fix it, man

[connorbrownbakes]

Fair point. Ha! I appreciate that. Nothing like pastries and pizza for a well rounded dinner.

[ethanbarrowman]

Ha! You're welcome. Exactly, you see the vision, a circle. Ha!

[connorbrownbakes]

You've never had a macaron? Oh, you're in for a treat. Well, assuming they come out okay. I've only tried them once before, hoping to get in a few more practice runs before the weekend. The choux have cream inside, you'll like them. You can take a bunch for Sunday dinner if you like them. And thanks!

[ethanbarrowman]

Nope. You're the only one I know that's into fancy baking. Ha! I'm sure they will. Usually your 'bad' stuff isn't inedible. Can't wait! Sounds good. Mum and dad always enjoy your baking. Welcome, gotta at least pretend to eat well rounded or whatever.

[connorbrownbakes]

Ha! Excellent. Yeah, patisserie week. Hope you like macarons. And choux buns, my flat is overflowing with choux buns. Pizza is a great idea.

[ethanbarrowman]

No idea what that means or what either of those things are. But I do like buns, they got icing? Fantastic, I'll bring one.

[brownjacob]

Guess so!

That's true! No reason to worry about it. I don't have a secret quidditch fling :)

[connorbrownbakes]

Exactly! Anyways, I'm gonna be doing some late-night baking practice after work if you wanna come hang out and hear all the juicy details about last night ;) Or if you wanna come hang out and not hear the juicy details, that's cool too!

[ethanbarrowman]

Ha! I want the juicy details of course! Especially if they come with food. Guessing it's pastry baking? I can bring a pizza so we're not just eating sweets.

[connorbrownbakes]

Unfortunately very realistic yeah. At least it's not like Oliver will be able to see if I do totally freak out.

I get that. I mean, I know what I'm keeping from my family isn't the same. But it does help to have one less thing I'm hiding from them. But I know it's also different for me 'cause my parents aren't religious like yours. None of that's helpful, sorry. Although...if you wanted, you could tell them I'm gay. As a sort of trial run, maybe? See how they react to that?

[ethanbarrowman]

Sorry. Ha! Now there's a bright side.

No, it's alright. I just dunno. Maybe. [typing deleting typing deleting] I think it might kill me though if it was bad. At least now I can think they probably would be maybe ok. I mean they'd probably be more okay about you. But maybe about me too

[connorbrownbakes]

Wouldn't that be nice. On the bright side it's possible I'll be so freaked out about how high up I am Jacob will have to put all his energy toward calming me down there won't be room for interrogation.

Yeah I didn't get it either. Right! I'm not responsible enough for that. Ha! That could work, they'd so rather you be gay than get a safety pin in your nose. Or a mohawk. In all seriousness though, are you gonna try to tell them?

[ethanbarrowman]

Ha! That's an interesting bright side and possibly a realistic one too.

No way am I either. [text deletes texts deletes] Hopefully they would. I dunno. Sometimes I think I could just not tell them. It's not like I don't already have a whole life they don't really understand or know about. But sometimes I want to. I dunno

[connorbrownbakes]

Ha! BUT.

That's okay. Clearly neither do I. Maybe bringing him to quidditch is a bad idea.

Thank you!! It feels like something I shouldn't tell people but I'm with you, I don't think not enjoying holding babies should be weird. Right, one wrong move and you could destroy it! Not fun at all. Ha! Maybe not a winner but on the other hand they'd be so shocked by the angle maybe the gay part would be less shocking by comparison? Ha! I mean, I do love sampling what I make, but when there's pastries everywhere all the time they do lose some of their appeal.

[ethanbarrowman]

Yeah

Or maybe just relax and have a good time at the quidditch with your brother.

I don't see the appeal. EXACTLY I do not want life or death literally in my hands! Ha! If we're going for shock value maybe I should go for a total makeover and look like one of those guys we saw when we went to the movies last. "Don't worry mum and dad the safety pin in my nose isn't real. But I am gay.' Ha! Yeah, I can see how that would happen even with your baking.

