pfudorqueen

[pfudorqueen]

Wine & Dine (carmen "carmy" berzatto x fem!reader)

18+ account - minors do not interact

carmen "carmy" berzatto x fem!reader

Word Count: 6430ish+

Rating: E

Summary: You own a wine shop across the street from The Bear, and you have struck a deal with Carmen Berzatto that allows people to purchase wine from your shop and enjoy it at The Bear. Over time, your unexpected partnership with the quiet restaurant owner & head chef grows beyond just sharing wine and food.

Warning: slow burn (this happens over months in my mind), language, mutual pining (idiots in love crushing on one another), alcohol, mentions of Mikey’s death, allusions to slight family drama on the readers end, brief jealousy (Carmy is a jealous boi), fluff, flirting & sexual tension, competence kink? (Carmy builds something and reader feels things), kissing, sexual touching 18+, praise, dirty talk, implied p in v sex

A/N: This is my first-time writing a Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto fic and writing for the Bear Universe. I can’t tell if this will just be a one-time thing, but with Season 3 coming out so soon, the brain-rot is real. This show is immaculate, and Carmen is such a complex character. I originally was going to use this idea and make it a Joel Miller AU fic (my obsession for that fictional man is concerning), but I decided to take a chance at writing for another fandom. I know nothing about the fine dining world / what food pairs well with wine so let’s pretend in this story that what I’m saying makes sense. I want to thank especially @nicksolemnlyswears / @mysingularitybts who convinced me to post this story.

A Collection of Moments Masterlist

xx

Chicago, Illinois The BEEF is CLOSED. Thank you for your patronage. THE BEAR is COMING.

The first time you met Carmen Berzatto, he was about to have his soft opening of the Bear for Friends and Family night. However, you had watched him and his crew from across the street for months getting the restaurant ready. You recall when a sign for The Beef, the beloved Italian beef sandwich shop had announced its closing, it had genuinely shocked you and a lot of people in the neighborhood.

He walked into your shop nervously and was scanning a bunch of different bottles, focused on the whites.

“How can I assist you sir?” you asked, and up close, you saw that he had piercing blue eyes. Eyes that you could lose yourself in.

“Um, I’m openin’ up the restaurant cross’ the street in a couple of days and uh, I-I’m tryin’ to find a wine that compliments one of our dishes. Right now… somethin’ is just not right,” he quickly rushed out.

“What’s the dish?”

“Seared scallops with an herby fish sauce vinaigrette, the Chardonnay I’m usin’ is just… it’s not hittin’ at all,” he let out a frustrated sigh and gripped his hair tightly in frustration.

“A Chardonnay won’t work, especially if your scallops are seared,” you suggested, starting to walk to locate the bottle that you thought would work better. “Chardonnay is often a go-to for scallops, but it can overpower the delicate flavors. What type of Chardonnay are you using?”

“A 2020 Racines Bentrock Vineyard Chardonnay,” he replied, looking at you with those beautiful eyes.  

“That’s an amazing bottle. But it’s a Chardonnay that is intensely buttery, which is probably what is causing the clash,” You picked up a mineral-driven Sancerre from the Loire Valley of France and handed the bottle to him. “Try this, it’s dry, bright, and acidic. Its minerality and citrus notes will complement the brininess of the scallops without overwhelming them,”

“I didn’t even think about usin’ somethin’ made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes. You don’t think the acidity would cut through the richness of the dish?”

“No, I think it will enhance the flavor, and it will complement the freshness of the scallops and the vinaigrette perfectly. I mean in fairness, I haven’t tried your dish,” you said with a shrug. “So, I guess I’m sort of giving you advice blindly, but I have a good hunch,” you continued with a smile. “So, take the bottle and try it out, and then let me know if it pairs well or if I was a complete idiot with my suggestion,”

You could see him pause for a moment looking down at the bottle; his brow furrowed in contemplation as he considered your recommendation. When he looked back up at you, you realized how distracting his face was and that he was devastatingly handsome. Your eyes were flickering between his eyes and his mouth as you two fell silent. You suddenly felt a huge desire to run your fingers through his luscious locks.

“I trust you…somethin’ tells me y’a know what you’re saying,” he said, sounding hopeful, but a little unsure. “How much do I owe you?”

“It’s on the house,” you informed him.

“Wait what?” he asked with an adorable frown of confusion.

“Consider it a friendly neighborhood present… opening a restaurant isn’t easy,” you assured him.

“Thank you,” he breathed your name looking at your chest, and confusion crossed your face wondering how this handsome stranger knew your name since you had never given it to him during this entire exchange. Then, his finger pointed down at your chest, where your name tag was pinned neatly in place. Realization dawned on you as you felt your cheeks heat, realizing he had been reading your name tag.

He cleared his throat and looked over at you a little sheepishly. “Nice to meet you, um, I’m – uh, my name’s Carmen,”

“Carmen”, you repeated, enjoying the way his name rolled off your tongue.

“Well, um, I have to go… uh, but see you around,” he stammered out and then started walking toward the front door and stepped out. As he crossed the street, he turned around to look at you before entering his restaurant and lifted his hand in a wave that you returned shyly.

“See you around,” you whispered to yourself.

The next day when you opened up the wine shop, you found a note that had been slipped under the door and bent down to pick it up.

You’re a genius.

– Carmen

xx

Through your conversations, you began to develop a mutual respect and admiration for each other's expertise. The Bear had a successful opening and Carmen and his team started bringing you dishes to taste. In the beginning, he would mostly come in with Sydney and then they started bringing Tina and Ebra as well to get their opinions on the wine pairings as well. You also worked with Marcus sometimes to provide wine recommendations for his mouth-watering desserts. Sometimes, even Ritchie would stop by to shoot the shit and pretend he understood what you were saying.

You found yourself eager to recommend wines that you thought would complement The Bear’s dishes, and Carmen and the team started incorporating your suggestions into the menu. Then one day you suggested the idea of allowing customers to purchase wine from your shop and enjoy it at The Bear, letting Carmen know that it would draw more people to both businesses. Customers who may not have visited your shop otherwise now would have a reason to come in, and vice versa for The Bear.

Over the next few weeks, as word spread about the successful wine partnership between your wine shop and The Bear, more and more customers began to visit both establishments. The collaboration proved to be a win-win for both businesses, as customers enjoyed the unique experience of sampling exceptional wines while dining on The Bear’s exquisite dishes.

You noticed a change in Carmen as you spent more alone time with him. He started coming to your shop without the rest of the team bringing you dishes to try, and you felt that he began to open up and show more of his personality. He was quiet, observant, and very focused. There were moments when he struggled to communicate his feelings and emotions, often choosing to stay silent. But as you got to know him better, you realized that he was actually quite thoughtful and deep. He had a unique perspective on things and was eager to learn and grow. Although he may not have been the most outgoing person, his quiet demeanor hid a kind heart and a passionate mind.

You found yourself enjoying conversations with him, as he had a way of making you think and see things in a different light. He had a knack for analyzing situations and offering insightful solutions, showing a level of maturity beyond his years.

“So, I googled you,” you said one day when he brought you over a Spicy Rigatoni Vodka pasta dish he was considering implementing for the menu. Carmen didn’t believe in static menus, he preferred a series of menus that rotated after a specific period with rotating entrees, seasonal dishes, and regional specialties.

"I had no idea you were such a big deal," you said, your eyes wide with admiration. He was so fucking amazing.

"Oh, um, it's nothin’, really," he mumbled, unable to meet your gaze. He blushed as you marveled at his impressive CV, detailing his rise to fame as a culinary prodigy. You could tell he was modest about his achievements, not one to boast about his success.

“So, I guess I have to ask. Why did you come back to Chicago?”

He shuffled his feet, and you could tell he felt slightly uncomfortable with the question. "My brother…” he paused, “Mikey… That was his name. He died and left me the restaurant in his will," he confessed, his voice slightly shaky.

You looked at him with concern, reaching out to touch his hand. "I'm so sorry, Carmy. That must have been really hard for you." You heard his friends and family calling him that, so you decided to try to nickname out since he was sharing something so personal, and you wanted to soothe him somehow. He looked into your eyes with gratitude and vulnerability. Without saying a word, he laced his fingers with yours, intertwining them in a gentle, reassuring grip.

Carmen shrugged, looking down at the table. "Yeah, it’s been tough. I dunno. Sometimes, I just feel so lost, y’a know?" His grip tightened slightly, as if seeking solace in the connection between you both, a silent reassurance that you were there for him in that moment of vulnerability.

You nodded sympathetically, and fell silent, unsure of what to say. You realized that Carmen probably preferred it that way. He probably just wanted to be heard, understood, and supported without the need for empty expressions of sympathy.

As you had expected, he quickly shifted the conversation back to you tasting the food and dropped your hand, and you felt yourself missing his touch immediately. He watched you take a couple of bites of the pasta that he had brought over for you. “So, what do y’a think?” he asked shyly.

You decided to take a few more final bites before replying. It tasted like a symphony of flavors – the heat from the red pepper flakes woke up your senses, while the spicy tomato and creamy vodka sauce soothed and balanced out the spice and added richness to the pasta.

Each bite was a delightful experience that left you wanting more. “Carmy… it’s a gift. What you do… what you have is a gift,” you whispered.

“You really think so?” he asked timidly, staring at you with those crazy blue eyes.

“No,” you said firmly, and you saw his anxiety spike. “I know so,”

His face softened, and you gave him a small smile.

“You’ll need a full-bodied Italian red for this dish, probably a Chianti. A Barolo could work, but I think the Chianti I’m thinking of will be an excellent choice. Let me grab it,” you quickly left the counter to find the Machiavelli Vigna di Fontalle and poured two glasses of wine for you and Carmen.

You both took more bites of the Spicy Rigatoni and brought the glass of wine to your lips, taking a small sip and letting the rich flavors wash over the palate. You closed your eyes and took another sip, savoring the complexity of the wine, letting it linger on your taste buds before swallowing. The wine had a bold and complex flavor profile with hints of dark fruits, spices, and earthy notes, making it a great complement to the richness of the pasta. The wine's smooth tannins and balanced acidity helped cut through the sauce's creaminess.

When you opened your eyes, you found that Carmen was gazing into your eyes with a look of pure intensity. It was a look you had never seen him give you before. His gaze seemed to linger, as if he was trying to convey something to you without saying a word.

You liked Carmen. You felt like it was obvious. Could it be possible that he had feelings for you too? Was it all in your head, or was there something more between you that had been simmering beneath the surface all along? He was so hard to read.

“You know… you have a gift too,” he said, pushing his empty plate away. “Your ability to choose the perfect wine to complement any dish is truly… fuckin’ remarkable,”

You rolled your eyes. “Carmy, that’s silly. I’m not making the wine; I’m just simply drinking it, and then making some suggestions,”

His eyes squinted in disapproval. “You know opening night… do y’a know what dish received the most compliments?

You shook your head.

“It was the scallops, everyone who did the suggested wine pairing with that dish said that the wine enhanced the overall dining experience,” he said softly, his lips slowly curving into a small smile.

You felt a warm glow of pride and satisfaction knowing that your passion and knowledge was being appreciated by him, but it was hard for you to accept it. Your father had been so disappointed when you dropped out of Columbia Law School to run away to Europe and drink wine for a living. You were the youngest of 4 children, and all of your siblings were lawyers, including your hard-to-please father. In a way, you were sort of the odd one out in your family.  “Carmy… It’s really not all that impressive,”

“You have a gift too,” he repeated, his eyes staring into yours, as his comment lingered in the air between you two.

xx

One night, you decided that it was time for you to enjoy The Bear's fine dining experience yourself. Ironically, you had never eaten there. Carmy had never asked you or formally invited you to the restaurant since he would bring his menu items over to the shop for you to taste so that you could provide recommended wine pairings. It was restaurant week in Chicago and The Bear was participating in the special 5-course prix fixe celebration. Therefore, you decided to bring your cousin who was visiting his family from New York who was a total foodie and enjoy your Friday night with him.

As you walked into the restaurant, you were immediately greeted by Sugar at the hostess stand who you had met a few times. She complimented you on your dress and you introduced her to your cousin, and it turned out that they knew each other since they attended rival high schools, and they reminisced on some senior week prank gone wrong. They enjoyed a few playful jabs with one another before she escorted you to the table, where you were impressed by the cozy and elegant atmosphere of the restaurant.

