Callum Fletcher

[jamieyaxley]

"Glad you don't mind a little company on pitch," he told Cal. Which was really just his way of saying he didn't mind sharing the pitch with Cal. He didn't want to sound like he did mind it. Jamie smiled at the mention of Cal's other little sister. "One of the afternoons if we have time I can give her keeper tips if she's interested. After the homework of course. School before quidditch." That's how he'd kept his grades up, knocking out his homework before heading to the pitch. Sometimes it meant he had to do things like sneak in some time before breakfast but Jamie had made it work. "I've been picking up pastries for the office on Fridays, I can get some extra if you think your siblings would like them," he offered. Normally he'd have just done it but with Cal he wasn't sure if that would go off well or like a lead broom.

[seekercallum]

"If you want," was all Cal said to Jamie's offer to give Sadie keeper tips. He was not going to encourage Jamie apparently trying to tack on more and more nice guy bullshit, especially not toward one of the kids. He definitely was not telling Sadie about Jamie's offer. The last thing she needed was for him to let her down. At least he had the sense to put school before quidditch. Not that Cal had ever done that. School had just been a means to an end for him. And quidditch was still his top priority now. He couldn't afford to lose the money he was making. But he also did want to get his NEWTs, both to encourage the younger kids--especially Mac and Ian--and so he'd have options if he did fuck up quidditch. But he mostly needed to not fuck up quidditch, which he was already failing at because Jamie thought he needed help. And now he was just going to keep butting into everything, apparently. "We don't need pastries," he said, even though obviously the kids would like them. But Jamie was doing enough. Too much, really. Cal didn't want him doing even more. Except for maybe one thing. "You said you could help with the form?" That was what Cal needed right now, and maybe once that was done it would get Jamie to leave without trying to offer more stuff Cal didn't want or need.

[jamieyaxley]

Jamie just smiled and nodded when Cal replied. His smile grew when Cal said he liked to get to practice early. "Perfect! I like to get in early too. Nice to have a little time on the pitch before everyone gets there." Jamie had been the first on the pitch so far this season. His time at Arrows he'd been with Scott since he was staying with him they went together and he liked getting in early too so that had been nice. "Then it's settled I'll come by tomorrow at xxxx to get you and your sister. After practice I can help with homework since I'll be here anyway to drop you guys back off." Sounded like a great plan to Jamie. Hopefully Cal agreed since he still sounded iffy on the homework help. He almost reminded Cal that if he needed anything else he could just ask but he decided to hold off on that for now. He'd already managed to upset the bloke and he needed to tread a little carefully here it felt like.

[seekercallum]

"Yeah," Cal agreed, not that he ever got to be the first one to the pitch because Jamie always beat him to that. Cal was pretty sure that was only because he always had to wait to get Ruby settled in at daycare. At least now, assuming Jamie did what he said, Cal wouldn't have to wake up at the crack of dawn to still not even be the first on the pitch. "....Okay. If you want," he said when Jamie said he could help with homework when he dropped Cal and Ruby back off. Cal would believe that when he saw it. Even if Jamie did it a few times, the good bloke act was gonna get old for him sooner or later. Cal just hoped it would do more good than harm for the kids. "Sadie will be happy," he added. Mac and Ian wouldn't be. But maybe Jamie could help them progress faster.

[jamieyaxley]

Jamie hadn't thought he'd done anything to upset Cal but clearly he had. "Alright, mate, point taken," he told him, all amusement gone. He felt bad that things had clearly not gone well enough for so long, and at such a young age, that the kid was so anti-trusting. But at least it didn't seem to have made him reject Jamie's offer, he was glad about that because he did want to help. "Fair enough. You don't have to be excited about it. Or even think it's a good idea. Though hopefully it won't seem like such a dumb idea once I start helping." Because Jamie hoped he'd be able to actually help the kids out with their homework. He didn't see why he wouldn't. In order to be able to stay on the quidditch team Jamie had to keep up with his studies, his dad checking in with his head of house regularly to make certain he was. Not to mention a punishing NEWT load because his dad expected him to have a full academic schedule. He also just regularly used magic in ways a lot of other blokes in the league didn't seem to. So he was certain he could.

"Right, of course," Jamie replied. Now he was even more curious but he didn't press. He'd just have to hope that whoever this Al bloke was that the deal he'd made Cal was fair. Cal certainly seemed to trust him which felt like a huge thing considering how little interest Cal had in trusting Jamie. Though he was agreeing to Jamie picking Cal and his little sister up. Nice. "You're welcome. I can come by around xxxx tomorrow but if that's too early I think maybe xxxx would be the latest or else we're gonna end up late." Jamie liked to get there early but that might not work out for Cal given the other kids he had to get sorted.

[seekercallum]

Cal didn't really feel any better when Jamie said his point was taken, but at least Jamie wasn't laughing at him for having realistic expectations anymore. Cal was once again looking at Jamie skeptically when he claimed that Cal would start to think it was all a good idea when Jamie started helping, as if that would actually happen. "Guess we'll see," he said, because he wasn't going to actually ask and then have to be faced with the embarrassment and disappointment when Jamie decided he did have better things to do than help kids with their homework. He almost wanted to tell him not to even try, because the thought of Jamie showing up for a bit--Sadie had been so excited just to have him in the house--and then ditching would be worse. But Cal doubted Jamie would show up in the first place. What he did have to suck it up and actually ask for was a ride to practice. Cal didn't fully trust that either. But he didn't see a better option. And the Jamie option seemed even nicer when his early suggesting was almost two hours later than Cal had been leaving to catch the Knight Bus. "No, early is good," he said quickly. "I was leaving earlier to catch the Knight Bus, plus I like to get to practice early anyways." Cal liked to be out of the locker room before the reserve seeker or any of his jerk crew showed up. Not to mention sometimes things went sideways and Cal ran late, so it was good to have a cushion. But he decided not to mention that to Jamie. Even if Jamie did get tired of taking Cal to practice, as long as he had the decency to tell Cal that instead of just not showing up one morning, getting a ride to practice from Jamie for even a little while would be a nice break from the early mornings on the Knight Bus.

[jamieyaxley]

Jamie chuckled lightly when Cal said it was the dumbest thing he'd ever heard. This kid was interesting. "Just so we're on the same page you're just going to tell me it's a dumb idea instead of taking a chance and letting me help," he voice was amused, he couldn't help it. "Believe what you want. But this wouldn't be the first time I've spent my free time helping kids do their homework. I'm more than happy to do it again." Jamie had helped his younger housemates plenty, even some none housemates, back at Hogwarts. He'd started it back in second year and kept it up despite the pressure of NEWTs. This time he'd at least wouldn't have ihs own homework waiting on him.

What he did have was a lot of confusion. His end of the deal? Jamie wasn't sure if it would bother the kid but he couldn't stop himself from asking. Not out of curiosity, though there was plenty of that, but concern he was encouraging Cal to trust someone maybe he shouldn't. "Deal?" Hopefully he hadn't just encouraged the wrong thing. At least he knew he could follow up his own offer. "Yeah, of course. I'd be happy to get you two," he told Cal with a kind smile. That was the easiest thing he'd offered. Not that he wasn't happy to also help with homework but disappearting Cal and his little sister was such an easy, small thing. For him. It wasn't for Cal.

