Stray Dogs, part 1
Title: Stray Dogs
Author: Ach Eloise
Word Count: 11463
Rating: NC-17
Characters/Pairings: Sherlock/Molly, Sherlock/Moriarty, also Sebastian Moran is in here somewhere too.
Warnings: Sexual situations, violence, non-con.
Summary: Taken from two prompts, one asking for Sherlock to drop around Molly's place and the other for Molly to get hurt, and Sherlock to look after her. I hope this is okay! Aaaah. This took so long to write, so I'm sorry to the anonymous person who prompted me, I'm sorry to alicevalium who asked for a hurting Molly, and I'm sorry to my lovely friend Anneli who sat beside me while we watched a film and read all of my Sherlock/Molly fics, it's finally here! I hope you like it!
Authors Note: I like prompts! Give me prompts! Sherlock/Molly or Sherlock/Moriarty OR Sherlock/Moriarty/Moran :D And as always I'm sorry for any spelling mistakes! My anxiety has been a bit worse recently which makes it hard to focus on words, so I'm sorry if I missed something <3 I don't have spellcheck. Lastly, this is a fourth part to my current Sherlock/Molly series.
It Starts Here
Ever After
An Unconventional Date
Stray Dogs part 1 & 2
Stray Dogs part 1
Sherlock rolled over on the ground, half asleep, so tired, he felt something nudge his side again and opened his eyes, staring up at a blury figure above him, he blinked a few times, and terror and shock made his eyes widen and his blood run cold. He was up off of the ground in a second and backing away, towards the wall of the bridge he'd been sleeping under, it was autumn now and getting colder, he couldn't keep doing this or he'd freeze to death, but back to the matter at hand.
Moriarty stared over at Sherlock, looking curious and angry 'You're supposed to be dead.'
'So are you.' Sherlock said, brushing dry dirt off of his black coat, he looked Moriarty over, he was wearing a gray jacket, thick and wooly, with a pair of light blue jeans and two t-shirts, a jumper, trainers and a beanie hat. All of his clothes looked dirty, splashed with mud, and all just as old as Sherlock's, he needed a shave, too, as he always did, his eyes were just as empty. Apparently Sherlock wasn't the only genius sleeping on the streets of London.
'And yet here we both are.' Moriarty said, tilting his head to the side 'We seem to be in the same situation.'
Sherlock narrowed his eyes, trying to figure out how Moriarty had done it, how he'd survived, how he'd tricked him into thinking he'd swallowed a bullet and killed himself, he'd seen the blood, he'd seen the thicker things spread accross the gravel on the roof, how had he done it?
'Don't guess, it doesn't suit you.' Moriarty said, putting his hands into his pockets.
'Fine, how did you do it?' Sherlock asked.
'It was hard to make it look believable, for you. Anyone else would have been easier to fool, but you, well...' Moriarty smiled 'I went to extra lengths, but don't think for one second that I'll tell you how it was done.'
'A good magician never reveals his tricks, I suppose.' Sherlock said quietly 'What do you want?'
Moriarty shrugged his shoulders dramatically 'Company, I guess. It's so boring having to hide all the time, I did think about disapearing off to some other country but London is where it's all happening, and I like staying updated.'
'You're the perfect cameleon, and a good actor.' Sherlock said, sounding bored
'You could hide anywhere, why here?'
'Why not?' Moriarty said 'As you might have already realised, if you want to disapear, join the nameless.'
Sherlock tilted his head forward slightly, acknowledging that Moriarty had made a good decision, but still, this wasn't an ideal situation 'You want my company, why?'
'Because you're the only other person I've met in my life that is just. Like. Me.' Moriarty said 'And I'm curious.'
'You know what they say about curiosity.'
'I've already died once, Sherlock.' Moriarty grinned 'Want to join me?'
'Thank you, but no.' Sherlock said and turned, walking away.
'I could tell people you're alive.'
'Not without exposing yourself.' Sherlock called back.
Moriarty sighed heavily 'Worried I'll show you up?'
Sherlock stopped and turned back to stare over at Moriarty 'Show me up how?'
'I bet I'm better at surviving than you are.' Moriarty said.
Sherlock rolled his eyes and stared away to the left, something catching his eye.
'It would be so much easier doing this together, don't you think?'
Sherlock narrowed his eyes at the horrizon, weighing everything up. If he were to be caught on CCTV with Moriarty... but then he'd avoided it so far, kept his face hidden, was Moriarty as good? And could he trust him? Would be wake in the night to a knife against his throat? But then, it would be... interesting, getting to know his nemesis.
He walked back to Moriarty, keeping his eyes narrowed, staring into Moriarty's eyes, he stopped in front of him 'Hold out your arms.'
Moriarty held his arms out by his sides, rolling his eyes as Sherlock patted him down, checking for any weapons, hidden blades, his arms, back, sides, legs, he glanced up at Moriarty when he reached his ankles and saw the biggest grin on Moriarty's face that he'd ever seen, and then realised why. His face was directly level with his crotch.
Sherlock sighed and stood up, shaking his head 'If you start to bother me I'll abandon you.' he said.
'Like all of your other friends.'
'You're not my friend.' Sherlock said, turning and walking away 'Keep up.'
'Where are we going?' Moriarty asked, catching up with Sherlock to walk beside him.
'To buy breakfast.' Sherlock replied.
-
Sherlock stole the wallet of the first business man he bumped into, he strolled into a small cafe close by with Moriarty in toe and they ordered breakfast, they sat opposite each other accross a small, sticky table in silence and ate, Sherlock stared out of the big window behind Moriarty, keeping an eye on the street, both of them had their hoods up making their faces hard to see, but there was always a small chance someone would recognise them. This chance faded day by day, the newspaper articles about them had stopped being printed months ago, and it would soon float out of the heads of the public, and finally London town.
Hiding in plain sight would get easier and easier as time went by, but that didn't mean Sherlock would be wearing his hood down anytime soon, some people had good memories. He glanced at Moriarty to find he was being watched closely, he ignored the look, and his eyes settled back onto the street, and the people walking by, it was still early morning in London and a little foggy, but the fog would disapear soon, destroyed by the midday sun.
'Penny for your thoughts.' Moriarty said quietly, slicing through the egg on his plate.
'You'd need more than a penny.' Sherlock said, equally as quietly 'And you have nothing.'
'Mm.' Moriarty grinned 'Unlike you, expert pick pocket. I never thought you'd be so good at good, old fashioned crime.'
'Surprise.' Sherlock said flatly, keeping his eyes on the street.
'Look at you,' Moriarty sneered 'Back straight, perfect poise, tidy despite the fact that you've been sleeping rough, toast and jam though you probably haven't eaten properly in months. The perfect, well bread English upperclassman.'
'And what does that make you?' Sherlock asked, finally turning his attention to Moriarty, he waited for an answer but he didn't get one, and once again stared out at the street 'Do you think that because I was born into money I had a good childhood? Hm? Does that mean that, naturally, I was the perfect teenager? Learning violin and piano and German and going to college?'
Moriarty smirked 'Did I hit a nerve, Sherlock?'
Sherlock looked uncomfortable for a moment, rolling his shoulders back, he picked up another piece of toast and bit into it, enjoying the sweetness of the jam, Moriarty was right, he hadn't eaten properly in a while.
'Do you want to talk about it?'
'I will pay you to go away.' Sherlock said.
Moriarty grinned and went back to eating, and Sherlock did his best to ignore him, eat his toast and watch out for anyone suspicious looking.
-
'I'm surprised you're not playing your violin in the underground.' Moriarty said, as they walked through Covent Garden 'Wouldn't it be less ciminal?'
'Stealing wallets is easier.' Sherlock said 'And the violin is a little obvious, Mycroft would likely catch on quickly.'
'Hmm.' Moriarty smiled 'Stealing wallets is easier.'
Sherlock turned to look at him as they walked along, down Exeter Street towards the Strand.
'It's easier to be a criminal.' Moriarty said 'So why do you choose to struggle on with the Angels?'
'I don't struggle.' Sherlock said.
'Oh, I see. You find it easier to do good. Why?'
Sherlock sighed 'Is this going to be what it's like to constantly have you walking beside me?'
'Am I asking some uncomfortable questions?'
'I do good because it is what is right.' Sherlock said 'I solve crimes and puzzles and problems and if that means doing some good then so be it.'
