Cene Tooker

Thank goodness there wasn’t any rumors swirling about him and Theo with the team. Jamie would feel even worse than he did about not telling them if they’d sussed it out somehow. He smiled when Cene said the yard stuff was a little odd. His first thought being how even odder it was to buy a yard for a bloke he hadn’t realized he was in love with. But he would rather keep some details to himself.”If it was just up to me I’d have had to hire someone,” he replied. “But thankfully Theo is amazing at all of that. It already looks so different and he’s not anywhere near done yet.” Jamie was constantly impressed by Theo. He liked the chance to brag about him a little bit. Because he’d really done a great job over their off season. It would just get even better too. Jamie chuckled lightly when Cene asked how long they’d been dating. That was a bit complicated. “Officially only since the end of last season. We were sort of unofficially a little before that.” It was still so new. At least the label of dating and knowing he was in love. Jamie still couldn’t believe some times that they’d gotten here. It was just as great hearing about Cene and his boyfriend. All things were rather surprising. Picturing Cene with a Gryffindor was difficult but he knew that houses didn’t really mean much out in the real world. At least not for most people. Whaat was really surprising was that the bloke didn’t play quidditch. That and Jamie sort of knew who he was talking about. Not in any sort of real knowing way but he’d read the article Cene mentioned, and he thought maybe a few others from the same bloke. “I read that article! It was a good one. I liked the way he talked about the haphazard education from Hogwarts and the importance of people feeling comfortable enough to protect themselves and not be bullied into submission. Had some great quotes from her in there too. Very different than most of the Prophet’s war articles. Surprised they print it.” A habit he hadn’t let go of from his dad was reading the papers. Jamie subscribed not just to the Prophet but the two better written minor papers as well as an English language copy of a French paper because they had an excellent foreign affairs section. He read most of them, even the articles that were so sensationalized they might as well be fiction. It was only on match days that he didn’t read them cover to cover. It was good to stay informed his father had always said. Jamie tended to agree with that. He might just be a quidditch player but things happening in the world did affect him too. It was a surprise to hear that the same bloke who’d written that article was now dating Cene. If he remembered correctly Cene hadn’t featured much in the article, something Jamie had found impressive. Cene had bought a lot of publicity to the classes but as wonderful as Cene was, his attendance was the least interesting thing about the classes despite some making it the most. “Good thing I’m not into matchmaking, I’d have never guessed your type in a million years,” he added with a smile.

Jamie chuckled a little sheepishly when Cene said he’d just thought it was Jamie’s cat. He wondered how long Cene and Josh had known each other but didn’t ask. It probably didn’t matter either. Cene’s situation wasn’t usual, though it did worry Jamie that it might start getting usual based on the newspapers. In the end what mattered was less how long they’d known each and more that Cene was getting the support he both needed and deserved. Still he was very curious about meeting this bloke. “It’s harder with living things,” he told Cene with a soft chuckle. Figured Hastings would be what outed them. “But I think having to hide a part of yourself is way harder than hiding belongings. I admire that you’ve chosen not to do that, even just with friends and family. That’s a big step.” He was glad ti was going well so far for Cene and was going to do what he could to see that it connoted to go well for him. Despite admiring Cene for his bravery he was still relieved to hear that for Cene at least there had been no suspicions. While Jamie was thinking this might be a good time to finally come clean with the team he still would rather there not be any rumors or whispers about him and Theo. Jamie laughed when Cene said he wondered when Jamie had chosen to say Theo’s cat was visiting. “People sometimes take their dogs places, I thought maybe they could take their cats too,”  he told Cene with a slight shrug of his shoulders. “Lying by omission is hard enough, outright lying to a friend  about something like a cat felt wrong. Definitely felt like something that would come out even if I didn’t. I suppose I could have come up with a better excuse for the cat being here instead of them both visiting but I didn’t.” He’d have to tell Theo later about what he’d said, he was sure The would laugh at him. But that was okay. He could handle it. “Glad  that it was a lame excuse for a cat’s presence and nothing else that outed us though. We figured Jamie being so into plants that him working in the yard wouldn’t look too questionable.” At least they weren’t being obvious. It was hard sometimes trying to toe a line they’d crossed fairly quickly, at least in terms of being on Puddlemere together since they’d been friends previously. Jamie tried not to worry about that too much but it was still a relief to hear it. “I know I’ll be meeting him shortly but I’m curious to know more about your boyfriend.” Jamie still couldn’t believe Cene was not only gay but had managed to keep a whole bloke secret. Maybe not completely secret thanks to that hickiy but secret enough that he at least hadn’t questioned the gender of the person who’d put it on Cene’s neck.  

