what they could do about the timeline he had given Jimmy. "What's a CP?" - "A Carmy problem." - "Right, fuck - okay, heard."

Sydney appeared in the doorway doing her best to not look pissed off, but it was clear she was flustered by the way she spoke, "Carm- can you, like, I dunno, come fucking do something about Richie? He' won't stop arguing with Fak and just getting in the way." "Yeah, yeah, I'll be-" Before he could finish his sentence Fak's voice echoed through the restaurant, "MOOOMM!" Sugar cringed, letting out an exasperated sigh as she got to her feet and the three of them went to see what they were yelling about.

Some shit about moving lockers and scraping the paint from the walls, and who the fuck knows what else because Richie and Fak were all but shouting over each other. Marcus held his hands up in mock surrender because he didn't know what the hell to do about them. Sugar tried interjecting and Richie's going on about 'Alphas' and pheromones and "Cousin - What the fuck do you even know about pheromones?" Carmy's brows were furrowed, hands gesturing in annoyance as he spoke, "Seriously, can just one of you explain what the problem is here?" His attention slid to Fak in hopes he could get a straight answer out of him but it's not even a beat before he's opening his mouth and Richie is talking over him again, then they're both shouting over one another and "Both of you shut the fuck up!"

And they did. Everyone did, actually. But not because they had been told to, it was because the front door had opened and someone had stepped inside. A few emotions flashed over Sydney's face as she took in the stranger, "Birdie?" - "Syd!" Or maybe not stranger? Carmy turned to see who it was, blue eyes narrowing on the pair, briefly flickering over to the girl Syd was talking to, hugging, even. So they knew each other, might've even been friends.

He didn't know her, couldn't know her, right? But something familiar about the girl tickled some dark, forgotten corner of Carmy's brain. Birdie. Birdie, birdie, birdie... Then their eyes met, seconds ticked on for what felt like an hour, and Oh.

He blinked at her, seemingly checking back into himself, then ran a hand through his hair before he shifted his attention back to Richie and Fak because there was no fucking way that was the same girl. Although, Syd had mentioned New York, and how many girls that went by Birdie could there be?

Carmy didn't know, and he definitely didn't have time to think about it. Not right now. Maybe not ever.

a/n; this was fun, let's do it again sometime soon. hope whoever does take the time to read this enjoys it, and ill see ya on the next one. (which will be done from the fem!readers pov) ps. ive been writing for fun for a long time, but this is my first time posting anything like this for more than my five friends that i enjoy writing with, so hopefully my formatting will get better as i figure out tumblr for this.

I’m not crying about this at 2:30am YOURE CRYING

thinking about the specific moments where the berzatto family falls in love with sydney (because of course they do, everyone does).

for richie, it takes the end of the beef and right up till the opening of the bear to happen. he is full of contempt and grief when he meets her and all he knows is that when he looks at her face he is afraid. he doesn’t like that feeling. richie is not a man who finds himself fearful a lot, but she is everything he is not and nothing that he is and he hates himself for it. if she is what it means to be passionate, then what is he? is he nothing but an empty shell of mikey, stuck on earth to shake his fist at passing clouds, because how dare they move and continue on like mikey was nothing to them, as if he wasn’t the very point that the earth revolved around? everyone is leaving him behind, and she is proudly leading the pack. it’s not right. but then— he gets it. he talks to garrett and jess and chef terry and he sees sydney in every corner of that restaurant. the fear slowly is replaced with respect as the week goes on and he realizes that just because she’s good doesn’t mean she’s out to get him. that’s the berzatto upbringing in him doing the talking, but it doesn’t have to, because shes a berzatto now, maybe not officially (not yet, but mark his words, she will be) but she is, and that’s not how she does things. so, he lets her lead them into the future to something good and different and better.

for sugar, it’s instant. she was born to a mother who is triggered by her very existence, and it has hurt her all her life. she is full of love and the one person she wants to give it to the most doesn’t want any part of it. she was born to give but is surrounded by those who are afraid to even take it, to reach out their hand and meet her in the middle. and if they cant take then they themselves have nothing to give, so she gets used to being the one who has to force feed her love down their throats, because if no one does, if no one shows them that they are worthy of good things, then they will crumble (“if i just talked to him more—” “no, nat—” “if i had just—” “it’s not your fault, honey. it’s never been.”). but when she meets sydney, it’s like looking into a mirror. she sees her bright eyes and soft smiles and careful but strong hands and instantly recognizes her for what she is: a giver. and sugars heart swells with even more love than she thought possible, because finally, she’s not alone— there is someone else there to slowly, albeit subconsciously, take care of her crumbling family, to show them that despite what their mother may have taught them, its okay to not be okay (she tries her best not to cry when syd asks her if shes okay, but she does. and syd doesnt grab her face or yell at her or call her stupid. she makes her a meal. and sugar cries some more).

for cicero, the love isn’t instant, and it’s not even entirely love. she is strong and she is assertive, but that also makes her naive and a very expensive risk. she makes him curious for what’s to come, intrigued by the way she doesn’t back down from carmy whose voice so often mimics the berzattos that came before him (“you’re better than this, kid.” “i don’t know what i am.” “whatever it is, it’s not this.”). she's self assured and knows her place in the establishment and is unafraid to let people know it. it’s a refreshing change of pace from mikey, who often resorted to intimidation to get his way, or carmy, who’s anxiety envelopes him and distracts him from what’s right there in front of him. but she is not them. she is focused and on track and is willing to put in the work to get what she wants. he doesn’t visit the bear often, only drops by once in a while to deliver bad news or to fulfill a favour or to just enjoy some good food, but when he does, she is always there, dedicated to ensuring that carmy and michaels, and now, her dream stays alive. she is good for his family, and he trusts her to keep the berzatto spirit alive.