'But you could be solving problems and puzzles and doing bad.' Moriarty said.
'No.' Sherlock said 'And stop trying to convince me to join your side, because it won't work.'
'This morning you stole someone's wallet.' Moriarty said 'You've already joined,' he held up his hands, making air quotes 'My side.'
'That was something I had to do, to eat, to survive. You commit crimes because you enjoy it.' Sherlock said 'There is a difference there.'
'Semantics.' Moriarty mumbled 'What're we doing next?'
'Walking.'
-
Sherlock opened his eyes sleepily, roused from dark dreams, and stared up into Moriarty's black eyes, a little light from the streetlight close by illuminating them both and giving them enough light to see by, it was cold, too, and his breath clouded above him, warming Moriarty's face 'What are you doing?'
Moriarty sighed, inching closer 'Your lips taste sweet.' he smiled 'Must have been the jam.' he leaned in and kissed Sherlock's lips for what must have been the second time that night.
Sherlock put his hands on Moriarty's chest, no rushing, he was still quite tired, and pushed him up, staring into his eyes 'Why are you kissing me?'
'Isn't it obvious?' Moriarty asked 'I've wanted you ever since I met you.'
'Why?'
'Because I've never met anyone else like me before.' Moriarty sighed, easing back down towards Sherlock 'Why would I ever choose somebody ordinary when I could have you?'
Sherlock sighed heavily 'I don't want you.'
'Ouch.' Moriarty said softly 'Just relax, Sherlock, I promise not to rush you. You did buy me dinner, after all.'
'Get off.' Sherlock said simply.
Moriarty gave Sherlock a huff of indignation and climbed off of him, laying back down beside him.
Sherlock closed his eyes again, so cold, he'd need to invest in a sleeping bag soon, and maybe a dog to keep warm on the streets of London. He felt Moriarty roll over, curling up against him, falling back into an easy sleep. Well, maybe not a dog...
-
Their second night together was more uncomfortable.
'Dinner and now a hotel, Sherlock, you know how to show a man a good time.'
'Do you ever stop talking?' Sherlock asked as he climbed up the fire escape.
Moriarty grinned, staring up at Sherlock's arse 'How do you know this is going to work?'
'You already know this is going to work.'
'But I want you to tell me.' Moriarty said.
'It's a moderately good hotel, the kind that people tend to look over and nothing more, add to that we're heading for the worst room in the hotel, because it's at the back and it overlooks this alleyway which is less than the perfect London view over the Thames, the room is small judging by the windows and there'll probably be only one bed, and who goes on holiday on their own?'
'And?'
'And the alarm on the fire door is obviously broken.' Sherlock said as he shouldered it, and walked inside, he held the door open for Moriarty who happily followed him in. Sherlock closed the door again, and walked to the room, glancing down the corridor, checking for cameras, there were none.
He knelt down in front of the door, pulled a hairpin from his hair and picked the lock.
'And you really don't want to be a criminal?' Moriarty asked 'You and I, Sherlock, we could rule the world.'
'Because I'm picking a lock in a hotel.' Sherlock said.
'Because you have the capacity to be just as criminal as me.'
'No, thank you.' Sherlock said.
'Why?' Moriarty asked 'Why choose to be boring?'
'Someone needs to the yin to your yang.' Sherlock smirked as the door clicked open, he stood and pushed it open wide, walking inside 'Coming?'
'Soon.' Moriarty grinned and followed Sherlock in, closing the door behind him.
Sherlock was already pulling his clothes off and heading for the ensuite 'Find something to do.' he mumbled.
'I already have, darling.' Moriarty said, grinning over at him.
'Stop that.' Sherlock said and and walked into the bathroom, closing the door behind him, he pulled his t-shirt off and threw it down next to the sink, next his socks, he was just working on the button on his jeans when the door opened.
'Does it scare you that I'm interested in you?' Moriarty asked, leaning in.
'It's always been unsettling.' Sherlock said, turning to look at him.
'You don't understand, do you?'
Sherlock frowned 'What?'
'You're oblivious when it comes to sex.'
'Not oblivious.' Sherlock said.
'What I meant, was, does it scare you that I want to fuck you?'
'I-' Sherlock frowned 'Should it?'
Moriarty smiled to himself, glancing down at the floor 'I don't know, should it?'
'Do you want to kill me?'
'I've already killed you.'
'Likewise.'
'No, no, no.' Moriarty smirked, but his eyes were dark 'I shot myself.'
'Well, no, you didn't, you made it look like you did.'
'And you made it look like you jumped off of a building and killed yourself. But I destroyed you before you stepped off of that ledge, didn't I?'
Sherlock smirked, Moriarty didn't want to kill him, he didn't need to, he'd already done it, Sherlock was no longer a threat, no longer a problem, Moriarty had paid him back the debt he owned him, he nolonger owed him a fall, he'd already fallen. He was safe. Or as safe as one could be hanging around with a mad serial killer and psychopath.
'Can I share a shower with you?' Moriarty asked.
'No.'
'Why not?'
'Because I don't want to end up sleeping with you.' Sherlock said, sounding frustrated.
'Why?' Moriarty asked 'Afraid you won't enjoy it?'
'I don't want to get any closer to you.'
'Moriarty smiled 'We're already spending so much time together, what's a bit more closeness?'
'I can barely stand you.'
'You invited me around for tea.'
'You invited yourself!' Sherlock said angrilly.
Moriarty leaned against the doorframe 'Temper temper.'
'You're infuriating.'
'Why?'
'You have an answer for everything I say.'
'And you love getting the last word.' Moriarty nodded 'Irene told me.'
Sherlock gave a heavy sigh 'Would you mind closing the door?'
Moriarty closed the door behind him and leaned back against it, looking Sherlock up and down and grinning appreciatively.
'And if you wouldn't mind being on the other side of the door.' Sherlock added, trying to keep calm.
Moriarty walked to Sherlock, taking the few steps between them to close the distance between them, he ran his hands down Sherlock's chest, down his sides to eventually rest on his hips, where the jeans that Molly had bought him were only just clinging onto him, he hadn't been eating properly 'Give me a chance.'
'I don't think you have the capacity to be a good person.' Sherlock said.
'So like me for being me.' Moriarty grinned 'The best consulting criminal in the world.'
Sherlock leaned down enough so that their faces were even, Moriarty went to close the distance between them, their lips almost touching when Sherlock spoke, voice low and dark 'Get. Out.' he snarled.
Moriarty shivered and grinned, his eyes meeting Sherlock's 'You and I are perfect for one another, and when you realise you'll beg me to fuck you.' he turned and walked out, closing the door behind him.
Sherlock sighed and undid his jeans, stepping out of them, Moriarty was completely and utterly batshit insane.
-
Moriarty stepped out of the shower a while later, he'd gone in when Sherlock had come out, letting him have his space, Sherlock had had a towel wrapped around his waist, and it had taken a lot of self restraint not to whip it off of him. Now they were both wearing nothing but a towel around their waists, with one huge difference.
Sherlock had fallen asleep on the bed, above the sheets, curled up on his side and now sleeping deeply, he hadn't woken when Moriarty had stepped out of the bathroom.
'You must have been tired,' Moriarty whispered 'I'm sure you wouldn't have fallen asleep with me around otherwise, not when you knew I was still awake.' he walked around the bed quietly and leaned accross the mattress, staring into Sherlock's face, he looked a lot younger when he was asleep, his long hair was laying in his eyes, caught in dark eyelashes, his lips parted slightly.
Moriarty climbed onto the bed, watching Sherlock's face closely for any signs of consciousness, he laid down behind him, close enough that their bodies were pressed together, Sherlock's back against Moriarty's chest. Moriarty pressed his lips to the nape of Sherlock's neck and kissed softly, gently, he lifted up the hair from the back of Sherlock's neck and kissed his hairline, sighing against his skin.
'Molly...' Sherlock sighed.
'Guess again.' Moriarty whispered into Sherlock's ear.
'Jarring.' Sherlock said, his voice a lot sterner, he was awake now 'Stop.'
'I'm not doing any harm.' Moriarty said, kissing the back of Sherlock's neck again, he heard Sherlock sigh, but it wasn't a frustrated sigh, it was something else, arousal? He continued to kiss his neck, his shoulders, his back.
'James.' Sherlock said, trying to sound stern, he wanted Moriarty to stop.
