Chapter Text
Chapter 1
Ellie thought time in Los Angeles was time wasted. Personally she wasn’t a fan of California, or the states at all. Let alone crowds and Americans and tourists otherwise – as much as she was a tourist, she didn’t want to be. She was here for her family, made up of people admittedly much younger than she was, so she was in Disneyland!
Disneyland was fun. She wasn’t going to deny that it was great, she did like rides and all of that, but there were lines, shoving, screaming, events her family wanted to see, Disney characters to visit, and an itinerary to guide them in the form of her Aunt screaming out where they were going and taking the hands of the youngest family members. It just wasn’t as fun anymore. Not with twelve people telling her she couldn’t go get a drink, they had to ride the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.
But Ellie didn’t listen to her aunt and she ended up alone. Of course calling her family, nobody answered. As if they could hear phones over all of the park noise. She stood up on one of the walls to try and spot them, but not one of a thousand people looked like they might belong to her. In her looking, Peter Pan was suddenly at her side mocking her, hands clasped together and at his forehead like a visor.
“Are you lost?” He asked. “It’s okay, you can be one of my lost boys!” Admittedly she was laughing. “I mean, you’re a girl, but Wendy could always use a friend.”
“I should find my family.” She shook her head and wondered why he was so intensely playing the character when she was an adult.
Peter Pan took her arm. “I’ll help!” He told her and then turned out to the crowd and started yelling out over everyone. “We’ve got a lost girl! Lost girl, looking for her family! I won’t let you take her unless you vow to never let her grow up.”
Ellie was blushing and put her hand over her face, arm still hooked in Peter’s. “Come on! Cute little English girl, long way from home!” He carried on.
People generally passed by with odd stares, or kids would shriek with glee and point at Peter Pan. Ellie kept trying to whisper in his ear that it was fine and she would be off, she could find them herself. But he was having too much fun.
Then a man in a cap stepped up onto the wall with them, not that Ellie realized until Peter had said, “Are you here for my lost girl?”
A smooth voice, deep and silly, answered. “Yes! We’ve got tons of childish fun to have.” And she had no idea who this man was.
But she was so thankful so be saved. This was humiliating, having Peter shout to the whole park she was lost. Ellie looked at the man as Peter Pan put an arm around her shoulder. “Is this Lost Boy a friend of yours or is he a dirty pirate?”
“Friend.” Ellie quickly answered.
Peter Pan gave her a salute and said a cheerful farewell before letting her go. The man stepped down and helped her to the sidewalk. As they walked together, he leaned down, “Sorry about that, you just looked horrified.” And he had an English accent.
She swallowed at that voice. It reverberated through her, it cut through the sounds of the crowd – it was beautiful. “Thank you, thanks.” Ellie told him and glanced over, not able to tell much about him under that cap. “He really had too much fun with that. If you didn’t save me I’d have to pretend to be a pirate and run for it or something.”
“Are you really lost? Because if you need a phone you can borrow mine.” He offered.
“No, I’ve been calling.” Ellie shook her head. “But thank you, again. I might just go back to my hotel if I don’t see them soon.”
“You’d leave Disneyland?” He had judgement in his tone, just jokingly.
She paused in her step. “Well, no offense to the Magic Kingdom, but I stopped having fun about an hour ago.”
“Why, why, why?” He bounced and rounded to stand in front of her. He was a complete goof. “I’m taking advantage of having to visit for a work thing and spending the day. I’m sure you can still have fun!”
Actually, the only way she could have fun is if he was alone. She’d go on what rides she’d like – she could get a drink, eat lunch, go to all the places she wanted. “But it’d be lonely.”
“Then do it with me!” He offered. Ellie bit her lip, taking in that statement the wrong way. “Oh, oops, I mean- I meant- that came out wrong. Just, I’m alone as well and we’re both tourists from the same place, maybe we can get along? Not that you aren’t beautiful – I didn’t mean to insinuate we’d be improper. Oh, God, no, this is a child’s park, of course not.”
Something in her mind clicked listening to this stranger go from his deep voice to absolutely rambling, and a bit squeaky. She really might know this voice. Ellie moved in close and peered under that hat, his hands instantly holding her arms as she did it. It was intrusive, being so close, but she had to see his face proper.
And she did recognize him. “You’re–”
“Um, yes, I am.” He chuckled, his fingers holding her still, his head tipping down. Then he was really close and removed one hand to tilt his hat up. “Are you, um… a fan?”
Ellie flushed and stepped back, able to really see his face. “Not that kind of fan.” She was quick to say. She’d heard him talk about those who drew things, wrote things, wanted things.
“Right, I can tell. You didn’t instantly giggle and ask for my autograph.” He chuckled and righted his cap, though not as low as before. “Or, you know, the other thing. So what kind of fan are you?”
Now a bit more embarrassed, she formulated a proper response. “Well- um, I- I guess I’m the sort who’d shake your hand and say you’re very impressive and stutter a bit like I already have.”
A hand went out. “Benedict Cumberbatch, nice to meet you.” He waited with a smile.
She took the hand, gladly. “Ellie Scuito. You’re fantastic. Should have won a BAFTA.” She added lightly.
“So, Ellie, would you like to explore Disneyland with me?” He asked after a chuckle, lips pressing into his generous bottom lip. Absolutely handsome.
“You- you can have more fun without me, I’m sure. You’ve probably got people you can hang out with.”
He scrunched his nose jokingly. “Didn’t I just say? I’m also alone, I’m taking advantage of a work thing – please spend the day with me? Just- in the normal way. Everyone should have fun in Disneyland. Plus I promised Peter Pan.”
She laughed and swayed in her spot. Spend time with a beautiful, amazing actor? Or go back to her hotel? “I’d love to.”
“Well you were easy to convince.”
“I’m only saying yes to avoid the traffic.”