[seekercallum]

Cal glared when Jamie started making fun of him. "Taking a chance on people doesn't usually work out in my experience," he snapped, irritated. He didn't need Jamie's pity or charity or help, he hadn't even asked for it. If Jamie was going to be a dick about it then Cal especially didn't want it. "I still think its a dumb idea, but if you wanna do it then be my guest, I won't stop you. But I'm not gonna act all excited about something that doesn't make sense for you to even do," he said stubbornly, crossing his arms.

Al was something else Cal was stubborn about. No matter how much he helped, Cal was certain it was all because of their deal. Cal was one of the season's top rookies--though it was annoying he had to start with Hollander and Rosanov--and he would make people want to buy Comet brooms. Enough Comet brooms that everything Al did would be worth it. That or he'd just make up the difference by actually paying Al back in galleons. "Yeah, deal. Business blokes make deals," Cal said, not elaborating on the deal because it wasn't really Jamie's business and Jamie hadn't even really asked. Once again he was fixing Jamie with a skeptical look, but this one was cautiously optimistic when Jamie said he'd be happy to get him and Ruby. Happy about it seemed like an exaggeration. But maybe he really wouldn't mind it. "....Okay. Thanks," he said, a little begrudging, because he still wasn't entirely convinced that Jamie wasn't just trying to set him up, that he'd just not show up and make Cal late. But taking the Knight bus every morning just wasn't working. This was help that Cal really did need.

[jamieyaxley]

Jamie laughed at Cal's comment. "Yeah, they do. But that kind of thing has never been my scene. I just wanna play quidditch, I'm not interested in a party lifestyle." Which was not a lie. Jamie was not a club kind of bloke. He doubted if he was into women he'd be any more inclined to go to a club. Couldn't think of one reason why he'd ever want to go to a club. "Helping you and your siblings with your homework is more my scene." He was not afraid of sounding lame. He'd already been called various, unimaginative versions of that. Let alone the things he got chirped after he'd told one of those women's mags that he that he wanted to wait till he could give a date his full attention before he dated anyone. The quote that had been printed wasn't exactly faithful, especially when he'd been very careful about not using pronouns and they'd gone ahead and used them, but it had made him look like a 'standup bloke saving himself for the right girl,' according to the article. Which of course had gotten him a lot of chirps but it was fine. Sure women were trying to marry him now but at least they were no longer trying to bed him. It felt maybe better.

Al was a business bloke? Maybe a bloke who'd known them pre-quidditch? Regardless he seemed like someone Cal trusted and Jamie had to hope that trust wasn't misguided since he was encouraging it. "Maybe a solution that feels fairer to you will present itself. For now it's a good thing you've got an option," Jamie said gently. "Just because someone is a business bloke doesn't mean he has to be focused just on money. This Al bloke sounds nicer then any of them I've met. Usually the ones who are focused on money don't help, especially if they think someone is a charity case." Jamie wouldn't go so far as to say this Al didn't because he couldn't know that. However, it didn't sound like he did in Jamie's opinion.

[seekercallum]

Once again, Jamie's comment did nothing to change the skeptical look Cal was giving him. Cal did believe that partying wasn't Jamie's thing. He'd gotten that impression given Jamie didn't go out partying with their other teammates, despite getting invited. But just because he wasn't going out partying didn't mean he didn't have other, better things to do than help Cal and the kids with their homework. Cal scoffed when Jamie said that was more his scene. "I know you were in Ravenclaw but come on, no one wants to spend their free time helping a bunch of kids do their homework for free. That's the dumbest thing I ever heard." That was probably not the polite response to a generous offer to help. One they could probably really use, because despite being a pro quidditcher Jamie was probably almost as smart as the tutors Cal hired from the University. But Cal wasn't buying it.

He also wasn't buying Jamie's stuff about business blokes not focusing on just money. Cal was certain he was just an investment for Al. As for not helping charity cases, "I think he just keeps helping 'cause if I get kicked off the team he loses his end of the deal. But at some point he's gonna get tired of helping." Cal sighed. He'd probably have to ask Al to watch the kids anyways and just hope this wasn't the time he'd get tired of helping. And think of a way to pay him back that felt fair. "...You'd really come take me and Ruby to practices?" He added after a moment, because that was one thing he could not ask Al for. Not that he loved the idea of needing a ride to practice from Jamie. But Jamie had already seen the house so there didn't seem much left to lose there.

[jamieyaxley]

Jamie tried not to smile when Cal corrected his language, it was a reminder of just how young this kid was. Something he hoped he cuodl hang on too a little longer despite being on a team full of blokes who hadn't. "Because I think education is vital. I think the league is doing players a huge disservice not making it easier to finish their education. I'm a single bloke, I don't have family obligations, I absolutely have time to help out so why wouldn't I?" Jamie did not add that he liked having another player who wasn't a complete moron in the locker room. That wasn't something he wouldn't say out loud, especially not to a teammate. But despite not being the only bloke who graduated he wasn't really impressed with the intelligence of his new teammates. They were just dumb in a way that felt lazy and stereotypical jock. He also didn't add that he liked Cal wasn't putting his future in just quidditch given that he clearly was the breadwinner in the family. It was smart and he'd help that if he could even if he did have other things going on.

He frowned when Cal said he owed Al, as in gold. Except then Cal was saying Al said he didn't have to pay him back. Al was sounding less like Cal's dad each new thing he heard. But still sounding like a good bloke. "I don't know Al. But maybe the way to pay him back isn't gold but in being a good bloke. At some point you will be in a position you can help someone else. You're already helping your siblings which I think counts too. I know it might sound corny but there really are people who just want to make the world better, one helping hand at a time. Who knows, there might come a time Al needs your help. But if you trust Al then I think you should trust him when he says he doesn't want you to pay him back." Jamie really hoped the bloke was as nice as he was coming across from what Cal was saying.

[seekercallum]

Cal's expression remained very dubious when Jamie went on about the importance of education. On the one hand, that kind of made sense from a Ravenclaw who had actually gotten his NEWTs before joining the league. Jamie seemed like the sort who had probably gotten a bunch of NEWTs too, not just the bare minimum to finish Hogwarts. And he'd probably aced all of them too. He was the sort of bloke who had options other than quidditch. Cal wanted to have options other than quidditch too. He was terrified that things wouldn't work out. And he wanted the kids to have options too. But Cal didn't see why Jamie would want to help with all that, even with all his stuff about caring about education and having time to help out. "I'm pretty sure most of the other single blokes in the league find more exciting ways to fill their free time," Cal pointed out. He heard plenty about that in the locker room. Got invited to a lot of it too, but he never had the time and even if he did he lacked any interested in that mess. That was how you fucked up your life and ended up on Knockturn. He knew Jamie didn't really go out with the blokes that much either. But surely he had better things to do than help a bunch of kids with their homework.

Just like Al had better things to do with his time and money than keep helping the Fletchers. Cal was in the League now, sponsoring Comet brooms, and he was pretty sure he was helping Al out as one of the year's top rookies. Though Hollander and Rosanov made that harder. It was just Cal's luck he was starting with two generational talents. But Al hadn't seemed bothered. And had continued to ask how he could help Cal, which was confusing. This was the part where Cal finally paid him back. He frowned at Jamie's bullshit about making the world better. Or about Al ever needing Cal's help. Yeah, right. "No. Al's a business bloke. He's a nice business bloke but he's still a business bloke. He just feels sorry for us. But I'm not a charity case. I'm gonna pay him back." Cal said, determined on that. But a moment later he sighed, slumped his shoulders a little, and mumbled, "But maybe the kids can stay with him." Cal wasn't sure what other option there really was. He'd just have to add it to his ever-growing mental tab of what he owed Al and hope he had a long enough quidditch career to pay him back.