'Jim.' Moriarty replied easily, as if he were used to people using the wrong name constantly.
'Did you not hear me?'
'Selective hearing.' Moriarty whispered against Sherlock's ear, and felt Sherlock move against him, felt him relax slightly, he continued to kiss him gently, pressing himself against him.
Sherlock let out a surprised gasp as Moriarty's crotch pressed against his arse, and it was obvious that Moriarty was quite happy about their current situation 'Jim.' he said, quietly 'I said-'
'Still not doing any harm.' Moriarty said against Sherlock's warm skin 'It's not my fault if you're uncomfortable.'
'This is ridiculous, you can sleep on the floor.' Sherlock said, moving to get up.
'There's no rush.' Moriarty said, wrapping an arm around Sherlock to pull him back down, one of his eyebrows shot up, and he grinned 'Sherlock. And you made me think you weren't enjoying yourself.'
Sherlock sighed, laying back down on the bed, his erection obvious now, there was no point hiding it 'Are you always going to be this argumentative?'
'Are you?' Moriarty asked, biting Sherlock's earlobe gently 'Am I hurting you?'
'Not yet.' Sherlock said and sighed, he climbed off of the bed, his towel tied expertly around his waist so tight there wasn't a chance it would be falling off anytime soon, he turned off the lights in the bathroom and bedroom as Moriarty got under the quilt, Sherlock locked the door and walked back to the bed, laying back down and climbing under the quilt to face Moriarty 'Sleep.'
'Sweet dreams.' Moriarty said, and Sherlock shivered, because his voice was so close to his lips it had warmed his skin.
This wasn't a good idea, this had never been a good idea, sleeping with the enemy was never a good plan, even if he was just sleeping beside him, he couldn't trust Moriarty, and the idea of ever trusting him was preposterous. But Moriarty had no reason to kill him, and apparently no intention, right now all he seemed to want was company with an equal, and... something more, possibly. Sherlock wasn't sure, and he hated unsurety.
-
Sherlock left the next morning before Moriarty woke, getting dressed in silence, he snuck out, closing the door behind him, and walked back down the fire escape as quietly as possible, and back out onto the streets of London.
Staying with Moriarty was turning out to be too dangerous, too much of a problem, he couldn't trust him which left him constantly on guard, and it was becoming physically and mentally draining, he couldn't take it, and he didn't have to.
So he'd left, to disapear again. He was sure Moriarty would find him again, if he came looking, but when and where were yet to be decided. He didn't know how Moriarty would react to him abandoning him, but he was sure they could both survive just fine without needing to lean on one another.
-
It was three days later when Sherlock turned up on Molly's doorstep, it had been raining all day and despite the hood on his coat it wasn't waterproof, and he was soaked through and cold, and tired, and hungry. It had been a bad day, he'd spent most of it missing everyone and he hated it, he needed somewhere warm, and someone that loved him. He rang the doorbell and waited, shivering, the light came on inside, he heard Molly's feet thudding on the stairs, and then the door opened and she stood, beautiful in her pyjamas and framed in warm light.
'Sherlock.' she breathed 'Why- you never come here on your own, are you-'
'Can I come in?' Sherlock asked, aware that he was supressing tears, when he'd seen her he'd simply wanted to cry, to curl up with her and stop caring about pride and everything his brother had taught him, he was hurting so much.
'Sherlock, you could move in, it would be simpler.' Molly said, standing to the side so that he could step inside out of the rain, she closed the door behind him and took his hand 'Come on, let's get you out of those wet clothes.'
Sherlock gripped her hand tight and followed Molly up the stairs and into her flat, he closed the door behind them both, shivering still, Molly's flat was warm and cosy and as girly as ever, Toby was in the kitchen laying on the kitchen table looking nice and relaxed, life as a cat looked easy.
'Here,' Molly said, helping Sherlock out of his coat 'You feel so cold, Sherlock...' she helped him out of his t-shirt, undid the top button of his jeans, his hands rested on hers, making her look up into his beautiful silver eyes.
'I just need you.' Sherlock breathed, he leaned down and kissed Molly gently on the lips, almost nervous despite everything they'd done together thus far. Love, love was a very new thing, romantic love, love for Molly. He'd loved John, Mrs. Hudson, his friends, he'd loved them before, but this... he'd been so unsure about it at first, it was spontanious and it made his heart ache when he was away from Molly, and when he saw her all he wanted to do was wrap himself around her and never let go, bury his face in her hair and breathe her in.
It was such bad timing, it hurt.
Molly took Sherlock's hands in hers and pulled him towards her bedroom 'I'll warm you up.' she said softly.
Sherlock nodded, sighing, tired, following her without needing to think about why, it looked as though he was going to get his wish, to wrap himself around her, to be warm and safe and loved again for a few hours, before the dawn.
-
They had talked for hours, afterwards, about John, Mary, Mycroft, Lestrade, Mrs. Hudson, by the time they had finished talking Sherlock knew everything that he had missed in the last week, down to the tiniest detail, because Molly was getting better at picking up on the small things, thinking a little more like Sherlock, and it helped them both.
Sherlock's clothes were on Molly's radiators, almost dry having been washed, as always Molly insisted on washing his clothes, and making sure he took a shower, she knew how much better it made him feel. They'd both showered now, relaxed, they were laying beside each other in bed, still talking, but they'd moved on from friends and gone on to talk about Molly and how her days had been. Sherlock didn't talk much about his days, though Molly asked, he watched her serenely as she stroked her hand along Toby's back, her cat had curled up against her side on the sheets, purring quietly.
'So what was it?' Molly finally asked 'What's happened that's bothered you?'
'When did you get so good at reading me?' Sherlock asked.
'I've always known when you were lying, when you were just saying nice things so that I would do something for you, always. Before, I would let you get away with it, because you're you and I loved you, but you barely even noticed me. I'd do it so that I could help, so that you would see me.'
'Ah.' Sherlock nodded.
'I know something is up, Sherlock.'
Sherlock gave Molly an encouraging smile, but it was sad around the edges 'Nothing I can't handle.'
'So it's a problem.' Molly said, she'd taken Sherlock's left hand in hers, running her hands over his, running her fingers over each of his fingers, slowly, memorising his hand, it was relaxing and comforting, and nice.
Sherlock's smile disapeared a moment later 'I don't know what to do, I'll think of something...' he trailed off.
Molly sighed, rubbing Sherlock's hand 'I'm going to get us some water.' she said 'You must be thirsty, and hugnry!' she looked surprised 'I haven't made you anything to eat!'
Sherlock gave her a more honest smile, though it was small 'I don't like to ask.'
'I'll make you something now.' Molly said, getting up and pulling a silk dresing gown on 'Just wait there.' she smiled and opened the door, walking out into the livingroom and straight into Moriarty. She stumbled back, gasping, eyes wide.
'Hello gorgeous.' Moriarty grinned down at her 'It's been a while.'
A heartbeat later and Sherlock was standing beside Molly, a hand squarely on Moriarty's chest, keeping him back, his eyes a little wide, when had Moriarty caught up with him? How had he known he'd be here? Why did he break in? Was there a point? Did he want to hurt Molly?
'I love it when your face does that thing,' Moriarty smirked 'Your eyes kind've flicker, it's very...' he shrugged without having to move his shoulders 'Attractive.' he said darkly.
'You have ten seconds to explain yourself.' Sherlock said angrilly.
Molly was still stood in her doorway, slightly behind Sherlock now, still quite stunned 'Sherlock, did you know-'
'Molly, go back into your room and close the door.' Sherlock said without taking his eyes off of Moriarty.
'Right.' Molly said quietly, she took a step back into her room and closed her door, shutting Sherlock and Moriarty out in her livingroom.
'I suppose I can't call you The Virgin anymore.' Moriarty said, taking a step back and turning to survey the livingroom, he'd been here before, seen it all before, he'd sat with Molly on that sofa with Toby on his lap and watched Glee with her, all to get closer to Sherlock 'I never thought you'd come here, of all places.'
'And why are you here?' Sherlock asked.
'Because you are.' Moriarty said, turning to face him accross the room 'It's sweet of Molly to keep a set of pyjamas for you, very sweet.'
'These are hers.' Sherlock said 'I gave them to her.'
'But they fit you.'
'A gift from my brother.' Sherlock said 'You're not going to leave, are you?'