[connorbrownbakes]

Ha! True. Guess it figures I'd end up fancying a bloke who's sort of weird, who wants normal anyways?

Of course its me being worried because I'm hiding something from my cop brother! It's the worst! It's not like I like lying to him but telling him the truth would be worse, he'd totally freak out. I mean he freaked out about weed, this would be way worse.

Now I think you're the one who isn't letting go, mate. Yeah it is fragile and shit. You can't tell anyone this but I didn't really like holding Kit when she was that small, I was too scared I was gonna break her. Ha! I wonder that too. I figure something just happens to your brain at some point? I dunno, but hope it doesn't happen to me anytime soon. at least we don't have to worry about any accidental kids. Ha! Mine is when I forget to get groceries and eat pastries for dinner. Or breakfast. Occasionally lunch.

[ethanbarrowman]

Ha! Yeah, normal to me feels very much my parents and I love them but

Sorry. I have zero ideas on this

Ha! Right just me. I don't think that's bad. Clearly you love her and I mean I dunno but is it really that bad not to like holding a baby? Esp when it's not even your baby? I think I'd be the same way if anyone was ever like here hold this tiny human that could break if you do the wrong thing NO THANK YOU Ha! I mean maybe. Not exactly how it happened with your brother though Ha! shame I couldn't use that as a positive bullet point coming out to my parents. 'I know being gay is totally against the bible but so is birth control and having children outside of marriage and only sinning one out of three ways isn't so bad, right?' Don't think that's a winner. Ha! Listen dude if I could make pastries like that I'd be fat as hell.

[connorbrownbakes]

Weird can be cute. And thank goodness because I'm far from normal.

Ha! I was thinking of it more like a helpful mate, but sure, sacrificial lamb works too. Ugh. It's easier just to avoid him but I feel like he can tell I'm doing that and it's just making him more suspicious. Which makes me want to avoid him more. So maybe quidditch would be good. He can't interrogate me during a quidditch match, probably.

Still not saying anything! Months? To learn to hold a baby? It's not that hard. Or do you mean taking care of one 'cause I have no idea who teaches you how to do that. I guess you're just expected to figure it out before the baby comes? Sounds like a nightmare. Ha! I feel like I have that thought daily.

[ethanbarrowman]

Ha! Guess that's why we get along so well.

Feeling more like I'm being sacrificed. Are you sure some of this just isn't you bieng worried because you're hiding something from mr COP auror whatever

Clearly letting go, for sure. But it's like fragile and shit. I didn't even think about the taking care of parts. Jesus why do people have kids? And I thought my nightmare about suddenly not being able to do magic at Hogwarts was bad. Ha! Mine is mostly when I'm doing something I think is really cool or that I know my mum would hate like eating directly out of the pot of noodles.

[connorbrownbakes]

Ha! Good, I'm glad. We cool weirdos have to stick together! Ha! That's true. Honestly, I think he might be a little weird. But in a cute way.

Ha! Please? It'd really help me out to have his attention off me. Ha! I can't offer you any help there, I already spilled about the weed and it wasn't even enough to get him to stop being suspicious about the other stuff.

I can hear your sarcasm from here but I'm not gonna say anything about it, because unlike Jacob, I can let things go. Ha! I think someone teaches you? Like at the hospital? I'd hope they don't just hand over the babies, but I dunno. My mum told me how to hold Kit, I sure didn't know. It does, right? Ha! I shouldn't even be allowed to be in charge of myself.

[ethanbarrowman]

Yeah we do! Ha! That makes sense. Weird can be cute.

Ha! Oh so that's what this is I'm a sacrificial lamb? Yeah, I got nothing to help with that, sorry mate.