[seekercallum]

Cal wasn’t sure he bought Jamie’s spiel about how he wanted to be better than whoever he grew up with that had strings attached. Then again….Cal was trying to be better than what he grew up with, too. He liked to think he was doing an okay job. At least he wasn’t conning people for a living, but he was painfully aware he would have if a better option hadn’t come along. That didn’t mean Cal fully trusted Jamie. Even if he meant what he said about it wanting to be better didn’t mean he was better, or wouldn’t sell Cal out if something else came along. But Jamie had made a good point about other people noticing if Cal didn’t sort things out better, and there were people on the team that Cal was certain he didn’t want finding out. Jamie at least was a question mark. Cal sighed. “Well…” Cal wasn’t about to spill everything to Jamie. But he was weighing what he could bring up that Jamie might actually be able to help with.

“It’s just hard when I get home from practice and the tutors leave and then everyone wants a break but they still have homework and I have my own homework but also need to help the kids with their homework and also hang out with them ‘cause I was gone all day. And I dunno what I’m gonna do when we start traveling,” he added before he could stop himself. “Patty was home more when I was at school, she said she was trying to be a good mum but I dunno, I think she just liked the new flat Al was paying for. But now that I’m home more she’s way worse again and I’m worried about leaving the kids alone. Or alone with Patty.” She’d really just stopped trying. “I don’t think I can afford someone to watch them that much and I don’t want some stranger in our house watching them anyways, at least not more than the tutors do. Al said they can stay at his house but he’s gonna get tired of helping us at some point so I don’t wanna bother him.” Cal really needed to stop talking now. He’d given Jamie more than enough l. But once he’d started voicing all the worry he’d been carrying it was like a dam burst and he couldn’t stop himself. He wasn’t even sure that he trusted Jamie, but Jamie had clearly seen Cal’s situation. And unlike Al, he wouldn’t feel obligated to step in and fix everything in a way that would make Cal owe him even more. So spilling to Jamie felt easier. And apparently he wasn’t even done yet. “But I at least need to figure out what to do with Ruby, I’ve been taking her to the daycare at the front office but I can’t take her while I’m away and she’s too little to sit in tutoring at the house all day. And” he added, “I still don’t have floo set up because I don’t want Patty to bring random people over so I have to leave really early to make sure the Knight Bus can get me to practice on time but I think the front office ladies think it’s weird that I’m always there waiting with Ruby before the daycare opens.” Finally Cal ran out of steam and stopped talking, his shoulders slumping with the relief of just saying some of that out loud. In that moment it hit him just how much he missed Wil. How much he missed having a friend around that he could talk to about all this stuff who wouldn’t spill all his secrets. But Cal didn’t know Jamie like he knew Wil. And it was entirely possible he’d just made a huge mistake, all because he was stressed and lonely and exhausted.

[jamieyaxley]

Jamie listened, hiding his surprise, when Cal unloaded what he'd been struggling with. Patty sounded like his mum. Maybe Al was his dad? Except he sounded like someone Cal trusted more than his mum so if he was Cal's dad Jamie didn't understand why he didn't have the kids with him. But then Jamie didn't know how that kind of thing worked, maybe the mum just got the kids regardless. Jamie thought over what Cal had said before he spoke, working out what the problems were and where he could help. Only once he had an idea of what he could offer did he speak up. "I have my apparition license, top of my class," he told Cal not as a brag but to let him know Jamie was competent. "I can come and get you and Ruby to practice and daycare so you don't have to deal with the Knight Bus anymore. After practice I'm happy to help out with homework for any of you." That all felt like the easy part, the rest was places Jamie felt like he should tread carefully. "As far as when you're away, I get being worried that you're asking too much of someone. I know it's not the same situation but I felt similar when I was waiting for my rookie season to start. What I learned was that people's capacity to help can be a lot bigger then we think. I think you should try talking to Al, see what he says. If it's a no then I'm happy to try and brainstorm some ideas. Just try though. Maybe even mention the daycare to Al? He might be happy to take her there while your siblings are with him." If this Al bloke was their dad Jamie hoped he'd be willing to watch his own kids but Jamie had no idea the situation there. "Also I wouldn't worry about the ladies thinking you're weird. They all seem really nice and given some of the blokes on our team I think they've probably seen a lot weirder then a bloke and his little sister waiting for the daycare to open." This was Jamie's first year on the Tornadoes as well but he had already gotten to know a lot of the staff to the point he'd already heard a little gossip about some of their new teammates so he felt safe in telling Cal not to worry about that part.

[seekercallum]

While Jamie was thinking through how to respond, Cal was worrying he’d just made a huge mistake. His mind already thinking through how he could fix it. He could tell Jamie he was joking. Or tomorrow he could tell Jamie that Patty had come home for good and everything was swell. Cal didn’t feel great about either of those plans but they were the best he could come up with before Jamie spoke up. Cal looked over at him, deeply skeptical when he offered to apparate Cal. Not of Jamie’s apparition skills; Cal knew he’d graduated Hogwarts from Ravenclaw so that made sense. But of the offer. His expression went from skeptical to looking at Jamie like he’d grown an extra head when he offered to come help the kids with their homework. Jamie could absolutely help all of them more than Cal could. But—“Why the hell—heck—would you do all that? You’ve gotta have better things to do before and after practice than pick me up and come help my siblings with their homework.” It was an insane offer. Jamie was a quidditch star. He wasn’t going to just spend his afternoons helping Cal and the kids with basic spell work.

Cal frowned again when Jamie said he should ask Cal for help and all that bullshit about capacity to help or whatever. At least he maybe didn’t need to worry about the office ladies, that was somewhat reassuring. “If I talk to Al he’ll want to help,” Cal said, certain of that much. “He already offered. But I already owe Al so much. And he keeps saying I don’t have to pay him back but I do have to. And the more he does the more I have to pay back and I already don’t know how I’m ever gonna. He was just supposed to help until I graduated and had quidditch money. I’m supposed to start paying him back now, not letting him do more stuff.”

[seekercallum]

It felt weird that Jamie was just on board with handing in a forged document from Cal. There had to be a catch here. But Cal wasn’t sure he had a better option either. He needed Jamie to find the form with whatever spell, first of all. Then he needed Jamie to deliver it because Cal had no way of getting to Puddlemere this late, the Knight Bus would take ages at this hour. “Okay,” he agreed, still a little dubious. He was even more skeptical once Jamie took his agreement for help with the form as an invitation to butt in even more. Cal wasn’t buying Jamie’s just trying to help thing. He made a skeptical face when Jamie said getting help wasn’t a bad thing. “It is if it comes with strings attached. And it always does. People don’t just help for no reason.” Wil had always pushed back on that one, or rather he’d said that friends helped each other for no reason, because being friends was the reason. And Cal had mostly come around on that, at least when it came to Wil. Because Wil was his friend. Jamie was not Cal’s friend, no matter how chummy he liked to act. So Cal didn’t trust whatever this was. “So what’s your angle here?” Maybe if he knew what Jamie really wanted out of this, they could work something out. “And how would you even help me anyways?” He added, because he didn’t even see what Jamie could do. “Not that I need help. I’ve got everything under control.” He added stubbornly.

