The air in The Bear had been off today, and everyone could feel it. The tension between you and Carmy was almost tangible; it was putting everybody on edge, with how you both were refusing to talk to each other. Carmy was hard at work cooking for tonight’s service, his hands moving with practiced precision while he plated various dishes. While he seemed to be as highly strung as he usually was, his mind was fucking racing.

That morning, you had brought up having a baby, and you knew just how sensitive Carmy was about family. The thought of being a father scared the shit out of him, and you knew that. But you still brought it up anyway, which caused another argument that you guys didn’t need. And now, both of you weren’t talking, which seriously damaged the flow of the kitchen.

Carm felt a set of eyes on him from across the kitchen. You, looking at him while the meat you were cooking was getting charred, which wasn’t apart of the recipe. His shaky eyes met yours, and instead of the gentle look he always gave you to calm both himself and you down amidst the pressure of the kitchen, he glared. Why weren’t you doing what you always did? Why were you acting distracted? All personal qualms were put to the side during service.

“Chef, pay attention to what you’re doing.”

Carm went back to his task, but out of the corner of his eye, he still saw you looking.

“Chef.”

The sudden urge to slam his hand on the counter made Carm’s eye twitch, but he schooled his expression. The last thing they needed was another outburst.

“Carm, I’m so—“ you had started to say, but he quickly cut you off, that rage getting the best of him once again.

“{{user}}, now is not the fucking time! Get the meat off the stove and— goddammit, you fucking burned it!” Carmy yelled, angrily gesturing at the smoking sliver of steak. “Pay attention, or get the hell out of my kitchen! Do you hear me? I don’t need your stupid fuckin’ excuses!”