Jamie had to nod when Cene said it wasn’t a secret how terrified he was. He’d just thought Cene was shy. Even if he could have helped with that he wasn’t sure he’d have pressed Cene on it. That felt like something that should be asked not offered. But then  he was just guessing because if Cene had asked for advice about birds Jamie was not equipped to handle that. He gave Cene a sympathetic smile when Cene said it was hard. Something he could relate to even if it wasn’t exactly the same. It was hard for Jamie to feel like he was holding back, hiding a huge part of himself. Affected his friendships because it felt like he had to keep a distance, even just a small one, so people wouldn’t find out. His smile broadened when Cene added that he was glad he didn’t have to anymore. “Yeah, that’s true, it is. Hopefully tomorrow will be a little easier since you’ll know all the team will know.” It felt like the least he could do to help Cene.

Jamie laughed when Cene repeated what he’d just said. Obviously having guessed it. Thankfully  he was clearly okay with it.  He laughed again when Cene kept talking, though he did give Cene a questioning  look when he said it made sense. Had they left clues? Jamie thought they’d ben carful. They’d tried to be.  Cene kept talking and Jamie kept smiling. The plants had probably been a giveaway but at the time they’d seemed harmless. Plus it would have been rude to not let The bring plants when this was supposed to be his home too. Something else Cene caught on. Maybe they hadn’t been that careful. “Technically Theo still has his flat,” Jamie answered. “But you’re right, the plants are Theo’s. And the yard.” Which was an admittance of Theo living there for sure. “I guess you could call it our yard but really it’s part of why I got this house. So Theo could have the garden he’d always wanted.” Never mind that he hadn’t thought of Theo moving in when he was  thinking things like Theo would love the yard. Cene didn’t need to know how dumb he was. “We try to put away anything too telling before anyone comes.  Hastings decided to make a sneaky escape this morning though.”  Jamie wondered how Theo would feel about coming out to the team, telling them all that they were dating. It would keep them  from having to remove traces of Theo living  here. But it was also a big step. If not maybe he’d just come out. Though he’d have to talk that over with Theo. Make sure he thought they  could pull it off without outing Theo. If the wasn’t ready Jamie didn’t want to push him out. But he’d have to discuss that with Theo before he invited the three who didn’t know about Cene. Know what he was going to say. For now he was just glad that Cenne seemed so pleased about  it.

It really was a relief to know that the rest of the team would already know he was gay when he and Josh saw them at quidditch tomorrow. Cene decided he didn’t care if it was the more cowardly option. He’d already told a lot of people, and he was telling the others too. He was just letting Jamie give them a heads up first. That felt okay. If nothing else it felt okay because Jamie wouldn’t have offered if he thought it wasn’t. Not only because he was a great captain but he was a great captain who also happened to be gay. Clearly Jamie understood Cene’s worries. It made him wonder about Jamie’s and Theo’s choices to keep things quiet themselves. Though not completely quiet; the other gay people at Puddlemere knew about them. Cene still felt good about his own choice to tell the team. He was pretty sure he’d end up giving himself away sooner or later. Assuming he ever came back to the team. 