You took in the beautifully set tables, the dim lighting, and the soft music playing in the background. Carmen and the team had done such a terrific job with the place, the rave reviews made so much sense. Ritchie noticed you and walked over to say hello, pulled out your chair, and handed you and your cousin the prix-fixe menu. You narrowed your eyes as you observed Ritchie’s unfriendly gaze toward your cousin since it was certainly out of character for him.

Once Ritchie finished his spiel about restaurant week, you both placed drink orders and then he walked away. You could have sworn you heard him mutter ‘fuckin’ jagoff’ under his breath, but maybe you had just been imagining it.

“I talked to your Dad, and he said your parents are going to the south of France this summer,” your cousin said as he placed the white napkin cloth in his lap.

“How interesting, I lived in Bordeaux for 3 years, and he never visited me once,” you muttered bitterly. Your mother and all your siblings had visited you while you lived out there, even some of your extended family, but your father always had an excuse as to why he couldn’t. ‘Work is so crazy baby girl,’ But deep down, you knew it was because he was disappointed.

“How are things with you two?”

“Well, I’m not married to a Harvard Business School graduate who works at a hedge fund, and I don’t have any babies so it could be better,” you responded sarcastically. “But if I’m honest, since I moved back home to Chicago and opened up the shop, much better. We had a big Kumbaya moment, he apologized, admitted he went to therapy, and –

“He went to therapy?” Your cousin interrupted.

“Let’s get real, my mother forced him to go, and he probably hated every second of it,” you chuckled, “But yes, he did… apparently,”

“Well let’s fucking cheers to that,” he said and you two grabbed your cocktails that had just been dropped off by Fak.

The clink of your cocktail glasses echoed softly across the room as you smiled at each other.

“I can’t believe you know Carmen Berzatto. Did you know that the last place he worked at in New York credited him for retaining the restaurant's three stars?” your cousin exclaimed.

You didn’t know that. But it didn’t surprise you. Everything Carmen did was nothing short of spectacular.

“What’s he like?” your cousin asked, clearly intrigued.

“He’s kind of an anxious person, so he can come across as awkward, but he’s really incredible,” you answered honestly. “He’s obviously so passionate about food, and he’s so supportive and encouraging of his crew. It’s really sweet,” You ended up confessing to your cousin about your crush on Carmen over the third course, and he grinned at you while you shared your secret like a little schoolgirl during dinner.

“You don’t think he likes you too?” He asked you when you guys got to the final course, before the dessert. It was foie gras stuffed free-range quail.

You sighed deeply. “I feel like this restaurant and his family, which I’m sensing is totally chaotic are just about the only things he has time for in his life, so no, I think he just sees me as a friend,”

You took a small bite of the dish, savoring the explosion of flavors in your mouth. The rich, buttery foie gras complemented the juicy, tender quail perfectly, creating a melt-in-your-mouth sensation. You closed your eyes in pure bliss, and as you continued to eat, you couldn’t help but marvel at the complexity of flavors and textures in each bite. The dish was so delicious, so perfectly balanced, it had to be one of the best things you had ever eaten.

“What the fuck man, this is so fucking good,” a low groan escaped your cousin's lips.

You couldn’t help but let out a soft moan of pleasure. “Oh my god, I know,”

“The best thing I can make is… nothing,” he said with a chuckle. You immediately thought back to a time when he had almost burnt down his house making toaster strudel when you two were younger. You laughed so hard that you didn’t hear that someone had approached the table.

You heard a familiar voice say your name and you looked up and saw that it was Carmen.

The blue in his eyes was as gorgeous as ever, so raw, and intense, and you felt your heart race when you watched his mouth part, tongue peeking out to trace his bottom lip.

“I thought that was you,” Carmen cracked a tiny smile, his gaze slid from your face down to your legs, and you felt every inch of it. You were wearing a little black dress, nothing special, but it was figure-hugging, with a plunging neckline and short hemline that showcased your legs.

You offered a tiny wave when his pretty blue eyes met yours. "Chef, this is absolutely incredible," you gushed pointing at your plate, but couldn’t help but notice that Carmen’s lips were narrowed, and his jaw was tense.

“Thank you,” he replied, his lips formed around the words, but his teeth stayed locked.

“Dude, the food has been amazing tonight. We’re huge fans,” your cousin said.

“Oh really?” Carmen responded, his eyes focused only on you and not acknowledging your cousin who was sitting across from you. He then finally turned to him. “Nice to hear that dude,” His voice had an edge to it, and you hadn’t heard him use it before.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Chef, she’s been telling me about this place for months so I’m glad we’re finally checking it out,” your cousin continued, and then winked at you and squeezed your hand across the table.

Carmen blinked, as blankness rolled over his features, and he looked at your cousin with a forced smile.  

You laughed nervously. “Carmy, this is my older cousin, we grew up together. He’s in town for his mom’s birthday. My aunt’s birthday, my mom’s sister, it’s her 60th on Sunday,” you felt silly emphasizing that you two were related but in Carmen’s life, the term ‘Cousin’ was sometimes used for friends.

It was like a flip had switched, and suddenly Carmen reached for your cousin's hand thanking him for coming in tonight, asking him if he was enjoying the experience, and telling him how lucky he was to have you across the street helping The Bear with the wine pairings over the last few months. You were extremely confused but gave Carmen a reassuring smile since you finally felt him begin to relax again. The kitchen was probably crazy tonight, so you could only imagine how he was feeling.

Carmen bit his lip and ran his fingers through his hair. He looked nervous and vulnerable all of a sudden as well. “By the way, don’t worry about the bill tonight. When y’a guys are done for the night, just let Cousin know,”

“Carmy that’s not necess-,” you started to say.

“I said, the bill will be covered. Compliments from the chef,” his tone was final, and you felt insane for feeling turned on by it. His eyebrows lifted and he gave you this look that clearly meant he wasn’t kidding. So, you decided not to push it.

“I’m sorry, I have to go. But, um, if y’a two want to stay past closin’, the team and I are doin’ surprise birthday shots for Sydney,” Carmen informed you both.

You giggled knowing that Sydney was going to hate all the attention on her. “She’s going to kill you, but yeah, that sounds fun,”

“Trust me it wasn’t my idea,” he muttered, as he bent down to kiss your cheek and quickly whispered in your ear, “Thanks for comin’, you look um, really… really nice,”

You were shocked at the act and struggled to respond, feeling tongue-tied and flustered by his words. But once you saw him walk back into the kitchen, you couldn't help but smile at his words, the corners of your lips turning up involuntarily as you tried to hide your face from your cousin,

“Well, I can tell you that he likes you,” he smirked.

“What? How can you tell?”

“Because until you told him who I was, it looked like he was going to punch me in the face and kick me out of this restaurant,” he said while grinning wildly.

xx

After you had visited the restaurant, you started going there a lot more to taste the menu items in the kitchen. You also noticed a shift in your dynamic with Carmen. You felt as though his touch became more frequent… maybe even intimate. You would feel a gentle hand on your lower back as he guided you through the chaotic kitchen. His hand would brush against your arms as he reached for ingredients or utensils. Sometimes, when you talked, he would reach out to brush a loose strand of hair behind your ear, his touch lingering for a moment before he would pull away. Most recently, you had almost tripped in the kitchen, and he had moved his hands to rest on your shoulders to make sure you were okay, and his fingers caressed your collarbone. You had shivered at his touch, feeling a surge of warmth and longing spread through your body.

The Bear staff was sort of this crazy family, but they made it work somehow. You mostly worked alone in the wine shop and had to depend on yourself for a lot of things. You ran a lean business with only two other employees who were part-time staff. You had an attorney and accountant to help you with beverage alcohol law and accounting, but it wasn’t as though you saw them all the time. In a way, your professional life had always felt a little lonely and The Bear had somehow become a part of your day-to-day, and your feelings for Carmen only grew more and more.

You had started to host weekly wine tastings on Thursdays and had just wrapped up cleaning up the mess from a 10-person party where one of the guys was extremely drunk and kept spilling his wine everywhere when Carmen and Ritchie walked in unexpectedly with a giant delivery box.

“Hey, noticed your name on this box, it was sittin’ in front of the shop next door,” Carmen stated as he dumped it on the counter.

You looked at the box and scowled. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

You had been eagerly awaiting the delivery of a new shipment of wine and had been left without any inventory of this particular Portuguese wine to sell to patrons the day before or the day before that. You were beyond frustrated. This was the third time the shop next door didn’t let you know that a delivery had been mistakenly delivered to them. Now you felt like an asshole, because you had totally bitched out the wine distributor yesterday demanding to know where your delivery was and why you had been left high and dry without any Pico Wine to sell. It was a super unique wine, probably one of the most unique in the world and your rich clientele loved having bottles in their homes. You probably looked batshit crazy explaining this to Carmen and Ritchie.

“Do y’a want me to beat the shit out of em’?” Your eyes grew wide, and your mouth dropped in shock as Ritchie started laughing. “I’m kidding, but do y’a want me to talk to em’ so that they fuckin’ understand?” Ritchie asked as his phone rang. He pulled his phone out of his back pocket, looked down, and told you he had to step out since Tiffany was calling him.

You let out a long sigh, and Carmen instantly pulled you in his arms, your face planted firmly against his chest. “You should come to Family tonight, take your mind off this,” he murmured against your skin, rubbing soothing circles on your back.

You had never been invited to Family dinner before, it was staff only. “Oh, I know how stressed you guys can get before the dinner rush, I really don’t want to be a bother,”

He scoffed and brushed your hair back once you looked up at him. “You wouldn’t be a bother, please don’t say that,” The look in his eyes was so genuine. “I’m so sorry about your shipment, I know how shitty that can feel,” he said releasing his hold on you and stepping back slightly.

You didn’t want to impose, and you didn’t want Carmen to feel like he had to invite you because you were having a bad day.

“It’s fine, I just need to drink some wine or something to calm down. I guess that’s the perk of this job,” you shrugged.

He peeked at you from beneath his lashes, “Tina cooked Poulet Mafé,”

“Carmy,” you moaned, while you saw him smile at your reaction. You had tasted Tina’s Poulet Mafé in the past. It was 100% the ultimate comfort food with thick peanut sauce with chicken, root vegetables, and cabbage served over rice. It was so fucking good.

“Okay, fine, I’ll come,” you conceded, rolling your eyes, looking away, and pretending you were bothered by it.

You felt a finger brush beneath your chin, as he raised your face to look at him, “Good girl,”

You swallowed a heavy breath and felt your panties get impossibly wet.

xx

“How did I not know that you live above the wine shop?” Carmen asked you one day when he was helping you build your new bar cart. At your last party, one of your friends accidentally crashed into it and broke it, so you ordered a new one on Amazon.

“I guess it never came up,” you replied. It was his first time at your apartment and for some reason, you felt a little nervous. It was probably because as he built the new bar cart, his muscles flexed with each movement as he expertly handled the tools. The veins in his arms bulged as he reached for different tools, his hands skillfully maneuvering as he put the cart together piece by piece. You couldn't help but be mesmerized by the intricate designs of his tattoos. He was so… sexy.

As he worked diligently, you found yourself drawn to his competence, "Do you need any help with that?" you asked softly, biting your lip.

He smiled at you. "Nah, I've got it covered, but could y’a hand me that wrench over there?" he called out, gesturing towards the toolbox, and breaking you out of your trance.

You grabbed the wrench and handed it to him, admiring the way his biceps tensed as he tightened the bolt.

As he put the finishing touches on the bar cart, you couldn't help but feel grateful for having Carmen in your life. As he stood back to admire his handiwork, you couldn't resist planting a kiss on his cheek.

You watched him blush as you thanked him and felt your heart flutter at the sight.

“I owe you a fucking cocktail, take a seat on the couch, and make yourself comfortable,” you told him, as you walked into the kitchen. You decided to make some Aviations. They were simple enough to make with gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette, and lemon juice. You effortlessly measured out the ingredients and shook the cocktail shaker and then poured the mixed and chilled cocktails into crystal glasses.

You walked back into the living room, handed Carmen his drink, grabbed a seat next to him, and pulled out some coasters.

You watched intently as he took a sip, and you enjoyed the way his eyes lit up with each sip.

“This is so good, so what now….You’re a fuckin’ mixologist?”he teased.

