#ben x callum

[drewsbarrymcre]

My Callum.

[minimitchell]

— Shel Silverstein

[tweedledumandtweedlebum]

I just can't stop thinking about what an EE writer has recently posted online about current storylines. If I remember correctly, he claimed they're working hard to keep the show fresh and relevant - or something along those lines.

Therefore, I should assume they will soon get rid of Ballum (well... they have been in the process of making them irrelevant for quite some time now, actually) because the novelty has worn off and the audience can no longer relate to them or their relationship.

I can't even find the words to express how insulting that statement sounds to me.

They're telling me that the ordeal of an SA survivor - a male survivor at that - getting professional help, learning to accept and live with his trauma - and possibly getting justice, one day - would be of no interest to the audience.

They're telling me that said survivor and his husband (who loves him unconditionally) endeavoring to overcome their intimacy issues and slowly rebuilding their physical connection, despite inevitable triggers and setbacks, would be in no way relevant to viewers.

They're telling me that watching these two husbands raise THEIR(!) motherless daughter and navigate through the troubled waters of teenage life, helping her develop her potential, always supporting her despite their own personal struggles, possibly arguing because of different parenting styles, would not resonate with anybody in the public.

They want me to believe that nobody would relate to a young man struggling with an eating disorder (but willing to do whatever it takes to get better) who is currently in therapy, and who is inevitably faced with issues such as lack of control, anxiety, feelings of shame and guilt.

They are seriously stating that they don't know what to do with a character who's a detective, somebody who could provide endless opportunities to explore the social/economic/cultural roots of a number of common offences (and a sensitive, kind-hearted copper, who would empathise with at least some of the offenders, and thus feel conflicted about his job).

So, I'm confused..., what exactly is considered 'fresh and relevant' in their universe?

[callumsangel]

Max talking about Tony is my fav thing 🥹

[leximitchells]

ben: “good” isn’t good enough to describe my callum

[henryspearl]

still feels so surreal that this little meet up in london with @minimitchell happened last night. after three years of being friends, talking and chatting ballum, we were finally able to do it face to face and it was so much fun😅

hope you enjoyed your time in london, nina and hope you had a safe trip back home! until the next time…🥂

thank you ballum for bringing us together<3

[overthinkthis]

Is this a good moment to cordially invite the Ballum fandom to BL tumblr? Look, we have almost everything you want for the low price of reading (sometimes slightly wobbly) english subtitles!

cocky short gays with too much trauma:

shady gays:

gay mechanics:

gay signing:

complicated father-son relationships:

desperate kissing:

thighs:

aaaand we even have dark rooms!

actually... yeah, for our photographer gays:

I know we're all a little heartbroken right now, so I hope this suggestion maybe helps someone fill the void that Ben's exit will leave. A lot of BL shows are free to watch on youtube and if you go in with an open mind, they can be so much fun!

[stevesnightmares]

you are not a real yaoi connoisseur if you haven't spent your nights watching compilations (or 100 videos of 40 seconds each) of all the moments of a gay couple in a British show that has been airing since the 80's and that has more than 1000 episodes.

[thedreadedmobyduck]

You ever look back at early Ballum and remember the days they were the literal embodiment of "you should be addicted to shutting up"/"you wanna fuck me so bad it makes you look stupid"

[no-i-cant-decide]

For the Better (ao3 link)

Rating: General audiences

Word count: 922

Tags: Missing scene, comfort, bruises

Requested by @leximitchells

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.

Wouldn't they?

[yorit1]

[drewsbarrymcre]

BEN & CALLUM — 9th February 2024

[minimitchell]

Ballum + couch cuddles

[tweedledumandtweedlebum]

I am writing this as a form of much needed closure. I am truly heartbroken. Not only has a talented actor like Max Bowden been axed in the most vile way right before his birthday, but Ballum has been forever destroyed. Nobody can play Ben Mitchell like MB. He made the character his own. The same goes for Callum and Tony Clay, obviously. Together, they've created something special and unique, speaking to vastly different audiences from different countries (check the comments on YouTube), age groups, cultures... Now, we will never see Ben's journey towards healing through therapy, or Callum adopting Lexi and being rightfully recognized as her Dad #2, or a new Ballum baby. We will be forever deprived of a story potraying Callum delicately supporting his husband in overcoming his issues with intimacy through tenderness and patience, in a beautiful parallel with Ben's support to Callum while coming to terms with his sexuality. We will never know how two gay dads would face the challenges of raising a motherless teenage girl, keeping in mind the abuse they received from their own farhers in order to break the cycle. We will never see a couple of happily married, monogamous men bringing up their own child (imagine a boy... I'm crying), trying to balance work, family, friends and romance. We will never have this queer little family thrive and be there for each other. We will be denied that incomparable mix of humour and passion, intense conflict and lighthearted banter, sexiness and occasional awkwardness that is Ballum played by MB and TC. Apparently, this is not suitable material for soaps.

And even if EE writers didn't live up to the task of doing justice to this wonderful pair, we knew we could always rely on a number of lovely fanfic authors doing the job with outstanding sensitivity in their own original voices.

What a waste.

Thank you to all the people who actively contributed to the fandom. Most of all - even though they'll never read this - thank you to Max and Tony from the bottom of my heart. I don't think you can full grasp the way your Ben and Callum have affected the fans. May life always bring you happiness and recognition, and give you back at least some of the joy you spread.

💙💙

[callumsangel]

everyone say thank you max!

[ballumjenn]

As you all know, Ben is leaving us very soon. @queerly-autistic and I wanted to do something to show Max all our love and appreciation for everything he’s brought to this character, so we’ve come up with two different ways for us to do that:

🤲 Justgiving page for Brain Tumour Research Campaign where you can make a donation as a token of thanks to Max for everything:

✍️ Kudoboard where you can post a message/picture to Max. Keep it upbeat; share your love for Ben and the stories he’s told!

The aim is to give Ben a good send off, utilising our power like we’ve done throughout the Ballum years to make a difference; and to show Max how much we appreciate him and what he’s done for the character of Ben, for the fandom and for the causes he cares so deeply for.

(Just a note about the Kudoboard: it doesn’t let you proceed without putting a first and last name, so if you don’t want to use your full name you can either use an initial or any word and then edit the post afterwards to remove!)