It was surprising to find out that Cene’s sister had figured him out so quickly. But maybe it shouldn’t have been. She always seemed quick. And Cene had always struck him as the type that wouldn’t be good at keeping secrets. One f the reasons the hickies had been so surprising. He nodded when Cene said they were just telling family and friends. “No reason your private life shouldn’t stay private,” he told Cene. It was hard keeping things quiet when you were in the public eye like they were but good. Oversharing never worked out well, in his opinion. Or maybe he was just bias. “Truthfully I think you not being able to keep secrets is one of the reasons I never suspected you might be seeing a bloke. You’ve always seemed very open. I’m sure it’s been difficult.” Jamie knew all about that. “Although you did keep a secret, so I guess you’re not as bad at it as you thought.” It was a shame that secret had been Cene thinking there was  something wrong with him. Jamie was just glad he no longer thought that. Sometimes not even finding out you were gay helped with that feeling. Something else he knew too well.

But this was a happy day. Jamie chuckled at Cene’s comment about Oli. “He’s come a long way.” Oli had been a gamble but one that had paid off. He was relieved that their on pitch  symmetry had turned into an off pitch friendship. It seemed too him that they’d been good for each other. And while Oli was not pleased with Cene’s replacement he was being friendlier to the bloke than Jamie had thought he might be. Though they’d all be relieved when Cene was back with them. Something Jamie was still hoping for. He smiled widely at Cene when he said he still could’t believe it sometimes either.  He really couldn’t wait to meet this bloke. His smile turned a little slier when Cene asked if he was dating someone. “As a matter of fact I am.” Jamie had a good idea that Cene had figured out who by the way he asked which was why he purposefully didn’t say who right away. Instead he took a sip of his tea first. “We’ve tried to be discreet about it,” though Hastings waltzing in and maybe even Theo out in the yard before lunch had not been so discreet. “Theo and I are dating,” he finished with a grin.  He got a little thrill saying that.

Cene nodded at Jamie’s remark about keeping his private life private. He hoped he was able to keep it private. Even just being out among his family and friends opened up a risk of the wrong person finding out. But Cene and Josh had good circles of friends. He was hopeful for the best. And he didn’t want to keep hiding Josh from all of the people who mattered to him. Especially now, when it was so clear to him how quickly things, and people, could be taken away. He was still going to be careful, but he didn’t want to live in fear. He chuckled when Jamie said the fact Cene was so bad at keeping secrets was part of why he’d never suspected Cene was seeing a bloke. Cene wondered if that meant Jamie did have some reason to speculate but simply hadn’t because he’d figured Cene wouldn’t be able to keep that a secret. He wasn’t entirely wrong. Cene chuckled again when Jamie pointed out he had kept a secret. “I guess so. Though I don’t think it was ever a secret how terrified I was of girls. Just didn’t really talk about the reason why.” And no one had asked all that much, at least not so much that Cene couldn’t just keep saying girls made him nervous. Ed and his family probably would have if they’d known there were other options. Oli clearly hadn’t because he didn’t want to go anywhere near the topic of who was gay. “It was hard, though,” he added. Both hiding how broken he felt and hiding Josh from his friends and family had been hard. “I’m glad I won’t have to anymore. Even though coming out is terrifying,” he added with a sheepish chuckle.

Jamie chuckled when Cene said he thought he blacked out. He felt bad just as quick when Cene tacked on how he was freaked out. Thankfully he’d never been in that situation but he could imagine how worried Cene must have been. It wasn’t a good feeling. He was happy for Cene that at least when it came to his teammates he wouldn’t have to worry about that anymore. “I had no idea you were anything other than feeling a little awkward about being teased by the blokes over some hickies. But at least you don’t have to worry about that anymore. You won’t have to hide.” Which certainly sounded appealing. Especially now that Theo’s flat was nothing more than just someplace to get his mail more or less. But right now he was thinking about Cene and how he could help.

