His keys were in-hand, outstretched towards the lock, but he hesitated. Closing his eyes, Callum took a few breaths and tried to anticipate the conversation waiting for him just beyond the door to the flat.
It wouldn't be good; he knew that much. But it wasn't as if putting it off for a few minutes would be any better. The throbbing pain beneath his left eye would only get worse the longer he waited to get ice on it, his skin forming a deeper, darker bruise. He didn't need Ben to be angrier at Jay than he already was. None of them did, Lexi most of all. But this was Ben. Of course he's gonna be pissed off.
Callum opened his eyes, turned the key, and headed inside.
"That was quick!" Ben teasingly shouted from the kitchen.
As Callum made his way down the hall to the living space, Ben came into view, stirring a mug of tea at the worktop. He had his back to the doorway, but started to turn his head towards it with a cheeky grin on his face.
"Can't tell if that's good news or-"
The smile dropped from Ben's face, as did the spoon from his hand as it clattered against the counter, his steely eyes fixated on Callum's cheek.
"I'm okay, Ben. I promise."
"I'll kill him." Ben's voice was cold, steady and quiet.
"Don't. I said I'm fine," Callum reassured him, taking the few steps needed to be within his husband's reach. Though both of them found comfort in each other's touch, Callum always made sure to be aware of Ben's boundaries now. The fearful look in his eyes when Callum had gripped his wrists during their last shouting match, the way Ben had ripped himself out of his hands terrified him. That he could unknowingly inflict that much hurt on the person he loves most, it cut him deep.
Now, Ben's lip was twitching, his gaze flicking back and forth from Callum's eyes to the swelling mark. The fear he was feeling in that moment was for Callum's well-being, not his own.
"I was more shocked than anything, really," Callum said with half a smile. "It's nothing."
"That ain't 'nothing,' Cal. He fucking hit you!"
"It's alright." Callum tried to soothe him, reaching out and placing a hand on Ben's arm, giving it a soft squeeze. "Guess it's all Mitchell men who get offended at the mere mention of counseling, eh?"
"Not funny." Ben lifted a hand to Callum's face, cradling his jaw, Callum reflexively leaning into his touch. "It ain't like Jay to try and knock your teeth out over something like that."
There was a familiar look in Ben's eyes, one that filled Callum with guilt; he was searching for an answer, as if he could see it hidden just behind Callum's irises. That threw Callum off a bit, casting his gaze to the floor and shifting his weight from foot to foot. Ben could tell there was more to it, that Callum wasn't telling him the whole truth.
But he couldn't tell him. Not now that Ben was improving, truly getting better after suffering for so long. If he knew Jay was doing drugs and spending his time with a sex worker, Callum wasn't sure how Ben would handle it. If he could handle it. Tensions were already high enough in their house. And maybe Callum could get through to Jay on his own.
"Jay ain't really been himself lately."
That was as much truth as he could let himself say. It killed him to keep things from Ben, but if Jay could sort himself out it wouldn't matter in the end.
Right?
"If this don't prove that he really needs help," Ben said with a sigh, "I dunno what would."
Ben's thumb gently brushed across Callum's cheek, right below the bruise, soft enough that it tickled slightly. Callum lifted his head just enough so that their eyes met, and he could tell Ben's anger had eased off. Instead, what he saw there was saddened concern.
"I hate when you're hurt." Ben spoke the words quietly, because they were only for Callum to hear even if the two of them were the only ones awake in the flat.
Callum was going to correct him again, but in all honesty he was hurt. Not by Jay's fist–well, not entirely–but by his words. How easily he had discredited Callum's relationship to Lexi as if she meant nothing to him. Callum didn't want to hold it against Jay; he obviously wasn't in his right mind. But that little girl meant everything to him. She had nestled right into his heart straight away, just like her dad did. She was just as much his family as his own flesh and blood were, and he loved her as if she were his own.
A piece of paper isn't what makes you a family.
"I should get you a bag of peas for that or summat before it gets too swollen," Ben told him, Callum genuinely smiling over his fussing. "If Jay's messed up your beautiful face too badly I actually will kill him."
"Promise me you won't go off on him over this, yeah?" Callum asked. "Let him cool off and I can deal with it myself tomorrow."
Ben didn't seem satisfied, but eventually nodded in agreement.
Callum leaned forward and pressed his lips against Ben's forehead. He just needed to get Jay back on track and things would be alright.
List of British words not widely used in the United States.
Lists of words having different meanings in American and British English.
List of American words not widely used in the United Kingdom.
I MADE THIS!!! 😭 baby's first ever crocheted cardigan!!
i saw a picture of a trans flag cardigan and fell in love with it but there was no pattern and the maker wasn't selling anymore, so i basically decided to reverse engineer it from the picture, no pattern, just me vs god and BABY I DID IT
The Stacktangle Blanket Crochet Pattern will turn your expectations of the well known granny stitch on their head. This pattern uses stacked increases and decreases to turn simple stripes into complex looking colorwork. It isn't much harder than a regular granny stitch afghan, we've provided photo tutorials of the unusual stitches in the pattern.This project can be made in many sizes and is well suited for crocheters who are familiar with basic stitches and are ready to take on some new skills.
Patrick T. Stewart wrote the instructions and I ( Xandy Peters) made the charts. Whichever way you prefer to get your crochet patterns, you are covered.
Sizes: Baby (Throw, Twin*, Full*, Queen, King)
Finished Dimensions: 23" x 28" (57" x 50", 91" x 72", 91" x 94", 91" x 116", 108" x 116") / 58 x 71 cm (145 x 127 cm, 231 x 183 cm, 231 x 239 cm, 231 x 295 cm, 274 x 295 cm)
*Twin and Full size are turned 90* to fit on a bed.
Yarn: 4 Colors of worsted weight (#4 Medium) blanket yarn such as:
Loops & Threads Soft Classic, 354 yards (324 m) per 7 oz. 100% acrylic. Color A - Raspberry, Color B - Wine, Color C - Clay.
Red Heart Super Saver Solids, 364 yards (333 m) per 7 oz. 100% acrylic. Color D - Orange.
More yarn info is in the image below.
Hook: Size I (5.5mm) or size needed to obtain gauge.
hi there!! here's the pattern - it's my first one so hopefully it's nice & easy to follow, hmu if you have any questions regarding it :^) it's completely free but if you feel like supporting me you can also buy me a coffee, which i would really appreciate! <3 thank you!! also, if you make your envelope pls send me a picture of it or tag me in it cuz i'd really love to see it <3 <3
1. that’s a garter stitch, which you can clearly see despite it being made of clay
2. they took the time to animate a modified continental style of knitting, including showing how his working yarn is wrapped around his pinky, and that he’s flicking with his index on his right hand
3. he only has four fingers and yet this is better than the vast majority of knitting on tv
Last cat blanket I've finished. My first time trying the C2C technique, works up really fast. I'll have to keep it in mind for any future color work blankets I may make.