And you're doing well at it. Ha! Wait at the hospital? That feels a bit late. Unless it's months of it. Because what if you suck? Do they just keep the baby till you make a passing grade? My mum would have to tell me too. Very. Ha! There are definitely times I think, 'wow I can't believe they let me be a grownup'

[connorbrownbakes]

Maybe next time I'll ask. I like your flat better though. And your brand of weird. I think I'd rather be my own brand of weird too, but I'd take however much extra money wouldn't make me weird. Ha! Now it just feels like you're calling Oliver weird.

It would be beyond helpful. Ha! I think you're onto something. I'll ask him next time I see him, tell him you were wondering.

What?? I do so! Ha! I can't forget my brother has a kid, its way too weird. I mean you know I love Kit but that doesn't make it not weird that Jacob has a kid. Its even weirder to think about people our age with kids. Being in charge of a baby sounds like a nightmare honestly, just babysitting Kit when she was really little was terrifying. I can't imagine being in charge of a kid just, like, for the rest of my life.

[ethanbarrowman]

There you go. Thanks, I do too. Ha! Appreciate that. I like your brand of weird too. Yeah, that wouldn't be a terrible thing, I agree. Ha! I mean from what I've seen and heard It's not like he's the only sports guy, he's just the one you're focused on.

Ha! Don't you dare! I don't want a cop on me. I'm fairly sure I haven't done anything but I will definitely cave under questioning and confess to things I didn't know happened let alone that I was guilty of.

Right, my mistake. Ha! Yeah, I kind of get what you mean. I wouldn't even know how to hold one. How do you even know that? Is there like baby school or somethig? That feels like a really long time to be in charge of someone else. Hell most days it feels like a really long time to be in charge of myself.

[connorbrownbakes]

I think so, but hell if I actually know. Way over mine too. Yeah, that’s true. Ha! Could be some of that. Ha! Good point, I do think being rich makes people a little weird. Not necessarily bad weird. But a little weird.

Sounds like it. Brilliant, glad that’s sorted. Ha! Me either. Shame he’d never try weed, he could really benefit from some. I’ve never seen him as a baby, those could be pictures of anyone! Ha! Wouldn’t that be nice.

About what things??? I’m not surprised he isn’t doing it now, for all the reasons he quit being an auror. But I am surprised he wasn’t doing it before.

[ethanbarrowman]

Ha! And you were in one, maybe. My flat definitely skews things the other way. Man, I'd love to have enough money to make me weird. Actually, nah. I'd rather be whatever weird I am now. It could also be the whole quidditch player thing, sports guys are also weird.

Me too. Ha! Yeah, it probably would be helpful. Ha! Clearly he was never a baby, the pictures just came with the frames. Ha! Something to hope for.

If you really wanna know, you also don't let things go that easily. Oh, right. I always forget he has a kid. Not that I forget Kit, I just sometimes forget how she's related to you. It's just weird, someone from school with a kid even if it's not from our year. The fact that there's likely people our age with kids is such a mind fuck. I ate cold leftovers for breakfast and there's someone out there I was learning charms with that's in charge of a baby? Crazy.

[connorbrownbakes]

It was. Yeah, maybe? I mean, it was the nicest flat I’ve ever been in. Flat probably isn’t even the right word, it’s like a penthouse or something. But it felt so empty. He did say he likes things tidy but I dunno, it was odd.

I hope they’re not THAT high. Maybe the quidditch players just fly higher. Guess I’ll find out either way. And yeah, there we go, I’ll say they were Ann’s. She goes to Puddlemere matches all the time. Yeah, no, he’s totally a cop. I love him but it’s kind of intense, I wish he’d chill. But no, he won’t leave it.

You really think we’re that alike??

[ethanbarrowman]

Cute. Yeah, I dunno what a penthouse is, it's just a fancy flat right? Way above my income level! I dunno, maybe he's not there much. Or maybe your perception is skewed because you're best mates with a pack rat :) Most rich people seem odd to me so his flat being odd sounds right.