'No.' Moriarty smiled sweetly over at him, batting his eyelashes 'Do you think Molly would be interested in a threesome?'
Sherlock sighed heavily 'If only you had shot yourself.'
'If and buts.' Moriarty said, turning around to face a dresser with a few ornate frames sitting on it, pictures of Molly's family in them, he ran his finger over the closest one 'Molly, of all people, why her? She was never your friend.'
'Yes, she was.' Sherlock said 'I'd just never realised. We both underestimated her.'
'What do you mean, both?' Moriarty turned back to Sherlock, and realisation crossed his face 'Mortuary attendant. She supplied the body, didn't she? Oh, so clever! And I bet she helped you fake your death, didn't she?'
'There's more to Molly Hooper than meets the eye.' Sherlock said.
'Mm.' Moriarty turned back to the pictures on the dresser 'This shy, girly, mousy, quiet little girl that we both underestimated turns out to be a lot stronger than we ever gave her credit for. Who would have guessed?' he glanced back at Sherlock 'Well, it is always the quiet ones.'
Sherlock gave Moriarty a very even stare 'Were you quiet, James?'
'Jim!' Moriarty yelled, turning to face Sherlock, angry 'My name, is Jim.'
'Jim.' Sherlock said softly, walking towards him, he crossed his hands behind his back, casual as can be as he walked to Moriarty's left side, cirling him, stopping by his right and whispering against his ear 'Behave here, and I'll stop calling you James.'
Moriarty grinned, turning to Sherlock and leaning in to whisper against his ear 'I'll behave here if you do me a favour, Sherlock.'
'What?' Sherlock asked just as softly.
Moriarty put his hands on Sherlock's hips, his thumbs creeping under the pyjama bottoms, he leaned in so that his lips were touching Sherlock's ear as he whispered 'I choose when, where and how, and you don't argue back.'
Sherlock frowned, unsure, this didn't sound like a good idea 'And will I be alive at the end of it?'
'I even promise not to leave any scars.' Moriarty bit Sherlock's earlobe gently, he sighed against his skin and added 'I bet Molly keeps a lot of knives in her kitchen...'
Sherlock tensed slightly, noticeably, he took a deep breath in and let it out 'I owe you a favour.'
Moriarty said against Sherlock's ear, with no hint of emotion 'I can't wait.' and Sherlock's skin ran with goosebumps, he leaned back, finally, staring into Moriarty's eyes but he couldn't read him, he could only imagine what he might be thinking. But whatever it was, he knew that Molly would be safe tonight, and with any luck every other night, too, because Moriarty wanted Sherlock, and he would do a lot to get him.
'Molly.' Sherlock called.
Molly opened her bedroom door and stepped out, holding a hockey stick in her hands above her head threateningly 'If you try anything-'
'I promise you're safe,' Moriarty grinned over at her 'I'll be the perfect gentleman.'
'Jim is going to need a shower,' Sherlock said 'He's sleeping in the bed with us tonight.'
'Why?' Molly asked, confused and angry and a little bit scared.
Sherlock turned back to Moriarty 'Because I don't trust him on his own.'
'Oh.' Molly said quietly 'Well I- I don't have any other guy's pyjamas so-'
'That's fine.' Moriarty said.
'We'll find you somethhing.' Sherlock said, looking frustrated 'Follow me.'
'I already know the way.' Moriarty grinned happily as he followed Sherlock, Molly stepped out of their way, Moriarty leaned in against her as he passed, breathing her in, unsettling her. Sherlock showed Moriarty to the bathroom, he stood outside with the door most of the way closed and took all of Moriarty's clothes from him, finally closing the door and walking past a confused and upset looking Molly into the kitchen, where he stuffed all of the clothes besides the coat into the washing machine and switched it on.
'You could have told me.' Molly said softly, giving Sherlock a smile that had nothing to do with being happy, more nervous than anything else.
Sherlock walked to Molly, he took the hockey stick out of her hands and laid it down on the kitchen table, it hit the wood with a heavy klunk sound. He wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on Molly's head, she wasn't the only one who needed a hug right now.
'He found me five days ago, he asked for company, I tried to lose him three days ago but he found me again. He faked his death, I don't know how and I don't know if someone helped him, but right now as the situation is there's very little I can do to get away from him.' he closed his eyes 'I'm sorry, Molly. I tried to get rid of him before I came here, to you.'
'Why didn't you tell me?' Molly asked, her arms wrapped around Sherlock's back, he was so warm and solid, and he smelled good.
'I...' Sherlock frowned, opening his eyes 'I thought I could deal with it on my own. I was... protecting you.'
'Telling me would have been protecting me.' Molly said quietly, she leaned back in Sherlock's arms and stared up at him 'Please tell me when there's something wrong. Tell me when you're hurting.'
Sherlock frowned, looking sad, how could he be so heartless? He'd forgotten something important, Molly's father, who had tried so hard to protect her, and in the end it had hurt her all the same. He ran his hand along her jaw, giving her the same sad look, wishing he hadn't made the mistake. She stood on her toes and kissed him softly, and he sighed against her lips, kissing her back, just as gentle.
Molly pulled away after a few moments, staring into Sherlock's eyes 'Are we safe? With him here, tonight?'
'I believe so.' Sherlock said, glancing at the bedroom doorway and then back to Molly 'I'll sleep in the middle, if he wakes up I'll know.'
Molly nodded 'I'll make something to eat, for you both.' she pulled away from Sherlock, and in that moment Sherlock wanted her to stay, in the circle of his arms, and never go away again.
Love was such a complicated emotion.
-
Sherlock lay in bed that night, trying to sleep and failing, he was laying facing Molly, she was curled up against him, sleeping deeply in thin pink pyjamas with cat faces all over them, she was warm and the bed was soft and he wanted desperately to sleep.
But behind him lay Moriarty, consulting criminal and much too unhinged to be curled up against his back as he was, his slow and even breathing tousling the hair that lay against the back of Sherlock's neck, he was sleeping just as deeply as Molly.
Both of them had a hand around his waist, both of them had put their hands there after they had fallen asleep.
Sherlock closed his eyes and tried to get to sleep, tried to ignore the warm breath on the back of his neck, the hand around his waist, fingers brushing against the edge of the front of his pyjama trousers, a warm chest pressed against his back.
'This is ridiculous.' Sherlock whispered into the dark and closed his eyes for what felt like the tenth time, he forced his breathing to calm, trying to empty his mind of thoughts and finally, after another twenty minutes, verging on too hot trapped between too very warm bodies, drifted off to sleep.
-
Sherlock sighed in his sleep, waking slowly, drowsy, nuzzling the warm skin beside his face. He opened his eyes, finally, with another sigh, and looked around, and up, his eyes meeting Moriarty's. The room around them was still dark, early morning light filtering through the curtains, covering everything in a soft blue hue.
'I wondered when you'd wake up.' Moriarty said softly.
'We need to go.' Sherlock whispered and untangled himself from Molly who was hugging him from behind, he climbed off of the bed as carefully as possible and disappeared into the bathroom, re-appearing five minutes later with minty breath 'There's a spare toothbrush under the sink.'
Moriarty climbed out of the bed, careful not to wake Molly, he ran his hand across Sherlock's stomach as he walked past him and into the bathroom, leaving Sherlock staring after him, a little unsure.
Sherlock walked out into the livingroom to find his clothes neatly stacked on a chair beside the sofa, he changed into them and found with them a new jumper, dark blue, and a darker blue scarf and fingerless gloves to match. He smiled, finding a note on top of them and read it,
Keep warm,
Love Molly.
He pulled the jumper on over his t-shirt, it fit perfectly, and it was thick and warm. He pulled Moriarty's clothes off of the radiators, folding them neatly, he handed the pile to him as Moriarty walked through the door.
Moriarty took them, he held them to his face and breathed them in, clean and fresh, he started getting changed as Sherlock searched out a pen and a piece of paper and started writing a note.
Thank you for your patience, Molly, and for everything else. See you soon, all my love,
Sherlock.
Sherlock walked back into Molly's room and left the note beside her alarm clock, he leaned down and kissed her head gently, before turning and walking back out, closing the door behind him. Moriarty was waiting, already dressed and looking better than he had done in days, Sherlock glanced at him, and they headed for the door, hurrying down the stairs and out onto the street, into the early morning, cold and crisp and fresh.