[jamieyaxley]

Jamie didn't balk at Cal's comment about strings attached. He'd grown up in a world full of strings and back door deals. A world full of people who would think helping a kid with no benefit to himself was stupid and a waste of time. Jamie was not one of those people which was why he was not in that world anymore. It was sad but not all-together surprising that Cal had also grown up in a world like that. But he did take that question of how he would help to be a good sign despite the addition. "I know you're right, some people do have ulterior motives for helping people. But I'm just a bloke who grew up around people always looking out for themselves and thought there had to be a better way. That I'd be better when I could. That's all, I'm not a strings attached kind of bloke." Jamie didn't know if Cal would believe it but hopefully. "As for how, I think maybe we could figure that out together. I know I tried to make some suggestions but I'm not trying to come in and tell you how to make your life better. You're the one living it, you're the one who would know what's hard. Where a helping hand could make your life easier. I'm willing to help out however I can. No judgement, no strings, just a hand for however long you need it." Hopefully he wasn't putting another burden on the kid by not coming up with a solution to help with only the context of his, and his siblings, parental neglect to go on.

[seekercallum]

Cal wasn’t sure he bought Jamie’s spiel about how he wanted to be better than whoever he grew up with that had strings attached. Then again….Cal was trying to be better than what he grew up with, too. He liked to think he was doing an okay job. At least he wasn’t conning people for a living, but he was painfully aware he would have if a better option hadn’t come along. That didn’t mean Cal fully trusted Jamie. Even if he meant what he said about it wanting to be better didn’t mean he was better, or wouldn’t sell Cal out if something else came along. But Jamie had made a good point about other people noticing if Cal didn’t sort things out better, and there were people on the team that Cal was certain he didn’t want finding out. Jamie at least was a question mark. Cal sighed. “Well…” Cal wasn’t about to spill everything to Jamie. But he was weighing what he could bring up that Jamie might actually be able to help with.

“It’s just hard when I get home from practice and the tutors leave and then everyone wants a break but they still have homework and I have my own homework but also need to help the kids with their homework and also hang out with them ‘cause I was gone all day. And I dunno what I’m gonna do when we start traveling,” he added before he could stop himself. “Patty was home more when I was at school, she said she was trying to be a good mum but I dunno, I think she just liked the new flat Al was paying for. But now that I’m home more she’s way worse again and I’m worried about leaving the kids alone. Or alone with Patty.” She’d really just stopped trying. “I don’t think I can afford someone to watch them that much and I don’t want some stranger in our house watching them anyways, at least not more than the tutors do. Al said they can stay at his house but he’s gonna get tired of helping us at some point so I don’t wanna bother him.” Cal really needed to stop talking now. He’d given Jamie more than enough l. But once he’d started voicing all the worry he’d been carrying it was like a dam burst and he couldn’t stop himself. He wasn’t even sure that he trusted Jamie, but Jamie had clearly seen Cal’s situation. And unlike Al, he wouldn’t feel obligated to step in and fix everything in a way that would make Cal owe him even more. So spilling to Jamie felt easier. And apparently he wasn’t even done yet. “But I at least need to figure out what to do with Ruby, I’ve been taking her to the daycare at the front office but I can’t take her while I’m away and she’s too little to sit in tutoring at the house all day. And” he added, “I still don’t have floo set up because I don’t want Patty to bring random people over so I have to leave really early to make sure the Knight Bus can get me to practice on time but I think the front office ladies think it’s weird that I’m always there waiting with Ruby before the daycare opens.” Finally Cal ran out of steam and stopped talking, his shoulders slumping with the relief of just saying some of that out loud. In that moment it hit him just how much he missed Wil. How much he missed having a friend around that he could talk to about all this stuff who wouldn’t spill all his secrets. But Cal didn’t know Jamie like he knew Wil. And it was entirely possible he’d just made a huge mistake, all because he was stressed and lonely and exhausted.

[seekercallum]

Cal just frowned when Jamie said he was sorry and thanked Cal for trusting him. He didn’t want Jamie to be sorry and he hadn't told what was up with the form as a favor to Jamie. He wouldn't even really say he trusted Jamie. Jamie was just his best option right now. But it figured he was glad Cal supposedly trusted him, what with all the questions he was always asking. Still, for all of Jamie’s insistence on helping, Cal was surprised when Jamie suggested he just forge Patty's signature. That did not seem to be Jamie's approach to things. "...Really?" He couldn't help asking, skeptical. Maybe there was a catch. Maybe this was a setup, though Cal wasn’t sure to what end for Jamie yet. And apparently Jamie wasn’t done trying to help. "What? I’m not a kid, I have a job” he couldn’t stop himself from saying. “And I don't need groceries or cooking. We have a system." Which was that Al had helped arrange grocery delivery, that included lots of prepared meals, before Cal had gone to Hogwarts. But that was not Jamie’s business, just because Cal had decided to let him help with the form. “And the kids have tutors," he added, a little defensive. "Mac and Ian are gonna get their WOMBATs and then their NEWTs, just like I’m gonna get my NEWTs, and Sadie and Ruby are gonna go to Hogwarts like Seb is. Everything is under control. I just need to deal with the form.”

[jamieyaxley]

"Yeah. Really," Jamie reassured him. Despite how gentle he'd tried to be Cal still was offended. It was almost comical the way Cal insisted he wasn't a kid because he had a job instead of what he was, a kid with a job. But none of this was a laughing matter. He was shocked to ifnd out there was yet another kid. Merlin. Six? Still at least Cal was thinking about his education that was something you just didn't see. Jamie had gotten used to being surrounded by blokes who could barely manage basic magic, if that. "I wasn't insulting you. Obviously you've been handling this for a while. I'm just trying to help so it's not so much on you on top of quidditch. And I caught the tutor which was why I offered homework help. Really, mate, just trying to help here. Quiddtch, NEWTs, and home life, that's a lot on your shoulders. Getting some help with it isn't a bad thing."

[seekercallum]

It felt weird that Jamie was just on board with handing in a forged document from Cal. There had to be a catch here. But Cal wasn’t sure he had a better option either. He needed Jamie to find the form with whatever spell, first of all. Then he needed Jamie to deliver it because Cal had no way of getting to Puddlemere this late, the Knight Bus would take ages at this hour. “Okay,” he agreed, still a little dubious. He was even more skeptical once Jamie took his agreement for help with the form as an invitation to butt in even more. Cal wasn’t buying Jamie’s just trying to help thing. He made a skeptical face when Jamie said getting help wasn’t a bad thing. “It is if it comes with strings attached. And it always does. People don’t just help for no reason.” Wil had always pushed back on that one, or rather he’d said that friends helped each other for no reason, because being friends was the reason. And Cal had mostly come around on that, at least when it came to Wil. Because Wil was his friend. Jamie was not Cal’s friend, no matter how chummy he liked to act. So Cal didn’t trust whatever this was. “So what’s your angle here?” Maybe if he knew what Jamie really wanted out of this, they could work something out. “And how would you even help me anyways?” He added, because he didn’t even see what Jamie could do. “Not that I need help. I’ve got everything under control.” He added stubbornly.