"What can I say, I have my secret talents,”

“You do,” he paused. “Y’a know I googled you too,” he said slowly. “I saw a picture of you with your Sommelier lapel pin,”

“And?” you replied.

“Why have you never brought up the fact that you are a trained and certified Advanced Sommelier?”

“It’s not a big deal,” you shrugged.

He rolled his eyes and breathed your name. “That’s literally one of the hardest exams in the hospitality industry,”

“No, the Master Sommelier Exam is the hardest exam,” you quipped.

“So, is that what you wanna do one day?”

“Maybe,” you swallowed thickly, realizing it was something you hadn’t thought about in a long time since moving back to Chicago.

“You should do it,” he softly urged.

You let out a strangled laugh. “I wouldn’t pass,”

“You would, it’s you,” he said, and when you gazed up at him, the intensity of the look in his eyes left no room to doubt that he really believed what he was telling you.

“So, when did you google me?” you deflected, deciding to change the subject, since you never loved to be the center of attention.

“First day I met you,” he replied very quickly.

“What?” you asked, genuinely surprised.

"You were so quick with your response about the scallops," he fumbled with his words. "And when I recrafted the dish and it came out the way it did, I knew that you were special, so I had to look you up,"

You were taken aback by his comment, and he noticed and tried to recover. "I mean, not like special-special, but, you know, talented and stuff," he stumbled over his words.

You raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by his flustered state. "So, I'm not special, just talented?" you teased, a playful grin spreading across your face.

"No, no, that's not what I meant," he backtracked. "I do think you're special, you're so special. I mean...uh...you're really amazin’ too,"

You chuckled softly, enjoying his discomfort. "It's okay, I know what you're trying to say," you reassured him. "And I think you're pretty amazing too."

As your eyes locked, he grabbed both of your drinks and set them down on your coffee table and then gently reached out to touch your cheek, making your breath catch in your throat. You felt him lower his face and closed your eyes preparing to feel his lips on yours but then he surprised you by pressing a trail of kisses down your neck and over the curve of your shoulder.

You sighed in contentment, feeling the warmth of his breath on your skin. Each kiss sent shivers down your spine, igniting a fire within you. His touch was gentle yet possessive, as if he wanted to memorize every inch of you.

He slowly brought his lips up to meet yours, “This okay?” he murmured against your lips, his breath strained. You nodded softly. His hand quickly tangled in your hair, and he let out a low groan as he hungrily kissed you, his tongue brushed against your bottom lip before slipping inside your mouth and pushing his tongue against yours. You moaned softly in response, tangling your fingers in his hair as you kissed him back.

"God, I’ve been thinkin’ about this for so long," Carmen whispered breathlessly against your lips, his hands exploring your body eagerly.

“Me too,” You responded by pushing him down further into the cushions of your couch, straddling his lap as you began to grind against him, and felt his cock straining against you underneath his pants.

"Oh, fuck Carmen," you gasped, locking eyes with him as you continued to move against him.

Carmen groaned in response, his hands gripping your hips tightly. "You’re so fuckin’ sexy, I fuckin’ love it when you say my name like that," he confessed, as his tongue traced along your collarbone. You liked knowing that he could be your Carmy in public, and your Carmen in private.

You started to pull the straps down on your sundress, but then he placed a hand on your shoulder to stop you from going any further. You gave him a questioning glance, his chest heaving as he looked into your eyes with a mixture of longing and fear. “Wait,” he muttered. "I... I…can't...we can't do this," he stammered, his voice filled with regret.

"Why not?" you asked, unable to keep the hurt entirely out of your voice.

"Because I'm afraid it will ruin what we have. You’re the only thing that makes sense in my life. I don't wanna lose that, I can’t lose that," he explained, his words heavy with emotion.

"You won’t,” you stated softly, realizing that you couldn't actually make that promise, and so your fingers hesitantly reached for his face. He closed his eyes, his jaw clenched as he struggled to find the right words.

“How can you know that?” he sighed.

“I don’t, but I have a good hunch,” you smiled, repeating the words you had told him the first time you two met.

You felt him connect the dots and he opened his eyes and smiled back at you and moved his hands until his fingers traced the tops of your thighs.

“I just want you… me… us to be sure. This will change everythin’ baby,” he whispered, his blue eyes looked darker somehow.

Baby.

You reached out to gently cup his face, bringing his gaze to meet yours. "Carmy, I want everything to change," you confessed.

The assurance you offered seemed to set Carmen off, he leaned forward and kissed you roughly, pulled you closer, and his hands roamed over your body until you were a tangled mess of limbs, and he was now lying on top of you on your couch.

He slipped his hand under your dress, over your panties and you gasped out in pleasure as his fingers rubbed lazy circles against your clothed cunt.

“Carmen,” you whimpered, looking up at him with glossy eyes.

“Gotta do this right baby, wanna take my time… get you all nice n’ ready before you take my cock,”

His words made your mouth pop open. You felt the ache between your legs become stronger because you realized that he was talker and that was your favorite.

“I wanna make you feel good with my fingers and my mouth first,” He murmured.

He lifted your dress to your waist, pushed your panties to the side, and looked down and groaned as he rested his hand directly above your heat. “I want to put my mouth right here,” he praised.

You moaned, trying to focus on what you could say, but you could barely remember how to breathe.

“Words,” he growled, as he looked at you hungrily, eyes dark and hooded.

“I want this. I want you Carmen, god, I want you so bad,”

“Fuck,” he made a throaty noise. “Good girl,” he hissed as his fingers slowly started to circle around your entrance. “You’re so fuckin’ wet, this for me?”

“It’s all for you, I’m yours,” you whispered, feeling vulnerable suddenly.

His eyes softened. “Oh, fuck baby, I’m yours too,” he said placing a gentle kiss on your lips and slipping his fingers inside of you as he swallowed your moans.

That night you learned that Carmen wasn’t as shy as you thought. In fact, Carmen surprised you by taking charge and confidently leading the way.

xx

“Things are a clusterfuck at the restaurant, it’s gonna be a long night, I don’t think I can come over tonight, or else I’m gonna wake you up at like 2 in the mornin’ baby,” Carmen said when he stopped by during his lunch break with an adorable pout on his face.

“That’s okay, I’ll just hang out with my other boyfriend,” you teased across your shoulder as you stocked up on some new wine inventory.

He walked up behind you. “Not funny,” he growled in your ear, as he playfully spanked your ass. You two hadn’t formally had that conversation, but you assumed you were his girlfriend considering how many times he would call you ‘Mine’ during intimate moments, claiming you as his. And you could tell he liked that you had just referred to him as his boyfriend.

“Carmy, it’s fine, I’ll see you tomorrow,” you sighed comfortably as you felt his lips edge down the side of your neck and then stop to plant a soft kiss on your shoulder.

“You’re not mad?” he whispered.

“I promise I’m not mad,” you reassured him, knowing his anxiety sometimes got the best of him and turned around to give him a soft kiss on his lips and were about to pull away but then he gripped your face firmly with his hands and pressed your forehead to his.

You two were still so new, it had only been a couple of weeks since you had slept together the first time, and you hadn’t told The Bear staff yet since you two were trying to live in this bubble for a little longer. Even though, if you were honest, you had a feeling they knew. A recent experience in Carmen’s office may have ended with you being just a little too loud.

But, you were pretty sure about one thing.

You were in love with Carmen Berzatto, and even though he hadn’t said it to you yet. You had a good hunch that he was in love with you too.

xx

I wanted to write Carmy in a way that showed that he is the shy and reserved person we all know, but that once he feels comfortable with someone (that he wants to pursue romantically), he subconsciously becomes affectionate and flirtatious. He may not be the most outwardly expressive person, but with the right person, his once hesitant and cautious demeanor softens, revealing a more confident and outgoing side of him. I hope this version of Carmy resonates with people because to me this is how I would envision him during a crush and entering a healthy relationship <3

Also, I was shell shocked to learn from the world of Google how complicated it is to receive the designation of Master Sommelier. There are only 279 in the entire world, and it really is one of the hardest exams in the world with a pass rate of 3-8%. But, I have faith in our reader achieving this feat one day. She’s a queen!

Thank you so much for reading! If you like this, please consider leaving a comment or reblogging.

[pfudorqueen]

Meet the Parents (carmen "carmy" berzatto x fem!reader)

18+ account - minors do not interact

carmen "carmy" berzatto x fem!reader

Word Count: 3.5K

Rating: E

Summary: Carmen deals with anxiety as he prepares to meet your parents for the first time and the pressure of making a good impression weighs heavily on his mind.

Warning: anxiety, insecurity, angst-ish (carmy's internalized thoughts), established relationship, language, slight jealousy/possessiveness, praise, dirty talk, pet names, oral sex (f receiving), implied p in v sex, soft!carmy <3, fluff y’all

A/N: This feeds as a one-shot for my Collection of Moments and is apart of my Wine & Dine universe However, it can be read as a stand-alone as well.

Note: I've been having problems sharing this story as its not appearing in the tags so I hope this third try will work 😩 Update: Not all the tags worked... so I gave up lmao

xx

You sat on the couch in Carmen's living room, phone pressed against your ear as you talked to your mother.

"Oh, this weekend? Yeah, I can make it out for the barbeque on Sunday,"

As you spoke, Carmen walked into the room and sat beside you. He could hear snippets of the conversation but didn't want to eavesdrop.

"Mmhm, yeah Mom, he'll be busy at the restaurant. So no, he probably can't make it,”

Carmen couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness at those words. He had been with you officially for 3 months, and you two had known each other for practically a year, but he still hadn't found the time to meet your family. You had met his entire family, even met Donna informally who had been stopping by the restaurant more often since her granddaughter had been born.

After you finished your conversation after a few minutes and hung up the phone, he turned to you hesitantly, trying to sound casual. "Hey, why did you say I couldn’t come this weekend?"

Thoughts raced through his mind – Were you embarrassed by him? Did you not want him to meet your family? Did you have doubts about your relationship?

You chuckled slightly, "Because I’m going to be spending the night at my parents on Saturday, which is the busiest night at The Bear,"

Relief washed over Carmen when he realized he had jumped to conclusions, but still felt a twinge of guilt for not making time to meet your family sooner. Carmen made a mental note to clear his schedule for the weekend and finally make the effort to meet your family. Sydney could handle it. He wanted to show your parents that he was serious about your relationship and that he cared about you deeply.

Carmen shook his head, determination shining in his beautiful blue eyes. "But, I really want to meet your family,"

"You don't have to push yourself too hard, Carmy. I know how busy you are, and I don't want to add more stress to your plate,”

"I understand," Carmen replied, trying to hide the disappointment in his voice. He was so busy all the time that he realized he had created a narrative that made you assume he could never be easily available. You’re a fuckin’ asshole Berzatto. “But, it's not about stress. It's bout’ makin’ time for the things and people that matter most to me. And you… are at the top of that list,” he insisted.

You felt a rush of emotion at his words and leaned in to give him a tender kiss. "Okay,” you smiled brightly, feeling grateful that he was open to the idea. You knew family stuff… was hard for him. “But seriously, no pressure,” you reminded him.

Carmen nodded, feeling reassured by your words. “I love you,” he said shyly. It had only been a few weeks since you two had started saying those words. But every time he looked into your eyes; he could feel the words bubbling up inside of him. If he was honest, he had fallen in love with you way before you two had even started dating.

As he thought back to the first time he accidentally blurted out "I love you" in a grocery store, he couldn't help but smile. He had been so scared of your reaction, but you had surprised him by simply leaning in and kissing him on the cheek.

You then whispered in his ear, "I feel like I’ve loved you for so long," And in that moment, all his fears and doubts had melted away. You were so fucking perfect.

“I love you too Carmy,” he heard you say as he returned to the present, and his heart raced when he heard you say those words. There was the weight of those three little words – they held power—the power to heal, to connect, to change everything.

Carmen had never been good at first impressions; he stumbled over words and fumbled with handshakes. But this was different. This was about proving himself to you, to them, and maybe even to himself. He knew he needed to prioritize you and be there for you in ways that transcended busy schedules and work commitments. He wanted to be more than just “that chef” you were dating at The Bear. He wanted to be the man who held your hand at family gatherings, who laughed with your parents, and who fucking showed up for you.

