Benedict Cumberbatch {Imagines}

Imagine #13 - Just Friends {Part 1}

You, (Y/n), had been best friends with Benedict for years now, too many years for either of you to count. He had been there for you through the best and worst times in your life. Just as you had done for him. He had been there for you more than anyone else had ever been. However, the only problem with your friendship was that you were in love with him and you had been for years but you had never told him. In fact, you had never told anyone. You weren't stupid. You knew how these things worked; you fall in love with your best friend, you tell them, you quickly drift apart and never speak again. So you decided not to say anything and kept it to yourself. Every time you see him, it physically hurts but you had to put on a front so he, or anyone else wouldn't figure it out. Tonight was no different. 

It was your birthday and you had been surprised by being thrown a party by your parents. They had invited your family and friends, which obviously included Benedict. Everyone had arrived and you were so grateful to your parents for organising all of this but you wanted to see Benedict, you wanted to be around him. You knew that, that was where you were safest in this crowded atmosphere. As you spotted him, he waved and smiled across the room. You made your way through the crowd towards him, having to stop and greet everyone along the way with: "Hello!", "Thank you for coming", and "It's so nice to see you."

Eventually, you managed to get to Benedict. "Happy Birthday (Y/n)!" He smiled as he embraced you into a hug and kissed you on the cheek. The aroma around him intoxicated you as you closed your eyes. You wanted to stay like this. Forever. You wanted to stay with him for the rest of the party. You smiled up at him when you pulled away from one another. He was taller than you. "Thank you." You felt a sense of guilt as you realised how in love with Benedict and how you could never be with him because he's your best friend and he probably doesn't like you in the same way. '(Y/n). You're just friends. That's all you can ever be.' You told yourself as Benedict said. "I got you a present." He pointed the table with gifts on it. "It's just a little something to show you how much I appreciate you and to say thank you." 

"Thank you? What for?" You smiled. 

"For being the best, best friend a guy could ask for." 

You heard that word 'friend' and your heart sank slightly. There was silence that was almost deafening between you, even in a room full of people and music.  Just then the music turned down as your parents asked everyone to be quiet. 

"Thank you everyone for being here tonight." Your mum beamed. "We are here to celebrate (Y/n)'s birthday. Happy birthday Darling." She waved across to you, making everyone turn around. When they all looked back at your parents, you and Benedict laughed between yourselves. Growing up the two of you had always thought the way that your mother had said words like, 'Dear' and 'Darling', was very upper class and bourgeoisie.  

"(Y/n) is the most wonderful, beautiful, caring  girl and I, we are so incredibly  lucky to have her in our lives. To have her as our daughter. Happy Birthday (Y/n)!" Your father paused before pictures of you came onto the screen behind him of you and the music started again. "You look traumatised." Benedict laughed before turning to the screen. Every now and again he said, "That's a good one!", "Remind to ask you mum for that one.", "I took that!" and "Ooh! There's me!" 

"Of course you're there. You're the only decent friend that I have." He placed his hand on his chest, clearly touched by what you'd just said. "I'll get us some drinks." He smiled before heading to the drinks table. 

You watched him walk away and exhaled. Just a few more hours, pretending to not be in love with him. You knew it wouldn't kill you because you'd done it for the past, god knows how many years. Suddenly, someone came over to you. At first you thought that it was Benedict but realised it couldn't be when they began to kiss you. 

"What are you doing? Get off me!" You said as you pushed them off. You looked around as the guy shrugged and walked off. He was clearly drunk. You saw Benedict. He walking out in the garden, both drinks in his hand. His eyes were looking at the ground.  Had he just seen what happened? "Benedict!" You shouted, running after him. When you finally made it through the crowds of people, many who wanted to speak to you but you had to excuse yourself 'for just a moment', You saw Benedict sat down on the garden steps, his face in his hands.

"Benedict?" You asked. "What's up?" 

He looked at you, removing his hands from in front of his face. "You can never be mine. That's what's up."