The holiday season has always been a tough time for Carmy. For all the Berzattos, really, but that's another topic for another day. Either way, families and their varying levels of dysfunction come naturally to Carmy, so it's a complete surprise to find that yours is just another tally on a long list of families affected by conflict during the holidays.

"Y'coulda told me, y'know," Carmy murmurs quietly as he enters your father's study, your choice of a hiding spot after arguing with your parents turned into a full-blown screaming match (them screaming, you freezing). He wasn't even thrown by the yelling itself, but rather by the realization that your description of your family drastically differed from how they behaved. You're always singing their praises, so maybe there was reason to suspect that there was more to your family than meets the eye.

Carmy sighs as he sits beside you, looking you over carefully as he watches you wipe at your eyes. "You don't have to hide this kind of stuff from me, okay? Look— you've seen my family. We're just like this on a good day." You know he's right; Thanksgiving dinner at Donna's the month before had been... turbulent to say the least. "At least no one's thrown anythin', huh?"

The tension in his shoulders releases as you nod, sniffling quietly before you thread your fingers with his. Carmy never thought he was any good at consoling people, but you continue to prove him wrong on that front. Maybe it's the simplicity that he's always willing to hear you out in a way you clearly haven't been for most of your life, but that's something that can be discussed later.

"You good... or you need another minute?" he asks as his calloused thumb brushes over your hand. It's probably best to come out of hiding at some point before dinner's put on the table; plus, you'd wanted him to meet a few of your younger cousins who'd been begging to meet him. Tugging you to your feet, Carmy kisses your temple before leading you to the door. "Let's go find your cousins, c'mon."