❛ 𝓜erry 𝓒hristmas, 𝓵izards! ❜

📲 when are u closing

📲 should stop by my house. after

( @ierjmovjch )

[ txt: richie ] the same time as always? [ txt: richie ] why?

[ 📲 carmen bear ] ;; okay then come over after work. im not feeling up to snooze

[ 📲 carmen bear ] ;; or don't idc

[ txt: richie ] you're still acting weird [ txt: richie ] sounds like you do care [ txt: richie ] i'll be over

[ 📲 carmen bear ] ;;

[ typing . . . ]

[ . . . ]

[ 📲 carmen bear ] ;; door's unlocked

✿

( @ierjmovjch )

send ✿ for my muse to send your muse a suggestive text!

[ txt: richie ] when he wears those suits it makes me wanna climb him like a tree [ txt: richie ] and yet SOMEHOW the 'dirtbag' look is HOTTER? [ txt: richie ] fuck. fuck. disregard. i was NOT talking about you btw

[ 📲 carmen bear ] ;; should've said to my face back then instead

[ 📲 carmen bear ] ;; i still have a lot of those shirts btw. wear em when its laundry day

[ 📲 carmen bear ] ;; youre cute as hell in your aprons

[ txt: richie ] i am not- fuck you [ txt: richie ] do you wear them on request...

[ 📲 carmen bear ] ;; on request and for a price. of course. i don't do deals without getting paid.

[ 📲 carmen bear ] ;; some of those shirts are really tight too

📲 when are u closing

📲 should stop by my house. after

( @ierjmovjch )

[ txt: richie ] the same time as always? [ txt: richie ] why?

[ 📲 carmen bear ] ;; do u not want to see me

[ txt: richie ] i didn't .... say that?

#ierjmovjch writing #ierjmovich texts #b3rzatt0 #he's having a Moment. mkay #needs some attention #and a cigarette #and a kiss

[ 📲 carmen bear ] ;; okay then come over after work. im not feeling up to snooze

[ 📲 carmen bear ] ;; or don't idc

✿

( @ierjmovjch )

send ✿ for my muse to send your muse a suggestive text!

[ txt: richie ] when he wears those suits it makes me wanna climb him like a tree [ txt: richie ] and yet SOMEHOW the 'dirtbag' look is HOTTER? [ txt: richie ] fuck. fuck. disregard. i was NOT talking about you btw

[ 📲 carmen bear ] ;; who's a dirtbag

[ 📲 carmen bear ] ;; ?

[ 📲 carmen bear ] ;; u like my suits? lol

[ txt: richie ] i said i was NOT talking about you [ txt: richie ] but yes i like your suits [ txt: richie ] was hotter before in the stupid beef shirts and an apron but i would rather die than say that to your face

[ 📲 carmen bear ] ;; should've said to my face back then instead

[ 📲 carmen bear ] ;; i still have a lot of those shirts btw. wear em when its laundry day

[ 📲 carmen bear ] ;; youre cute as hell in your aprons

hand shoots back as richie gasps, not at almost being bit, but at carmen's audacity. "you'd get fak to betray me like that? there's no way," he laughs, dancing around carm. he's in a good mood today, and sydney isn't around to bother.

carmen just watches richie, arms crossed, leaning against the counter. it'd been awhile since anyone had been in good spirits around here. "i could get fak to do anything." he's willing to prove the point, but it's actually not that serious. carmy supposes cardboardmy could live to see another day.

#ierjmovjch writing #b3rzatt0 #chuckling at this so bad man

"debatable," he grins, nose wrinkling. the cardboard cutout continues to stand idle within the room, leading richie to stride over to it and pick it up. "be right back."

he's walking out of the room to place it somewhere else for another person to find. returning shortly after, dusting his hands off. "i hope sugar finds him next."

📲 when are u closing

📲 should stop by my house. after

( @ierjmovjch )

[ txt: richie ] the same time as always? [ txt: richie ] why?

[ 📲 carmen bear ] ;; do u not want to see me

✿

( @ierjmovjch )

send ✿ for my muse to send your muse a suggestive text!