And about who this bloke was. Except maybe he should’t have brought up quidditch. It didn’t go unnoticed  how Cene’s smile fell. Seemed pretty obvious it had been his comment about quidditch. If he thought apologizing would help he would have but this seemed  like something it was better to just keep the conversation moving instead. Jamie was pleased when it seemed like the right move. He smiled already liking this Josh bloke. It was nice that he was waiting to see how it turned out. Ready to help if things hadn’t gone well. A good sign Jamie thought. His smile grew as Cene continued to talk excitedly about lunch. Laughing along with Cene about how it was. “Wonderful!  We can order something and get to know this bloke of yours. We’ll just need to let Theo have a shower. He’s been out there since fairly early and I’m sure he’ll want to clean up before he meets your bloke. But if you like Josh I’m sure we will too.” Possibly a bold statement but seeing as how at least some of Cene’s family had presumably met him and Oli too, Jamie felt certain he must be a decent chap. At least he hoped. “I wasn’t sure what to expect when you came in looking so nervous but I’m glad it was something that I was able to remove that worry so quick. Still hard to believe you’ve got a boyfriend.” A non-quidditch boyfriend, but Jamie was trying to be more careful about that.  

Cene was glad to hear he hadn’t given himself away at all when he was trying to deflect Freddie and Sturgis’s teasing. Even getting caught with hickies had been embarrassing enough on its own. As was the fact that Jamie still remembered Cene getting caught with the hickies. But of course he did, everyone—including Cene—had been surprised when that happened. It was a little less embarrassing now he was more comfortable with being a gay bloke in a relationship. Especially now he could talk to his teammates and friends about the bloke he was dating. He grinned when Jamie made the same point. He wouldn’t have to hide. “I’m excited about that. I think it’ll be nice. I’m not good at keeping secrets anyways. I think my family were all starting to tell something was up. And my little sister figured me out the second she saw me and Josh in the same room,” Cene confessed with a chuckle. “We’re just telling friends and family,” he added. Cene didn’t want to go public as a gay quidditch player. He had enough eyes on him as it was with Doe’s classes. “But it’ll be nice not having to hide around the people we trust.” 

Dearest Mr Tooker,

 I’m writing you today to extend my sincerest congratulations on your coming out. I hope this was something planned by you and your boyfriend and not the result of an opportunistic photographer. especially as I know the photographer in question and would be most disappointed in him. It is a very brave thing to stand up and declare oneself to the world when you have so many eyes on you. I applaud you, and your boyfriend’s, bravery. As I’m sure you know, or have likely been told several times by now, your bravery has, I’m certain, inspired many. I hope that this congratulations is but one of many you two receive today. Please convey my best wishes to your boyfriend as well. The pair of you make a very lovely couple. During our brief acquaintance I have gotten the impression that you are very well supported. However, if you ever find yourself in need of a friendly ear, because of your new status as a gay icon or any other reasons, do know that my doors are always open. Once again best wishes and happiness to you both!

With warmest regards,

Al Cole

Dear Mr. Cole,

Thank you for the well wishes. Josh and I both really appreciate your kind words, and the roses. You probably won’t be surprised to hear they go quite well with the decor in our flat.  

I’m lucky to have support from my family and friends, my teammates included. But it’s always nice to know who’s in your corner. Especially now. And who shares your values. Thank you for helping me feel more confident there’s still a place for me in the league. 

Best,

Jamie waited to see if Cene would catch what e was implying, laughing when Cene did. He’d mentioned it because he thought maybe that’d help Cene think about something that wasn’t nerves about telling them he was gay. It was a gamble that he was glad had worked. “You handled it well in the locker room. Especially considering they thought it was a bird,”  he told Cene. Hopefully that’d make it easier thinking about how well he’d handled it the first tie around. Jamie nodded when Cene decided he wanted Jamie to tell them. While he still believed they’d act fine even if they did have some kind of issue, he was glad that he’d be getting the first reaction and not Cene. Just in case. Sometimes these things were hard  to tell. His smile softened when Cene thanked him and told him he was a great captain and mate. He appreciated that considering he felt like he’d dropped the quaffle not saying something so that the way would be easier for Cene. “You’re welcome. I’m glad you think that. I feel privileged to be your captain and mate.” It was a huge privilege being captain he knew. One he never took for granted.  But he also appreciated the different friendships he had with his teammates. He’d known them all in one way or another when they were young. It made him feel a little like a big brother to them all. Responsible in a way that wasn’t just because he was captain. Cene before he even left Hogwarts. Which in some ways made him feel more responsible.

