Your Best Friend, Benedict Cumberbatch

Chapter 1

*Text message alert*

- Will be over shortly. I've already grabbed the wine. See you soon. B

- Yay, it feels like forever! See you soon. E

- It's been two weeks. You need to get over your obsession with me. B

- I meant since I've had a glass of wine, dickhead. E

- I'll pretend I believe that. See you in 10. B

You laughed and chucked your phone down on the sofa next to you. It's been two weeks since you've seen Ben, your best friend of 5 years. Every time he's back in the UK and not off somewhere filming, or interviewing, or some red-carpet event, you both make sure to spend as much time as you can together – which usually involved sitting on the sofa in your small, open plan, one-bedroom flat in London, drinking wine and talking crap.

Well, that was until Ben got married to Sophie almost a year ago. Of course, you understand they're newlyweds and Ben needs to prioritise her. But, Sophie's not a fan of your friendship at all and thinks you're in the way, which obviously causes a few awkward moments.

Although, you thought, it is strange that Ben only got home from another work trip a few hours ago, and he's not spending the evening with her...again.

*Knock on the door*

"Hey dickhead" Ben smirked as you opened the door.

You let out a chuckle, "charming as ever. Now where's the wine?!" You asked as you took the wine from Ben's hand and went to the kitchen to grab a couple of glasses.

"Nice to see you too" Ben laughed, walking into your flat and closing the door behind him.

"How was your flight?" you asked as you handed Ben a glass and walked with him over to your sofa.

"Way too long. As much as I love America, life would be much easier if it was only an hour flight away" He replied as he sat down on one side of the sofa and took a sip of wine.

"Ha, I bet. Will Sophie be going with you this time, when you fly back next week?" You took a seat at the other end of the sofa.

Ben's facial expression changed, looking serious for the first time since he arrived. With a slight frown and looking to the floor, he replied "no, she's busy."

You knew you should leave it there and change the subject, but you just couldn't help yourself. Something wasn't right. They've not even been married a year yet she rarely has the time to see him anymore. "Oh right. Where is she tonight? You're lumbered with me again instead" you laughed, trying to lighten the mood slightly.

"She's out with her friends. It's one of her mates' birthdays, so I understand. I'll spend the day with her tomorrow. Besides..." Ben looks up at you smiling, "I love nothing more than to sit on this sofa, drink too much and talk absolute shit. It sounds stupid but when I'm away, I constantly think about these evenings and how much I'd prefer to be doing this. Just us, no one around to take a bloody photograph or having to watch what we say".

"Don't tell Sophie that, she already hates me enough".

"She doesn't hate yo-"

"She totally does." You replied as you took a sip of your wine, "It's fine, I get that people in this day and age can't grasp the fact that a male and female can be friends without wanting to shag each other's brains out" you said sarcastically.

Ben looks at you with a raised eyebrow "look, Ella, that's my wife who I adore, I'm not going to talk badly about her, and I would appreciate if you didn't either. Yes, she is a little uncomfortable about our relationship, but as I remind her, you and I were best friends before I met her. Besides, she doesn't hate you". You just nodded, not sure what to reply, and took another sip of your wine.

"Although, you definitely want to shag my brains out" he smirks, leaving you to nearly spit out your wine.

"Absolutely fucking not" you laughed.

"Ouch" Ben jokingly put his hand to his heart, pretending to be hurt "why not?"

"You're like my brother, gross!" Your cheeks were starting to feel warm, and you couldn't work out why. Probably the alcohol. "Anyway," you said as you quickly got up to grab the rest of the bottle, "lets change the subject. You joke about us shagging way too much, I'm starting to think you actually want to shag me. It's getting a bit boring!" you teased.

"Trust me, it's never boring in bed with me" Ben grinned.

"Ok, that's enough, shut up Ben" you laughed, as you opened the bottle and poured him a fresh glass of wine.

Laughing and taking his newly poured glass, he replied "thank you. I'm going to blame this chat on the alcohol".