[seekercallum]

Cal remained wary as Jamie answered him, very annoyingly not taking the bait at Cal's rudeness and instead continuing to insist he wanted to help. While also making a point that was alarming if true. Were other people going to notice if Cal couldn't get his shit together? Of course they were going to notice. The team manager almost came over tonight. And Jamie was unfortunately right about the eyes on him. Not just from fans, but from his teammates. Cal knew the reserve seeker still had it out for him. He'd probably love to take his spot on the road if Cal's travel authorization didn't come in. "Fuck," Cal breathed out, his shoulders slumping. He didn't want Jamie's help. He didn't want to need Jamie's help. But what would he even do if he sent Jamie off right now? He still wouldn't have a travel form. The team manager would still be expecting one. Cal ran a hand over his face. Then he looked at Jamie, made a decision, and looked away, his eyes on the yard in front of him as he spoke. "I just....my mum hasn't been home in a couple weeks," he began, keeping his voice soft in the hopes Ian wouldn't hear him. "I dunno where she is, but she does this a lot so its not weird. It's kind of nicer when she's gone. But that's why I haven't got the form signed. I was trying to avoid forging it 'cause I don't wanna get in trouble. But I dunno if she'd sign it even if she was home. She never signed for anything for Hogwarts, Al just got McGonagall to let me do quidditch and then she felt bad for me and let me go to Hogsmeade. But I can't just ask the Tornadoes to ignore it. And I can't get emancipated unless its really an emergency 'cause then the kids will be stuck with her without me having any right to intervene." Cal hadn't really meant to spill that much, but he wasn't sure how else to explain his problem here with the form. He'd thought about it, he'd tried to think of ways to fix it, and he was at a loss. He'd just have to forge it tonight, probably. Which was a very good reason he shouldn't have told any of this to Jamie, fuck.

[jamieyaxley]

Jamie felt bad seeing Cal look so defeated. Even with the way he looked Jamie hadn't expected Cal to talk to him. Given the ages of the kids inside it was alarming to hear that their mum hadn't been home in weeks. Maybe even more alarming finding out she did it regularly. While Jamie knew there was a department in the Ministry that was supposed to help in cases like this, because it was neglect clearly. He also knew that the Ministry rarely actually helped those they were supposed to. Usually only if they thought you were worth it or you managed to find someone good in the department. He didn't know anyone in that department so there would be no way to find out if someone was good or not. Jamie also felt for Cal when he talked about emancipation and how that would leave his younger siblings. He still felt guilty for not being able to do more for his younger sibling. "I'm sorry you're having to carry so much, but thakn you fro trusting me," Jamie told him sincerely. He had no idea how to help the kid but he had to, even if that meant going out of his comfort level. "I don't think they would just ignore it. But I also don't think they'd look too closely at it aside from making sure it's filled out completely." He chose his words carefully and tried to ignore what he was endorsing here. "I'll help you find the form, there's a spell that should work. After you make sure it's filled out fully I'll take it in and that'll be done." If he had to lie for the kid so be it but he did hope he wouldn't have to. Still it wasn't like Jamie had never lied before. "Now, what else do you need? You're clearly a great brother but you're still a kid, in a house full of kids. I know there's got to be more that you need help with then just finding and turning in a form. Groceries? Cooking? Home work help? Let me know," Jamie told him with a gentle smile. Cal was clearly used to going it alone but he looked like it was taking a toll. No surprise considering his age. Jamie didn't even want to think about what all these younger kids had been doing while Cal was at school either. It was best to just focus on how he could help them now that he knew they needed it.

[seekercallum]

Cal just frowned when Jamie said he was sorry and thanked Cal for trusting him. He didn’t want Jamie to be sorry and he hadn't told what was up with the form as a favor to Jamie. He wouldn't even really say he trusted Jamie. Jamie was just his best option right now. But it figured he was glad Cal supposedly trusted him, what with all the questions he was always asking. Still, for all of Jamie’s insistence on helping, Cal was surprised when Jamie suggested he just forge Patty's signature. That did not seem to be Jamie's approach to things. "...Really?" He couldn't help asking, skeptical. Maybe there was a catch. Maybe this was a setup, though Cal wasn’t sure to what end for Jamie yet. And apparently Jamie wasn’t done trying to help. "What? I’m not a kid, I have a job” he couldn’t stop himself from saying. “And I don't need groceries or cooking. We have a system." Which was that Al had helped arrange grocery delivery, that included lots of prepared meals, before Cal had gone to Hogwarts. But that was not Jamie’s business, just because Cal had decided to let him help with the form. “And the kids have tutors," he added, a little defensive. "Mac and Ian are gonna get their WOMBATs and then their NEWTs, just like I’m gonna get my NEWTs, and Sadie and Ruby are gonna go to Hogwarts like Seb is. Everything is under control. I just need to deal with the form.”

[jamieyaxley]

Jamie didn't stop himself from showing the doubt he had in Cal's statement on his face with a raised eyebrow. Everything was clearly not under control no matter how badly Cal wanted to lie that into existence. Cal was more rough around the edges then Jamie was used to but he wasn't going to let that stop him. "I mean, yeah, I could do that, if that's what you want. However, you've got a lot more eyeballs on you right now. Rookie season is rough even when you've got nothing going on off pitch. Whatever you are dealing with off-pitch doesn't look like it's going to be sustainable. I might be the first to say something but I doubt I'll be the last. You're gonna have to let someone in sometime," he told Cal. Jamie doubted he was the first person to notice something was off. But he was certain he wouldn't be the last person to say something about it. If Cal was going to continue to be dead set against him helping maybe he could make it easier for the next person to actually get through some of that armor. "I'm not going to force anything on you. I know my offer to help comes with you having to give me trust I didn't earn. Not an easy thing, I get it. But even if you don't want my help today, the offer is going to still be open."

[seekercallum]

Cal remained wary as Jamie answered him, very annoyingly not taking the bait at Cal's rudeness and instead continuing to insist he wanted to help. While also making a point that was alarming if true. Were other people going to notice if Cal couldn't get his shit together? Of course they were going to notice. The team manager almost came over tonight. And Jamie was unfortunately right about the eyes on him. Not just from fans, but from his teammates. Cal knew the reserve seeker still had it out for him. He'd probably love to take his spot on the road if Cal's travel authorization didn't come in. "Fuck," Cal breathed out, his shoulders slumping. He didn't want Jamie's help. He didn't want to need Jamie's help. But what would he even do if he sent Jamie off right now? He still wouldn't have a travel form. The team manager would still be expecting one. Cal ran a hand over his face. Then he looked at Jamie, made a decision, and looked away, his eyes on the yard in front of him as he spoke. "I just....my mum hasn't been home in a couple weeks," he began, keeping his voice soft in the hopes Ian wouldn't hear him. "I dunno where she is, but she does this a lot so its not weird. It's kind of nicer when she's gone. But that's why I haven't got the form signed. I was trying to avoid forging it 'cause I don't wanna get in trouble. But I dunno if she'd sign it even if she was home. She never signed for anything for Hogwarts, Al just got McGonagall to let me do quidditch and then she felt bad for me and let me go to Hogsmeade. But I can't just ask the Tornadoes to ignore it. And I can't get emancipated unless its really an emergency 'cause then the kids will be stuck with her without me having any right to intervene." Cal hadn't really meant to spill that much, but he wasn't sure how else to explain his problem here with the form. He'd thought about it, he'd tried to think of ways to fix it, and he was at a loss. He'd just have to forge it tonight, probably. Which was a very good reason he shouldn't have told any of this to Jamie, fuck.