He hoped this bloke, whoever he was, was really good for Cene. It was a surprise to hear he wasn’t into quidditch. Jamie didn’t hide the surprise either. “Now I’m even more curious about meeting him,” he replied when Cene got done talking about him. “Here I thought you lived and breathed quidditch,” he teased lightly. It was curious though that Cene had met someone not even affiliated with quidditch. Jamie wondered if it had been at that class Cene had been basically a spokesman for.  Not that he thought Cene had any alternative reasons for going. The attack on the pitch was reason enough. It was a good cause as far as he could tell. Even if he was surprise to find out that it was a Meadowes running it. He didn’t know her personally, she’d been in his little brother’s year. But he knew the family, they always struck him as typical politicians. Maybe he wasn’t the only black sheep in a political family. When Jamie had gone to a class, just one because he didn’t want to be a distraction, he hadn’t noticed anyone. But then again he hadn’t been looking for gay blokes secretly dating one of his beaters. “Would it be cheating if I said you should bring him over today? If he’s not busy we could do lunch, the four of us. Or dinner if you already have lunch plans. But if you’ve already got plans I’ll just have to be patient. Meet him tomorrow with everyone.”

Cene could feel his cheeks flushing at the memory of the teasing Freddie and Sturgis gave him in the locker room after that first time Josh gave him hickies and he hadn’t known how to get rid of them. That had been embarrassing as hell, especially having to pretend it was a bird. Especially with all the other blokes in the locker room hearing it, even if at least they hadn’t joined in with Freddie and Sturgis. He let out a sheepish laugh at the reminder, surprised when Jamie said he’d handled it well. “Did I? Honestly I think I blacked out when that was happening,” he admitted with another chuckle. “I was so freaked out they’d somehow realize it was a bloke.” And now here he was about to introduce them to Josh, assuming things went well when Jamie told them, he supposed. Cene really was lucky to have Jamie. Not every quidditch captain would offer to tell the rest of your team you were gay for you. In fact, Jamie was probably the only one who’d think to offer it. He smiled, touched when Jamie said he felt privileged to be Cene’s captain and mate. Cene really loved Puddlemere. He really bloody missed it. 

“Yeah, it’s nice. Not too different from hanging out with the team.” Jamie didn’t want Cene to think they just sat around talking about being gay. That hardly ever came up. What never came up was birds, which made it really nice. A place they could all just relax and not figure out if they wanted to pretend or what. Birds also rarely came up with the team now that they didn’t hang out at clubs or pubs. When they did it was always Freddie or Sturgis bringing them up. While Jamie appreciated not having as much bird talk he sort of hoped the pair of them would start back up. If only because then he’d know they were back to their old selves. But they’d had the most trauma in this traumatic season. Them and Cene. Truthfully Jamie was stressed wondering who and what would be next. Finding out Cene had a boyfriend was a nice bit of good news. Jamie felt extra invested in the reveal going well for Cene. Jamie listened to Cene admit it’d be a relief them already knowing and then to his backtracking. “I just want to help make this as easy and comfortable for you as I can. After all, I’m not the one that’s going to have to listen to any ribbing from Freddie and Sturigs. Hope you’re prepared for round two.” Jamie didn’t think  he was putting too much faith into them by suggesting they’d be teasing Cene about his hickie  leaving boyfriend tomorrow.  At least he hoped he wasn’t. Jamie had never been ready to come out to anyone but he’d also not come out to the team because he didn’t want them to feel the  need to cover for him if anything came out. But of all the teams he’d been on this Puddlemere one felt like the best group of blokes. He’d be really disappointed if they turned out otherwise.  