-
Continued in Stray Dogs, part 2.
Author: Ach Eloise
Word Count: 11463
Rating: NC-17
Characters/Pairings: Sherlock/Molly, Sherlock/Moriarty, also Sebastian Moran is in here somewhere too.
Warnings: Sexual situations, violence, non-con.
Summary: Taken from two prompts, one asking for Sherlock to drop around Molly's place and the other for Molly to get hurt, and Sherlock to look after her. I hope this is okay! Aaaah. This took so long to write, so I'm sorry to the anonymous person who prompted me, I'm sorry to alicevalium who asked for a hurting Molly, and I'm sorry to my lovely friend Anneli who sat beside me while we watched a film and read all of my Sherlock/Molly fics, it's finally here! I hope you like it!
Authors Note: I like prompts! Give me prompts! Sherlock/Molly or Sherlock/Moriarty OR Sherlock/Moriarty/Moran :D And as always I'm sorry for any spelling mistakes! My anxiety has been a bit worse recently which makes it hard to focus on words, so I'm sorry if I missed something <3 I don't have spellcheck. Lastly, this is a fourth part to my current Sherlock/Molly series.
It Starts Here
Ever After
An Unconventional Date
Stray Dogs part 1 & 2
Stray Dogs part 1
Sherlock rolled over on the ground, half asleep, so tired, he felt something nudge his side again and opened his eyes, staring up at a blury figure above him, he blinked a few times, and terror and shock made his eyes widen and his blood run cold. He was up off of the ground in a second and backing away, towards the wall of the bridge he'd been sleeping under, it was autumn now and getting colder, he couldn't keep doing this or he'd freeze to death, but back to the matter at hand.
Moriarty stared over at Sherlock, looking curious and angry 'You're supposed to be dead.'
'So are you.' Sherlock said, brushing dry dirt off of his black coat, he looked Moriarty over, he was wearing a gray jacket, thick and wooly, with a pair of light blue jeans and two t-shirts, a jumper, trainers and a beanie hat. All of his clothes looked dirty, splashed with mud, and all just as old as Sherlock's, he needed a shave, too, as he always did, his eyes were just as empty. Apparently Sherlock wasn't the only genius sleeping on the streets of London.
'And yet here we both are.' Moriarty said, tilting his head to the side 'We seem to be in the same situation.'
Sherlock narrowed his eyes, trying to figure out how Moriarty had done it, how he'd survived, how he'd tricked him into thinking he'd swallowed a bullet and killed himself, he'd seen the blood, he'd seen the thicker things spread accross the gravel on the roof, how had he done it?
'Don't guess, it doesn't suit you.' Moriarty said, putting his hands into his pockets.
'Fine, how did you do it?' Sherlock asked.
'It was hard to make it look believable, for you. Anyone else would have been easier to fool, but you, well...' Moriarty smiled 'I went to extra lengths, but don't think for one second that I'll tell you how it was done.'
'A good magician never reveals his tricks, I suppose.' Sherlock said quietly 'What do you want?'
Moriarty shrugged his shoulders dramatically 'Company, I guess. It's so boring having to hide all the time, I did think about disapearing off to some other country but London is where it's all happening, and I like staying updated.'
'You're the perfect cameleon, and a good actor.' Sherlock said, sounding bored
'You could hide anywhere, why here?'
'Why not?' Moriarty said 'As you might have already realised, if you want to disapear, join the nameless.'
Sherlock tilted his head forward slightly, acknowledging that Moriarty had made a good decision, but still, this wasn't an ideal situation 'You want my company, why?'
'Because you're the only other person I've met in my life that is just. Like. Me.' Moriarty said 'And I'm curious.'
'You know what they say about curiosity.'
'I've already died once, Sherlock.' Moriarty grinned 'Want to join me?'
'Thank you, but no.' Sherlock said and turned, walking away.
'I could tell people you're alive.'
'Not without exposing yourself.' Sherlock called back.
Moriarty sighed heavily 'Worried I'll show you up?'
Sherlock stopped and turned back to stare over at Moriarty 'Show me up how?'
'I bet I'm better at surviving than you are.' Moriarty said.
Sherlock rolled his eyes and stared away to the left, something catching his eye.
'It would be so much easier doing this together, don't you think?'
Sherlock narrowed his eyes at the horrizon, weighing everything up. If he were to be caught on CCTV with Moriarty... but then he'd avoided it so far, kept his face hidden, was Moriarty as good? And could he trust him? Would be wake in the night to a knife against his throat? But then, it would be... interesting, getting to know his nemesis.
He walked back to Moriarty, keeping his eyes narrowed, staring into Moriarty's eyes, he stopped in front of him 'Hold out your arms.'
Moriarty held his arms out by his sides, rolling his eyes as Sherlock patted him down, checking for any weapons, hidden blades, his arms, back, sides, legs, he glanced up at Moriarty when he reached his ankles and saw the biggest grin on Moriarty's face that he'd ever seen, and then realised why. His face was directly level with his crotch.
Sherlock sighed and stood up, shaking his head 'If you start to bother me I'll abandon you.' he said.
'Like all of your other friends.'
'You're not my friend.' Sherlock said, turning and walking away 'Keep up.'
'Where are we going?' Moriarty asked, catching up with Sherlock to walk beside him.
'To buy breakfast.' Sherlock replied.
-
Sherlock stole the wallet of the first business man he bumped into, he strolled into a small cafe close by with Moriarty in toe and they ordered breakfast, they sat opposite each other accross a small, sticky table in silence and ate, Sherlock stared out of the big window behind Moriarty, keeping an eye on the street, both of them had their hoods up making their faces hard to see, but there was always a small chance someone would recognise them. This chance faded day by day, the newspaper articles about them had stopped being printed months ago, and it would soon float out of the heads of the public, and finally London town.
Hiding in plain sight would get easier and easier as time went by, but that didn't mean Sherlock would be wearing his hood down anytime soon, some people had good memories. He glanced at Moriarty to find he was being watched closely, he ignored the look, and his eyes settled back onto the street, and the people walking by, it was still early morning in London and a little foggy, but the fog would disapear soon, destroyed by the midday sun.
'Penny for your thoughts.' Moriarty said quietly, slicing through the egg on his plate.
'You'd need more than a penny.' Sherlock said, equally as quietly 'And you have nothing.'
'Mm.' Moriarty grinned 'Unlike you, expert pick pocket. I never thought you'd be so good at good, old fashioned crime.'
'Surprise.' Sherlock said flatly, keeping his eyes on the street.
'Look at you,' Moriarty sneered 'Back straight, perfect poise, tidy despite the fact that you've been sleeping rough, toast and jam though you probably haven't eaten properly in months. The perfect, well bread English upperclassman.'
'And what does that make you?' Sherlock asked, finally turning his attention to Moriarty, he waited for an answer but he didn't get one, and once again stared out at the street 'Do you think that because I was born into money I had a good childhood? Hm? Does that mean that, naturally, I was the perfect teenager? Learning violin and piano and German and going to college?'
Moriarty smirked 'Did I hit a nerve, Sherlock?'
Sherlock looked uncomfortable for a moment, rolling his shoulders back, he picked up another piece of toast and bit into it, enjoying the sweetness of the jam, Moriarty was right, he hadn't eaten properly in a while.
'Do you want to talk about it?'
'I will pay you to go away.' Sherlock said.
Moriarty grinned and went back to eating, and Sherlock did his best to ignore him, eat his toast and watch out for anyone suspicious looking.
-
'I'm surprised you're not playing your violin in the underground.' Moriarty said, as they walked through Covent Garden 'Wouldn't it be less ciminal?'
'Stealing wallets is easier.' Sherlock said 'And the violin is a little obvious, Mycroft would likely catch on quickly.'
'Hmm.' Moriarty smiled 'Stealing wallets is easier.'
Sherlock turned to look at him as they walked along, down Exeter Street towards the Strand.
'It's easier to be a criminal.' Moriarty said 'So why do you choose to struggle on with the Angels?'
'I don't struggle.' Sherlock said.
'Oh, I see. You find it easier to do good. Why?'
Sherlock sighed 'Is this going to be what it's like to constantly have you walking beside me?'
'Am I asking some uncomfortable questions?'
'I do good because it is what is right.' Sherlock said 'I solve crimes and puzzles and problems and if that means doing some good then so be it.'
