Samhain's miracle
What if instead of the regular Sydcarmy as an already-established couple who attends a Halloween party dressed as ANOTHER iconic duo (which is still great, don't get me wrong), they are who they are, these 2 idiots in love who can't even admit it to themselves, let alone confess and they are in this dry patch of hell, post-S3, Syd is still contemplating leaving but hasn't decided yet, neither has she decided to sign The Bear's agreement, she's not here nor there and Carmy, who senses everything is wrong between them and that everything is about to fall apart, finds a moment of solace away from all his troubles, when this random kid comes knocking on his door dressed as a mini chef with a little blue apron and he just melts the fuck down but also, all the alarms go off in his head: DON'T DO THIS! SAVE YOURSELF! DON'T BECOME A CHEF, YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW HARD IT IS, AND YOU'RE GONNA RUIN YOUR LIFE! But obviously doesn't say a word and smiles and gives the kid money instead, not without telling him to drop by later to get some treats (that he's gonna make with his bare hands from scratch). The kiddo smiles back and says: "Sure!".
So Carmy gets to work right away and makes these amazing spooky treats, all kinds of them: Glowing Black Widow Oreo Pops, Monster Oreo Truffles, Jack-O'-Lantern Sandwich Cookies, Hocus Pocus S'mores Pops, Creepy Caramel Apple S’mores, etc. About 90 minutes later he hears another knock on the door and he thinks it's the mini chef coming back to cash his Halloween raincheck but it's Syd. Her gloomy face tells him all. He's terrified. She's coming to say goodbye. He can feel it. He knew this day was going to come since he found out about Shapiro's offer, not so long ago. He kicks himself for having said nothing and for not fighting for her. Truth is he didn't want to pressure her or influence her decision in any way. He wanted her to do what she considered right and arrive at that conclusion on her own. She did, and now there she is, standing in front of him with a sad look on her face that speaks volumes, about to tell him that their time together at The Bear has come to an end, she will start over elsewhere but still, thanks him for the opportunity. All of this goes through his mind in a matter of seconds as they exchange glances and breathe the same statically charged air. They both feel like a storm is about to break. The kid suddenly shows up right behind her and when she turns to see him her heart melts, just like Carmy's did earlier. She can't help but show it with a long: "Awwwwww!". So Carmy, who up until that moment was entranced and carefully choosing his final words for his soon-to-be former business partner and someone who could have been soooo much more but never got to be, forces a smile for the kid and in a soft and almost playful tone that Syd never heard before coming from him, cheerfully says: "Hey buddy! Glad, you're back, chef. I was waiting for you, please come on in I have lots of candy for you, you're gonna love my Halloween menu!" The kid's eyes are now completely out of its pockets and that smile is out of this world. "WOOOOW! OMG! This is amazing! I've never seen soooo much candy in my entire life!" "Well, now you have, enjoy it! I especially recommend the Hocus Pocus S'mores Pops, I just had one myself. The kid took a bite and in a matter of seconds was blown away! "They have marshmallow in them! WHAT?!" "Yes, chef!" "OMG, thank you, Sir! This is insane! Best Halloween ever! Thanks!" "My pleasure! Don't forget those truffles!" "No way!" Syd, still by the open door holding her tote bag's handles with both hands for dear life, looks at the excited little chef and wishes him a Happy Halloween, moving out of his way to let him go carrying a bag full of delicious homemade candy by Carmen Berzatto and a bright, joyous and energetic spirit that lights up the whole room and brings a smile to her face too. Once the kid is gone, she looks back up to find Carmy looking back at her, with fingers covered in chocolate and smelling like caramel and she has a change of heart right there and then. Carmy, still silent, waiting for the worst, looks at her pleading mercy. "Sorry, it's almost midnight, I know." "No, it's OK. Come in, Syd. Please." "Yeah." "Sit down. Can I get you something?" "No, no, it's fine-I-I..." "You came here to quit?" She says nothing. All she can focus on is the smell that comes from the kitchen, that is nothing but unbelievable, and the slight mess on the counter that shows signs of having been through a lot lately. "No, Carmy, I came here to talk about this." She produces her cell from her bag and proceeds to check her email and sign the Docusign that has been sitting in her inbox for months. His phone buzzes and he looks at it but doesn't move to go get it. He just stands there. Petrified. Scared. "I need you to send me a new access link, this one expired. I wanna sign the agreement."
A/N: Spooky recipes & treats
Dividers by @violetbudd