So far it seemed like that wasn’t the case. Oli had been supportive.  That was good. Of anyone on the team Oli’s support was probably the most important for Cene. Beaters who did’t get along off the pitch seldom played well together on the pitch. A few rare exceptions but that was how it usually worked. It was good that not only had Oli taken the news well but had even met the boyfriend. Who was clearly not the roommate because that had been the Bones’ youngest son, Ed. Jamie couldn’t remember a Josh, at least not one he could picture Cene dating. “Good, I’m glad but not surprised. I really believe everyone is going to take it well,”  he told Cene again. He had faith in their team. And if they didn’t take it well they’d damn well better fake it. Jamie ws not about to put up with anything else. “I’m excited to meet this Josh myself.” Jamie wanted to check him out. Though if Cene was talking him to quidditch it was likely the family had already met him and vetted him. Which had to mean this was a good bloke for Cene. He hoped. Not all gay blokes were great, as both he and Theo knew.

Cene was excited about the idea of hanging out with Puddlemere blokes who were also gay. He hadn’t been hiding the fact he was gay nearly as long as a lot of gay blokes did, but in another sense he had been hiding the fact he’d felt broken for so long. It’d be nice to just be among a group of blokes involved with his team who could relate to that, who didn’t have to hide it with each other. It’d be even better if Cene was actually on the team right now. But he was doing his best to focus on the positive, and it was a little easier right now because of how surprising this all was. Though there was still the matter of telling the rest of the blokes on the team. At least he didn’t have to worry at all about Theo anymore. So there were just three. And the idea of Jamie talking to them for Cene was a tempting one. He was still coming out to them. They’d still meet Josh. But he wouldn’t have to worry about their surprise or having to explain himself to them. Confusion flickered over his face when Jamie mentioned round two of ribbing from Freddie and Sturgis. What did he mean, round two? A second later and it dawned on him. “Oh, blimey,” he let out a sheepish laugh. “I hadn’t even thought about that, I was so nervous about how they were gonna take the gay part,” he admitted. Actually, Freddie and Sturgis giving him a hard time would be a good thing since it’d mean they were treating him like normal. And that they were acting their usual selves, which was always nice to see these days. “...I think I’d like it if you tell them,” he said, more sure of his decision now. “Thanks, Jamie. You really are a great captain. And a great mate,” he added with a smile. 

Jamie gave Cene a sympathetic smile. He wasn’t  sure how Cene meant it but he could understand not wanting to go out. “Sure thing. I’ll get everything set up and let you know when to come over. You can bring your boyfriend too if you want,” he added. He assumed the secret boyfriend was somehow related to quidditch. But even if he turned out not to be, surprising as that would be, Jamie didn’t see any reason to exclude him.  It’d be good to get to know this boyfriend a little better. Or maybe he was just nosey because he was very curious about it all. He listened to what Cene had to  say about his other offer. And Cene’s explanation about why he was nervous. “I get it, it is scary. It kind of freaked me out when I got caught out. It was back when I was on the Tornados but the bloke explained he was mostly guessing and hoping he was right. Hard to tell how people might react.” Unless of course they were just out with their hate like his dad had been. Instead of dwell on that Jamie offered Cene a compromise. “I can drop the gay news and let you reveal the boyfriend tomorrow if you’d rather. If not, I’ll be there tomorrow, if there’s any problems, even just you worried about a mood shift let me know. I’d rather it all be out then you worried some of your team have issues with your personal life. But we’ve got a good team, I don’t expect problems,” he added not wanting to make Cene more nervous. ‘Things went well with Oli?” It seemed like it had but just in case. Jamie absolutely didn’t want any festering hard feelings getting in the way. Cene might be injured but he was still a teammate. One Jamie hoped would be making a comeback to the team.