'But you could be solving problems and puzzles and doing bad.' Moriarty said.
'No.' Sherlock said 'And stop trying to convince me to join your side, because it won't work.'
'This morning you stole someone's wallet.' Moriarty said 'You've already joined,' he held up his hands, making air quotes 'My side.'
'That was something I had to do, to eat, to survive. You commit crimes because you enjoy it.' Sherlock said 'There is a difference there.'
'Semantics.' Moriarty mumbled 'What're we doing next?'
'Walking.'
-
Sherlock opened his eyes sleepily, roused from dark dreams, and stared up into Moriarty's black eyes, a little light from the streetlight close by illuminating them both and giving them enough light to see by, it was cold, too, and his breath clouded above him, warming Moriarty's face 'What are you doing?'
Moriarty sighed, inching closer 'Your lips taste sweet.' he smiled 'Must have been the jam.' he leaned in and kissed Sherlock's lips for what must have been the second time that night.
Sherlock put his hands on Moriarty's chest, no rushing, he was still quite tired, and pushed him up, staring into his eyes 'Why are you kissing me?'
'Isn't it obvious?' Moriarty asked 'I've wanted you ever since I met you.'
'Why?'
'Because I've never met anyone else like me before.' Moriarty sighed, easing back down towards Sherlock 'Why would I ever choose somebody ordinary when I could have you?'
Sherlock sighed heavily 'I don't want you.'
'Ouch.' Moriarty said softly 'Just relax, Sherlock, I promise not to rush you. You did buy me dinner, after all.'
'Get off.' Sherlock said simply.
Moriarty gave Sherlock a huff of indignation and climbed off of him, laying back down beside him.
Sherlock closed his eyes again, so cold, he'd need to invest in a sleeping bag soon, and maybe a dog to keep warm on the streets of London. He felt Moriarty roll over, curling up against him, falling back into an easy sleep. Well, maybe not a dog...
-
Their second night together was more uncomfortable.
'Dinner and now a hotel, Sherlock, you know how to show a man a good time.'
'Do you ever stop talking?' Sherlock asked as he climbed up the fire escape.
Moriarty grinned, staring up at Sherlock's arse 'How do you know this is going to work?'
'You already know this is going to work.'
'But I want you to tell me.' Moriarty said.
'It's a moderately good hotel, the kind that people tend to look over and nothing more, add to that we're heading for the worst room in the hotel, because it's at the back and it overlooks this alleyway which is less than the perfect London view over the Thames, the room is small judging by the windows and there'll probably be only one bed, and who goes on holiday on their own?'
'And?'
'And the alarm on the fire door is obviously broken.' Sherlock said as he shouldered it, and walked inside, he held the door open for Moriarty who happily followed him in. Sherlock closed the door again, and walked to the room, glancing down the corridor, checking for cameras, there were none.
He knelt down in front of the door, pulled a hairpin from his hair and picked the lock.
'And you really don't want to be a criminal?' Moriarty asked 'You and I, Sherlock, we could rule the world.'
'Because I'm picking a lock in a hotel.' Sherlock said.
'Because you have the capacity to be just as criminal as me.'
'No, thank you.' Sherlock said.
'Why?' Moriarty asked 'Why choose to be boring?'
'Someone needs to the yin to your yang.' Sherlock smirked as the door clicked open, he stood and pushed it open wide, walking inside 'Coming?'
'Soon.' Moriarty grinned and followed Sherlock in, closing the door behind him.
Sherlock was already pulling his clothes off and heading for the ensuite 'Find something to do.' he mumbled.
'I already have, darling.' Moriarty said, grinning over at him.
'Stop that.' Sherlock said and and walked into the bathroom, closing the door behind him, he pulled his t-shirt off and threw it down next to the sink, next his socks, he was just working on the button on his jeans when the door opened.
'Does it scare you that I'm interested in you?' Moriarty asked, leaning in.
'It's always been unsettling.' Sherlock said, turning to look at him.
'You don't understand, do you?'
Sherlock frowned 'What?'
'You're oblivious when it comes to sex.'
'Not oblivious.' Sherlock said.
'What I meant, was, does it scare you that I want to fuck you?'
'I-' Sherlock frowned 'Should it?'
Moriarty smiled to himself, glancing down at the floor 'I don't know, should it?'
'Do you want to kill me?'
'I've already killed you.'
'Likewise.'
'No, no, no.' Moriarty smirked, but his eyes were dark 'I shot myself.'
'Well, no, you didn't, you made it look like you did.'
'And you made it look like you jumped off of a building and killed yourself. But I destroyed you before you stepped off of that ledge, didn't I?'
Sherlock smirked, Moriarty didn't want to kill him, he didn't need to, he'd already done it, Sherlock was no longer a threat, no longer a problem, Moriarty had paid him back the debt he owned him, he nolonger owed him a fall, he'd already fallen. He was safe. Or as safe as one could be hanging around with a mad serial killer and psychopath.
'Can I share a shower with you?' Moriarty asked.
'No.'
'Why not?'
'Because I don't want to end up sleeping with you.' Sherlock said, sounding frustrated.
'Why?' Moriarty asked 'Afraid you won't enjoy it?'
'I don't want to get any closer to you.'
'Moriarty smiled 'We're already spending so much time together, what's a bit more closeness?'
'I can barely stand you.'
'You invited me around for tea.'
'You invited yourself!' Sherlock said angrilly.
Moriarty leaned against the doorframe 'Temper temper.'
'You're infuriating.'
'Why?'
'You have an answer for everything I say.'
'And you love getting the last word.' Moriarty nodded 'Irene told me.'
Sherlock gave a heavy sigh 'Would you mind closing the door?'
Moriarty closed the door behind him and leaned back against it, looking Sherlock up and down and grinning appreciatively.
'And if you wouldn't mind being on the other side of the door.' Sherlock added, trying to keep calm.
Moriarty walked to Sherlock, taking the few steps between them to close the distance between them, he ran his hands down Sherlock's chest, down his sides to eventually rest on his hips, where the jeans that Molly had bought him were only just clinging onto him, he hadn't been eating properly 'Give me a chance.'
'I don't think you have the capacity to be a good person.' Sherlock said.
'So like me for being me.' Moriarty grinned 'The best consulting criminal in the world.'
Sherlock leaned down enough so that their faces were even, Moriarty went to close the distance between them, their lips almost touching when Sherlock spoke, voice low and dark 'Get. Out.' he snarled.
Moriarty shivered and grinned, his eyes meeting Sherlock's 'You and I are perfect for one another, and when you realise you'll beg me to fuck you.' he turned and walked out, closing the door behind him.
Sherlock sighed and undid his jeans, stepping out of them, Moriarty was completely and utterly batshit insane.
-
Moriarty stepped out of the shower a while later, he'd gone in when Sherlock had come out, letting him have his space, Sherlock had had a towel wrapped around his waist, and it had taken a lot of self restraint not to whip it off of him. Now they were both wearing nothing but a towel around their waists, with one huge difference.
Sherlock had fallen asleep on the bed, above the sheets, curled up on his side and now sleeping deeply, he hadn't woken when Moriarty had stepped out of the bathroom.
'You must have been tired,' Moriarty whispered 'I'm sure you wouldn't have fallen asleep with me around otherwise, not when you knew I was still awake.' he walked around the bed quietly and leaned accross the mattress, staring into Sherlock's face, he looked a lot younger when he was asleep, his long hair was laying in his eyes, caught in dark eyelashes, his lips parted slightly.
Moriarty climbed onto the bed, watching Sherlock's face closely for any signs of consciousness, he laid down behind him, close enough that their bodies were pressed together, Sherlock's back against Moriarty's chest. Moriarty pressed his lips to the nape of Sherlock's neck and kissed softly, gently, he lifted up the hair from the back of Sherlock's neck and kissed his hairline, sighing against his skin.
'Molly...' Sherlock sighed.
'Guess again.' Moriarty whispered into Sherlock's ear.
'Jarring.' Sherlock said, his voice a lot sterner, he was awake now 'Stop.'
'I'm not doing any harm.' Moriarty said, kissing the back of Sherlock's neck again, he heard Sherlock sigh, but it wasn't a frustrated sigh, it was something else, arousal? He continued to kiss his neck, his shoulders, his back.
'James.' Sherlock said, trying to sound stern, he wanted Moriarty to stop.