You peppered his neck with soft kisses and ran your fingers along his chest. He tried to focus on the sensation of your touch, but his thoughts kept pulling him away, his mind lost in a maze of worries. What if they didn't like him? And worse…what if one day, you would wake up and realize he wasn’t enough?

xx

Carmen gripped the steering wheel tightly, his brow furrowed in concentration as he sped down the highway. He could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on him, causing a knot to form in his stomach. He glanced at the clock on the dashboard and cursed under his breath. He had called you to let you know he was going to be late, and listened to your unwavering patience and understanding on the other line, which felt like an oasis in a desert of chaos. But he still felt like shit. He wanted to believe you when you said, ‘Carmy, it’s totally fine, get here safely’, but there was a voice—the one that echoed his mother’s harsh words, his father walking out on him, his old boss in New York. It told him that he was broken, and that he would ruin everything eventually.

He had been looking forward to today, but everything had been falling apart. The problems at the Bear had started earlier that day, with one disaster after another piling up, and it delayed him from getting to you. First, the delivery truck arrived late, throwing off their entire prep schedule. Then, one of the new line cooks working with Ebra, overwhelmed by the fast-paced environment, quit on the spot, leaving them short-staffed during the lunch rush. As if that wasn’t enough, the walk-in cooler malfunctioned, causing some of their fresh ingredients to spoil. That fucking walk-in cooler was the bane of Carmen’s existence.

Sydney had assured him that it was fine, that she could handle things at the restaurant with Sugar and Cousin as he prepared to leave. But as he looked at the clock and realized how late he was, he couldn't help but feel like he was letting everyone down. He felt torn between his responsibilities at the restaurant and his commitment to you.

As he navigated through traffic to get to Naperville, he couldn't shake the sinking feeling in his chest. You had left for your parents’ place earlier that day to grab lunch with them and he had told you he would meet you there after lunch service and spend the night in Naperville with you. He should have just left with you and questioned why he had gone into the restaurant today. Because you’re a fuckin’ workaholic.

He finally pulled up to the address of your parents' house and stepped out of his car feeling nervous. He straightened his collar and took a deep breath before mustering the courage to walk up the front steps and knock on the door with a bouquet mixed with roses, lilies, sunflowers, and irises for your mother.

As he stood on the porch, he could hear his heart pounding in his ears. The door swung open, and you appeared, a warm smile on your face. His breath caught in his throat. You were wearing a simple t-shirt and jeans, but you looked absolutely stunning. He couldn't tear his gaze away from you, completely blown away by how effortlessly beautiful you looked.

"Hey, you made it," you said, stepping out to greet him.

“I’m so fuckin’ sorry I’m late, I just –,”

You reached up and planted a soft kiss on his lips cutting him off, and he felt the tension ease from his body. Your touch was like magic, calming his nerves and reminding him why he was here in the first place.

"It's okay, don't worry about it," you said, giving him a reassuring smile. Why the fuck were you so understanding all the time? The guilt creeped in—the insecurity that he wasn’t always easy to love, that he carried baggage from a dysfunctional past.

He traced the curve of your jaw. “Why are you so patient with me?” he whispered. “I don’t deserve it.”

You shifted to face him, your eyes soft. “Carmy! You literally had someone quit on you today and you still showed up. You didn’t have to be here today. Can you please stop being so hard on yourself?” you said, pulling him in for a hug.

Carmen felt a wave of relief wash over him as he held you close, feeling your warmth and hearing your comforting words. He knew you were right, but he still felt bad.

“Of course, I had to be here,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to your forehead. “Thank you for bein’ you,”

“I know, I’m kind of awesome,” you smirked.

He straightened his posture and ran a hand through his hair, trying to appear confident in the face of this intimidating situation as a bead of sweat formed on his brow. His heart raced as he envisioned the impending introductions and the scrutinizing gaze of your parents. He swallowed hard, attempting to calm his nerves as he mentally rehearsed what he should say.

You gave his hand a reassuring squeeze, sensing his anxiety "Don't be nervous, they're going to love you."

"Thanks," he said, feeling grateful to feel your hand in his. "I think… I’m ready,"

xx

As he spent the evening with your parents, laughing and sharing stories, Carmen felt a sense of belonging that he had never experienced before. Your parents welcomed him with open arms, making him feel like he was a part of something special. He couldn't believe how lucky he was to have you in his life. It was a stark contrast to the chaos he was used to. His own upbringing had been marked by shouting matches, broken promises, and a sense of impermanence. But here, in this cozy living room, everything felt different.

Your parents were impressive, it was intimidating. They had immigrated to this country during their university years. Your father was a successful partner at a prestigious law firm, while your mother was a respected professor at the University of Chicago. As Carmen listened to their stories, he marveled at the normalcy. The way your parents teased each other, finishing each other’s sentences. The way they held hands, a silent affirmation of their bond. It was like watching a heartwarming movie—one he’d never imagined could exist beyond the screen.

Dinner was a feast—a spread of homemade dishes that tasted like love, and your parent's stories about growing up in a small village transported Carmen to another time. They asked about his life, his dreams, and listened intently, as if his words mattered.

And then there was you—the reason he was here. You sat across from him, your smile radiant. You’d shared stories about your family—their quirks, their imperfections. How your father at first was not on board with you trying to become a Sommelier after you dropped out of law school. But now, seeing them in action, he understood. Your parents weren’t perfect, and your father, in particular, had high standards and expectations. But they were real. They seemed to love fiercely, forgive freely, and had created a haven of stability for you and your siblings.

By the end of the night, they started calling him Carmy… and he couldn’t be happier. Tomorrow for the barbeque, he would meet your brothers, the twins who were known for being fiercely protective of you, since you were the youngest. He had already met your sister briefly at the wine shop, and that had gone well. She would be there tomorrow with her husband, whom he hadn’t met yet, along with your niece and nephew, who he knew you adored. It was shocking to him that families actually wanted to spend time together, that they could support and love each other without the constant undercurrent of tension and conflict he was used to. Is this what your future would be like once you two got married and had kids?

He realized how crazy he was for thinking that. But… you were it for him.

xx

Later, he laid in your childhood bed waiting for you, the room was bathed in a soft glow—the moon peeking through the curtains, casting shadows on the familiar posters that adorned the walls. You had excused yourself to the bathroom, leaving him alone as he absorbed the moment—the scent of lavender from the sheets, the creaky floorboards under his weight.

When you returned, wearing an oversized T-shirt with just your panties and your hair pulled back, he couldn’t help but smile. You climbed onto the bed, sitting cross-legged in front of him.

“You know,” you said, breaking the silence, “I’ve never had a boy sleep overnight in here before.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Never?”

You shook your head. “Nope,”

You leaned in closer, your hand sliding down his chest and onto his lap. He sucked in a sharp breath, his body reacting to your touch, feeling himself get hard immediately under his briefs. His heart was pounding as you pressed your body against his, the urgency of your movements making his head spin.

He leaned in to kiss you and shoved his tongue in your mouth and couldn’t help but savor the taste and smell of you– the minty freshness of your toothpaste mingled with the sweet, floral scent of the lavender lotion on your body, creating a deliciously intoxicating flavor and smell that he couldn’t get enough of.

When you moaned, the thought of your parents just down the hall flashed through his mind. "We shouldn't... not here," he managed to say between kisses, trying to push you off gently.

You pulled back, a hint of disappointment in your eyes. "Seriously?” you whispered, your breath warm against his skin. It’s not like you were teenagers, you were grown adults.

"I-I just don't want to be disrespectful in your father's house,” he stammered, feeling the weight of your gaze on him.

“It’s also my mother's house,” you said, arching your eyebrows.

He chuckled nervously and reached out to cup your cheek, his thumb brushing against your skin “You’re right, that was incredibly sexist of me to say. I just… you know what I mean… I think they like me, and I don’t wanna be caught fuckin’ their gorgeous daughter in their house,”

You paused as if considering his words. "Fine, you win this round Carmy," you pouted, with a small smile playing on your lips.

He pressed his forehead to yours, breathing in your warmth. “If you think for one second that I don’t wanna bury myself inside of you right now…”

You laughed and felt your cheeks heat up, “Good to know," you winked at him. "Okay, time for bed,”

You both settled into bed together, and you snuggled close to Carmen as he turned off the bedside lamp. After a few moments of comfortable silence, you both drifted off to sleep, wrapped in each other's arms. The soft rhythm of your breathing filled the room as you sunk into dreamland.

But at 3 a.m., Carmen woke you up with a gentle shake. You groggily opened your eyes to see him hovering over you, with a bashful look in his eyes.

You blinked in confusion, still half-asleep. "Carmy?”

“I can’t stop thinkin’ bout’ you,” he whispered, and you felt the heat rise between your legs at his words. His hand wandered lower, tracing patterns on your thigh, sending shivers down your spine. Suddenly, you felt his lips on your neck, trailing kisses down to your collarbone, igniting a fire within you.

You gasped as he moved down lower, his fingers teasing you through your panties. "Carmy, what are you doing?" you whispered, trying to suppress a moan as his lips grazed your skin.

He looked up at you, his eyes dark with desire. "I can't help it, I need you right now,” he murmured, his voice husky with need.

He had found himself unable to fall asleep, his mind was consumed with desire for you, a burning need that had been building for days. You both had been so busy with work and life that you hadn't had a chance to be intimate in a few days. But the real reason he couldn’t sleep was because of the comment you had made about never having had a past boyfriend fuck you in this room. He couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy whenever he reflected on your past relationships. You had experienced deep, long-lasting connections with some of your exes, something he had never truly known. He sometimes wondered what it must have been like for you, to share such intimacy and build a life with someone over the years. His own romantic history was just a quick series of brief flings in Europe and New York, with only one serious relationship with Claire that barely lasted three months.

You chuckled softly, teasing him about his earlier hesitation. “Well, what about my parents? Aren’t you worried about ‘disrespecting’ them?" you taunted.

His lips curved into a mischievous smile. "Baby, if it means I get to taste you, I'll happily go to hell and back.” The thought of being the only man to have you in this sacred space of yours made him feel a primal urge like never before. The idea of taking you in here turned him on in a way he had never experienced. He knew it was slightly possessive, but he didn’t care.

You couldn't help but chuckle at his boldness. But the way he looked at you, with hunger and need in his eyes, ignited a fire inside you.

He leaned in, pressing your lips to his in a heated kiss. And he moved lower, trailing kisses down your neck and stomach, you could feel the anticipation building. You gasped as he slid your panties down, his fingers teasing you, sending waves of pleasure through you. "Carmen, please," you moaned, unable to contain the desire building within you, and not caring if you sounded pathetic.

He hated when people didn't use his nickname, but ironically, he loved it when you called him Carmen during sex, and it made him fucking crazy. He would replay the way you said his name breathlessly all the time, hell it distracted him at work all the time just thinking about you saying his name. But it was nothing in comparison to hearing it in the bedroom like right now when you were horny and desperate for him.

He smirked as he positioned himself between your legs, his eyes locked with yours. "Tell me what you want, baby," he said his voice low and sultry.

"I want your mouth on me," you breathed, your body arching towards him, craving his touch.

And with that, he buried his face between your legs, his tongue exploring every inch of you, driving you wild with pleasure. You covered your mouth with your hand and writhed beneath him, grasping at the sheets with your other hand as he brought you to the brink of ecstasy. The truth was you had never had a man go down on you like this, Carmen always seemed to be desperate for this… for you. He always groaned against you, as if he was the luckiest guy in the world to be between your thighs as he would hungrily lap at your cunt like a man starved. It didn’t matter how many times he did this, it never failed to surprise you at how good he was at this.

Tonight (or shall you say this morning) he brought you to the edge, over and over again, expertly teasing and tantalizing you until you were begging for release. And finally, with one final, intense flick of his tongue, you shattered, crying out his name into your pillow as wave after wave of pleasure washed over you. He loved watching you fall apart for him; it made him feel like a man. As you came down from your high, he crawled up your body, his lips brushing against yours in a soft, intimate kiss and you could taste yourself on his lips and tongue.

"Fuck, love when you say my name like that," he whispered, and then reached between the two of you and stroked himself before placing his cock at your entrance.

As he positioned himself above you, his eyes dark with desire, he leaned in close to your ear, his voice a low, throaty whisper. "You're gonna have to be quiet, baby, or I'm gonna have to stop,” he said, his hand covering your mouth to muffle any potential sounds of pleasure that might escape.

