You Can Call Me Softie

@brettatroxys

Brett: Or are getting better.

Brett: When do you think you’ll be around again? You’re missed.

@brettatroxys

Seven: Things are getting better. 

Seven: I will be back around soon.

“Nah, it’s not a pity party-” Brett chuckled and said correctively. “It’s being honest and I want you to be able to be honest with me. You don’t have to shoulder burdens alone. If you end up wanting a dom, I’ll take you to a couple I know and we can talk with them together. No biggie- offer’s open-” he said with open hands in a gesture of offering but then letting the thought go into the universe as it would.

Brett shook his head. “Well, I was an idiot and afraid or I’d probably be married to him. But- it all worked out-” he said and for a moment, there was a deep and intense sadness just to Brett’s gaze and then it passed. Barely a flicker. But it seemed to steal the breathe from Brett’s lungs for a second. “- he was still my best friend. Still is.”

Brett chuckled. “Depends on how much you’re willing to pay for girl scout cookies and how long you’re willing to wait for donuts-” he said with a thoughtful hum. “I mean, you can use Keebler Grasshoppers but it’s not quiiiite the same-”

“Yeah. Learn how to make ciabatta. The the tastiest dough to punch and easiest with the best learning curve. Plus, lots of good butter in that one-” he said as he popped the garlic bread down onto a trivet and found a knife in order to make slices that could either be eaten straight or topped with meatballs. “The trick is to take it out right just when you start to smell it. If not an instant before. The bottom cooks the crust a little in the heat transfer but there’s just this moment- and you know-” he said. “It’s like anything else. Would you like some naked garlic bread before the meatballs join the party?” Brett asked with a devilish grin.

Micah: Asking for a friend.

Brett: Just send me tux colors and we can go from there. That’ll help on the flowers front and I think I’ll just steer clear of marzipan in this case.

Brett: Just remember the day is for you. Everything else is immaterial and it wasn’t so long ago, it couldn’t even happen. So treasure it and if you end up just saying fuck it, let’s go to a mini golf course for a hole in one- I’ll cater with chili dogs and cake. Promise.

Brett: Still wouldn’t be the weirdest wedding I’ve catered. The UFO convention wedding was probably the weirdest but they were in love so good for them.

Brett chuckled. “I get so many ice cream guesses but no. I can put it on ice cream pie, so it could be ice cream adjacent. It is chocolate though, for starters. At least the meatballs are.”

“No,” Brett said to the customer. “I just couldn’t help myself. I know it looks like a plate of spaghetti and meatballs but it’s really not. I’m actually doing a whole line of imposter desserts as food this month. There’s been a whole trend of ice cream fried chicken and I’m so amused I couldn’t help myself. What do you think the spaghetti and meatballs actually is?”

“Mmm-” Brett purred, shaking his head. “I very rarely make things from fondant. There is some raspberry for acidity and color in the sauce but it’s mostly something else. You’re doing better than most though-” he said encouragingly.

“No,” Brett said to the customer. “I just couldn’t help myself. I know it looks like a plate of spaghetti and meatballs but it’s really not. I’m actually doing a whole line of imposter desserts as food this month. There’s been a whole trend of ice cream fried chicken and I’m so amused I couldn’t help myself. What do you think the spaghetti and meatballs actually is?”

Brett turned a little, looking at Jamie. “If I didn’t have a boyfriend, I’d let you. Monogamy is mostly easy except for times when you tease me like this. I still want you to take some boudoir photos I can give to Elliot though. I know it’ll be hard to keep your hands off me, but you are the best at them-” he said, batting his eyelashes and giving Jamie puppy dog eyes.

“Would that icing on top of the hot cross buns be a stiff yet familiar white icing that is not frosting?” he asked innocently, wondering if Jamie was starting to decorate ass cheeks with cum instead of just breeding these days.