'Jim.' Moriarty replied easily, as if he were used to people using the wrong name constantly.
'Did you not hear me?'
'Selective hearing.' Moriarty whispered against Sherlock's ear, and felt Sherlock move against him, felt him relax slightly, he continued to kiss him gently, pressing himself against him.
Sherlock let out a surprised gasp as Moriarty's crotch pressed against his arse, and it was obvious that Moriarty was quite happy about their current situation 'Jim.' he said, quietly 'I said-'
'Still not doing any harm.' Moriarty said against Sherlock's warm skin 'It's not my fault if you're uncomfortable.'
'This is ridiculous, you can sleep on the floor.' Sherlock said, moving to get up.
'There's no rush.' Moriarty said, wrapping an arm around Sherlock to pull him back down, one of his eyebrows shot up, and he grinned 'Sherlock. And you made me think you weren't enjoying yourself.'
Sherlock sighed, laying back down on the bed, his erection obvious now, there was no point hiding it 'Are you always going to be this argumentative?'
'Are you?' Moriarty asked, biting Sherlock's earlobe gently 'Am I hurting you?'
'Not yet.' Sherlock said and sighed, he climbed off of the bed, his towel tied expertly around his waist so tight there wasn't a chance it would be falling off anytime soon, he turned off the lights in the bathroom and bedroom as Moriarty got under the quilt, Sherlock locked the door and walked back to the bed, laying back down and climbing under the quilt to face Moriarty 'Sleep.'
'Sweet dreams.' Moriarty said, and Sherlock shivered, because his voice was so close to his lips it had warmed his skin.
This wasn't a good idea, this had never been a good idea, sleeping with the enemy was never a good plan, even if he was just sleeping beside him, he couldn't trust Moriarty, and the idea of ever trusting him was preposterous. But Moriarty had no reason to kill him, and apparently no intention, right now all he seemed to want was company with an equal, and... something more, possibly. Sherlock wasn't sure, and he hated unsurety.
-
Sherlock left the next morning before Moriarty woke, getting dressed in silence, he snuck out, closing the door behind him, and walked back down the fire escape as quietly as possible, and back out onto the streets of London.
Staying with Moriarty was turning out to be too dangerous, too much of a problem, he couldn't trust him which left him constantly on guard, and it was becoming physically and mentally draining, he couldn't take it, and he didn't have to.
So he'd left, to disapear again. He was sure Moriarty would find him again, if he came looking, but when and where were yet to be decided. He didn't know how Moriarty would react to him abandoning him, but he was sure they could both survive just fine without needing to lean on one another.
-
It was three days later when Sherlock turned up on Molly's doorstep, it had been raining all day and despite the hood on his coat it wasn't waterproof, and he was soaked through and cold, and tired, and hungry. It had been a bad day, he'd spent most of it missing everyone and he hated it, he needed somewhere warm, and someone that loved him. He rang the doorbell and waited, shivering, the light came on inside, he heard Molly's feet thudding on the stairs, and then the door opened and she stood, beautiful in her pyjamas and framed in warm light.
'Sherlock.' she breathed 'Why- you never come here on your own, are you-'
'Can I come in?' Sherlock asked, aware that he was supressing tears, when he'd seen her he'd simply wanted to cry, to curl up with her and stop caring about pride and everything his brother had taught him, he was hurting so much.
'Sherlock, you could move in, it would be simpler.' Molly said, standing to the side so that he could step inside out of the rain, she closed the door behind him and took his hand 'Come on, let's get you out of those wet clothes.'
Sherlock gripped her hand tight and followed Molly up the stairs and into her flat, he closed the door behind them both, shivering still, Molly's flat was warm and cosy and as girly as ever, Toby was in the kitchen laying on the kitchen table looking nice and relaxed, life as a cat looked easy.
'Here,' Molly said, helping Sherlock out of his coat 'You feel so cold, Sherlock...' she helped him out of his t-shirt, undid the top button of his jeans, his hands rested on hers, making her look up into his beautiful silver eyes.
'I just need you.' Sherlock breathed, he leaned down and kissed Molly gently on the lips, almost nervous despite everything they'd done together thus far. Love, love was a very new thing, romantic love, love for Molly. He'd loved John, Mrs. Hudson, his friends, he'd loved them before, but this... he'd been so unsure about it at first, it was spontanious and it made his heart ache when he was away from Molly, and when he saw her all he wanted to do was wrap himself around her and never let go, bury his face in her hair and breathe her in.
It was such bad timing, it hurt.
Molly took Sherlock's hands in hers and pulled him towards her bedroom 'I'll warm you up.' she said softly.
Sherlock nodded, sighing, tired, following her without needing to think about why, it looked as though he was going to get his wish, to wrap himself around her, to be warm and safe and loved again for a few hours, before the dawn.
-
They had talked for hours, afterwards, about John, Mary, Mycroft, Lestrade, Mrs. Hudson, by the time they had finished talking Sherlock knew everything that he had missed in the last week, down to the tiniest detail, because Molly was getting better at picking up on the small things, thinking a little more like Sherlock, and it helped them both.
Sherlock's clothes were on Molly's radiators, almost dry having been washed, as always Molly insisted on washing his clothes, and making sure he took a shower, she knew how much better it made him feel. They'd both showered now, relaxed, they were laying beside each other in bed, still talking, but they'd moved on from friends and gone on to talk about Molly and how her days had been. Sherlock didn't talk much about his days, though Molly asked, he watched her serenely as she stroked her hand along Toby's back, her cat had curled up against her side on the sheets, purring quietly.
'So what was it?' Molly finally asked 'What's happened that's bothered you?'
'When did you get so good at reading me?' Sherlock asked.
'I've always known when you were lying, when you were just saying nice things so that I would do something for you, always. Before, I would let you get away with it, because you're you and I loved you, but you barely even noticed me. I'd do it so that I could help, so that you would see me.'
'Ah.' Sherlock nodded.
'I know something is up, Sherlock.'
Sherlock gave Molly an encouraging smile, but it was sad around the edges 'Nothing I can't handle.'
'So it's a problem.' Molly said, she'd taken Sherlock's left hand in hers, running her hands over his, running her fingers over each of his fingers, slowly, memorising his hand, it was relaxing and comforting, and nice.
Sherlock's smile disapeared a moment later 'I don't know what to do, I'll think of something...' he trailed off.
Molly sighed, rubbing Sherlock's hand 'I'm going to get us some water.' she said 'You must be thirsty, and hugnry!' she looked surprised 'I haven't made you anything to eat!'
Sherlock gave her a more honest smile, though it was small 'I don't like to ask.'
'I'll make you something now.' Molly said, getting up and pulling a silk dresing gown on 'Just wait there.' she smiled and opened the door, walking out into the livingroom and straight into Moriarty. She stumbled back, gasping, eyes wide.
'Hello gorgeous.' Moriarty grinned down at her 'It's been a while.'
A heartbeat later and Sherlock was standing beside Molly, a hand squarely on Moriarty's chest, keeping him back, his eyes a little wide, when had Moriarty caught up with him? How had he known he'd be here? Why did he break in? Was there a point? Did he want to hurt Molly?
'I love it when your face does that thing,' Moriarty smirked 'Your eyes kind've flicker, it's very...' he shrugged without having to move his shoulders 'Attractive.' he said darkly.
'You have ten seconds to explain yourself.' Sherlock said angrilly.
Molly was still stood in her doorway, slightly behind Sherlock now, still quite stunned 'Sherlock, did you know-'
'Molly, go back into your room and close the door.' Sherlock said without taking his eyes off of Moriarty.
'Right.' Molly said quietly, she took a step back into her room and closed her door, shutting Sherlock and Moriarty out in her livingroom.
'I suppose I can't call you The Virgin anymore.' Moriarty said, taking a step back and turning to survey the livingroom, he'd been here before, seen it all before, he'd sat with Molly on that sofa with Toby on his lap and watched Glee with her, all to get closer to Sherlock 'I never thought you'd come here, of all places.'
'And why are you here?' Sherlock asked.
'Because you are.' Moriarty said, turning to face him accross the room 'It's sweet of Molly to keep a set of pyjamas for you, very sweet.'
'These are hers.' Sherlock said 'I gave them to her.'
'But they fit you.'
'A gift from my brother.' Sherlock said 'You're not going to leave, are you?'
