Headstrong (A Benedict Cumberbatch Story)

Chapter 1

"Hey now, hey now, don't dream it's over. Hey now, hey now, when the world comes in. They come, they come, to build a wall between us. We know they won't win." 

I heard a beautiful lilting voice as I walked through the door, and the familiar riff of one of my favourite songs. The two complimented each other perfectly and sitting down at the bar, I felt like I could listen to it forever. 

I asked for a gin and tonic, craning my neck to try and see the face of the singer. All I could see (round the rather robust woman blocking my way) was a pale, muscular arm with rolled up jumper sleeves and short deep brown curly hair clinging to the back of his neck. 

I satisfied myself with just listening to the beauty of his voice, knowing I'd be able to catch him after he'd finished his set. 

"We know they won't win." 

And the final chord strummed gently. A burst of raucous applause filled the pub. 

"Thanks very much, see you all again next week." a smooth baritone voice now echoed in my ears as the mystery man left the little stage. The pub owner started to introduce the next performer, and I jumped off my stool to confront the reason for the butterflies in my stomach. 

But as I rounded the corner, I saw him being enveloped in a hug by a dark-haired elegant woman, and their lips pressed against each other. Oh. Guess not then. 

I still wanted to at least get a glance at his face, so I hung around a few more moments; luckily he turned his head and I saw the slim nose, prominent cheekbones and shining eyes it seemed I'd been expecting. It was like I'd known he would look so… heart-stopping? Was that the word I was looking for? Yes, because right now I felt like I would explode if I didn't take my eyes off him. 

I sighed, accepting that the woman he was so obviously in a relationship with wouldn't tolerate any competition and slaughter me; I paid for my drink and left. 

I drove back to my house and pulled up outside, but didn't go in right away. I'd left my brother's flat because I wanted to make my own way in the world, explore it my way; he'd started to become controlling, just like when we were little, and I just couldn't stand for that again. And I'd felt so proud of myself and excited for what would become of my new job. But now, for the first time since I left, I felt lonely. Maybe that's why I was so disappointed about the singer being taken already. I'd secretly been looking forward to having someone to share things with. 

I went inside, up the stairs to my apartment and stopped to fumble for my key. Hearing a car slow down on the stretch of road outside the building, with the familiar sound of Crowded House blaring out the speakers, I glanced out the window. And got the shock of my life. The singer was climbing out the car, throwing an arm round his girlfriend and sauntering up the steps to my building. I looked quickly for the For Lease sign usually on the apartment door opposite mine, knowing already that it would be taken down. He'd moved in. Opposite me. No no no.

I hurriedly opened my door and slammed it shut; before I even heard their voices in the hallway I was in the shower. I let the warmth of the water calm my panic and worry, if only for a few minutes. 

"You just can't make a fool of yourself, all you have to do is act normal." I told myself, and tried to get all thoughts of my new neighbour out of my head. 

Throwing myself on the sofa, I turned the TV on and my cat finally emerged from my bedroom, jumping lightly onto my lap. I fondled his ears absent-mindedly, and he noticed my disregard for his cuteness, mewing demandingly. So I turned my attention to him,

"Hey Benedict, have you had a good day? Didn't scare away too many dog-walkers I hope?" I ran my hand down his tail and he started to purr, lying on his back with his head in my lap and gazing up at me. I sighed,

"I had quite an interesting day. In some respects it was the best day of life, because I saw the most wonderful man imaginable. In another respect is was the worst day of my life, because I can't have him AND it's being rubbed in my face by the fact that he just moved in opposite us with his girlfriend. So don't embarrass me too much and I'll try not too either, ok?" 

Disturbed by a persistent knocking on the door, I woke up with a smile on my face from my dream. His arms were round me, warm and strong and he was whispering to me,

"We won't let them win." 

The smile quickly disappeared as I dragged myself out of bed, muttering about the time of day it was. I opened the door, ready to shut it straight after a dismissive comment, only to come face to face with the subject of my dream. The curly brown hair, blue eyes and obscenely high cheekbones set my stomach a-fluttering once again. 

"Hi, I uh, just wanted to introduce myself. I just moved into number 45." he smiled and I was immediately engrossed in the shape of his mouth and what it would be like to hear it say my name. Then I remembered that I'd just got out of bed moments ago and probably looked horrific. Putting a hand up to my hair, it began inches out from my head; it always went frizzy because I tossed and turned a lot during the night. I pulled my long t-shirt as far past my thighs as it would go, suddenly very aware of the state I woke up in every morning. 

"Hello. Um… yeah, I saw you come in last night - welcome to the building." I said awkwardly, and he smiled again. 

"I saw you in the pub, yesterday. Well, I heard you at least. You're really gorgeous - sorry, talented I meant to say. You're really talented." I rambled on, telling myself to shut up in my head over and over. 

"Thanks, I love the atmosphere places like pubs have. Everyone milling around, not all the focus on you." he was trying to salvage what was left of our "conversation" . I nodded in agreement, trying to look interested in the words coming out of his mouth when I was really gazing at the combination of colours in his eyes. They seemed to go on forever…

"Hello? Are you still there?" he waved his hand in front of my face. I blinked.

"Sorry, what?" I asked dumbly. He chuckled, a musical sound that sent shivers down my spine.

"I was just asking what your name was." he said, and I answered quickly.

"Maria."

"Maria…?"

"Maria Juliet Bellini. My mum's Italian." I said shortly. 

"You certainly look Italian." he smirked, and I felt myself blushing horrendously. 

"And you are?" I asked him.

"Oh, I'm Ben."

"Ben...?"

"Benedict Timothy Carlton Cumberbatch."

I blinked, processing his answer.

"I know it's quite a mouthful. So Ben's fine." he laughed again - there go the shivers.

"Well, I have to go and help with the last of our unpacking. See you around." he started to walk backwards towards his door, waved and went inside. 

"Yeah, see you around." I said quietly, before turning and shutting my door. 

My cat was looking knowingly down his nose at me. 

"Oh shut up. Just because you two have the same name."