You nodded, biting your lip to stifle any noises as he slowly pushed himself inside you, filling you completely. His eyes met yours and he was met with a sight that took his breath away and couldn't help but think how fucking lucky he was.

You looked so beautiful… and you made him feel so good, so alive, and so utterly consumed.

xx

Guys, posting this story has been dramatic AF, so I have removed tagged folks for now...

Thank you so much for reading! If you like this, please consider leaving a comment or reblogging.

[pfudorqueen]

She's the Peace (carmen "carmy" berzatto x fem!reader)

18+ account - minors do not interact

carmen "carmy" berzatto x fem!reader Word Count: 2.2K Rating: E

Summary: You struggle with feelings of jealousy and insecurity after learning that Carmy had lunch with his ex-girlfriend, Claire.

Warning:, slight spoilers for season 3 – but also I wrote it not totally canon (but still proceed with caution), established relationship, jealousy & insecurity, angst, smut, unprotected p in v sex, praise, dirty talk, pet names, talks of previous relationships, mentions of infidelity, fluff, soft!carmy <3

A/N: This was supposed to be a drabble and then became 2K+, oops. This feeds as a one-shot for my Collection of Moments and is apart of my Wine & Dine universe. However, it can be read as a stand-alone as well.

xx

You sat across from Carmen, as he nervously fidgeted with his hands. He had just revealed that he had run into Claire today while running errands, and they ended up grabbing lunch together. You tried to appear calm and mature and nodded your head at what he was telling you as if everything was fine.

But deep down, a whirlwind of emotions consumed you. Jealousy crept in as you imagined him with his ex, wondering what feelings might have resurfaced. Insecurity filled your thoughts, questioning if he still harbored any lingering unresolved feelings toward Claire.

But it wasn’t just jealousy or insecurity that plagued you. It was a memory of the Fak brothers, and something they had said before you and Carmen had even started dating. At the time, it had only been a few weeks after you and Carmen had met, and you didn’t even know that you had feelings for him, since you two were just friends.

Your toilet at the wine shop was acting up and Carmen had been kind enough to offer Neil and Ted to come over and fix it for you so that you didn’t have to call and pay for a plumber. While they were fixing it, you overheard them talking about Carmen while you were doing wine inventory.

“Carmy admitted that he thinks about her every day, we gotta do something,” Neil said sounding concerned.

“I think he loves her, dude,” Ted responded.

“No one takes care of Carmy. I think she could be that person that takes care of him, and he would take care of her too, you know?” Neil said, indicating a genuine concern for his friend.

“Yeah, he said ‘She’s the peace’…”

“She’s the peace,” Neil repeated the words, soft as if he was truly trying to understand the meaning behind them.

“We gotta talk to Claire Bear, man,” replied Ted.

At the time you had never really thought much about it. But right now, it was all you could think about. You and Carmy had disclosed your dating histories to one another at a high level, and you knew she was his most recent ex. His childhood crush and a family friend of his, but he never said much about the situation, just that it ‘didn’t work out’ and then didn’t say much about it.  

She’s the peace.

“Is everythin’ okay?” Carmen asked, breaking the tense silence.

She’s the peace.

You took a deep breath, forcing a smile. “Yeah, everything’s fine,”

She’s the peace.

xx

Later that night, you both laid in bed and Carmen pulled you close to him with his chest to your back, his hands exploring your body, and you could feel the length of his cock, hard against your ass. You tried to push away the negative thoughts as his fingers gently pinched and played with your nipples while his other hand slid down your stomach to tease your pussy, feeling your wetness. And you definitely tried not to dwell on the possibility that he was imagining Claire as he entered you from behind while spooning you and whispered filth in your ear.

His hands gripped your hips firmly as he thrust into you, his movements slowly becoming faster and more desperate. "How are you always so fuckin’ tight?" he groaned. "Fuck, you feel so good, baby,” he growled, as he pounded into you.

You closed your eyes, losing yourself in the moment, trying to forget the nagging doubts that crept into your mind. "Oh fuck," you moaned, feeling him deep inside you.

He pulled your hair back, giving him better access to your neck. "Takin’ me so well," he panted, his breath hot against your skin.

You whimpered in response, feeling a wave of pleasure building deep within you. "Carmen, please," you begged, your voice pleading as he continued to drive into you. The truth was you didn’t know what you were asking for.

“Please what?”

Please don’t hurt me. “Fuck me harder,” you said, and he complied, picking up the pace and hitting that spot deep inside of you that only he could reach. “This what you need, baby?” he said his mouth at your ear. The room was filled with heavy breaths and the sound of skin slapping against skin. Because in some twisted way, it was what you needed, him fucking you harder to distract you from how you were feeling and what you were thinking.

You felt your orgasm building, the tension in your body reaching its peak. "Oh god, don’t stop, I’m close," you moaned, feeling yourself on the brink of release.

He gripped your hips tighter, and you felt his fingers move down to find your clit. You couldn’t help but arch your back, pressing yourself against him as he expertly played with your clit, driving you closer to the edge. "Squeezin’ me so fuckin’ hard. Come for me, baby. Let go and come on my cock," he urged, his voice husky with desire.

With a cry, you sobbed his name, your body trembling with pleasure as you pulsed around his cock as you came. Carmen fucked you through it and worked you through it, “Such a good fuckin’ girl for me,” he praised. His thrusts became erratic, and he followed soon after, his release spilling inside of you as he groaned your name.

As you both came down from your highs and caught your breath, Carmen pulled you close, holding you tightly against him.

She’s the peace.

"I love you," he whispered, his voice filled with sincerity.

She’s the peace.

"I love you too,"

And as much as you wanted to believe him, you couldn't shake the feeling that his words were just that – words.

She’s the peace.

xx

A few days later, you sat on the couch, drinking some wine as you watched some television. You heard the familiar sound of your spare key turning in the lock of your door. You sat up on the couch, as you watched Carmen enter your apartment.

You two had exchanged keys a few weeks ago, hitting yet another milestone in your relationship. You liked knowing that he felt comfortable enough to use the key without calling or texting you to ask if he could come over, and he would even hang out at your place when you weren’t home. Sometimes, when you were asleep, you would feel the bed dip slightly as he crawled in next to you after a late night at The Bear. You would wake up to his warm embrace, his lips pressing gently against your forehead as he whispered how much he loved you and missed you. And even though you would be half-asleep, you always made sure to whisper it back before drifting off again in his comforting presence.

You looked up as he entered, a forced smile on your face. "Hey handsome, you're here early," you said, trying to sound cheerful.

"Yeah, decided to leave a little bit early today," Carmen replied, hanging up his coat and walking over to sit next to you. "You eat dinner yet?"

You shrugged, not meeting his gaze. "I'm not really hungry."

He raised an eyebrow. "Is everythin’ okay, sweetheart? What’s on your mind?”

“Nothing, I’m fine,” you said quickly.

Carmen reached out to gently cup your chin, turning your face towards his so he could assess your expression more closely. "I feel like the last few days, you’ve been distant, and it’s freakin’ me out,”

“I’m sorry Carmy… it’s nothing serious, it’s honestly really stupid,” you sighed feeling the weight of your emotions pressing down on you. You knew you couldn't keep hiding your feelings from Carmen, especially because he was so perceptive when it came to you.  

He looked at you closely, his concern evident in his gorgeous blue eyes. “I need you to talk to me, baby,”

You shifted uncomfortably, your fingers tracing the edge of the cushion. “You know, I never told you this, but my last serious relationship ended because he cheated on me,”

A flash of anger passed through his eyes, and they darkened slightly, as his jaw clenched while he processed your words. "What a fuckin’ asshole,” he said reaching out to hold your hand and his expression softened. “I'm so sorry that happened to you… that must have been incredibly painful,"

You could see the confusion and uncertainty in his eyes as he tried to understand why you were bringing up the topic out of the blue.

You nodded, feeling a lump form in your throat. "Yeah, it really was. And he was cheating on me with his ex, so I've been feeling... scared, I guess. Scared that history might repeat itself."

His eyebrows scrunched together. “Because I had lunch with Claire?”

Tears welled up in your eyes. “I told you it was fucking stupid,” You attempted to stand up from the couch, but he gently placed a hand on her shoulder, silently urging you to stay put.

"No, no, it's not stupid at all. I understand where you're comin’ from, I would probably be goin’ fuckin' insane if the roles were reversed," Carmen said gently, wiping away your tears with his thumb.

“Listen,” he began, as he played with the hem of your t-shirt. “The way things ended with Claire… I’m not proud of it,” his eyes downcast as he spoke. “I hurt her, and I know I messed up,” he said his voice tinged with regret. “When I bumped into her a few days ago, just felt like it was time to make things right, and the truth is it shoulda happened a long fuckin’ time ago,”

You tilted her head, urging him to continue. Your fingers traced invisible patterns on his denim-clad thigh. “What happened?” you asked softly.

“The truth is, I wasn’t ready to be in a relationship, I was still dealin’ with openin’ the restaurant, chasin’ this mindless goal of culinary perfection, and Mikey’s death… I just wasn’t in the right headspace. But, she was a huge connection to my past and just really intertwined with high school and my family that at the time it made sense,” he admitted. “Anyways, it was the Friends and Family openin’ and I know you’ve heard the story bout’ me gettin’ locked in the freezer,” he rolled his eyes, and you reached out to place a comforting hand on his knee.

“Well, I was stuck in the freezer and anxious and pissed off since I had no idea what was goin’ on. I just felt powerless and like I had a complete loss of control, and she overheard me basically say that I was a psycho for thinkin’ I could be in a relationship and that no amount of good was worth how terrible I felt, and that it was just a complete waste of time,”  

He took a deep breath before continuing, “It was a fucked up thing to say, and I hadn’t seen or spoken to her since that night,”  

Ritchie had told you that Carmen had lost his shit during Friends and Family night, but he had never told you that Claire was there.

“We all say things we regret,” you murmured. “Especially when we’re hurting.”

He swallowed hard. “I’m embarrassed bout’ how I acted with a lot of people last year…I was goin’ through a rough time and took it out on others instead of dealin’ with my own shit. I don’t ever want to be like that with you or have you experience that version of me,”

You reached for his hand, intertwining your fingers. “You’re not that person anymore,” you reassured him. You had never seen that side of him because you knew he had done a lot of work to get to where he was with therapy and Al-Anon.

He gave a small nod. “That’s all lunch with her was, okay? Just an apology. Nothin’ else,”

“Okay,” you replied.

“I mean if we're bein’ honest here, I was fuckin’ jealous when you were first helpin’ Sweeps with the wine stuff,”

Your eyes widened in shock, and Carmen blushed clearly embarrassed by his confession.

Gary – also known as ‘Sweeps’ to The Bear staff was taking sommelier classes and you had offered to help him a few weeks ago, as he prepared for his introductory sommelier course and examination. You wanted to help The Bear out so you would host your weekly wine tastings at the wine shop with Sweeps so that he could practice identifying wines from different regions and increase his knowledge of how the grapes were grown and made. Additionally, you were helping him learn how to provide knowledgeable descriptions of the aromas and flavors in a glass so that he could integrate that with wine service and food and wine pairing at The Bear.

“Yeah, Cousin’ had to remind me how fuckin’ dumb I was bein’ but yeah, I dunno, I felt insanely anxious for some reason,”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” you asked him, as you traced the contours of his face with your fingertips, feeling the stubble on his jawline.

“Probably, the same reason you’ve been avoidin’ this conversation,” he grinned, as he delicately ran his fingers through your hair, tousling it gently. "Because it's scary as hell to admit that I’m terrified of losin’ you,” His thumb started tracing circles on the back of your hand. “I love you, never loved anyone as much as I love you,”

“I love you too,” you whispered, “I don’t want to lose you either.”

He pulled you closer, wrapping his arms around you tightly. “Good,” he said. "I was thinking of cookin’ somethin’. You sure you’re not hungry?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at you, clearly calling out your bluff from earlier.

You leaned back and looked up at him, "I'm always hungry when you're cooking," you admitted sheepishly.

He chuckled in response, pressing a tender kiss to your forehead. "Well then, let me make us somethin’," he said, leading you to the kitchen.

An hour later, as you sat down to enjoy the meal he had prepared, you looked at him. “Thank you for taking care of me," you whispered, taking his hand in yours.

