Somewhere Only We Know

It blew Benedict’s mind to realise that he had to return to London in just a couple of days. His planned one week stay had turned into nearly a month and now that, his parents had returned home, Henry and himself couldn’t continue to prolong their stay.

He couldn’t help but to frown at the thought. He had been visiting Camille every day and to go back home, meant that he had no idea of when he’d see her again. He doubted that Aaron would visit England or let his daughter visit so Ben knew he’d probably spends months without seeing Camille. That hurt him but he knew he had to adjust.

He knew it was silly of him to get this attached but Camille kept his hopes up every day. The more they talked, the more he wanted to know about her. Once her ankle was fully recovered, they took long strolls together but Ben hadn’t made any decisive advances on her. He respected her too much to impose himself when he wasn’t sure if her feelings were of mere friendship.

Not to his surprise, she had other suitors besides himself and Henry by Aaron’s will. Ben had caught one when he paid her a morning visit one day and he had to admit that it felt good to be picked over the other man. Rumours had been quick to spread about them, about their supposed involvement. Camille ignored them, making no comments and Ben did the same.

“Are you seeing Camille again today?”

Henry’s voice distracted Ben from his thoughts as he glanced back to nod.

“Yes. I have to say goodbye. Are you coming with me?”

Henry shook his head “Not today. I already said goodbye to Luz yesterday.”

Ben gave him a sad smile. Over time, Henry’s interest and pursuit over the fiery Luz hadn’t ceased but Henry wasn’t used to be blown back, to be rejected so it was taking a toll on him. Ben was surprised by how hard it was to see his brother face a challenge but he didn’t mean to intervene, Henry was too proud to have someone else help with his love matters.

“Alright. I’ll be back in time for us to catch our night train.”

Henry nodded and went back to the library. Ben got his coat and headed outside, deciding to walk to Camille’s house.

In the Dubois’ household, Aaron stood in his office impatiently. He had been continuously surprised by Benedict’s perseverance over his daughter but his advances had been rather minor. The man was eager to get the wedding set between his daughter and Henry but he hadn’t had the opportunity to catch the young man alone, so perhaps a trip to London was necessary but without Camille. He wished for her to remain unaware until there was no turning back.

His eyes caught a figure walking to their driveway and he tensed when he recognized Benedict. He knew that the brothers were leaving that evening so he was sure that he had come to say goodbye to Camille. He waited for the doorbell to ring when suddenly he saw Camille meet up with Benedict outside and she immediately went in for an embrace. Despite knowing he shouldn’t, Aaron stood there watching them.

“I thought you’d be inside waiting.” Ben chuckled, holding her tight to him as she met up with him even before he was inside of her house.

“I was too excited to see you to just wait in my bedroom. I’ve been here ever since breakfast, waiting for you.” Camille whispered to him, tiptoeing to hug him by embracing his neck. Ben complied by leaning a bit down and lacing his arms around her slim waist.

“I always keep you waiting don’t I?”

Camille was silent for a moment, squeezing him with a sigh. He had no idea of how hard this was for her. Their time together had been the most wonderful of her life and she knew that she was in love with him. Totally in love with a man that had entered her life suddenly and was about to leave soon enough. Hopefully not forever but for a long time.

“You do Ben. You do but I forgive you.”

Benedict pulled back softly and offered her his arm “Would you like to take a walk with me?”

Camille smiled and nodded. She took his arm and they began to walk to the back of her home, to the gardens, but Mel wasn’t with them and they were left alone.

“You do know why I’m here.”

Camille swallowed thickly and nodded slowly “You... You came to say goodbye.”

Ben nodded, leading her to sit by a bench of the garden, facing the fountain. The water shined under the bright sun and Ben sighed, relaxing when he felt Camille’s hand gently rub his arm.

“I couldn’t leave without saying anything, I’m just... I’m sorry I can’t stay longer.”

“A month was very good already, don’t you think?”

“Yes... it was nice but hardly enough. You know... when my parents first convince me to come, I thought I’d stay one night and leave to London the next day. How wrong I was and surprised.”

“About what?”

“Wrong about thinking that my life wouldn’t change in a blink of an eye, when it obviously did and surprised about meeting someone I’d care for instantly. I only stayed because of you Camie, I hope you know that.”

“I... I know.” Camille said softly, brushing his nose against his shoulder as she blushed.

She had overheard Mel, Claude and Luz comment on Ben’s appearance. About how he looked so stern and serious, almost positively unable to smile or have a laugh, how they didn’t understand what Camille saw in him but that was exactly what she liked. That not many could see under the shell Ben had around himself and how beautiful and amazing he was within once he had allowed her to see him.

“And I’m happy you stayed. It’s been... It’s been wonderful to have you here.” She added, glancing up a bit shyly.

Ben smiled, playfully pinching her nose.

“You’re just too beautiful for your own good.” He said tenderly, leaning to kiss her forehead. The touch nearly sent shivers down his past. How he craved for her in other ways. “I hope things don’t change too much while I’m gone.”

“You mean that I might ugly in months?” Camille joked and Ben laughed, shaking his head.

“No, that would be impossible Camie. I bet you’ll grow even more beautiful with time and as you age, that’s not it. It’s... well, you may marry while we’re apart.”