Brett shook his head a little. “Well, the balls themselves are a nice sweet semichocolate. The noodles however are a secret. Until you bite into them. Then you’ll know-” he said with a wink.

Buck: You’re not wrong.

Buck: He’s birthdays coming up but he doesn’t like to make a huge deal about it

Buck: But come on have you met us we always make a big deal about everything and throw parties for everything

Buck: If you could, please

Buck: it’s good to hear from you Brett.

Buck: I’ve missed you and your baked goods.

Brett: What if *I* was the stripper though? I do a pretty good “Happy Birthday, Mr. Fire Chief” Marilyn Monroe voice.

Brett: *rolls eyes a little* Okay. But when you end up with tuna fish and anchovy BLTs- you have only yourself to blame.

Brett: Yeah. Let’s do that. There’s a great bar with deep fried deviled eggs that are super nice.

Brett: Something to quell the sweet tooth? Lie and tell me you’re renewing your vows or something and I’ll totally give you a wedding cake sample pack.

“No,” Brett said to the customer. “I just couldn’t help myself. I know it looks like a plate of spaghetti and meatballs but it’s really not. I’m actually doing a whole line of imposter desserts as food this month. There’s been a whole trend of ice cream fried chicken and I’m so amused I couldn’t help myself. What do you think the spaghetti and meatballs actually is?”

Brett smirked. “It is killing you that you won’t know until you bite in, isn’t it? Accept the mystery!” Brett said playfully.

“Oh no. There are some baking mysteries too good to just give up. I have to let you know this is so much fun for me. So much.”

I used to do yoga when I was trying to quit cigarettes a long time back. It’s been awhile- one of the hazards of business ownership is a lack of free time. But as long as it’s not one of those hot yogas, I could probably get into it.

Ah, the life of a baker.

Buck: You’re not wrong.

Buck: He’s birthdays coming up but he doesn’t like to make a huge deal about it

Buck: But come on have you met us we always make a big deal about everything and throw parties for everything

Buck: If you could, please

Buck: it’s good to hear from you Brett.

Buck: I’ve missed you and your baked goods.

Brett: Pfffft on that. Make a big deal. A cake big enough for a stripper to pop out of is a bit pricey but I’ll give you a deal =p

Brett: I can do that. But you have to tell what kind of sandwiches you want and whatnot. Deets, man, deets!

Brett: It’s good to hear from you too =)

Brett: It’s nice to be missed. It’s been too long.

Brett: Come over for food sometime. I’m doing imposter dishes now so it might be dinner! It’ might be dessert! Who knows what it might be! 

Brett: Or are getting better.

Brett: When do you think you’ll be around again? You’re missed.

@brettatroxys

Seven: Things are getting better. 

Seven: I will be back around soon.

Talking about Beau so casually, as though he was a part of history more than a part of the present twinged at Brett but he didn’t want to bring that up. This moment wasn’t about him and he had to remind himself he’d decided to be a grownup. And Elliot made him happy. And Mason made Beau happy. So everyone was happy. More or less.

“It’s no girl scout cookie takeover, but it’ll do-” Brett said, being cheerful. “I guess you could make a girl scout cookie glaze for your donuts. With little bits of the cookie over the top though-” he said, thoughtfully designing the designer donuts in his mind.

Brett nodded. “Well, it was a lot of energy and for no particular good reason either. Not something easy to maintain- that anger. Glad on days when I feel that way again I can just punch some bread dough and move on.”

Micah: Asking for a friend.

Brett: I only say because I have lots of wedding catering experiences. It’s a fun day but exhausting if the couples I normally see are any indication. Also, get insoles for your shoes. You stand a lot.

“No,” Brett said to the customer. “I just couldn’t help myself. I know it looks like a plate of spaghetti and meatballs but it’s really not. I’m actually doing a whole line of imposter desserts as food this month. There’s been a whole trend of ice cream fried chicken and I’m so amused I couldn’t help myself. What do you think the spaghetti and meatballs actually is?”