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

Chapter 60

AN: Open your eyes- School of Seven Bells

Thursday night. 

The Heath.

"I didn't expect to see your parents tonight." I said as we walked along the rich grasses, Ben in step next to me with Merlin up ahead. Tim and Wanda were a few feet behind us, strolling at a leisurely pace.

"I wanted to see them, to talk to them." He looked over at me, his arm around my shoulder as we walked, my hands firmly in my pockets.

"Right, about anything in particular?" I asked, he nodded looking ahead.

"About Georgiana, seeing Lucy, how it's been going. They said something wasn't quite right but couldn't quite call it out."

"I see, what did they say?" I asked looking at Merlin walking freely, his leash in Bens other hand.

"Why hadn't I told them sooner, that we're not supposed to have secrets. They can't be of any help if they don't know."

"How did that make you feel?"

"As though I'd let them down, as though not telling them would spare them the worry." He sighed, I nodded in understanding.

"They're your parents Ben, and are always going to worry even if they don't know what they're supposed to be worrying about." I added, his smile faint but considerate.

"I know, it's a bad habit I suppose."

"I guess we all do it really. We hit an age where we don't want to be vulnerable anymore to the people who know us best, or who at least want to know us best." I said, he appeared to be lost in thought, his arm leaving my shoulder, I took my hands out of my pockets, they were becoming too warm for comfort.

His fingers brushed mine before he spoke again. "You won't hold my hand, why?" he inquired, a calm curiosity in his voice replacing the usual hurt or bewilderment.

"Recently, it hurts when you do so I'd rather you didn't." I muttered looking over at him, he looked down at me.

"It's not meant to hurt." He said, confused.

"I know."

"And yet it does anyway."

"Yes, but only recently."

"Right."

"I'm here Ben."

"I know you are."

"Do you?"

"I like to think so."

"So do I." I said, briefly rubbing his back, his arm around my shoulder again.

"Do you want me to keep Merlin when you head to France?" he asked, the subject changing.

"You can if you'd like. Mrs Hudson will be around to see him as usual though."

"Are you sure?" he asked, I nodded.

"Of course, I trust you more than most to look after him."

"You trust me? Right now?" he asked, I frowned thinking about it.

"Yes Ben, you trust me too don't you?" I asked, he nodded.

"Yes, of course."

"Okay, that's all that matters then isn't it?"

"Yes, that's all that matters." He said, wooden.

"You're trying, everyday you are. It's okay." I said, slipping my hand in his, his thumb grazing the back of my palm.