He smiled, squeezing your hand gently. "I'll always take care of you," he said softly, pressing his lips against yours.

xx

So, after watching Season 3, it just felt like they gave us more flashback scenes of Carmy and Claire that made me feel like I needed to address it in my “Wine & Dine” universe. While I still don’t know I feel about Carmy and Claire, I felt like he really cared about her and loved her. I also was so jealous watching JAW and Molly Gordon have such beautiful intimate scenes together… the softness killed me. It sort of reminded me of that One Tree Hill quote: “Every song has a coda, a final movement. Whether it fades out or crashes away, every song ends. Is that any reason not to enjoy the music?” It’s how I feel about my ex’s (that were not toxic) in my life, and I think it’s how Carmy feels about Claire in my universe. He’s no longer in love with her, has moved on, but he will remember and appreciate the good times and happiness they shared together.  I’m so curious about what Season 4 will do for them, but I hated how avoidant he was about her in Season 3, so I felt like I needed him to apologize in my universe. In general – Carmy, get your shit together. Also, I wanted to show that just because our sommelier reader is generally a very confident and secure person, it's human nature to have insecurities, especially if you’ve been cheated on. Sorry for this long spiel, but if you want to talk the Bear with me, send me a message, I love analyzing it.

Thank you so much for reading! If you like this, please consider leaving a comment or reblogging.

[pfudorqueen]

Two Weeks (carmen "carmy" berzatto x fem!reader)

18+ account - minors do not interact

carmen "carmy" berzatto x fem!reader

Word Count: 5K

Rating: E

Summary: You have just returned from a wine conference and after 2 weeks of no sex, you and Carmen make sure to reconnect emotionally and physically after this period of separation.

Warning: established relationship, fluff, slight angst (carmy and ritchie fighting), alcohol, language, dirty talk, praise, pet names, oral sex (m receiving), possessiveness? a mirror makes an appearance, unprotected p in v sex, breeding kink? (maybe this is just creampie), slight overstimulation

A/N: Late Sunday night post? This feeds as a one-shot for my Collection of Moments and is set in my Wine & Dine universe. However, it can be read as a stand-alone as well. I received this request and I have seen this type of request (aka horny carmy) before written by other authors, so I tried to make this as unique as possible, so that it didn’t feel repetitive.

xx

Carmen sat in his office, the dim light illuminating his face as he leaned back against the counter, phone pressed to his ear.

At the other end, your voice bubbled with enthusiasm as you described the wine conference. You had been gone for a little over a week to Mendoza in Argentina; he was miserable. “...and Gary just poured this incredible Pinot Noir, you should have seen his face! He was so animated, talking about the notes and the tannins,” Your excitement was palpable, the passion in your tone making Carmen smile, but it felt bittersweet at the same time.

“Yeah, sounds great,” he replied, trying to sound engaged, but his mind was elsewhere—lost in thoughts of you. He missed you, missed the easy laughter you shared, the lazy evenings wrapped up in each other’s arms. The more you talked about Gary and the conference, the more it gnawed at him. He felt a creeping annoyance at the constraints of his life—the relentless demands of running The Bear, the late hours, and the endless stream of things to do.

“Carmy? Are you there?” you paused, sensing his distraction.

“Yeah, I’m here. Just… thinkin’ honey.” He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Sorry, I’ve been swamped with work. I didn’t mean to zone out on you.”

“Oh, it’s okay,” you sounded a bit tentative. “I know you’ve been busy. Ritchie said you —”

“He’s annoyin’ me,” Carmen interjected, masking the underlying irritation of not wanting to think back about the fight he had with Cousin.

The fight with Ritchie had erupted just a few days prior, sparked by a mounting tension that had been brewing for weeks. It all started when the delivery from one of their key suppliers had been delayed significantly, throwing the kitchen's prep schedule into disarray. Carmen had relied on this supplier for quality ingredients, especially for the new seasonal dishes he had planned to unveil that week.

Ritchie, tasked with managing the order, had been careless; he had overlooked the delivery timeline, leaving Carmen scrambling to find alternatives at the last minute. Carmen had confronted Ritchie about the oversight, frustration bubbling to the surface as he felt the weight of the restaurant's expectations pressing down on him.

“What the fuck was that, Cousin?” Carmen had snapped, running a hand through his hair, his voice low but sharp. “You know how important this delivery is,”

“I had a lot on my plate, Carm. I've been tryin’ to handle the front and back of the house,” Ritchie shot back defensively, crossing his arms tightly across his chest.

“That's not a fuckin’ excuse,” Carmen had pressed, his patience wearing thin.

“I’m doin’ what I can!” Ritchie had raised his voice, his own frustrations breaking through.

Carmen had felt a flash of anger. “I need you to take some fuckin’ responsibility,”

The argument had escalated, voices rising in the cramped kitchen as the staff looked on, tension palpable in the air. They had exchanged barbs and half-hearted insults, all while the clock ticked down to service time.

“Enough!” Sydney’s authoritative voice cut through the tension like a knife. She stepped between Carmen and Ritchie, hands on her hips, her brow furrowed in disapproval.

“Chef, you can’t just explode like that,” she said, addressing Carmen directly.

Carmen opened his mouth to retort but was halted by Sydney’s sharp gaze.

“Don’t even try it. You both know the pressure is on, but losing your cool isn’t going to help anyone,” she insisted, her voice firm yet calm.

Ritchie leaned against the counter, visibly frustrated. “I’m not a kid, Syd. I’m doin’ my best here, What more do you want from me?”

“I want you both to act like the professionals I know you can be,” Sydney replied, her tone emphasizing the point. “You’re not children, and I’m not here to fucking babysit. Get it together!”

Finally, Carmen stormed out, the heat of the moment cooling into a lingering frustration. He knew Sydney had a point; the stress had been relentless for everyone. But the slip-ups felt too frequent, too detrimental to the vision they were trying to create at The Bear.

Now, as he sat in his office, Carmen couldn’t help but feel the weight of that fight tugging at him. It blended with the ache of missing you, amplifying the stress of the demands pushing in on him from all sides.

“Yeah, he is,” you teased, pulling him back to the present. “But be nice,”

“Sure,” he muttered, his heart a little heavier. “I miss you,”

“Me too,” you admitted, the sincerity in your voice softening him. “Maybe we can have a proper date when I get back?”

“Sounds perfect,” he said.

As the conversation wound down, Carmen tried to shake off the tension, to focus on your stories instead of his growing annoyance at how little time he had. “Okay, I gotta run and finish service,” he said finally, his voice softer now. “But I’ll text you later, okay?”

He felt bad because you two had barely been able to call or text this week because whenever he was free, you weren’t and vice versa.

“Okay, love you,” you replied.

“Love you more,”

xx

The bell above The Bear's entrance jingled as you stepped inside, grinning widely beside Gary, who was carrying a tote filled with wine glasses and a few bottles of the treasured Pinot Noir you couldn’t stop talking about the other night. The welcoming aroma of rich sauces and freshly baked bread wrapped around you like a warm embrace, the comforting chaos of the kitchen audible in the background.

Carmen was plating up the lunch specials when you stepped in the kitchen, the familiar tension etched into his brow giving way to surprise as he caught sight of you. You were supposed to come in later, he was going to pick you two up from the airport. His face broke into an unguarded smile, one that melted away the stress of the day. Instinctively, he set down the plate and rushed toward you, the weight of the restaurant’s pressure falling away as he pulled you into a fierce hug.

“My pretty girl,” he whispered, tightening his embrace as he breathed in the familiar scent of your shampoo; it felt like home. You squeezed him back tightly.

“Hi, handsome” you exclaimed, pulling back just enough to look into his eyes.

As if the world faded away, Carmen cupped your face in his hands, leaning down to kiss you. It was tender, a soft brush of lips. You could feel the smiles of the team around you, watching in appreciation of the moment.

“Uh, excuse me—we’re all standin’ right here,” Ritchie piped up, a teasing smirk on his face. “Just a reminder: it’s a kitchen, not a fuckin’ bedroom,” He threw his hands up dramatically while everyone else laughed.

Carmen pulled back but kept a possessive hand at your waist, looking slightly sheepish. “Yeah, well, it’s been like— ” he hesitated, glancing at Ritchie. “Like a goddamn soap opera round’ here since they left.”

“I heard you’ve been insufferable,” you replied looking at Ritchie, raising an eyebrow pointedly, a playful glint in your eye.

Ritchie put on an overdramatic sigh and leaned against the counter. “Promise me you’re never leavin’ again? Because it was your boyfriend that was insufferable over your absence,” He grinned.

“Only if you promise to keep deliveries on time,” you shot back, smirking as you nudged him with your elbow. Carmen laughed, the sound rich and full.

“Seriously, though, it’s good to have you back. You balance all of us out,” Sydney said, stepping forward with a warm smile. “We could use your energy around here.”

Suddenly, Gary chimed in. “You know, everyone at that convention was talking about her. It’s incredible. It’s like she’s a celebrity.” He paused, grinning widely. “And I’m lucky to be learning from the best.”

You felt your cheeks heat at the unexpected praise, a shyness creeping. “Oh, come on, it’s just—”

But before you could finish, Carmen’s gaze was steady on you, a smirk playing on his lips that showed how proud he truly was. “No, really. He’s not wrong. Don’t downplay it,”

He was sincere in his statement. You were fucking incredible. You embarked on your journey at a young age, earning your advanced sommelier certification after your time working at a vineyard for a few years in California. Prior to that, you dedicated three years to refining your skills in Bordeaux and then spent a year in a London Michelin-starred restaurant before going to California to deepen your expertise. He was aware that the top restaurants in Chicago were reaching out to see if you would be interested in joining their sommelier staff, but the restaurant scene didn't appeal to you; you preferred the atmosphere of wineries, vineyards, and the experience of working in your own shop.

Your path had been quite the whirlwind—filled with beautiful landscapes, intricate tastings, and endless notes scribbled in the margins of your experiences. Each moment added not just to your skill set, but to your identity as a sommelier. You relished sharing that knowledge, dissecting the intricacies of a good wine and pairing it with food.

Carmen found himself standing close to you but not wanting to pull away. He leaned closer, his voice barely above a whisper, “I love you,”

Your heart fluttered. “I love you too,”

xx

Carmen stood in the warmly lit kitchen at The Bear, the rich aroma of simmering sauce filling the air. As he stirred the pot, his mind wandered back to you. He had missed you more than he had anticipated—every day without you had been dull.

When you walked in tonight, your hair slightly tousled and a radiant smile on your face, he couldn't help but stare. You looked stunning, the kind of beauty that made time stand still. The soft light glimmered off the fabric of your stunning dress, hugging your curves in all the right places. The moment Carmen's eyes fell on you, his heart skipped a beat making it incredibly difficult to focus on anything but you.

Then it hit him like a wave: When was the last time you two had sex?

Yesterday, you left shortly after visiting The Bear and you napped immediately which made sense considering you had been exhausted from travel. He didn’t spend the night because he knew he had a long day ahead, filled with tasks and commitments that would keep him busy until the early hours. The thought of you stirring in the middle of your much-needed rest was not something he wanted so you two settled for a quick good-bye kiss.

Which would mean that the last time you two had sex was 2 weeks ago. A pang of longing surged through him, sharper than he expected.

"Hey, I left my wallet in your office yesterday at lunch," you said casually, your mind preoccupied with plans for the night out with your friends.

Carmen nodded, trying to maintain his composure, but the sight of you in that dress was overwhelming. "Oh, do y'a want me to get it for you?" His voice was steadier than he felt.

“No, it’s okay. I’ll just grab it quick,” you assured him, flashing a playful smile before turning on your heel to head toward the office. Carmen felt an unexpected rush of nerves. His instincts kicked in, and he followed you into the room.

As you entered the office, the atmosphere shifted. The air felt charged, and Carmen's eyes were fixed on you. You rummaged through your things, focusing on finding your wallet, but it was the way your tits looked like in that dress that consumed his thoughts. The way the fabric hugged your ass made it difficult for him to think straight.

With a soft laugh, you finally found the wallet tucked beneath a stack of papers. As you stood up, your eyes met his, and Carmen closed the gap, his breath mingling with yours as he looked down at you, his gaze flickering to your lips. “You look breathtakin' tonight, y'a know that?”

Your cheeks warmed.