for michelle, it’s quite simple. she always looked out for carmy, their little bear, so when she meets her it’s a family thanksgiving party at the bear and syd stumbles out of the kitchen, obviously frazzled and a little sweaty (“carmy, im not ready, i didn’t even change yet and the turk—” “don’t worry, tina will take care of it, you look great, they’ll love you, they just really wanted to meet you—”), but she’s smiling. she’s a little awkward when she introduces herself, and michelle finds herself endeared by her nervous ramble (“it’s, uh, really nice to meet you guys. sorry, i didn’t know that i was going to be pulled out of the kitchen so soon. uh, im sydney. yeah, i guess carmy already told you guys, huh? um. im sorry, how are you related to the family again? i mean, i dont want to offend but it’s just. uh. well, you guys are just very... normal?”) and she’ll laugh and look at stanley and the two of them will think to themselves, good job carmy, she’s a good one, before telling syd something dumb and nonsensical about a genetic mutation and richie interrupts to tell michelle it’s not a genetic mutation it’s called being boring and syd will laugh and michelle will too, truly happy that their little bear found someone normal, a breath of fresh air within the smoke of their family.

for donna, it’s weird. it’s tense. they don’t meet for a long time. they don’t meet at the bear when it first opens and not at the bear even when it has found it’s footing, but by chance. they are somewhere mundane (a grocery store, a park, or maybe just the street) and there is no other family member around when syd meets the berzatto matriarch. she only knows what donna looks like from photos at sugars house because carmys apartment is devoid of any actual sentiment (although that has begun to change since she made him get an actual dresser and he dedicated one of the drawers to her stuff). she calls out to her by her name, and donna turns around startled. she doesn’t recognize syd, of course, who introduces herself and informs her of who she is to the family. when donna smiles it’s not a real one, and syd knows this, but it doesn’t deter her. she tells donna that her kids love her (“even after everything, nat?” “she’s our mother. its all that we can do.”) and that her kids are great (“carmy, you are not broken.” “im a little broken.” “no, listen to me, the fact that you are still here, means something. its something.”) and that there will always be a table for her at the bear (“chef, someones calling in for a reso for 1 but we’re all full up… except for—“ “yo, dont finish that sentence. table 7 for ms. berzatto is an indefinite booking. is that understood?” “yes, chef”). donnas smile fades and her chest fills with anger but just as she’s about to explode in typical berzatto fashion syd interrupts her. she has faced the bear many a time before and has handled herself with grace and dignity everytime, so this is no different. she smiles brightly and thanks donna for listening to her and hopes she considers coming in, because she’d really like to cook for her. she looks like she needs a good meal. she deserves one. she turns and walks away. donnas stomach growls. that night, table 7 is occupied for the first time since the bear opened its doors.

and carmy? well, there isn’t an exact moment. its a culmination of awkward partnership (“i don’t want to be shitty.” “okay, then dont be.”) and flawless teamwork (“the menu needs—” “already on it, chef.”) and nights unwinding at the bar down the street (“of course you drink an old fashioned.” “what’s that supposed to mean?” “nothing, it’s just very… tortured-chef-from-the-slums-of-chicago of you”) and spontaneous phone calls just to hear the others voice (“why are you whispering?” “i… don’t know. my dads home. its a habit.” “you’re 27.” “and you’re white, you wouldn’t get it.”) till they’re just inseparable (“cousin, wheres carmy?” “with syd, duh.” “why'd i even ask?”). and then, sydney and carmen become something else. something tender and sweet and terrifying and beautiful all mixed together into… something. there’s no word for what they have. but it feels so right; to the guests who taste their food and recognize that the hands who put it together are full of love and care; to the staff at the bear who see the unspoken communication, the lingering touches, and their soft eyes that seem to always be on the other; to the berzatto family who notice that carmy looks a little brighter, and shakes a little less. yes, its love, but its so much more. it’s syd and carmy. it always has been, and always will be.

(“can i ask you something? something corny and lame and gross?” “always.” “when did you, like, know?” “know what?” “like, when did you know that you loved me? like, not as a chef or a friend, but as... y'know.” “that’s very middle school of you to ask.” “shut up, i did warn you.” “…” “so?” “its, uh, i don’t, i don’t know.” “well, that’s rude.” “no, i mean, i can’t say its one moment because... it was all of them. together. like, one moment you’re staging and then everything happened and, and, keeps happening but the next thing i knew you were there and you always were there and i just knew that i never wanted you to not be there.” “that’s…. really, really, disgusting, and frankly, a little unprofessional.” “oh, fuck off.” “no, like, i knew you were obsessed with me, but wow, that is a whole new other level.” “fuck you, get off of me, don’t touch me.” “no no no, please—” “i let you into my family—” “let me?” “into my restaurant—” “i think you mean OUR restaurant—” “only for you to humiliate me in my own bed? how dare you.” “…are you sulking?” “…” “…carmy?” “syd?” “me too.” “…heard, chef. now come back here.”)

(and it’s unspoken, but everyone knows that michael would’ve loved her too. i mean, she’s sydney fucking adamu, she conquered the bear. how could anyone not love her?)

carmy + hands - part two

(part one)