Taking A Leap, Part 2
Title: Taking A Leap, Part 2
Author: Ach Eloise
Word Count: 3740
Rating: Watch out for the fluff!
Characters/Pairings: Sherlock/Molly, Sherlock/Moriarty.
Summary: Sherlock finally makes a decision involving that little thing called love.
Authors Note: This was written for a friend! Anneli asked very kindly for this and got pretty damn excited about it. Hope you like it!
And here's the lovely prompt from Anneli, whilst on the phone:
Anneli: What would you want, if you were Molly?
Me: I dunno', a proposal?
Anneli: Aaah! Write it!
Me: I can't, no, it's so out of character!
Anneli: Write it anyway! For me!
Me: For you.
Taking A Leap
Part 2
'Remind me again why we're here.'
'Have you forgotten so soon?' Sherlock asked 'I never thought someone like you would have a problem with memory.'
'I think it's more that I'm finding it hard to understand.' Moriarty said, stood in Sherlock's livingroom at 221B Baker Street, this was not good, they really shouldn't be here 'You'd better pray your brother isn't still watching your flat, Angel.'
'He wouldn't be.' Sherlock said, looking in the drawers of his desk 'He should have given into the fact that I'm dead by now.'
'Do you feel sorry?' Moriarty asked, walking to the fireplace.
'Are you mad? I hate my brother.' Sherlock grumbled, poking through his desk drawers, pushing aside pencils and paperclips, a scalpel and blades and a pink mobile phone.
'You know I'm mad.' Moriarty said, picking up the skull and turning it over in his hand.
'Put that down!' Sherlock said hurriedly, pointing at the skull.
Moriarty held his hands up, ducking his head and put the skull back down on the mantelpiece.
Sherlock gave a heavy sigh, pushing the desk drawer closed he turned and strode through the livingroom, the kitchen, down the hallway and into his bedroom, Moriarty followed after him, glancing around the room first, taking it all in. He walked into Sherlock's bedroom and to the window, staring out of it at the back alley, checking to see if anyone was watching.
Moriarty turned back to the inside of the room, he ran his fingers over a huge print of the table of elements hanging on the wall beside the door, he walked around the bed to the bedside table and picked up a photograph of Sherlock and Mycroft when they were younger, in an old antique picture frame.
He stared at the picture, he'd never seen one of Sherlock when he was young before, so young, looking smart with his black curls combed and looking absolutely perfect, and his little blue school uniform shorts freshly ironed. He laid back on the bed, his legs over the edge, and stared up at the old picture as he held it above his head 'Have you found it yet?'
'No.' Sherlock said, digging around in his wardrobe.
'How about now?'
'Can you go and be irritating elsewhere?' Sherlock asked 'AH!' he shouted suddenly and picked a blue velvet box out from under a pile of clothes, he stood up and flipped it open, looking inside it and, yes, the ring was still there 'Right.' he snapped the box shut and started piling the clothes back into his wardrobe.
'Why did she leave it to you?' Moriarty asked 'Why not your brother? He's older, and he's more likely to get married.'
'I'm surprised you're asking.' Sherlock said, glancing over at him.
'If I show some interest in you, will you join me on your bed?'
'Now isn't a good time.' Sherlock said, trying to get the shoes to fit back into the bottom of his wardrobe.
'Mrs. Hudson is out, John doesn't live here anymore.' Moriarty said 'And I'm laying on your bed, lover.'
'I don't know why she left it to me.' Sherlock said, closing his wardrobe and ignoring Moriarty's suggestions as best he could 'Maybe she thought I'd need it more.'
'She wasn't wrong.' Moriarty said 'You can be so blind, sometimes. Let me help, come here and fuck me.'
Sherlock looked over at him, his eyebrows raised 'You want me to be on top?'
'In your bed.' Moriarty grinned, running his feet across the carpet.
Sherlock walked towards the door, he paused and walked backwards, staring down at Moriarty on the bed, he started saying a word but it fell away, he finally said 'No.' and walked to the door.
'You've never been curious?' Moriarty asked, staring up at the photograph in his hands.
Sherlock had reached the door, he stood there, frowning, he turned back to look at him 'I...' he sighed, this was confusing and frustrating, and as much as he wanted to do exactly as Moriarty was asking he wasn't sure 'James-'
'Only on your bed.' Moriarty added.
Sherlock bit his bottom lip, this wasn't fair, he didn't like one time offers, they had no reason to return here, it was dangerous to do so, which meant that Sherlock may never have this chance again 'Stop it.'
Moriarty grinned, he sat up and put the photograph back down on the bedside table, he laid back on the bed, arched his back and gave the softest, most seductive moan he could muster.