[jamieyaxley]

Jamie smiled as Sadie talked to him about quidditch while he could feel Mac continuing to glare at him. "The Arrows are one of my favorite teams too. [Harpy keeper's name] is one of the strongest in the league. Maybe you'll get a chance to meet her when we play the Harpies." Jamie didn't know her but maybe he could find out how she felt about meeting young keepers. Not everyone in the league were good with young fans weirdly, in Jamie's opinion. The kids were always his favorite to meet. He looked up when Cal came back and gave him a friendly smile. The slight pause before telling him about their mum had already been enough to make him wonder. Mac stepping over quickly to bump against Sadie while giving her a very clear 'be quiet' look was enough to let him know with certainty that their mum was not home. But the thing was Jamie wouldn't have thought anything about their mum not being home. People worked. If Cal's mum had still been working despite her son's crazy contract he'd have respected that. Only Cal, Mac, and Sadie were not acting like their mum was at work which meant she must not be. Or out doing any other normal parent activity. Jamie wasn't sure hwat that meant but he felt like he was going to have to find out. Especially giving how overwhelmed Cal looked. Given the tension filled house Jamie decided to find out outside instead of in the living room. "It's okay," he said with his usual friendly tone. "You look like you could use a minute. Why don't we step outside and get some fresh air?"

Had Cal not agreed Jamie would have just had to do this inside but he was glad Cal had. Jamie waited long enough for Cal to, hopefully, get a little fresh air. But not enough for Cal to decide to launch into an excuse. "I dunno how it was on the Gryffindor team but on my teams being a teammate means we look after each other. Have each other's backs. I know we haven't know each long but you're my teammate. From what I've seen you're a good bloke. I'm gonna have your back. On the pitch and off. And it looks like you could really use someone to have your back off the pitch right now," he told Cal. "There's no shame in it either. When I was a rook I was lucky enough to have a captain that was really great. I was on my own, granted I was seventeen but I'd spent the time between being drafted and pre-season sleeping on couches and in mates' parents' guest rooms. Scott not only opened up his flat to me but he helped me with the insane amount of things that come with being a rookie in this league." Something Jamie would never forget. "Now you odn't have to tell me all the details if you don't want. I understand not wanting people to see family dynamics that are difficult. But let me help you, mate. No judgement, just support."

[seekercallum]

Cal did not want to step outside and get some air with Jamie. What he wanted was for Jamie to leave and mind his own business. But at least going outside with Jamie would get Jamie out of the house, so Cal shot a sidelong look at the kitchen table, where Mac and Sadie seemed to have Ruby well enough under control, and relented. "Alright," he said, his voice resigned, and he led Jamie back out the front door and sank down onto the front step, feeling equal parts defeated and exhausted. He appreciated that Jamie didn't say anything right away, affording him a moment to breathe. Which quickly turned into Cal trying to figure out how to salvage this mess. "Look--" he started to say, but Jamie spoke up before he could say anything more. Cal looked at him warily as he went on about teammates supporting each other. On and off the pitch. Which was pretty on the nose, but then Jamie just came out and said Cal looked like he needed help. Cal bristled, opening his mouth to protest, but Jamie kept talking. He had to fight the urge to roll his eyes when Jamie said there was no shame in needing help, as if he knew anything about Cal's life. Except apparently Cal clearly didn't know anything about Jamie's life either. He certainly wouldn't have guessed Jamie spent his time between the draft and the pre-season couch surfing. And then living with Scott, who had to be Scott Hunter. There was no way in hell Cal was going to move into Jamie's flat. But maybe Jamie did actually know something about difficult families. Cal was pretty sure Jamie's family were rich politicians or something, but that sort tended to be terrible so maybe that was how Jamie found himself couch surfing.

Still, Cal's kneejerk reaction was to say, "I don't need help. I've got everything under control." Cal did not feel very much like he had things under control today, or lately. It was so bloody hard, trying to handle the kids and their tutoring on top of quidditch, and Cal felt like he was screwing up on all fronts. Which left him guilty over not doing enough for the kids, especially Mac and Ian who were supposed to have a break and get to study now that Cal was back from Hogwarts, and also left him terrified quidditch was gonna fall apart and they'd be back in Knockturn. And even if Jamie actually did want to help--which Cal still didn't trust, despite all his talk about teammates helping each other--Cal didn't see how he could even help with all of that. Other than one thing. "If you really wanna help me, just stay out of my business," he added stubbornly, never mind that if Jamie had stayed out of his business it would be the team manager here right now. The jury was still out on whether Jamie was actually an improvement.

[jamieyaxley]

Jamie watched the chaotic scene inside the house with a his well trained media face on and not showing emotion. A smaller boy was scowling and letting go of Sadie so he must have been Mac. Another smaller boy was in the kitchen looking so pained Jamie was concerned he'd cut himself, Ian. Jamie couldn't tell the ages of the two boys other then they were older then Sadie and old enough they should have been at Hogwarts he thought. While everyone's attention was diverted Jamie stepped inside and gently closed the door. Only to be met by Mac glaring at him and looking like he was tempted to attempt to throw Jamie out. Jamie smiled which did nothing. He gruffly told Jamie he should go back outside while looking like he thought Jamie might steal something. But then Sadie was beside him talking to him and he smiled down at her. "Accidents happen," he reassured her before looking in to the kitchen area where Cal was. "I can help with that broken plate," he offered keeping his voice loud enough to be heard but trying not to be too loud to upset the youngest sibling again. Mac was mumbling something about not needing help and Sadie was looking as pleased as she had been so he gave her another smile. "Are you a big Tornados fan," he asked Sadie. "Or just since Cal joined us?"

[seekercallum]

Cal was vaguely aware of Jamie talking to Mac and Sadie as he dealt with Ruby and Ian, but his heart sank when Jamie offered to help with the plate and Cal turned to find that Jamie had just let himself in. Fuck. This was a disaster. But it was fine. Cal could still salvage this somehow. "Uh. Sure, thanks," he relented, accepting Jamie's offer to help because frankly magic would speed up the cleanup and maybe get Jamie out of the house faster. And maybe letting Jamie help with something would make him stop insisting on helping with everything else. Once Jamie had charmed away the mess, Cal turned back to Ruby, calming her down some more while Sadie chattered away at Jamie about how she liked the Arrows and the Harpies but started rooting for the Tornadoes because of Cal. Once Ruby was sat down coloring at the table, he moved closer to Jamie, Sadie, and Mac. "Hey, uh, sorry about all this," he interrupted. "Our mum's, er, not feeling well. So I'll just go have her sign this and you can be on your way." There. That was a perfectly plausible explanation. Until Sadie looked at him confused. "What do you mean, mum's not--ow, Mac!" Thank Merlin Mac cut Sadie off before she could say anything more, though Cal wished he'd done it in a less obvious way. He also wished Mac had cut Sadie off a little earlier. And he especially wished Sadie would have just kept her mouth shut. Cal let out an awkward chuckle and looked at Jamie. "Kids, right? Anyways I'll be right back with that form." Cal shot Sadie a look in warning and then went back to the kitchen to pick up the form where he'd left it on the table, only to discover Ruby had picked it up and started drawing on it. "Shit, Ruby! This is important!" Cal grabbed at the paper, but Ruby didn't want to let it go, and it ended up ripping in two. Which caused Ruby to start crying again. "Ruby, no, I didn't mean to, I'm sorry, please stop crying," Cal said in a soft voice, feeling desperate now. He felt relieved, and guilty, when Mac dragged Sadie over and they took over with Sadie, Mac giving him a look to go deal with Jamie. Right. Cal walked over to him, trying not to look as overwhelmed and dejected and useless as he felt, holding half of a travel form that was covered in crayon. "Uh. Sorry," he said, not quite able to meet Jamie's eyes, not quite able to hold his shoulders up the way he normally did. He couldn't handle all the kids so now Mac and Sadie had to be on parent duty while Ian hid in his room because Cal couldn't keep things quiet enough for him. He couldn't get his stupid travel form signed on time. He couldn't even keep Jamie out of his house. Cal was failing at everything. "I know the other form is around here somewhere. I'll just, uh, find it, and then have my mum sign it." Even the lie didn't feel as convincing. There was no way Jamie actually believed Cal's mum was here in her room. But Cal didn't really need Jamie to believe it. He just needed Jamie to go along with it and let Cal give him a form with a signature on it.

