Summary: You and Benedict had only been dating for three months when he had to leave to film for Sherlock. Three months later and he still hadn’t come home; you missed him like crazy. The nightly calls were the only thing that got you through the day. And, after one particularly draining day, you accidentally let the “L” word slip...
Pairing: Benedict Cumberbatch x Reader
Warning(s): fluff overload (I didn’t know I was capable of writing this much fluff), Benedict being all cute, adoring pet names, some naughty words 🫢 (whose really surprised at this point?)
Walking through your front door to a cold and empty house was sadly the new norm for you. Ever since Ben had left to film the latest season of Sherlock, everything was just...off. Your home didn't feel the same without him.
Entering your home felt weird without the welcome home kiss that Ben would give you; sleep was hard to come by without his loving arms draped around your waist; and how were you meant to get through the day without his little cheeky messages?
Nothing was normal anymore, and God you missed Ben. You longed for the day he would come home, so you could sleep in his arms again--for the day that everything would become normal again.
The only thing getting you through this was the nightly phone calls; at least you could hear his voice before you fell asleep. But trying to occupy your mind until then was always a challenge.
Today's method: cleaning and decluttering the house. Hopefully that can occupy you long enough.
At exactly 8 o'clock, your phone began blasting the Sherlock theme tune causing you to drop your broom as you bolted towards it; narrowly missing tripping over the ottoman to get to it.
"Ben!" You excitedly exclaimed.
You could practically hear him smile through the phone, "Hello, Love."
"How's my favourite high-functioning sociopath doing today?"
Ben laughed, "He's doing alright, but he wants to know how his favourite girl's big presentation at work went today."
Conversations with Ben were pretty much the highlight of your day. You got to hear what shenanigans that cast of Sherlock got up to, he got to hear about the weird guy at work who sat at a table across from his tie and talked to it during lunch. It was pretty much just pure and utter nonsense that made you miss him that much more.
"I miss you so much, Darling."
You sighed softly, "I miss you too, Ben."
“How is it already eleven o’clock? It feels like I only began talking to you ten minutes ago.”
"Time flies when you're having fun, Benny." You giggled at his groan, he did not like that nickname.
"One day I'll give you a stern talking to about that nickname."
You rolled your eyes, "Sure you will, Benny, sure you will."
He sighed, "In all seriousness though, I've got to get to bed. Can't have Sherlock being even grumpier than he already is tomorrow. Good night, Love."
"Good night, Ben. I love you-" You quickly cut yourself off.
Shit. You just said the "L" word didn't you? This was not a conversation meant to be had over the phone. It wasn't something that should've been brought up at all.
Curse your tired self!
"Darling? Did you just-"
"I said nothing, good night!"
And with that, you quickly ended the call and practically threw your phone across the room.
That was not how the conversation was meant to go.
Grumbling to yourself, "This calls for some wine."
The sound of the doorbell continuously ringing roused you out of your somewhat peaceful sleep.
Who in the world would be ringing your doorbell at 3 in the morning?
Slowly clambering your way out of bed, the noise didn't cease.
"Cool your tits, I'm coming!"
Grumpily trudging down the stairs, you swore to all Gods out there that you would kill whoever was on the other side of that door.
Angrily opening the door you began scolding whoever it was, "Do you have any idea what time it-"
You were cut short by a pair of familiar lips dancing with your own. That was not something you were expecting when you opened your door at 3am.
"Ben? What are you doing here? It's 3 in the bloody morning."
"I don't like the way our conversation ended."
You anxiously began playing with your fingers. "It ended how every conversation does, with a good night."
He tsked, "You were never a good liar, Love."
You sighed, "I didn't mean to announce it like that. It kind of slipped-"
He smiled, "I love you, too."
You jerked your eyes up to meet his. "You do?"
He cupped your face in his hands, "You have no idea how long I've waited to tell you those three words. I wanted to make it all special, going out to a fancy dinner, maybe a walk around Hyde Park? Just something special where I could declare my undying love for you, Y/n."
A tear slipped down your cheek and you lightly chuckled, "I'm sorry I ruined that plan."
He shook his head and wiped your tear away, "You didn't. I couldn't have imagined a better way for me to tell you that I love you, Y/n. I practically did the whole running through the airport cliché. As soon as you ended the phone call, I kind of just stood there with a goofy smile on my face; Martin had to knock me out of my daze. As soon as he did, I bolted towards my car and drove the three and a half hours to get here. I needed you to know I love you."
You gave him a soft kiss, "I need you to know that I love you, Ben."
He gave you the goofiest smile possible. "Say it again, please."
You giggled, "I love you, Benedict Cumberbatch."
He pecked you on the lips, "I love you too, Y/n L/n."
That night, you finally got to fall asleep with Ben's loving arms wrapped around you; and you had never slept better.
I’m aware that someone said this before, but can we please stop calling ourselves Cumberbitches and switch to Cumbercookies so that together we are the Cumberbatch
