Chapter Text
"Oh come on Ben just one time!" Martin said naggingly as he followed the Sherlock actor to their shared trailer after a shooting for episode 3 of the second season.
Ben discarded the scarf wrapped around his neck and tossed it towards a coat rack. "Don't be ridiculous John," he scoffed, still in the dying stages of getting rid of his Sherock-esque mannerisms.
"If you could set aside your Sherlock and listen to me for once you'd actually agree!"
Ben wheeled around and twiddled his fingers together in a little sense of excitement. "How can you say I'm not listening when I've been all ears since we left the set?" he challenged. "Now what is it exactly I'm supposed to be agreeing with?"
Martin pouted. "Are you done playing Sherlock? Back to your old self are you?"
"As best as my old self is capable of being, yes."
Martin groaned and threw his hands in the air. "Oh, brilliant! Okay, you can stay like that. I'm getting myself some coffee!" he said crossly.
This immediately lit a fire under Ben, causing him to radically jump out of his reverie and made a dash to grab onto Martin's arm before he reached the trailer door. "So sorry Martin, it's always difficult to get out once you get in," he apologized.
Martin wheeled around to face the taller man and gave him a scorning look. The look came and went before he gave out a deep sigh. "You always do this," he complained.
"I can't always help it," Ben admitted sheepishly, pulling his Watson back closer to him. "Forgive me?"
"No... don't wield that pout at me young man!" Martin began to argue when Ben's mouth was shaping itself into the exact pout the Watson actor was pertaining to. Ben held this pose before Martin sighed heavily again and pulled Ben into a hug. "Alright, you're forgiven," he said, wrapping his arms around him.
Ben returned the embrace almost giddily before visibly calming down. "Now... what were you going to tell me?"
Martin pulled back and moved back into the trailer, sinking down onto the ever-comfortable couch before Ben promptly joined him. He habitually brought a finger over his mouth in silent contemplation, trying to gather his thoughts before speaking again. "Remember when we talked about... living together?"
Ben nodded in affirmation. "Yes of course," he answered. "You said that it would be as problematic as Sherlock and John find their living arrangements the first time around. What about it?"
Martin glanced down at his hands. "Would you consider it still?"
The Sherlock actor blinked in surprise at the sudden offer from the older. "And what brought this on so suddenly?" he asked. Granted, Ben was intrigued where this was going, but waited for Martin to continue before he brought in his thoughts on the matter.
Martin pursed his lips but chose not to meet Ben's gaze. He needed to get his point across however way he could. He began rubbing the pads of his thumbs together distractedly. "I found a suitable location, and I recall you mentioning that you were up for the move-in if the place was to your liking and standards."
Ben felt his shoulders relax at hearing the reason. But that didn't really help him calm down where the whole situation was concerned. "Are you quite sure? I'm sure we've had countless discussions that my living habits might be too extreme for you."
"I've managed it on set haven't I?" Martin quipped proudly.
"Yes, but those are two entirely different circumstances. Outside this project, we aren't necessarily a duo with chemistry such as the characters which we portray."
This caused Martin to lean back in amusement. He crossed his legs and gave Ben a calm smile. "Well, I'm sure I can name a few who would think otherwise. Are you concerned with the implications of us living together would mean Ben?" he asked.
"I'm quite aware of the implications of married life, Martin."
"I never said anything about marriage Ben." Martin's smile only grew at this.
The Sherlock actor paused. What had he just blurted out? He blinked in momentary confusion for a moment and distractedly cleared his throat. "Then do enlighten me on why you find it adamant for us to share living space."
"Think about it this way. I'd like to think of it as me being a Watson to your Sherlock, or a Bilbo to your Smaug. Even an Arthur Dent to your Khan in some odd twist of things, though I know that last one has absolutely no relation with each other," Martin explained in amusement.
Ben stared at Martin incredulously. "That suggests that you've agreed to get constant headaches because of me. Smaug cannot be healthy for you; what more Khan and Sherlock?"
Martin reached out and grabbed Ben's hand and squeezed it. "Must you really be overthinking these things Ben? If anything, I wouldn't be suggesting any of this if I was unprepared to face whatever you dish out. If you think yourself to be overwhelming, then I just might as well be around to tip the scales back into balance, and be a partner to your every odd scheme."
Ben gripped Martin's hand and gave him a grateful smile. "How can I be so fortunate to have someone like you Martin?"
"Easy. We're soulmates, sappy as that sounds," Martin answered cheekily. "I'm with you everywhere you are, and every person or character you do, I'll always be there to match up in one way or another."
The Sherlock actor couldn't believe his ears. He had always been intrigued what gave Martin the strength to work the long days with him, but this moment was a confirmation. Ben felt around his pockets for a while before producing a box. "Then now is the most opportune moment to present you with this."
Martin's eyes widened before blinking incredulously at the box that Ben popped open to reveal a magnificent engagement ring. "....Oh wow..."
"Too quick?" Ben asked, flinching and already scolding himself at his god-awful timing, starting to pull the box back.
"NO!" Martin cried, grabbing hold of his hand.
"So that's a no?"
"No."
"So yes?"
Martin nodded fervently. "Yes."
Ben matched the Watson actor's smile and pulled the ring from its case before sliding it onto Martin's finger. "In accepting this ring, do you take all of me?"
Martin answered the taller one by leaning forward and planting a kiss to his lips before he pulled back cheekily. "With every you, there will be an every me standing right alongside you Benedict. No matter what."
Ben nodded. "Then living together won't be half bad," he concluded.