Cene grinned when Jamie said he’d make it happen. The gay blokes at Puddlemere who apparently got together would come to Jamie’s house and Cene would get to hang out with all of them. It felt surreal. He might have wondered if he’d hit his head or something, but if this was some head-injury dream he was pretty sure his arm would be fixed in it. Still, this was a good thing. And Josh was invited too. “Thanks! I’ll invite him. Sounds really fun.” Cene wasn’t sure if hanging out with a bunch of quidditch blokes would be Josh’s thing, but Josh also knew how to get along with just about anyone so he’d likely still have a good time. Cene liked the idea of bringing Josh to meet the gay Puddlemere blokes. Even if the fact that there were other gay Puddlemere blokes felt surreal. Especially the fact that Jamie was one of them. And Theo. And Oli, not that they knew that one. Cene wondered if Oli would want to know about Jamie and Theo and the other blokes. Maybe it would help him. Maybe he’d want to come to a hangout at Jamie’s place, where no one could see them and wonder what they were up to. It was a relief to hear that Jamie got it when Cene explained why he’d been nervous. Or maybe not a relief. It didn’t feel good to be that scared about people knowing who you were. But he was glad Jamie at least knew it wasn’t anything he’d done wrong to make Cene worried about it. It was a surprise to hear what happened to Jamie. A bit weird to think of Jamie freaking out about anything, if Cene was being honest. He was always so put together. Calm and collected and the great sort of captain who was offering to help Cene break his news to the rest of the team, or at least to be there to help Cene navigate telling them. He appreciated the fact that Jamie was still saying ‘your team,’ like he hadn’t given up yet on Cene coming back. And maybe letting Jamie tell the blokes he was gay ahead of time wouldn’t be the worst thing. Cene wouldn’t mind not having to go through this all again. Not that anything had gone badly yet. “I….if you’re sure you wouldn’t mind….I suppose it’d be nice if you could tell the blokes. It’d be kind of a relief to know they’re expecting it tomorrow,” he admitted. Cene wasn’t sure if that was the cowardly way out or not, letting Jamie tell the rest of the blokes for him. But the idea of showing up tomorrow knowing none of them would be surprised by the fact Cene was there with his boyfriend sounded a lot nicer than having to worry about their reactions. “But you don’t have to,” he felt compelled to add. “Really, I mean, I’m ready for them to find out, so I can do it myself.” Cene wasn’t sure if it’d be weird for Jamie to tell the blokes about Cene since Jamie was also gay and hadn’t told any of them, so clearly he still wanted to keep it secret. Theo too, it seemed. And Cene didn’t blame them for that. 

Jamie’s smile widened when Cene looked so happy. Chuckling when he finally said something. It  was a lot like Theo’s reaction to finding out about the others had been. His too. His eyebrow raised in surprise to find out that Cene hadn’t known he was gay till he met his boyfriend. Must be one hot bloke. Or Cene didn’t know guys could date. That made sense. His smile softened when Cene talked about trying to figure out what he was missing. Jamie hadn’t gone through that but it had to be rough. But Cene wasn’t’ dwelling on it so he didn’t. He chuckled when Cene circled back to the group. “Of course!  I mean you already know them probably but you’re invited for sure. If it’d make you feel better I can invite them over here so you have a chance to meet up with everyone the first time in a more comfortable setting.”  He liked having a place big enough that e could comfortably invite groups over.  It hadn’t stopped him when he had a flat but the house was so much better for it. And it’d be even better when Theo got the outside set up how he wanted. “Speaking of you being nervous about telling me. If you’d like I can drop the bomb about this secret boyfriend to the rest of the team before quidditch tomorrow.” Jamie hoped they’d all be great but just in case he’d rather it be him that heard about it and not Cene. Though this was Cene’s big news so he wasn’t going to go behind Cene’s back and tell everyone.

Jamie was glad how quickly relief replaced the worry on Cene’s face. Glad and a little guilty. He was supposed to lead his team. Jamie felt that applied on and off the pitch. And he’d dropped the quaffle here. “I’m sorry,” he apologized seeing Cene looking a little overwhelmed. “I gave you too much too soon. I’m afraid I don’t have a lot of practice in this whole coming out thing. But yes I’m gay. Seriously. And so is Theo.” He decided not to add that they were very gay together. If Cene figured that out that was fine but there was a lot happening and he was trying to dial back on the information overload. “It’s more, a few blokes who all have two big things in common, quidditch and being gay, that get together for drinks. Sometimes at a pub, sometimes here. But we joke about being a club so.” Jamie waited to try and let Cene soak all of that in.