“I miss you,” he confessed, the truth spilling out before he could censor himself. “Missed what’s underneath of this dress as well,”

Your cheeks warmed deeper at his words. You could feel his desire radiating off him, and it stirred something within you as well. You stepped closer, the space between you shrinking to nothing, your heart racing in anticipation.

“Carmy,” you started, your voice barely a whisper, but before you could finish your thought, he reached up to cup your face gently, his thumb brushing over your cheekbone.

He leaned in closer, his breath warm against your lips. “I’ve been thinkin' bout' you all day,” he murmured, his eyes locked onto yours.

You raised an eyebrow, intrigued, and stepped even closer. Carmen grabbed your ass roughly.

With urgency laced in your voice, you reminded him looking at the clock in his wall, “I only have ten minutes, Carmy. I can’t be late.” And you really couldn’t, you were the one that had coordinated tonight’s party for your best friends birthday.

Carmen tried to slip his hands under his dress but then his big blue eyes widened in surprise when you pushed him down onto the chair. You sank to your knees, looking up at him. The air was thick with anticipation as you reached for the waistband of his jeans and looked at him from under your lashes.

“You’ve been so stressed, baby,” you breathed, and gave him a wink. “May I?”

Carmen’s breathing grew heavier as you pulled him out gently stroking him in the palm of your hand, your eyes locked onto his. He was thick and swollen with arousal, watching you intently, “God, you’re perfect,” he breathed. Asking permission to suck his cock, what did he do to deserve you?

You leaned forward, your breath ghosting over his skin before finally sticking your tongue along his leaking tip, teasing him. Then you licked your hand and grabbed him firmly at the base and took him back into your mouth.

“Mmm,” you murmured never taking your eyes off of him.

“Fuck,” he hissed.

As you swirled your tongue around him, you felt him shiver, his fingers tangling in your hair, gently urging you closer. You lost yourself in the rhythm, your senses heightened as you focused on the sounds he made, the way his body reacted to each movement. You slid him deeper into your mouth as you breathed through your nose and hummed around him.

You listened as he struggled to speak. “J- just like t-that,” he groaned, his voice thick with desire, his hand brushing your cheek. You moaned, causing your throat to vibrate along his length which caused Carmen to squirm. You bobbed up and down and pushed him further and felt him hit the back of your throat. The sight was too much for him. His cock stuffed in your mouth and seeing the saliva drooling out of the corners of your mouth was making him go insane.

“You’re doin’ so good – fuck, so good,” he urged, his voice barely above a whisper now, filled with want. He was also paranoid about the staff hearing – one of the negative aspects of receiving head from your gorgeous girlfriend at work. You nodded slightly, the vibrations sending a rush through him as he tightened his grip in your hair, guiding you just a bit closer, a bit deeper. He was starting to babble, telling you how much he loved you, how good your mouth felt, how beautiful you looked with your mouth full. Your pussy throbbed at the praise, and you loved the smell and taste of him on your tongue and had missed him so much. He worked so hard and always did so much for others, Carmen was more of a giver than a receiver, and this translated also in the bedroom. But, you always loved reminding him that you loved making him feel good too. It always drove you wild seeing him so lost in pleasure.

“Oh fuck, I can’t. Shit. I’m gonna –“ Carmen’s grip tightened in your hair as he tried to pull you off from him but you kept going, stretching your mouth wider for him.

He whined, his neck straining as you sucked him as if your life depended on it while stroking the parts you couldn’t reach with your hand. You could feel it coming as he tensed beneath you, moaning out your name suddenly, emptying himself down your throat. You welcomed his release and swallowed it down and he loosened the grip on your hair as he fell back against the chair.

You slowly pulled away, taking a moment to savor the taste of him on your lips, feeling a sense of pride wash over you. Carmen looked down at you, breathless and utterly spent, his eyes dark.

"Wow," he finally managed to say, his voice a low murmur as he tucked himself back into his pants.

"You liked that, huh?" you teased, standing back up and smoothing down your dress as it slipped a bit from your movement. You could feel your pulse racing, you were extremely wet and horny, which was sort of a problem. Maybe you needed to go across the street to your apartment and quickly replace your panties?

Carmen chuckled softly, breath hitching in his throat as he was still trying to regain his composure. “You better be fuckin’ ready to spend the night at my place later,” he said slowly, his voice low as he stood up and his hand found your waist, pulling you closer.

He desperately needed to be inside of you.

“Okay,” you said, your voice a little breathy as you wrapped your arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

His hands roamed your waist, fingers sliding beneath the fabric of your dress, grazing your skin. The heat pooled low in your belly, reminding you just how long it had been since he had been inside of you. He captured your lips into a desperate kiss and your fingers found their way into his hair, tugging gently and he moaned softly as the kiss deepened.

The sound of laughter echoed from outside the office, reminding you both of the world waiting just beyond the door.

Sadly, the clock was ticking, and your 10 minutes were up.

xx

Later that night, after the evening with your friends had drawn to a close, you found yourself back at Carmen’s apartment with the tiniest buzz, the door just slipping shut behind you. It was 2 AM, you had successfully celebrated your best friend’s birthday party, but the anticipation hung thick in the air, and as you turned to face him, the heat of his gaze ignited everything that had simmered beneath the surface earlier.

Carmen pulled you toward the bedroom and just as you approached the doorway, he suddenly pivoted, guiding you toward the full-length mirror that adorned the wall.

With a swift motion, he turned you around, so you faced your reflection.

“Look at you,” he murmured, his voice thick with desire, leaning his body against yours, pressing you gently against the cool surface of the mirror.

The way he looked at you in the reflection made your heart race—the intensity of his gaze, the way his lips parted slightly as if he were struggling to find words to match the desire swirling between the two of you. “You’re absolutely beautiful,” he whispered, his breath ghosting over your ear.

You couldn’t help but smile at the compliment, feeling the heat rising in your cheeks. “You don’t look so bad yourself,” you replied teasingly, catching his gaze in the mirror. But before you could say anything more, he moved, his hands deftly finding the hem of your dress and sliding it up your thighs.

“You’re so wet,” he said, his voice a low growl as his fingers danced along your skin, finding the soft lace of your panties.

“It’s all for you,”

“Say that fuckin’ again,” he murmured, his breath trailing down to your shoulder.

“It’s all for you,” you turned your head slightly, searching his eyes in the reflection.

Carmen leaned in, his lips grazing your neck. “That’s right, cause this pussy’s all mine,”

“All yours,” you moaned, the thrill of anticipation rushed through you, your heart pounding as Carmen slowly pulled your panties down your legs, letting them fall to the floor as he looked at your dripping hole in the mirror. His eyes glued to it. All his. The cool air brushed over your bare skin, heightening your sensitivity.

He wasted no time, his fingers exploring your ass as he traced the outline of your curves. Carmen tightened his grip on your waist, pressing you harder against the mirror, his breath hot against your ear as he nipped playfully at your earlobe and whispered filth into your ear. Telling you how he was going fill you up with his cock, stretch you out, and give it to you over and over again.

With a swift motion, he turned you to face him, his hands gripping your thighs, lifting you slightly so that your legs wrapped around his waist. Instinctively, you pulled him closer, feeling his cock pressing against you. “I need to fuck you,” he said as his forehead rested against yours, his beautiful blue eyes dark with need.

“Promise?” you teased, a smile playing at the corners of your lips despite the intensity of the moment.

In one fluid movement, he carried you to the bed, setting you down gently. The sheets felt cool against your skin, contrasting with the heat radiating from Carmen as he hovered above you. He started taking off your dress and paused for a moment, studying you as if trying to memorize every inch of you, the way your body curved beneath him, how your chest rose and fell with each breath. He threw your dress on the ground and took off his own t-shirt and boxer briefs before his lips found their way back to your neck, trailing heated kisses down to your collarbone. A low groan escaped him as he tasted your skin.

Carmen descended, his mouth trailing lower, hovering just above your breasts, teasingly close. His hands slid down your sides, exploring every contour, before he settled on your hips, his fingers digging into your flesh possessively. With every kiss, every touch, he murmured sweet nothings, painting you in words that made you feel so worshipped and loved.

“Carmen, please,” you moaned, desperation coating your voice.

His eyes darkened with desire, and he realized you were right – it was not the time to make you beg. With a swift motion, he aligned himself with you, teasingly brushing against your entrance, eliciting an involuntary shudder from your body.

“Look at me baby,” he said, still teasing, his cock barely grazing your wet folds, eliciting soft whimpers from you. “I wanna fuckin’ see your face as I take what’s mine,”

“I’m all yours,” you insisted, your voice breathy with longing.

With a low growl, he plunged into you, filling you completely in one smooth thrust. You gasped, feeling every inch of him as he stretched you. Carmen stilled for a moment, letting you adjust to his size, his eyes boring into yours as he searched for any signs of discomfort.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice edged with concern.

“Yes, please move," you begged, thrusting your hips against him, urging him to start.

He didn’t need to be told again. Carmen began to move, pulling back and then thrusting deep, over and over again. He found a steady rhythm, punctuated by the sound of skin slapping against skin and your wet sounds echoing in the room.

“Carmen,” you moaned, your nails digging into his back as he drove deeper.

“Who’s makin’ you feel good?” he said, his voice a wreck.

“You!” you cried out, your mind going hazy.

“Yeah?” he asked, his breath coming in short bursts. “Who’s gonna make you come?”

“Ungh, you!” you repeated,

He groaned, his eyes shutting for a brief moment as he tried to regain control while he felt you soak his cock with your arousal. You wrapped your legs around him, pulling him in deeper, urging him on.

Carmen leaned down, connecting his lips to yours in a fevered kiss. His tongue slipped past your lips, mingling with your breath, tasting the urgency. The kiss deepened, matching the rhythm of his movements—hard and passionate.

“Gonna fuck you so full of me, I’ll be drippin’ out of this perfect pussy for days,” he said against your mouth, punctuating his words with another powerful thrust. You could feel his heartbeat drumming against your chest, the heat radiating off his body as your hands roamed over his back, feeling each taut muscle beneath your fingertips. The noises you were making were inhumane because you loved it when Carmen said filthy things like this and would just lose himself in the moment.

“Oh my god, please,” you screamed as you felt the hairs on the base of his cock grinding against your clit.

“I love you so fuckin’ much. Can’t believe you’re mine,” he moaned in a whisper. “Can’t believe this is mine,” he choked out, putting his hand over your heart.

“I love you too,” you gasped, intertwining your fingers with his as he continued to rock against you, his movements growing more frantic as you felt tears welling up and spilling down your cheeks over the way he looked at you, as if you were the only thing that mattered.

“It’s okay. Just let it out, honey,” he cooed, his voice low and soothing. The raw intensity of the moment swirled around you. He cupped your face gently, wiping away your tears with his thumb.

You smiled through your tears, overwhelmed with emotions as he rained kisses along your face, kissing your tears away.  

Carmen’s hands found their way to your thighs, holding you in place as he buried himself deeper. He could feel the pressure building within you, feeling your cunt sucking him in. “You feel so amazin’ — fuck,” he groaned, his breaths growing heavier. “You close?”

You nodded vigorously, your breath hitching as the pleasure escalated. “Yes, please, don’t stop,” The urgency in your voice encouraged him, his rhythm quickening as he began to lose himself in the feeling of you.

He lifted one of your legs and put it up on his shoulder and spread you open, his cock spearing into you at this new angle. The change in position made you gasp at the deeper sensation it created. Every thrust hit you just right, the pressure building inside you until you felt you might burst.

“Let go for me, baby,” he coaxed, his tone soft yet commanding. “I wanna feel you fall apart around me.” His words sent you spiraling, pulling you closer to the brink. You could feel the coiling tightness of your release, winding around your core, threatening to snap at any moment.

“Carmen, I —” you gasped, the pressure reaching its peak as you watched his cock disappear into you covered in your slick.

“Just let it happen,” he urged, his voice a low rumble. “I’ve got you.”

With a final thrust, the dam inside you broke. Pleasure washed over you in waves, causing your back to arch and your body to tremble beneath him. You cried out his name, the sound echoing off the walls.

He didn’t stop, his movements relentless as he chased his own release, his breathing ragged and deep. The sound of your lewd noises seemed to fuel him, and he groaned lowly as your walls clenched around him.

“Good girl,” he grunted, his body tensing as he surged into you once again. “Hold on for me, baby.”