“Marry?” She asked, feeling a weight take over her heart. She knew what girls of her age were meant to do: get married and, the fact that her father had been so quiet about it wasn’t exactly good. “I don’t plan to marry very soon.”

Ben gave her a bittersweet smile. He wasn’t sure of how much her will would be good for her, if she could actually stop her father from his plan but he didn’t say anything about it.

“Even if you do... I’ll be the first one to congratulate you as long as he is a good man and he loves you.”

The words broke his heart. As much as he was in love with her, he knew he had no chance of making her his. Even to kiss her would be wrong on his part, he had no right to and so all his courage from the morning began to disappear. All he could cherish was this moment because it wouldn’t repeat itself.

On the other hand, she couldn’t believe her ears. The man she had grown to care for, was discreetly telling her that it was alright to marry someone else? She had purposely turned down suitors in front of him so he’d get the picture but maybe she was wrong. Maybe Ben did not love her and had no emotional interest over her.

Camille tensed and pushed back “Perhaps... Perhaps you should go Ben.”

Ben widened his eyes a bit as she suddenly stood up and began walking towards her house.

“Camie!” He called “Camie, wait! What did I do?”

She turned back suddenly with a heavy frown.

“Nothing in your eyes but you’ve hurt me Ben. I... I thought I had been plain and clear with you but you’ve clearly misunderstood me.” She said, clenching her hands into tiny fists “How can you tell me that it would be alright to marry someone else when I’ve turned down suitors right in front of you? Doesn’t that tell you anything?”

He stared at her like he had been struck though she hadn’t touch him and he had never seen her look so upset.

“I...”

“Isn’t it obvious why I did it Ben?” She asked him in clear frustration “Has it crossed your mind that... that I might have feelings for you? True, deep feelings. Feelings I’ve never experience before, feelings that scare me for how strong they are but also feelings that suffocate me because you’re about to leave and god knows if you aren’t the one getting married first.”

She suddenly stopped talking when his hands grabbed her arms. He was still silent but his eyes were looking down at her intensely. She could see the golden stripes in the ocean of blue and she gave him a confused look but before she could speak, he pulled her in for a kiss.

He intended to be short but the need, crave and wave of pleasure that went through him were too much to deny himself the bliss of her lips against his. She responded in the same in, grasping his jacket to deepen their kiss.

She pulled back first, not accostumed to kissing and needing to breathe.

Ben kept her close, resting his forehead against hers as he smiled slowly.

“I... I’m a fool.”

“A very big one.” Camille said softly, her eyes glancing up and he cupped her face, making her smile.

“I know but I... I love you Camie. This last month was enough for me to fall head over heels for you and to want you in my life.”

She brightened up, clearly over the moon to hear the words slip past his lips.

“I love you too Ben. I love you like I have never loved anyone before. You... You’re the best present I could have gotten that night.”

He melted, feeling his whole body relax as he pulled her in for another kiss with a smile on his lips. Their lips pressed together passionately, both having anticipated his moment for a while.

“Get your hands off my daughter!”

Ben and Camille pulled back suddenly as Aaron erupted from the house towards them.

“Get out of my house!”

“Non, papa, non!” Camille begged, turning her back to Ben almost as if she wanted to protect him. Aaron began to shout at his daughter in French but she replied back, begging him and pleading.

“Enough of this Camille!” He demanded, pulling her to him. “You are not meant for him.”

“But I love him! Papa, please.”

“No. I have arranged for you marry Henry and so it will be.”

Ben glared while Camille turned pale in horror.

“Henry... Henry Cumberbatch?”

“Yes. Henry Cumberbatch.” Aaron replied and his daughter attempted to pull back from his grasp “I warned you Benedict. Now you’ve gotten her hopes up as well but it’s nothing that can’t be changed. Leave my property.”

“I’m not an object you can control and Ben has all the right to stay!”

“Shush!” Her father commanded, tightening his grip on Camille’s arm, making her nearly wince.

“Don’t hurt her.” Ben said quickly, his eyes on Camille as he realise that their beginning was an end. “I... I’ll go.”

“And never return here alone. Only your brother may come.” Aaron warned and with that he dragged Camille inside.

Ben felt his eyes fill with tears as he turned to leave. As soon as the door closed, Camille managed to slip from her father’s grip.

“How could you?! How could you Papa?!”

“I am merely looking out for your best interest Camille. You must marry well and it is my obligation to make sure it happens. Henry is by far your best suitor.”

“But I do not love him. I love Ben and he’s from the same family, nothing would go against your plan if you let me marry Ben.”

“Love isn’t a matter worth discussing here, Camille. Your fairytales are over, this is real life mon ange. Henry can make you happy in ways that Ben can’t. He’s too old for you, cold and he can’t give you the life Henry can.”

“You’re being unfair!” She exclaimed as her mother rushed downstairs because of all the noise. "You cannot make me, I don't want to and I won’t marry Henry.”

Aaron’s express fell “I’ll disown you! I’ll take everything from you, you spoiled, ungrateful girl!” He spat as Carol stopped him from storming after Camille as she went upstairs.

“Leave her.” Carol said softly, trying not to blame her husband for the implosion of their family “Let her calm down and then you can settle this.”

“Mark my words, Carol... she will marry Henry, whether she likes it or not.”