[jamieyaxley]

Jamie managed to keep the surprise out of his expression when Cal seemed panicked at the thought of the travel form. Something was off with this kid. Lots of the younger guys, especially ones who left school early had parents around, visibly. Usually when they weren't visible they weren't around. Which happened because some of these kids were from other countries. Cal was not. Yet Jamie hadn't seen any sign of a parent. It was weird. His smile was friendly despite the very off vibes Cal was giving. "No problem. I don't mind. In fact I'd be happy to chat with the future keeper while I wait," he added. Jamie had already known he was going to talk to the girl. There was no way he'd want to disappoint a young fan, especially one of his teammates' younger siblings. But it didn't hurt that offering to talk to Cal's little sister might give him some insight into what was off about things. "And if your mum has any questions about connecting the floo or anything else I'm happy to answer those too." Because maybe it was just a parent not understanding how things worked? Stepping into the league was a lot. That was why the league paired younger blokes with their captains. The Tornadoes captain was not really a great captain though. He'd only seen him offer Cal help once and it was a gruff, 'You got this, rook?' Cal hadn't gotten it despite his yes and Jamie had tried to subtly help without pointing out anything.

[seekercallum]

"I...." Cal bit back his irritation at Jamie offering to talk to Sadie, because on the surface it was a nice offer. But it also felt like Jamie trying to stick his nose in Cal's business like he always was, and Jamie was exactly the type of person Cal didn't want in his business. He'd probably think he was doing Cal a favor as he reported him and the kids to child services and got them all split apart after years of working to make sure that didn't happen. "That's nice of you, but you really don't have to do that. We're, um, working on the floo thing. And Sadie's in the middle of her lessons. So I'll just get this signed and then you can--" Before Cal could finish, there was a loud clatter from inside the house, likely the kitchen where he'd told the kids to sit and wait at the table with their studying, and where he suspected Ian was somehow eavesdropping and telling Mac what was happening. There was a little shriek from Ruby, and the sound of two steps of footsteps moving closer to him, and Cal had no choice but to turn to look inside the house. He saw Sadie rushing toward him, calling out, "I'm done with my lessons! I can talk to Jamie!" While Mac tried to grab her by the arm and pull her back into the kitchen, where Ruby was crying because a plate had fallen to the floor and broken in the commotion, and Ian was trying to comfort her while looking absolutely pained, probably from how loud Ruby and Sadie and the plate crashing had been. Ian had always been weirdly sensitive about that stuff. In short, it was complete chaos. And, Cal realized with a sinking feeling, he'd turned so quickly he'd forgotten to make sure the door didn't fall open any wider, which meant Jamie could probably see everything that was happening. But--it was fine. Cal could salvage this. He had to salvage this. That was what he did. "Mac!" He said sharply. "Let go of Sadie. Sadie, I told you to wait in the kitchen." Before anyone could answer, Ruby started crying louder and Ian was letting go of her to cover his ears with both hands, curling into a ball in his chair, and Cal really had no choice her. He glanced over at Jamie. "Sorry, I've just gotta--" He rushed into the kitchen to comfort Sadie, careful to avoid the broken glass. "Hey, it's okay, Rubes. It was just a plate. No, no one's mad at you. I'm not mad. Everything's fine. Ian, are you okay? You can go wait in your room," Cal added, looking over at his younger brother who looked very not okay. "No, it's okay. You did great, really," Cal told him when he mumbled a very sad apology. "Go wait in your room, you can use those headphones Al gave you, okay?" He said gently, to which Ian gave a glum nod and shuffled off. Ruby was settling down, at least, and in the other room he could hear Sadie and Mac talking to Jamie. Mac likely intentionally trying to divert Jamie's attention, while Sadie was probably just happy to get to talk to him.

"Sorry, Jamie," Sadie said in an apologetic voice, having the decency to look sheepish for the chaos she was maybe a little responsible for. But Jamie Yaxley was at her house, asking to come in and talk to her, and Cal was going to make him just wait outside? That was so unfair! "Ruby's just upset from the loud noise, but I didn't mean to break the plate. Mac was trying to make me wait at the table but Cal just said I had to finish my lessons, and I did finish my lessons, so you can talk to me!"

[jamieyaxley]

Jamie was surprised when Cal opened the door before he even had a chance to knock. Cal's question wasn't a surprise. That was probably fair. The second little sister was a surprise. He smiled but resisted his usual wave and be nice to kids instinct because he wasn't sure if that would encourage her or not. He didn't want to be the cause of a little kid getting into trouble. The tutoring comment caught his attention but it wasn't out of the ordinary for magical kids to be tutored. It was just interesting. He wanted very badly to tell Sadie that he'd be happy to talk to her later but again he didn't want to cause more of a stir then he'd already done.

"Sorry about the interruption, mate," Jamie said honestly. "It's just [name of whoever he's there for] realized after you'd left practice this morning that you hadn't brought back your travel authorization and he really needs it. He'd have come over himself but it's his sister's birthday dinner and I told him I'd handle it for him so he didn't have to be late. He gave me a new copy in case the other one got lost. We can just get your mum to sign this and I'll drop it off for you." Jamie gave him an apologetic smile for all the hassle. He'd said Cal hadn't gotten his mum to sign so Jamie hoped that was right.

[seekercallum]

Cal was relieved when Jamie didn't ask any questions about what was happening inside the house, especially because Jamie was the sort who seemed to like asking lots of personal questions. But his relief was short lived when Jamie explained why he was here. The travel authorization. "Fuck." Cal couldn't stop the panicked exclamation as the gravity of what Jamie was saying hit him. He wasn't just late the with authorization--because Patty hadn't signed it, because where the hell was she--but he was so late that it was now so urgent the team manager had almost come to Cal's house and clearly needed the form tonight. But Jamie had come instead. Which was confusing. Why was Jamie always sticking his nose into things? There was no way he was just doing this to be helpful. Only it was helpful, maybe, because Cal definitely didn't need the team manager seeing the chaos happening in his house. He also didn't need Jamie seeing it either, though. "Er. Sorry," he said, quickly regaining his composure. He could figure this out, like he figured out everything else. He had to figure it out. "I--yeah. I'll just....get my mum to sign this," He said, reaching to take the form from Jamie. "You can just wait out here, it's kind of chaotic in there," he said, using the chaos now as an excuse to hopefully keep Jamie out of the house so he could forget Patty's signature. Cal didn't feel great about it, especially not about the risk of someone catching it, but he didn't really have a choice here. "Or actually, you don't need to wait. I can just..." Cal realized a moment later he could not, in fact, get it back to the team manager tonight--not without asking Al for help--and that Jamie knew it, since he'd caught Cal coming on the Knight Bus that morning. "Never mind. I should just be a minute. Uh. Thanks for coming by," he added, forcing a smile, because maybe that would make Jamie feel better about waiting outside, like Cal was actually glad he was here instead of wishing for the opposite.

