Work Text:
Index/ Abbreviations:
DS - Detective Sergeant
Sgt - Sergeant
Ben had done a lot of stupid stuff in his life and he had no issues admitting to that, but getting himself arrested on purpose had to be a new low. He had driven almost 200 miles up to Leeds with one objective and that was to find Callum.
It had been a series of unfortunate events that led Ben getting nicked, he had messaged Callum to let him know he was on his way up to Leeds, he hadn't gotten a response but then again he would never know as his phone ended up in the toilet at a surprisingly nice Motorway services on the way into Leeds.
After cursing very colourfully and getting glares from various people in the area, Ben had made a mental note to buy a new phone but outright refused to pay the prices in the Services, a part of him had hoped that Callum would be waiting for him except that was wishful thinking considering neither of them had been able to actually arrange a meet up point. But he was a man on a mission and if there was a will, there was a way.
He ended up ditching his car at the Services and got a taxi to drop him off right in front of Leeds District Police HQ. Ben had every intention of being polite except the officer on the front desk was either having a bad day or was just a dickhead because he was stuck on desk duty or was just a dickhead in general.
It hadn't taken Ben long to upgrade the bloke from dickhead to an absolute cock end when the guy refused to even pass on a message to Callum.
So what did Ben do when the officer at the front desk had refused to help him? He kicked off and had a tantrum that even Lexi would be proud of.
His actual arrest was pretty much a blur where he had been taken down to the floor and restrained, he was quite proud of himself that it had taken four officers to get control of him as he had managed to slip out of the restraint multiple times. He had Callum to thank for teaching him a couple tricks that he had convinced him were for ‘educational purposes’.
Ben had grinned smugly when the custody Sgt had stared at him in disbelief when he listened to the arresting officers explain why Ben was standing cuffed in his custody suite. “Lemme me get this straight, Mr. Mitchell here got himself arrested just so he could speak with DS Highway?” the officers must’ve nodded and the Sgt leaned back in his chair. “Is there any reason why you couldn't have rang him instead of kicking off at the front desk?” The Sgt made a point by picking up the evidence bag containing Ben’s mobile, wallet and belt.
Ben rocked on the balls of his feet. “Well ya see, that’s a really funny story. I went for a slash at that really nice Services off Junction 45 and I dropped my phone in the bogs. I mean it was on its way out, but it’s definitely knackered now.” Ben leaned forward and squinted at his phone. “Just tryin’ to remember if that crack were there, ah well. If there’s a blame, there’s a claim.” Ben grinned at the Sgt who just blinked at him a couple times before shaking his head. “Mr. Mitchell, how do you know DS Highway and why do you wanna speak to him so desperately?”
Humming to himself, Ben stood on his tiptoes in the hopes that Callum might magically appear to vouch for him. To be fair, Ben didn't even know if Callum was working or if he was, where he was working. “If you thought my phone goin’ in the bogs was a funny story, you’ll find this one proper hysterical.” If Ben was being honest, he had no idea whether anyone knew that Callum was gay but saying he was a mate probably wouldn't cut it. “DS Highway’s my husband,” it was comical how it seemed the entire custody suite went quiet and he couldn't help but sneak a glance at his arresting officers whose faces were blank. “Well kinda.”
The desk Sgt's tight expression told Ben to get on with his explanation. “When I mean kinda, we’re ‘technically’ classed as estranged but legally still married-” he heard an exasperated sigh from one of the officers behind him. “Anyway, we recently reconciled and I thought I’d surprise him but then I dropped my phone in the bogs, got arrested, yadda, yadda, yadda.”
Ben had to bite the inside of his mouth to stop himself from bursting into laughter but he couldn't stop himself from shaking. “That’s quite a story Mr. Mitchell, but I’m afraid you’ll be staying with us until we can speak with DS Highway. Just so you know, you’re currently looking at being charged for a public disorder offence and intent to resist arrest.”
Ben scoffed, he knew Richie or maybe even Johnny Carter could get that changed to a fine at minimum. No one had been hurt, he hadn’t broken anything and all he had done was slip out a couple restraints which was down to the officers poor technique but given the chance, he reckoned the Old Bill would try and say that was Ben ‘resisting arrest’.
He considered pointing out that the charges wouldn't stick but he wanted to stretch out his stay in the cop shop for as long as possible.