[ txt: richie ] when he wears those suits it makes me wanna climb him like a tree [ txt: richie ] and yet SOMEHOW the 'dirtbag' look is HOTTER? [ txt: richie ] fuck. fuck. disregard. i was NOT talking about you btw

[ 📲 carmen bear ] ;; who's a dirtbag

[ 📲 carmen bear ] ;; ?

[ 📲 carmen bear ] ;; u like my suits? lol

"oh yeah? and how do you think you're gonna get in there in the first place, genius?" reaching over to prod the blond's head, grinning like a moron. it's too bad, richie thinks carmen's pout is cute humorous.

"i'll find a way. clone your key, ask sydney, ask sugar. i might even get fak to help me. watch your back." carm snaps his teeth at richie's finger, just barely missing.

#ierjmovjch writing #b3rzatt0 #please... they need to ****************

hand shoots back as richie gasps, not at almost being bit, but at carmen's audacity. "you'd get fak to betray me like that? there's no way," he laughs, dancing around carm. he's in a good mood today, and sydney isn't around to bother.

"that fucking cardboard cut out of me is STILL IN THE RESTAURANT. every morning i come in and its in a different spot like the fucking elf on the shelf"

( cackling like a hyena. seriously the highlight of his work day, every time. )

"One of these days that thing is going to be in your bedroom when you wake up," he says petulantly, crossed arms and pouty lips and all.

#ierjmovjch writing #b3rzatt0 #they're so stupid bruh

"oh yeah? and how do you think you're gonna get in there in the first place, genius?" reaching over to prod the blond's head, grinning like a moron. it's too bad, richie thinks carmen's pout is cute humorous.

( slight grin. nodding, he brushes himself down and scratches his beard. )

you've got a sharp eye. y'like it? i wasn't sure about the color.

stmoon

"it's good. chic." her lips tugged up at the corner, a lopsided grin as she held out a small box. she only spent a few days hunting down a cool looking tie clip. by all accounts it wasn't much, especially when it was thrifted and hand polished to get it's shine back, but it's the thought that counts right? a thank you since her words never really managed to cut it. "i, uh. here. for the new suit."

#ierjmovjch writing #stmoon #i'm sooo ill oh my god. hes gonna cherish that clip forever

"is this a bomb? are you giving me a bomb right now?" he's only teasing, as he wastes no time taking the box from her outstretched hands with a small twitch of his own lips, clearly moved by the gesture. it's not everyday he gets a gift, no strings attached.

now for the grand reveal. his eyebrows shoot up as he removes the lid and plucks the clip from the box, raising it to admire in the light. crows feet form and his cheeks crease as he smiles. awh, syd. tonight will be a good service.

glancing down towards sydney with a newfound glimmer in his eye, he hums, "you're obviously gonna help me put this on, right?"

( standing out in the front area, picking at his nails. & wearing a new suit! fancy. )

stmoon

new suit? looks nice. very.. sidney poitier

#ierjmovjch writing #stmoon #ahhh my babies :3

( slight grin. nodding, he brushes himself down and scratches his beard. )

you've got a sharp eye. y'like it? i wasn't sure about the color.

"that fucking cardboard cut out of me is STILL IN THE RESTAURANT. every morning i come in and its in a different spot like the fucking elf on the shelf"

#ierjmovjch writing #LMFOAOO #CARDBOARDMY MY SON

( cackling like a hyena. seriously the highlight of his work day, every time. )

( standing out in the front area, picking at his nails. & wearing a new suit! fancy. )

#ierjmovjch writing

@ierjmovjch continued from ( x )

the dirty rag was just thrown at his face. cool. for a second, richie feels that instinctual pull of rage in his chest and how it threatens to boil instantly, a year ago and he would've blown a fuse but when the lights were all out and he could hear carmy's voice crack at the end of his outburst, the anger is replaced with ... guilt. he almost forgets sometimes that carmen is all he has left of mikey, and he fears one of these days he'd be successful in driving him away. just like mikey tried to do, which makes him feel sick. because carm isn't mikey. he knows that. carm is carmen, what richie didn't know was how to really be around him without losing his mind, from exasperation or otherwise. he knew how to be himself around mikey, carmen just made his carefully constructed plans come crumbling down. like always. he was doing just fine until carmen came home. "carm," he sputters, pulling the rag off off his face before it could fall and stain his suit and unceremoniously tossing it onto the clean counter, his now empty hand grasping at nothing like a crab claw. he must look like a moron. "cousin, hey. shit, i—" hands grasp for carmen's shoulders to try and pull him into his chest, arms anxiously wrapping 'round the younger. sentence fading away into nothing, he doesn't know what to do, this seems like it might help. maybe not. maybe he'll be driving home with a black eye or something instead. chin planting itself into carm's mess of stress-tousled curls, he holds his breath. doesn't say anything. he's waiting for a sucker punch in the gut.