After a few minutes he spoke again. “I hope you didn’t feel too alone about it all for too long. I’m shit at figuring out who is gay. I’ve had someone figure me out and then he introduced me to others, which is how I ended up finding out about the guys who work for Puddlemere.” Cene was always such a great kid, but also very shy and quiet when it came to anything quidditch related. Jamie felt bad thinking the poor kid had been stressing about being gay alone. He knew what that felt like. Even though it was hard to picture a Tooker stressing out alone. This sort of thing he could see it. Maybe this boyfriend had kept him from being alone, Cene had said they’d been dating secretly. Jamie wondered if it was that roommate of Cene’s. Eh’d met the bloke a couple of time, nice kid. But if he was gay Jamie had no idea. He’d never gotten couple vibes from them but what did he know. He never got had a secret boyfriend vibes from Cene. Except….there was that time Cene had a hickie. Jamie had forgotten all about that. Huh.. Mystery solved he guessed.

Of all the ways Cene had prepared himself for this to go, it hadn’t occurred to him for a moment that Jamie’s response to his coming out would essentially be ‘Great! Me too! In fact there a whole gay quidditch club at Puddlemere!’ It still didn’t feel real even when Jamie very patiently answered his questions, assuring him it was in fact true that he was gay. Him and Theo. Which actually meant more than half of their team was gay. Blimey. And some of the blokes who worked for the team were gay too. Cene wondered which ones. Maybe he’d get to find out since apparently all the gay Puddlemere blokes were hanging out together. Which sounded actually kind of amazing. A grin pulled at Cene’s lips as he sat and processed what Jamie told him. “Blimey,” he finally said, letting out a surprised laugh. “I can’t believe there’s a whole group of you.” Cene was still pretty stuck on that, and just on Jamie being gay too after Cene had been so nervous about coming out to him. Turns out he really hadn’t needed to be. Wow. 

Jamie gave Cene a sympathetic smile. He could imagine just how much food Cene probably had. There were the sort of family Jamie was surprised didn't’ own a bakery or a restaurant. Not even a pub. Instead they just cooked for each other and friends of the family. It was sweet. Probably a bit overwhelming for Cene right now. As much as he’d have rather Hastings had stayed his furry arse in the bedroom maybe petting the cat would be a nice distraction for Cene. He was going to have to work out a lie about the cat, he supposed, which he hated. But clearly the cat visiting seemed suspect if Cene’s reaction was anything to go by. should have had a plan. Too late to worry about that now. Jamie was used to Hastings making himself at home in his lap, had  finally figured out how to balance cat and tea comfortably. He absently petted Hastings with his free hand and gave Cene a sympathetic smile when he had no enthusiasm in his voice. Jamie hated that there was nothing to be done but wait it out.

That and try to support Cene in whatever way they could. Like making sure they were all going to be there at his first Tooker quidditch since getting hurt. Jamie had been pleased when he’d talked to the blokes about showing up for Cene and they’d all been so enthusiastic about it. Not that he’d expected anything less. All the misfortunes the team had faced this year had just brought them closer. Jamie nodded when Cene said he’d been told thy were coming. Jamie wondered what it was that was making Cene so nervous and had nothing to do with quidditch. He waited patiently while Cene found what he needed to keep going. So far he was more confused than illuminated but he did his best to keep his face neutral. Though Cene’s spiral into Jamie and the blokes hating it had him looking at Cene concerned. Nor did he hide the surprise when Cene finally got out with it. He’d never presumed to assume that Cene might be gay but the real surprise was that he had a boyfriend. The surprise quickly moved into a wide smile. “Congratulations, I’m very happy for you. Can’t wait to meet him.” Jamie felt a little guilty at how nervous and worried Cene had been. Had he been honest with his team Cene wouldn’t have had to go through all of that. At least he could put Cene’s worries, somewhat at ease. “Had I any inkling you might be gay I’d have invited you to a little get together some of us have at a local pub.” Jamie gave Cene a slightly sheepish smile. “You’re not the only gay bloke around Puddlemere. Myself, Theo, and some of the blokes who work for the team. Happy to have you in the club,” he added with a smile. Jamie had more to say but he decided to wait and  let what he already had said sink in.