Officially Cumberbatched? A sequel to 'Well and truly Cumberbatched'

Chapter 49

AN: 'New York'- Snow Patrol.

Sunday night. Home.

"Ow! You're crushing my hand!"

"You're not dancing properly; I'm practically dragging you across the floor!"

"Elizabeth, does Patrick always dance like this?" I asked, she was too busy laughing at our failed attempts to look like we know what we're doing; it wasn't exactly helped by Merlin excitedly padding under our feet, doing his own canine waltz.

"He thinks it's his 'signature move', and wants to try it out at his rugby ball in a few days, that's why I ordered the new dress when you asked if I wanted anything the other day. I'm not sure who he plans on dancing it with though, Matty might be up for it." She sighed feigning a smile, curled up under the window with a mug of hot chocolate.

"Enough of that, these moves got you into-" he almost laughed, still absentmindedly crushing my hand.

"Pat!"

"Into his heart? I'm sure that's what you were going to say Pat? I'm saving your arse here if you hadn't noticed." I looked up at him, his eyes faintly crinkled with a smile.

"Of course, listen to your cousin Elizabeth. She's not as dim as she looks." He smirked, it was hard to even attempt to be annoyed with him.

"I'd stamp on your foot if I knew you wouldn't trip me up and leave me on the floor." I added, his chuckle was a confirmation in itself.

"See, we're practically family now eh?" he faintly smiled, the kitchen door creaking open.

"Cosy. Hope I'm not interrupting?" Ben uttered, Merlin padded over to him, his tail wagging excitedly.

"No, we were just practicing." I stated, Pat nodded in agreement.

"Right." He mumbled, attempting to close the door.

"Ben, wait." I started, Pat finally stopped crushing my hand; we each had an arm wrapped around each other.

"Yes?"

"Come join us, we were about to make dinner anyway. You didn't say you were on your way home earlier."

"I've got some work to do, maybe in a while. Come on Merlin." He uttered letting Merlin out before him, softly closing the door again.

"Jesus." I quietly said letting go of Pat, sitting next to Elizabeth.

"I thought Ben was cool. What's the issue?" Pat frowned, pulling a chair out at the small table.

"He's a little bit, I don't know." I started, leaning against Elizabeth, I felt her hand on my shoulder.

"Jealous. Maybe. I don't know." I finished, not quite looking at him.

"Of what?" he frowned, hands clasped together.

"Well..." I began, looking down at my hands.

"Oh come on, jealous? Of me? We've known each other for years! We're comfortable with each other. What's the issue with me holding you like someone I'm fond of? Should I now act repulsed by every woman in my life other than Elizabeth as to not upset anyone? Is he the only person who can have his arms around you?" he blustered, the irritation in his eyes was hard to ignore.

"No Pat, he's just a bit funny sometimes." I said, he remained unconvinced.

"Rosie be honest. Tom hugs and cuddles the life out of you half the time; even you said at one-point people thought you were with him and not Ben and it's alright. But now Pat has his arms around you, and it's an issue. I'll go talk to him, he can't act like that. He's either jealous of you having anyone like Pat near you or has some weird need to be the only man not including family who's allowed to be remotely affectionate towards you."