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Stede had decided he needed a new hobby, after being invited to one of Wee John’s knitting clubs he’d fallen in love with it. The next day he had gone to Wee John’s shop and bought yarn in every possible colour, as well as everything else he could potentially need.
Each evening after work he would knit for hours until he fell asleep in his chair. His first knit had been a chunky red scarf for Wee John as a thank you for his help, it was a little wonky but for a first try he was very proud with it.
After several more scarves which were gifted to his other friends, deciding he had mastered that pattern he moved onto other items like hats and gloves. Even his cat Marmalade had gotten a little knitted vest, not that he was very appreciative of it.
The one person he hadn’t knitted anything for yet is his boyfriend Izzy, he wants to, he’s just not so sure it’s Izzy’s thing. He’s more vintage band tees and leather jackets, and the last thing he wants is for the man to feel that he has to wear something just to spare Stede’s feelings.
But the idea of his boyfriend all cosied up in something he made is almost too much to miss out on, maybe he’ll just let Izzy choose what he’d like.
Stede’s working on a scarf for his elderly next door neighbour after she had complimented his teal one, saying she wished she had one, he’s not sure if she was just saying that to be nice but she’s getting one anyway.
Izzy sits beside him with a book, his brow furrowed in concentration as he reads, glasses perched on his nose, those glasses always do something for him.
“Babe?” Stede interrupts.
Izzy puts down his book, giving Stede a glare that tells Stede he’s not happy to be interrupted mid chapter. “Yes?”
“Say someone was to knit you something, what item would you prefer?”
“You want to knit me something.” Izzy says plainly.
“Maybe, so what would it be?”
Izzy shrugs, going back to his book. “Surprise me.”
So that’s what Stede does, he gets to work on the surprise knitted item for his beloved, only working on it in the evenings they spend apart to ensure Izzy doesn’t get any hints.
It’s a couple months later when Stede’s finally ready to reveal his creation, it’s been his most ambitious project to date and he wanted it to be perfect. He waits outside Izzy’s front door nervously clutching the neatly wrapped package, worried about whether Izzy’s going to like it.
Izzy opens the door, immediately spotting the package in Stede’s grasp, a confused look on his face.
“It’s not my birthday, and I know I’m not great at that stuff but I’m pretty sure it’s not an anniversary.”
“It doesn’t have to be a special occasion to give a gift, Israel.”
Izzy doesn’t say anything else, Stede calling him by his full name normally does that, makes his brain go a little fuzzy in a good way.
Izzy sits in his chair, carefully tearing through the wrapping paper to reveal the knitted treat inside. It’s a large blanket made with the softest wool Stede could find, it starts off black but halfway through melts into a teal colour, as if mixing their two souls together.
Izzy unfolds it to its full size, admiring the intricate pattern. “What’s this?”
“It’s a knitted blanket.”
“I can see that idiot, I mean why are you giving it to me?”
“Well when I asked what you wanted me to knit for you, you said to surprise you. I didn’t want to make you something to wear in case you didn’t like it, I thought a blanket would be more suited.” Stede explains.
“Wait, you knitted this?” Izzy asks, shocked that anyone would go to this much effort for him.
“Yeah, I thought it would be nice to snuggle under together, or when I’m not here you can lay under it and think of me.”
Stede’s shocked to see a tear sliding down his boyfriend’s cheek before the man quickly wipes it away.
“Shit.” Izzy mutters to himself as he wipes away another tear.
“Darling?”
“I’m fine.” Izzy snaps before immediately regretting it. “Sorry, it’s just no one’s ever made anything for me before.”
“Come here.” Stede insists.
Izzy goes willingly, climbing into his boyfriend’s lap, still clutching the blanket as if he’s scared it’ll be taken away from him.
“I just don’t know why you made this for me.” Izzy admits. “It must’ve taken you so much time.”
“It did, but you Israel are more than worth it.”
Izzy doesn’t say anything else, just snuggles closer to Stede’s chest, enjoying the warmth and safety that Stede so easily provides. Stede keeps him close, glad that he can offer some protection to the man with a slight gruff exterior but gentle soul.