With the tears comes the self hatred. He's always drowning in it, but never is it more present than when he's trying to hold himself together in front of the people he loves cares about.

Carmen doesn't want Richie to see him like this, almost goes to pull away until those arms wrap around him, and he falls into that chest. He sobs, and maybe he's finally grieving Mikey, maybe it's all the stress leaking out, maybe he just needs a good cry, goddammit. Carmy's hands come up and grasp the lapels of Richie's suit, holding on for dear life.

It feels like Mikey's hugs used to when Carmen was still a kid. When Mikey was still the big brother he looked up to, and he wasn't avoiding Carmy's presence.

He cries harder.

"I'm sorry," he manages to get out between sobs, hiccuping over the words. I'm sorry for crying, i'm sorry for breaking apart, i'm sorry for being a piece of shit, i'm sorry that you have to know me.

Everyone would be better off if they did not have to endure the storm of another Berzatto, Mikey's tsunami was enough. But god, Carmy would give anything to weather the storm with his brother again, so maybe he shouldn't think that way.

Would Richie let him break apart on his shores, or would he push him away? He'd sheltered Mikey enough, he'd been battered and bruised by Carm's turbulent emotions, maybe this would be the final straw. Carm wouldn't blame him.

despite this not being the first instance richie's been the reason of carmen's tears, he does feel guilty this time, and it's an unfamiliar feeling. his heart lurches unsteadily in his ribs when the smaller crumples against him, resisting his hold only a second. for once richie is the shelter, richie is the source of safety for him. he doesn't know what to say.

so, he doesn't say anything. for now. maybe for the best, as usually richie's always ruining the moment by running his mouth, or so people say. carmy remains a mess in his arms like he's the only person on earth he trusts to see this. richie strokes a soothing thumb across carmen's shoulder to help ground him, humming a soft tune as if he were consoling his daughter. vibrations and quiet sounds were calming to the nervous system.

he also remembers what it was like having to do this with mikey. so many nights spent talking him down from a ledge, his hands and voice being the only thing that reminded him he was alive. richie couldn't help but think back on that right now. he loved mikey. he loves carmy. he wouldn't let what happened to mikey happen to carmy.

"hey hey, woah, carm, it's okay, i've got you," he murmurs into carmen's hair, squeezing him gently. trying to assure the younger that the world wasn't ending, and he was still here. "i– i don't know what i was doing, i didn't, uh— are you okay?"

pulling away slightly, he holds carmen's shoulder with one hand and the side of his face with the other, bringing their foreheads close. blue eyes still steady on the blond.

the soothing is nice. for a long time, he just lets richie hold him. he imagines maybe this is what it would have been like if he’d had a mother who — no, he wouldn’t trade his mom. Donna Berzatto was a wreck but she was still his mother.

Carm sighs and sinks into the embrace. nobody has hugged him in a long time, not even sugar. god, he missed his sister.

then there was richie himself. the taller man was warm pressed up against carmen, and he smelled like the restaurant. which, was an oddly comforting scent, despite all the hardships and stress the place causes him.

it’s almost like… home.

richie speaks and it’s like gravel, rumbling between the both of them. another comfort, even though his words usually grate. had carm been depriving himself of this all along for what? pride? ego?

he didn’t want to anymore.

he goes to respond, eyes still closed, to let richie know he was fine. he had just needed to cry, he was stressed, emotional, it wasn’t his fault. but then rich starts to pull away and panic wells up inside him. no, richie couldn’t leave. not like claire, not like mikey. he refused to be left behind again. Carmen Berzatto, perpetually one step behind.

