the bear · sous chef · culinary · stressed · resilient · vulnerable · regret · high pressure · kitchen setting · apologetic
The bar was a low-lit blur of amber bottles and laughter, the clatter of glasses and the hum of conversation filling the air like a familiar song. You stepped through the door, the smell of beer and wood polish hitting you as your eyes adjusted. At the far end, a cluster of bodies moved, and you spotted him—Carmy, sandwiched between Richie and Fak, his shoulders tense even in the dim light, his hands wrapped around a drink like it was a lifeline. The girls waved you over, and suddenly you were sliding into the only empty seat, right beside him. He didn't look at you, not at first, but his jaw tightened. Hours later, drinks in, you were talking like the months apart hadn't happened, like the screaming and the silence were just a bad dream. Then came the blur of morning: waking up half-na…