Sherlock blinked too many times, his skin getting warmer, too warm, his heartbeat picked up, he had to walk out of the room, he'd lost the ability to talk. He'd heard Moriarty make that noise before, when he'd been pinned under Sebastian, he'd watched him then, arching his back against the sheets, caught in bliss. Now Moriarty was offering him that, in his bed. He walked into the livingroom to the nearest wall, and whacked his head (not too hard) against it.
He breathed in deeply and pushed away from the wall, shaking his head, he was going to Molly's now, with the ring in his pocket he was all set, and with a vague plan, a plan that needed to be worked on as he and Moriarty made their way there.
'Come on!' he called 'We need to leave.'
Moriarty appeared in Sherlock's doorway, he smirked, walking down the hallway and walking through the kitchen doorway onto the stairs, they were heading to Molly's flat, for what would hopefully be a very happy event.
And if it ended in flames, Moriarty would be there to watch them burn.
-
'Molly Hooper, will you marry me?' Sherlock said softly 'Molly, would you do me the honour... no, too old fashioned. Molly, my... darling...' he sighed 'Molly, will you-'
'Shut up!' Moriarty hissed 'How many different ways could you possibly ask that uninteresting little girl to marry you?'
'I think the ways in which I could ask her to marry me are limitless.' Sherlock said, as if it were an obvious answer 'Don't you think?' they'd been walking for some time now through the cold streets, with Sherlock running through proposals, trying to figure out exactly what he'd say as they went.
Moriarty sighed angrily and kept walking 'You're really intent on making me suffer through this.' he whined.
'No.' Sherlock said patiently 'You could go to Sebastian's flat, I could meet you there later or tomorrow.'
'I don't think it's a good idea to split up.' Moriarty said 'And neither do you.'
'No.' Sherlock said 'So stop complaining.'
Moriarty looked pissed 'I don't know why you want to bind yourself to anyone.'
'What about you?' Sherlock asked 'I'm sure you'd be over the moon if I chose to spend the rest of my life with you.'
'You know what I meant.' Moriarty said 'Anyone normal, anyone stupid.'
'Molly isn't stupid.' Sherlock said 'Molly, will you- would you...'
'But why marry her?' Moriarty asked 'Why insist on going through a pointless ceremony?'
'Conditioning.'
Moriarty turned to look at him 'Ah.'
'Mm.' Sherlock hummed 'It was drilled into me when I was very young, when our parents died Mycroft continued it, making sure I knew exactly what was expected of me.'
'You do know you're your own man now, don't you?' Moriarty asked patronisingly.
'Yes, thank you.' Sherlock said, sounding prickly.
Moriarty shook his head, smiling 'Still an upperclassmen at heart.'
'It was never something I wanted.' Sherlock said 'I tried to escape from it all.'
'Well, that clearly didn't go well, did it?' Moriarty said.
'Mycroft dragged me back.' Sherlock said quietly.
'I never took you for weak.'
'Mycroft turned our family home into a prison.' Sherlock said 'As soon as I turned eighteen I left. I didn't want to be anything they wanted me to be, I'd never planned to meet their expectations, they didn't understand me and I didn't want them.'
'You kept your mother's ring.' Moriarty said.
'I liked my mother.' Sherlock said simply.
'I hated mine.' Moriarty said.
'I guessed.' Sherlock said 'And considering your love of fire I'm guessing your house went up in flames?'
Moriarty turned to look at Sherlock again, expressionless, but his eyes were searching, considering him.
'With them inside?' Sherlock suggested.
Moriarty smirked and looked ahead again as they walked down the road 'They were in my way.'
'And you kill anyone who gets in your way.' Sherlock sighed, but he couldn't help but smile, remembering the game they had played a year ago 'If I get in your way again, do let me know.'
'Just like last time,' Moriarty said, staring ahead down the road 'Would it stop you?'
'Probably not.'
Moriarty took Sherlock's arm in his, grinning 'Good. I like a challenge.'
-
They were both standing in Molly's livingroom now having broken in, not badly enough that she would need new locks, but Sherlock would no doubt let her know that hers weren't a good enough deterrent to any thief looking to break and enter her small flat. But then, she might go and purchase something that he couldn't break into, so perhaps in the end it would be better not to mention it.
'I'm not hungry.' Moriarty said.
'Liar.' Sherlock said simply 'French toast?'
Moriarty smirked 'And then a shower. You smell.'
'That's the pot calling the kettle black if I ever did hear it.' Sherlock said, walking into the kitchen 'I'll make us lunch, you find some clean pyjamas.'
Moriarty nodded, walking away into Molly's bedroom.