You nodded, lost in the aftershocks of your own orgasm as he continued to pound into you. You wanted to tell him how good he made you feel, how special this was, but the words fell short as he looked at you, his blue eyes clouded with passion. You couldn’t speak.

And then, without warning, he stilled, the moment hanging suspended as he locked eyes with you, his breath ragged. “I’m gonna come, fuck, I—” His voice was raw. You could see the struggle etched across his face, the tightness in his jaw marking how close he was hovering to the edge himself.

And, you finally got your voice back.

“Do it,” you urged, the words slipping from your lips with an urgency of their own, your brows stitched together. “Fill me up, Carmen.” You almost whined, and that desperation seemed to tip him over the edge.

“Fucking hell,” he panted, and Carmen followed you, his own release crashing over him as he buried himself deep inside you, his lips parting in a soft “o”, the feel of him filling you with his come and painting your walls before collapsing on top of you.

“Damn,” you both breathed in unison, laughing softly at the sheer intensity of it all.

As you both came down from the high, Carmen fell beside you, pulling you against him, admiring the mess between your legs that was slowly coming out, his fingers gently stroking you until you begged him to stop, feeling slightly overstimulated. Carmen then reached for the box of tissues on his nightstand, grabbing some to clean you up, and murmured more praises into your ear while kissing you sweetly before tossing the tissues into the trash can beside his nightstand.

You nestled into him, feeling safe and adored, his arms wrapped protectively around you. “Let’s never wait that long again,” you whispered, grinning up at him.

“Deal,” he murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead, already lost in the comfort and warmth of you.

xx

This was my first attempt at writing soft sex? I sort of view the sex in this moment as “making love” with filth and I honestly have never written something like this before. Or maybe I just feel like that cause it’s first time I’ve had a reader cry tears of joy during sex 🤣

Thank you so much for reading! If you like this, please consider leaving a comment or reblogging.

[pfudorqueen]

Some Italian Guy (carmen "carmy" berzatto x fem!reader)

18+ account - minors do not interact

carmen "carmy" berzatto x fem!reader Word Count: 1.6K Rating: E

Summary: You receive a congratulatory gift from your old friend, Lorenzo, and Carmy is not amused.

Warning: established relationship, descriptions of past explicit smut, smidge angst, alcohol, jealousy & insecurity, pet names, dirty talk, praise, sexual touching, implied smut

A/N: I haven't written Carmy in so long. This feeds as a drabble for my Collection of Moments and is set in my Wine & Dine universe. However, it can be read as a stand-alone as well. I received this request below. Made some changes and hope this request works for you @theuniverseandeverything-42. It's not quite exactly the same, but pretty similar.

"I was thinking about a jealous/insecure!Carmy. Like reader goes on a work trip to Italy and keeps talking about how great everything is and how nice the host is and he has a fancy name like Antonio or Dante and she comes home with a bottle of super fancy expensive bottle wine that the host gave her and carmy kinda freaks out thinking that she found someone better and starts acting carmy yk, and they end up fighting but he feels awful and like begs her not to leave him and she’s like “wtf you’re talking about” and he’s like “so you’re not leaving me for the Italian guy?” and she laughs finally understanding what he’s been so angry about and obviously they fuck (I love how you write smut, btw) (sorry for how long this got)"

Thank you so much for reading! If you like this, please consider leaving a comment or reblogging thots.

xx

Carmen chopped the onions with a fury, the knife hitting the cutting board like an angry heartbeat, his eyes fixated on that fucking wine bottle sitting on the counter.

Who the hell did this guy think he was?

Your old colleague from California, some fancy-ass winemaker, had sent you a bottle that cost more than fucking rent. And the prick had the nerve to scrawl a little note on a napkin, like he was some kind of poet or something.

"I think everyone deserves a person like you."

He signed it with a heart.

Lorenzo. What a stupid, fucking pretentious name.

Last night, you’d brought that bottle home, practically glowing as you showed it to Carmen, and he could feel the jealousy gnawing at him, the insecurity creeping in. He couldn't help but keep glancing at that napkin while you were busy thanking Lorenzo on the phone.

And there he was, chopping onions, feeling like second best, wondering if he ever measured up, if he ever could.

Carmen knew exactly why the guy was sending you a gift. Your wine shop, recently crowned the #1 Wine Shop in Chicago by TimeOut, was no small feat. But, it was Carmen's job to fucking spoil you, and he thought he had done a damn good job at it. He was so proud of you. When that article dropped, he took the day off, drove you both to Milwaukee, because a few weeks ago you had mentioned wanting to check out that new winery that had just opened up. You did a wine tasting, savored every drop, then wrapped up the day with dinner at this beautiful European farmhouse restaurant. When you guys rolled back into Chicago that night, he hit you with a surprise, booked a fancy hotel, and you just kept brushing it off, saying the article wasn’t a big deal. But it was a big deal. You were so perfect, so damn perfect.

He had you up against the window, looking down at the city while he pumped his cock into you like it was his sole purpose in life. Your perfect breasts pressed against the glass, and he snapped his hips brutally against your used cunt, hitting that perfect angle that had you screaming his name, and convulsing on his cock. His forehead hit your back with one last lazy thrust, his breath growing ragged while he spilled his come deep inside of you with a desperate groan.

But now, standing in your shared kitchen with the scent of onions stinging his eyes, he felt that fury bubbling up again. He tossed the chopped onions into a sizzling pan with a fierce flick of his wrist.

The wine bottle remained perched on the counter, taunting him with its presence. 

Just then, he heard the familiar sounds of you entering the apartment— the gentle rustle of your coat as you hung it up, the soft thud of your shoes hitting the floor.

"Hey, handsome," you said softly, leaning in to press a kiss to the back of Carmen’s neck. He stiffened slightly, his shoulders tense under your lips. You pulled back, a frown tugging at your brow as you noticed the way he was chopping the vegetables. The knife met the cutting board with a furious rhythm.

"Dinner smells amazing. What are you making?" you asked, leaning against the counter.

"Just a quick beef stir-fry,"

"Need any help?"

"No," he replied, the words clipped, more terse than he intended. "I got it."

Carmen felt the heat rising in his cheeks, the frustration boiling over like the oil in the pan. He was trying to focus, trying to channel all his manic energy into something productive, something that would drown out the noise in his head.

Then you suggested the wine. The wine. That fucking wine bottle. He paused mid-chop, the knife hovering above the cutting board. "We should drink that fancy wine tonight", you said, your voice light, almost teasing.

Something snapped inside him, like the tension in a rubber band that had finally reached its breaking point, dropping the knife on the cutting board. He turned to face you, the anger spilling out before he could stop it. "I don’t feel like drinkin' some overpriced bullshit wine from a guy who thinks he knows you,"

You blinked, momentarily taken aback by his tone as you processed his words. "Carmy, what are you talking about?"

"I don’t fuckin' like him,"

"Who? Lorenzo?"

“Yeah, Lorenzo,” Carmen said with an exaggerated Italian accent.

"Carmy, it’s not like that. It was just a nice gesture," you said, trying to reason with him. "Lorenzo was just being friendly,"

"Friendly?" he scoffed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "You call that friendly? 'I think everyone deserves a person like you'?"

The way he stood there, shoulders clenched and jaw set, told you everything. This wasn’t just about some guy giving you some wine. It was about the note.

You crossed your arms, "Carmy, you’re overreacting. Him and I —we’ve known each other for years. As friends. He doesn’t think of me like that. I don’t think of him that way. You know that,"

"Do I?" he shot back, his voice rising slightly. "Because it sure doesn’t feel like it. You were all smiles when you talked to him, and you’ve been glowin' ever since that damn bottle showed up,"

"Carmen!" you exclaimed. You could see the spark of irritation in his eyes the moment you used his full name. That was always a sign things were serious. You only ever called him that if you were mad or if he was stuffing you full of his cock. "You’re being ridiculous,"

"So now, I’m bein' ridiculous?"

"A little," you stepped closer, your voice softening. "But, I’m sorry if that note made you uncomfortable or rubbed you the wrong way. I really think he was just trying to be nice,"

You watched him, his shoulders still tense but his eyes flickering with uncertainty, as if he was weighing your words.

"I don’t want you to feel like you’re competing with anyone. You mean so much to me, and I don’t ever want you to doubt that. I love you, Carmy. You’re the one I want to come home to every day,"

He could feel the weight of the note, the words that had seemed so tricky just moments ago, shifting in his mind.

"I think everyone deserves a person like you."

Lorenzo’s words echoed, and Carmen’s gut twisted. It wasn’t about the wine or the note... it was about the recognition that you, in all your perfection, deserved to be celebrated. It was about you being someone who brought light into every room, someone who deserved to be appreciated for all you were.

Then, without thinking, he cupped your face in his hands, his thumb brushing against your cheek. "I love you so fuckin' much. I’m sorry," he said. "I don’t want to be that guy who gets jealous over nothin’. It’s just hard sometimes."

"I know," you said softly, pulling back to look into his eyes. "But we need to communicate, okay? Don’t bottle it up."

He nodded, pulling you in for a quick, yet incredibly delicate kiss to your lips. "I’m sorry for snappin’ at you,"

"It’s okay,"

He tilted his head slightly. "So, you’re not gonna run off with some Italian guy, right?"

You couldn’t help but snort. "Berzatto, you do realize you’re Italian, right?"

"Yeah, but I’m like… American-Italian, you know? I’m more bout’ pizza and takeout… or, like, spaghetti out of a can. That guy? He’s Italian-Italian. He’s all fancy, like… Risotto and Gnocchi Cacio e Pepe,"

You raised an eyebrow, a smirk curling at your lips. "Okay, first of all, when have you ever eaten spaghetti out of a can?" You leaned closer, letting your fingers graze the fabric of his shirt. "And secondly," your voice dropping to that sultry tone that always made his cock stir, "you were pretty fancy to me yesterday morning,"

Fancy. When he fed you his cock, nice and slow.

You slowly started to unbutton his shirt. "See? Fancy doesn’t have to mean risotto and cacio e pepe,"

He swallowed hard, his blue eyes darkening with desire as you continued to reveal more of him. You leaned in, brushing your lips against his neck, feeling the rapid beat of his pulse beneath your mouth. "Maybe it’s about how you make me feel," you murmured, your fingers dancing down his sides, and pulling at his belt.

Carmy’s hands moved with purpose, his focus sharpening as he turned off the stove, the sizzling sound fading into the background. Without a word, he lifted you effortlessly, his hands sliding beneath your thighs, and set you down on the cool surface of the kitchen counter.

"Fuck, I want you so bad," you said, pushing down your jeans and panties immediately so he could admire the sticky mess between your legs.

Carmen’s fingers brushed against your thighs. "Such a pretty sight, baby,"

"Please touch me," you begged, the words barely escaping your lips as you leaned back on your elbows.

"Always ready for me, aren’t you?" he groaned. "God, you’re so fucking wet," he whispered in awe, his fingers scooping up your arousal. “Such a good girl for me,”

Your breath hitched as he teased you, his fingers gliding through your slickness before circling your clit with just the right amount of pressure.

"Carmen," you moaned, arching your back as he pressed down harder, your body responding eagerly to his touch. "Please, don’t tease me,"

There it was. His full name in all its glory.

xx

[pfudorqueen]

[pfudorqueen]

dear usamerican high schoolers looking for a way to resist fascism: sit through the pledge of allegiance.

no getting up. no looking at the flag.

everyone will be looking at you. you'll be sweating like a fucking hippopotamus. your teacher will sternly tell you to get up. you'll feel stupid and that maybe its not worth it because you're just a kid in a classroom. but I'm here to remind you that there are no real life consequences to detention. there are however real life consequences to resisting a thoughtless performance of nationalism.

[pfudorqueen]

Abbott Elementary, Volunteers (S04E09)

[pfudorqueen]

[pfudorqueen]

⋆. 𐙚 ̊pov: your camera roll dating Carmen Berzatto

[pfudorqueen]

An old OFMD piece based off Caspar David Friedrich's Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog

[pfudorqueen]

David Lynch

[pfudorqueen]

Posting this here for everyone!!

[pfudorqueen]

[pfudorqueen]

Every few steps she looks back to check on her little kitty cat 🐈🥺

[pfudorqueen]

Mama void with all of her voidlings 🖤🐈