[seekercallum]

Cal couldn't decide if it was better or worse when Patty disappeared for days without word. On the one hand, not having Patty around was kind of nice. Her presence hardly counted as adult supervision and she was so unpredictable she often made situations worse. On the other hand, sometimes Ruby and Sadie were calmer when she was around; they got stressed not knowing where their mum was, not remembering the worst of what she put them all through in Knockturn. Not to mention sometimes Cal needed her to sign things and she just...wasn't around. Hopefully the Tornadoes just wouldn't notice Cal hadn't turned in his travel authorization until after Patty got back, otherwise he'd just have to forge her signature again. But that was all forgotten without an hour of Cal being home. The house was chaos, Ian and Mac at the kitchen table trying to learn first year level magic, Cal's own NEWT books abandoned beside theirs because Ruby and Sadie had gotten into an argument while Sadie was helping Ruby with their reading lessons that Cal tried to break up, then Mac had tried to intervene, which had turned into Cal and Mac arguing how how Mac should focus on his studies and let Cal handle things, and Ian had a meltdown over how loud they all were. And in the middle of all the chaos, Ian had announced that someone was coming to the door, which was just absolutely perfect. Cal had no idea how Ian ever managed to hear these things, but he'd never been wrong, so he'd ushered the kids back into the kitchen and told them to be quiet while he opened the door a crack, just enough to see who was standing outside, blocking the interior with his body. His surprise was clear on his face when he opened the door to see--

"Jamie?" What the hell was Jamie doing here? And--"How do you know where I live?" Before Jamie could even answer, Cal realized he'd made a mistake in just saying Jamie's name out loud, because the next thing he knew there were footsteps running up behind him, despite the sounds of Mac and Ian both saying things that sounded like 'Cal said to stay here!' Sadie had apparently been too quick though, because Cal heard her voice from behind him.

"Cal, did you say Jamie? Is that Jamie Yaxley?" As if that wasn't bad enough, Cal could hear her jumping behind him, apparently trying to see over his head despite the fact he'd very intentionally stood like this to block Jamie's view into the house.

"Sadie!" He glanced over his shoulder, shooting his little sister a glare, then turned back to Jamie. "Sorry, what was it you wanted?" Only he could still hear Sadie jumping behind him, and even worse, she was talking again.

"It is Jamie Yaxley! Jamie!" Cal could hear Sadie hit the ground, then jump up again, "Hi!" Again she hit the ground, and again she was jumping up to see Jamie. "I'm Sadie!" Another jump. "Cal's sister!" Another jump. "I wanna be a keeper" Another jump. "Like you!" As Sadie was jumping, Cal felt his whole body tense, and all he could do was take a long, deep breath as he brought a hand to his temple, willing himself not to lose his shit and fighting off the headache that had been building all afternoon.

"Sorry for her," he finally managed to interject, turning back over his shoulder again, "Sadie, please stop jumping."

"But I wanna meet Jamie!" Sadie said, though thank Merlin she didn't jump that time. Instead she was on her tiptoes craning her neck trying to see around Cal.

"Well Jamie is a busy bloke and you have tutoring to finish," Cal said, which was the wrong choice because then Sadie was pouting. "Look, just--go sit with the other kids and word on your tutoring and if Jamie has time after we talk you can say hi to him, okay?" Sadie seemed appeased by this, thank Merlin, even though the "Okay," she gave him in response was begrudging. Cal was just relieved she was leaving. He turned back to Jamie, feeling frazzled. "Er--sorry. What did--why are you here?" That was probably not the most polite way to ask that question, but Cal was already stressed and he did not need Jamie asking questions about what was happening inside the house.

[seekercallum]

Cal couldn't decide if it was better or worse when Patty disappeared for days without word. On the one hand, not having Patty around was kind of nice. Her presence hardly counted as adult supervision and she was so unpredictable she often made situations worse. On the other hand, sometimes Ruby and Sadie were calmer when she was around; they got stressed not knowing where their mum was, not remembering the worst of what she put them all through in Knockturn. Not to mention sometimes Cal needed her to sign things and she just...wasn't around. Hopefully the Tornadoes just wouldn't notice Cal hadn't turned in his travel authorization until after Patty got back, otherwise he'd just have to forge her signature again. But that was all forgotten without an hour of Cal being home. The house was chaos, Ian and Mac at the kitchen table trying to learn first year level magic, Cal's own NEWT books abandoned beside theirs because Ruby and Sadie had gotten into an argument while Sadie was helping Ruby with their reading lessons that Cal tried to break up, then Mac had tried to intervene, which had turned into Cal and Mac arguing how how Mac should focus on his studies and let Cal handle things, and Ian had a meltdown over how loud they all were. And in the middle of all the chaos, Ian had announced that someone was coming to the door, which was just absolutely perfect. Cal had no idea how Ian ever managed to hear these things, but he'd never been wrong, so he'd ushered the kids back into the kitchen and told them to be quiet while he opened the door a crack, just enough to see who was standing outside, blocking the interior with his body. His surprise was clear on his face when he opened the door to see--

"Jamie?" What the hell was Jamie doing here? And--"How do you know where I live?" Before Jamie could even answer, Cal realized he'd made a mistake in just saying Jamie's name out loud, because the next thing he knew there were footsteps running up behind him, despite the sounds of Mac and Ian both saying things that sounded like 'Cal said to stay here!' Sadie had apparently been too quick though, because Cal heard her voice from behind him.

"Cal, did you say Jamie? Is that Jamie Yaxley?" As if that wasn't bad enough, Cal could hear her jumping behind him, apparently trying to see over his head despite the fact he'd very intentionally stood like this to block Jamie's view into the house.

"Sadie!" He glanced over his shoulder, shooting his little sister a glare, then turned back to Jamie. "Sorry, what was it you wanted?" Only he could still hear Sadie jumping behind him, and even worse, she was talking again.

"It is Jamie Yaxley! Jamie!" Cal could hear Sadie hit the ground, then jump up again, "Hi!" Again she hit the ground, and again she was jumping up to see Jamie. "I'm Sadie!" Another jump. "Cal's sister!" Another jump. "I wanna be a keeper" Another jump. "Like you!" As Sadie was jumping, Cal felt his whole body tense, and all he could do was take a long, deep breath as he brought a hand to his temple, willing himself not to lose his shit and fighting off the headache that had been building all afternoon.

"Sorry for her," he finally managed to interject, turning back over his shoulder again, "Sadie, please stop jumping."

"But I wanna meet Jamie!" Sadie said, though thank Merlin she didn't jump that time. Instead she was on her tiptoes craning her neck trying to see around Cal.

"Well Jamie is a busy bloke and you have tutoring to finish," Cal said, which was the wrong choice because then Sadie was pouting. "Look, just--go sit with the other kids and word on your tutoring and if Jamie has time after we talk you can say hi to him, okay?" Sadie seemed appeased by this, thank Merlin, even though the "Okay," she gave him in response was begrudging. Cal was just relieved she was leaving. He turned back to Jamie, feeling frazzled. "Er--sorry. What did--why are you here?" That was probably not the most polite way to ask that question, but Cal was already stressed and he did not need Jamie asking questions about what was happening inside the house.