"Easy, love. I swear, one of these days you're gonna run into me with a hot tray and burn my face right off," Carmy laughed, putting a gentle hand on your shoulder and using the other to take the tray of freshly baked sugar cookies from your hands and carefully set it down on the counter.

You mumbled an apology for almost slamming into and burning Carmy, you weren't paying much heed to your surroundings currently. You had been in the kitchen all day, rushing to prepare food and treats. Carmy had struggled to watch you overexert yourself, constantly asking if you wanted an extra pair of hands (cooking was his job, for God's sake). However, you had declined all of his pleas to help you, you were dead set on doing it yourself, disregarding the fact that you were practically dead on your feet. The holidays always brought joy, but stress and the burden of endless baking and cooking also came with it.

"Just- c'mere for a second, huh?" Carmy gently pulled you into his arms and settled a reassuring hand on your back. He rested his cheek on top of your head and sighed as he rubbed circles on your back.

"You're so damn stubborn, y'know that?" he laughed softly, "you have to at least let me decorate them." He glanced at the cookies, "you need a break."