“don’t leave—“ he cuts his own words off, lips desperately locking with richie’s own. his breathing is harsh, hands gripping tighter to richie’s clothes, and it’s less a kiss than just frantically pressing their mouths together. carmen is panicking, floundering below the surface, and it’s obvious.

richie's eyes are open when carmen kisses him, something awkward about himself he'd never been able to really control, although they quickly close after something inside breaks then. like a dam he'd been building within himself finally burst when carmen's teeth knocked into his in some sort of desperation, a wordless ‘don't abandon me’ written into the kiss so deep he could almost feel it.

he knew what a don't-leave-me kiss felt like, he'd been the giver of one too many times to count.

while carmen panicked, richie was calm, steady under the younger's white knuckled hold on jacket lapels. there was no water to be tested, no way to tell where the lines started and when they were okay to be crossed, so richie kissed carmen back with the same eagerness he presented, going so far as to reach a hand up and tangle it in his blond curls already.

not pausing for a moment to push carmy away and berate him.

the hand on his cheek remains there, used as leverage to get carmy closer to him, like richie was trying to swallow him whole with his larger figure. fingers grasp at his jaw as he kisses him, murmuring his name once and pulling away to mutter, "i'm not gonna," before kissing him again. "i won't leave."

one more time. lips pressed wantonly against carmen's, nose crushed into the curve of his cheek. kissing hard, not caring to make this moment tender or sweet. not yet at least. he has carmen pinned between the countertop and his own body, disallowing the other's escape. he almost feels as though he should be guilty for wanting this, he should comforting carmen, consoling him, not tongue kissing his dead best friend's little brother—

god, he's pathetic. still. he thought he went through some growth. god forbid a man has a little backslide.

#ierjmovjch writing

@ierjmovjch continued from ( x )

the dirty rag was just thrown at his face. cool. for a second, richie feels that instinctual pull of rage in his chest and how it threatens to boil instantly, a year ago and he would've blown a fuse but when the lights were all out and he could hear carmy's voice crack at the end of his outburst, the anger is replaced with ... guilt. he almost forgets sometimes that carmen is all he has left of mikey, and he fears one of these days he'd be successful in driving him away. just like mikey tried to do, which makes him feel sick. because carm isn't mikey. he knows that. carm is carmen, what richie didn't know was how to really be around him without losing his mind, from exasperation or otherwise. he knew how to be himself around mikey, carmen just made his carefully constructed plans come crumbling down. like always. he was doing just fine until carmen came home. "carm," he sputters, pulling the rag off off his face before it could fall and stain his suit and unceremoniously tossing it onto the clean counter, his now empty hand grasping at nothing like a crab claw. he must look like a moron. "cousin, hey. shit, i—" hands grasp for carmen's shoulders to try and pull him into his chest, arms anxiously wrapping 'round the younger. sentence fading away into nothing, he doesn't know what to do, this seems like it might help. maybe not. maybe he'll be driving home with a black eye or something instead. chin planting itself into carm's mess of stress-tousled curls, he holds his breath. doesn't say anything. he's waiting for a sucker punch in the gut.

With the tears comes the self hatred. He's always drowning in it, but never is it more present than when he's trying to hold himself together in front of the people he loves cares about.

Carmen doesn't want Richie to see him like this, almost goes to pull away until those arms wrap around him, and he falls into that chest. He sobs, and maybe he's finally grieving Mikey, maybe it's all the stress leaking out, maybe he just needs a good cry, goddammit. Carmy's hands come up and grasp the lapels of Richie's suit, holding on for dear life.

It feels like Mikey's hugs used to when Carmen was still a kid. When Mikey was still the big brother he looked up to, and he wasn't avoiding Carmy's presence.

He cries harder.

"I'm sorry," he manages to get out between sobs, hiccuping over the words. I'm sorry for crying, i'm sorry for breaking apart, i'm sorry for being a piece of shit, i'm sorry that you have to know me.

Everyone would be better off if they did not have to endure the storm of another Berzatto, Mikey's tsunami was enough. But god, Carmy would give anything to weather the storm with his brother again, so maybe he shouldn't think that way.

Would Richie let him break apart on his shores, or would he push him away? He'd sheltered Mikey enough, he'd been battered and bruised by Carm's turbulent emotions, maybe this would be the final straw. Carm wouldn't blame him.