Me either. Sounds like you will. Yeah, that sounds like a good cover. Everybody, even non-quidditch fans, know a Tooker plays for Puddlemere now. Yeah, agreed it is. I can't picture your brother chill. Like maybe when he was a baby but also just if I hadn't seen pictures at your parents house I'm not sure I'd be convinced he was a baby. Sorry, maybe he'll get a personality transfer and surprise you.

I mean yeah, about some things. I'm kind of surprised he's not doing you now, that stuff you do, with you. You also kind of can't let things go too

[connorbrownbakes]

Yeah, it was nice. He gave me pajamas to sleep in too. His flat is kind of weird though. He has, like, no decorations. It’s like one of those model apartments.

THATS WHAT I’D LIKE TO KNOW!!! Ugh, thanks. If it’s awful I probably just won’t do it again but it’d be nice to be able to enjoy it a bit. I bet Oliver looks really hot playing quidditch. I think the screen is because the people in the lower stands can’t always see the players? Not sure. And yeah I know me having quidditch tickets is weird. I could tell him they’re from a friend who couldn’t use them. I think it’s partly the weed stuff and partly that he still thinks I’m keeping something from him. Which he’s not wrong about but I wish he’d just leave it, you know?

[ethanbarrowman]

Sounds cozy. Really? You think it's like a rich person thing? Quidditch players make a lot right? I guess he could be one of those people who just doesn't like having stuff around.

Maybe you'll find out. You're welcome. Are the stands that high that the lower stands can't see them? I was gonna ask which friend but I forgot you know quidditch people, like Ann. I get it but your brother is a cop. I know he's not a cop but he's a cop. Or auror whatever. You know him better, obviously, and you're a lot like him so do you really think he'll leave it?

[connorbrownbakes]

Yeah, I know. If it makes me feel bad I'll stop. But so far its nice. We talked a lot last night, I feel like I understand him better now. And he made me breakfast this morning.

Apparently they're even higher than Hogwarts. Though Oliver did say there's a screen at the lower levels so if it is too high I can always go watch from there. Anyways don't be sorry, not your fault the game's on a Sunday. If Hes can't make it I could always invite Jacob, I guess. I don't really want him asking why I have quidditch tickets but I also kind of feel like he could use a night off at a quidditch match. Plus things have been kind of weird with us lately, it'd probably be good to hang out.

[ethanbarrowman]

Good! So you stayed over????? He made you breakfast??? That sounds nice. Better than last time

WHY? Good luck with that, and I mean it! That's nice, but why is there a screen? You are gonna wanna come up with something if you bring Jacob with you. Because you having quidditch tickets is weird, you know? Is it weird because of the weed, still?

[connorbrownbakes]

So you think I'm an idiot. I am happy with it. I mean, it's not like its that serious. I just told him that I didn't wanna hook up again if we weren't also gonna, like, get to know each other better. So that's what we're doing.

I hope I can find someone too, I think I'll be too terrified to go sit in those stands alone. But I've also heard Oliver talk about quidditch so much I really wanna actually see him play, you know? So I'm hoping it won't be awful.

[ethanbarrowman]

Ok. It's like I said last night, I just don't want you to do something that'd make you feel bad. It just sounds very complicated

Oh right, I forgot the stands. Are they like Hogwarts? I hope it won't be awful too. Sorry again.

[connorbrownbakes]

I know it sounds crazy. It might actually be a little crazy, I dunno. But yeah, that about sums it up. He even invited me to come to a quidditch match. Hence the quidditch Sunday, but no worries. I should have remembered you always have those on Sundays.

I dunno who you'd tell but no you know not to!

[ethanbarrowman]

I mean if you're happy with it that's what matters. That explains the invite. Do you even like quidditch tho. Nah it's ok, hope you can find someone to go with

Now I know yep. This is weird