Chapter Text
Six months. That’s how long they had been speaking for. 182 days, 4831 hours? Not that Ben was counting. He rolls over in bed, eyes set upon the photo of Callum gracing his bedside table. He couldn’t wait to see his face, press his mouth against his lips, run his hands through his hair.
“Only 17 hours to go now babe.” Ben states to Callum on the phone, voice chipper.
“Can’t wait. You better not stand me up!” Callum exclaims, laughter echoing through the phone.
That laugh. Ben couldn’t wait to hear it face to face. The reality of meeting Callum was well and truly hitting.
“I won’t babe, I arranged this, remember? 12pm, Trafalgar Square. Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“I love you.”
“I love you, baby. That’s just the way it is.”
Although yet to meet, Ben knew he was in love with Callum. Every time they spoke, skyped, messaged, Ben’s heart skipped a beat.
Meeting would only bring that thought into a reality.
Night turned to day and before he knew it, Ben was leaving to go meet Callum. He felt an array of emotions: excited, nervous, scared.
“What if he doesn’t like me in real life? What if we don’t clic-“
“Mate! Calm down will you. You’ll scare the poor bloke off. Telling you what this mate of his better be a stunner. I ain’t trailing all the way to London for nothin.”
They agreed a few nights ago that they would both each bring a mate. For Ben, there was no doubt who he was taking. Him and Jay had been best mates since birth, although related, they were brothers by choice. Jay thought the whole idea was mental, however, when Ben spoke of a girl called Lola his eyes lit up in delight.
“Can’t wait to see you.” Ben text Callum, taxi pulling up in view.
All throughout the ride, Ben’s legs were shaking, mind racing. He had waited so long for this moment, one failed attempt turned into two, three. He was beginning to think this wasn’t meant to be for them. The second they finally agreed a date, his heart soared. Every moment had been counting down to this.
“Train to London, final call.” Ben hears over the tannoy.
“Mate! We are going to be late. Hurry the fuc-“
“I’m here! That girl on the counter-“ Jay points, seemingly obvious. “I asked her for her number. She wasn’t having any of it.”
“Do you ever think outside of your pants?”
“What’s the point in that?”
“Anyways, what’s happening with Lucy? Thought you’s were back on.”
“Doesn’t hurt to look, mate. We don’t all have our eyes set on one person like you.”
“Yeah, one person I was nearly about to stand up thanks to you.” Ben states, placing his bag below the seat.
Jay takes the seat opposite, orders some sort of beer from the menu. Ben too nervous to pay attention.
“Mate! You’ve got to try this. Best one so far, 8/10 i reckon?”
…
“Ben, mate, you gonna drink that?”
Ben slides his bottle across the table, resting comfortably in Jay’s hands.
“Just not thirsty.” he states, biting his nail in anticipation.
“This was your idea. That morning, remember? You came round to my house, let’s do this beer tasting quiz Jay, let’s try every beer around the world. Christ knows where you are with it, your dad gave up months ago.”
Isn’t the only thing he gave up. Ben thought.
“You sure this Callum ain’t a catfish? What about his mate, you seen a picture of her?” Jay questions, eager to grab Ben’s attention.
“No mate. Believe it or not our conversations don’t revolve around the two of you.”
“Alright, Jesus, just making conversation.”
“Well don’t, alright, i’m nervous enough as it-“
The train alerts them of their destination. Jay pauses, eyes set upon Ben.
“Come on mate.” Jay states, patting Ben on the back. Both men head off to find a taxi, destination imminent.
“Callum, chill out, will ya? You’ve changed that shirt at least six times!”
“Has it really been that much?” Callum thought.
“I just want to look good for him. It matters, you know? First day of the rest of our lives together.” Callum couldn’t help but smile at the thought. They had made so many previous attempts to meet, each time life getting in the way. He couldn’t wait to embrace him, feel him in his arms. He had been waiting so long for this moment.
“I know. He won’t care about how you look though, he’ll be too busy kissing the life out of you.”
Callum blushed, warm smile spreading over his lips. He couldn’t stop thinking about it, wondered if the butterflies in his stomach would ever settle.
“Come on, let’s go. Can’t let Stuart go without us.”
Lola grabs his hand, stops him mid walk.
“I’m so happy for you, especially after everything that’s went on. You deserve to be happy.” Lola states, smiling up at Callum.
“Thanks, Lo. Thanks for always being there. Couldn’t have done any of this without you.”
“Come on.” She states, bags placed in the hold.
Only 2 hours to go now, babe.
Ben looked around Trafalgar Square, taking in the view of the buildings. It was huge, a true sight to behold. Jay’s dash to get pizza did nothing to settle his nerves, if anything, he was more nervous. Each minute counting closer to Callum’s arrival.
“Ben?” He heard behind him. He could recognise that voice from anywhere. The voice he listened to most nights whilst nodding off, spoke to first thing in the morning.
“Callum? Wow, I can’t believe it’s really you.” Ben states, resting his hand across Callum’s jaw.
“Hi” he greets him, placing a kiss towards his forehead. In that moment, it was just the two of them, nothing else mattered.
“Ahem?” Ben hears from behind him, sees Jay stood.
“Sorry! Jay this is Callum. Callum, Jay.” Ben states, holding onto Callum’s arm. He couldn’t bring himself to let go, didn’t want too.
“This is Lola.” Callum says, reaching behind him, pulling her in from the side.
The loss of contact makes Ben’s heart drop. Although stood merely a few centimetres away, it didn’t feel enough. He wanted to be as close to him as possible, envied Lola for being in his arms, wished it was him instead.
“Hi.” She greets, eyes scanning up and down Jay. Ben looked behind, saw Jay reciprocating the same thoughts.
“Shall we go grab a drink maybe?” Callum asked, placing his arm around Ben’s shoulders.
“Yeah, sounds good.” He states, Lola and Jay already off, walking a few yards ahead.
“You were right, you know?” Callum says, looks down towards Ben.
“Oh yeah, with what?” He questions, intrigued.
“You are short. The height difference is truly remarkable.”
Callum laughs at Ben’s attempted slap.
“How do you feel?” Ben asks.
“Like I’ve been waiting for you, this moment, my entire life. I never want to let you go.”
“Then don’t.” Ben says, taking Callum’s hand in his. He walks on, the bar set in their sights.