'No.' Moriarty smiled sweetly over at him, batting his eyelashes 'Do you think Molly would be interested in a threesome?'
Sherlock sighed heavily 'If only you had shot yourself.'
'If and buts.' Moriarty said, turning around to face a dresser with a few ornate frames sitting on it, pictures of Molly's family in them, he ran his finger over the closest one 'Molly, of all people, why her? She was never your friend.'
'Yes, she was.' Sherlock said 'I'd just never realised. We both underestimated her.'
'What do you mean, both?' Moriarty turned back to Sherlock, and realisation crossed his face 'Mortuary attendant. She supplied the body, didn't she? Oh, so clever! And I bet she helped you fake your death, didn't she?'
'There's more to Molly Hooper than meets the eye.' Sherlock said.
'Mm.' Moriarty turned back to the pictures on the dresser 'This shy, girly, mousy, quiet little girl that we both underestimated turns out to be a lot stronger than we ever gave her credit for. Who would have guessed?' he glanced back at Sherlock 'Well, it is always the quiet ones.'
Sherlock gave Moriarty a very even stare 'Were you quiet, James?'
'Jim!' Moriarty yelled, turning to face Sherlock, angry 'My name, is Jim.'
'Jim.' Sherlock said softly, walking towards him, he crossed his hands behind his back, casual as can be as he walked to Moriarty's left side, cirling him, stopping by his right and whispering against his ear 'Behave here, and I'll stop calling you James.'
Moriarty grinned, turning to Sherlock and leaning in to whisper against his ear 'I'll behave here if you do me a favour, Sherlock.'
'What?' Sherlock asked just as softly.
Moriarty put his hands on Sherlock's hips, his thumbs creeping under the pyjama bottoms, he leaned in so that his lips were touching Sherlock's ear as he whispered 'I choose when, where and how, and you don't argue back.'
Sherlock frowned, unsure, this didn't sound like a good idea 'And will I be alive at the end of it?'
'I even promise not to leave any scars.' Moriarty bit Sherlock's earlobe gently, he sighed against his skin and added 'I bet Molly keeps a lot of knives in her kitchen...'
Sherlock tensed slightly, noticeably, he took a deep breath in and let it out 'I owe you a favour.'
Moriarty said against Sherlock's ear, with no hint of emotion 'I can't wait.' and Sherlock's skin ran with goosebumps, he leaned back, finally, staring into Moriarty's eyes but he couldn't read him, he could only imagine what he might be thinking. But whatever it was, he knew that Molly would be safe tonight, and with any luck every other night, too, because Moriarty wanted Sherlock, and he would do a lot to get him.
'Molly.' Sherlock called.
Molly opened her bedroom door and stepped out, holding a hockey stick in her hands above her head threateningly 'If you try anything-'
'I promise you're safe,' Moriarty grinned over at her 'I'll be the perfect gentleman.'
'Jim is going to need a shower,' Sherlock said 'He's sleeping in the bed with us tonight.'
'Why?' Molly asked, confused and angry and a little bit scared.
Sherlock turned back to Moriarty 'Because I don't trust him on his own.'
'Oh.' Molly said quietly 'Well I- I don't have any other guy's pyjamas so-'
'That's fine.' Moriarty said.
'We'll find you somethhing.' Sherlock said, looking frustrated 'Follow me.'
'I already know the way.' Moriarty grinned happily as he followed Sherlock, Molly stepped out of their way, Moriarty leaned in against her as he passed, breathing her in, unsettling her. Sherlock showed Moriarty to the bathroom, he stood outside with the door most of the way closed and took all of Moriarty's clothes from him, finally closing the door and walking past a confused and upset looking Molly into the kitchen, where he stuffed all of the clothes besides the coat into the washing machine and switched it on.
'You could have told me.' Molly said softly, giving Sherlock a smile that had nothing to do with being happy, more nervous than anything else.
Sherlock walked to Molly, he took the hockey stick out of her hands and laid it down on the kitchen table, it hit the wood with a heavy klunk sound. He wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on Molly's head, she wasn't the only one who needed a hug right now.
'He found me five days ago, he asked for company, I tried to lose him three days ago but he found me again. He faked his death, I don't know how and I don't know if someone helped him, but right now as the situation is there's very little I can do to get away from him.' he closed his eyes 'I'm sorry, Molly. I tried to get rid of him before I came here, to you.'
'Why didn't you tell me?' Molly asked, her arms wrapped around Sherlock's back, he was so warm and solid, and he smelled good.
'I...' Sherlock frowned, opening his eyes 'I thought I could deal with it on my own. I was... protecting you.'
'Telling me would have been protecting me.' Molly said quietly, she leaned back in Sherlock's arms and stared up at him 'Please tell me when there's something wrong. Tell me when you're hurting.'
Sherlock frowned, looking sad, how could he be so heartless? He'd forgotten something important, Molly's father, who had tried so hard to protect her, and in the end it had hurt her all the same. He ran his hand along her jaw, giving her the same sad look, wishing he hadn't made the mistake. She stood on her toes and kissed him softly, and he sighed against her lips, kissing her back, just as gentle.
Molly pulled away after a few moments, staring into Sherlock's eyes 'Are we safe? With him here, tonight?'
'I believe so.' Sherlock said, glancing at the bedroom doorway and then back to Molly 'I'll sleep in the middle, if he wakes up I'll know.'
Molly nodded 'I'll make something to eat, for you both.' she pulled away from Sherlock, and in that moment Sherlock wanted her to stay, in the circle of his arms, and never go away again.
Love was such a complicated emotion.
-
Sherlock lay in bed that night, trying to sleep and failing, he was laying facing Molly, she was curled up against him, sleeping deeply in thin pink pyjamas with cat faces all over them, she was warm and the bed was soft and he wanted desperately to sleep.
But behind him lay Moriarty, consulting criminal and much too unhinged to be curled up against his back as he was, his slow and even breathing tousling the hair that lay against the back of Sherlock's neck, he was sleeping just as deeply as Molly.
Both of them had a hand around his waist, both of them had put their hands there after they had fallen asleep.
Sherlock closed his eyes and tried to get to sleep, tried to ignore the warm breath on the back of his neck, the hand around his waist, fingers brushing against the edge of the front of his pyjama trousers, a warm chest pressed against his back.
'This is ridiculous.' Sherlock whispered into the dark and closed his eyes for what felt like the tenth time, he forced his breathing to calm, trying to empty his mind of thoughts and finally, after another twenty minutes, verging on too hot trapped between too very warm bodies, drifted off to sleep.
-
Sherlock sighed in his sleep, waking slowly, drowsy, nuzzling the warm skin beside his face. He opened his eyes, finally, with another sigh, and looked around, and up, his eyes meeting Moriarty's. The room around them was still dark, early morning light filtering through the curtains, covering everything in a soft blue hue.
'I wondered when you'd wake up.' Moriarty said softly.
'We need to go.' Sherlock whispered and untangled himself from Molly who was hugging him from behind, he climbed off of the bed as carefully as possible and disappeared into the bathroom, re-appearing five minutes later with minty breath 'There's a spare toothbrush under the sink.'
Moriarty climbed out of the bed, careful not to wake Molly, he ran his hand across Sherlock's stomach as he walked past him and into the bathroom, leaving Sherlock staring after him, a little unsure.
Sherlock walked out into the livingroom to find his clothes neatly stacked on a chair beside the sofa, he changed into them and found with them a new jumper, dark blue, and a darker blue scarf and fingerless gloves to match. He smiled, finding a note on top of them and read it,
Keep warm,
Love Molly.
He pulled the jumper on over his t-shirt, it fit perfectly, and it was thick and warm. He pulled Moriarty's clothes off of the radiators, folding them neatly, he handed the pile to him as Moriarty walked through the door.
Moriarty took them, he held them to his face and breathed them in, clean and fresh, he started getting changed as Sherlock searched out a pen and a piece of paper and started writing a note.
Thank you for your patience, Molly, and for everything else. See you soon, all my love,
Sherlock.
Sherlock walked back into Molly's room and left the note beside her alarm clock, he leaned down and kissed her head gently, before turning and walking back out, closing the door behind him. Moriarty was waiting, already dressed and looking better than he had done in days, Sherlock glanced at him, and they headed for the door, hurrying down the stairs and out onto the street, into the early morning, cold and crisp and fresh.
-
Continued in Stray Dogs, part 2.