'Don't break anything!' Sherlock called after him as he slipped his coat off and hung it up, he turned back to the kitchen and got to work making them something to eat.
-
'I do love showering with you.' Moriarty said against Sherlock's neck, he leaned in against Sherlock for what for anyone else would have been a kiss, and grated his teeth against Sherlock's skin 'Mmm.'
Sherlock sighed, leaning his head back against the cushions on the sofa, they had been sat on it for the last hour, kissing, and talking, about murders, about cases, about how they would rule the world if they ever had the inclination, entertaining the idea but with no honest plans to see it through. They were both wearing nothing but pyjama trousers, still warm from the shower, Sherlock had put their clothes in the washing machine just an hour ago and it hummed in the kitchen closeby.
'Molly will be home soon.' Sherlock said quietly, the little blue velvet box in his hands, he held onto it gently, moving it about in his hands.
'No time for a second round, hmm?' Moriarty sighed against Sherlock's ear 'We should have spent more time in your bedroom earlier.' he leaned left and picked up an apple from the fruit bowl beside him, he bit into it, it crunched loudly beneath his teeth.
'We might never have left.' Sherlock said, watching the front door.
The corner of Moriarty's mouth picked up in a smile, he held the apple out to Sherlock.
Sherlock took it, taking a bite, enjoying the sweetness of the flesh, he frowned when Moriarty tapped his chest, over his heart 'What are you doing?'
'You've fallen.' Moriarty said softly, and smiled up at him, laying down with his head on Sherlock's lap, forcing Sherlock to move his arms up and onto his chest, and the arm of the sofa.
Sherlock sighed heavily, staring down at him 'You're mad.'
'So you keep reminding me.' Moriarty said 'Were you ever an Angel, Sherlock?' he asked 'You're on their side, but you're not one of them now...'
'Tainted at a young age, I'm afraid.' Sherlock said 'I'll tell you about it some other time, if you're still interested.'
'Hmm.' Moriarty considered this 'Not something you want Molly to know about.'
'Not just yet.'
'You have darkness in your past.'
'I'm not the only one.' Sherlock said, taking another bite of the apple 'If there is such a thing as Angels, I think that makes you a Devil, don't you think?'
Moriarty grinned up at him 'And if I was? Would you be any more afraid of me?'
'No.' Sherlock said.
'Why not?' Moriarty asked, not at all surprised, he already knew the answer to his question, and Sherlock knew, but they humoured one another constantly.
'I already know what you're capable of.' Sherlock said.
'I think I could still surprise you.' Moriarty said softly.
'Don't threaten me.' Sherlock said 'There's no need, not now. You have me.'
'Yes.' Moriarty said, running his fingers down Sherlock's chest 'I do.'
Sherlock looked up when he heard the front door downstairs slam, he hid the little box behind a cushion behind him just as Molly's front door opened, and Molly came bustling in carrying a Tescos shopping bag, as well as her handbag, in her coat, scarf, hat and gloves, she stared over at them both, eyes wide, and closed the door hurriedly behind her.
'You're here!'
'James, get up please.' Sherlock said with exasperation when Moriarty stayed laying on his lap, Moriarty grinned up at him 'I will push you off.' he added darkly.
Moriarty climbed off of the sofa, he walked to Molly, smiling a smile that didn't reach his eyes, he stopped in front of her and kissed the top of her head, just like Sherlock always did, mocking them both, before he walked away into the kitchen to make himself some tea.
Sherlock was off of the sofa by now, he kissed Molly gently on the lips, she dropped her shopping and handbag, threw her arms around him, and jumped up, wrapping her legs around him, too. Sherlock smiled against her lips, clearly surprised, and turned three hundred and sixty degrees, holding onto her tight.
Molly pulled away, laughing 'I've missed you!'
Sherlock rubbed his nose against Molly's and said against her lips 'I've missed you, too.' he sighed, his demeanour changing a second later, quiet, nervous 'I have something for you.'
'Oh?' Molly asked softly 'What is it?'
Sherlock put Molly down gently, he turned and walked to the couch, digging the little blue velvet box out from under the cushion, when he turned back he noticed Moriarty watching him closely, leaning back against the kitchen counter, his face emotionless. Sherlock knew how much Moriarty hated this, it was too ordinary for him, too emotional, too Human, and on top of that Moriarty wanted Sherlock for himself, and here he was giving himself away to someone else.
He walked back to Molly, stopped in front of her, her eyes were on the box in his hands. Sherlock took a deep breath and went down on one knee before her, this is what he'd been practising on the way over, the reason he'd broken into his old flat, something that he'd been taught as a child was a great and important thing, he stared up at her, looking nervous, trying to build up his confidence 'Molly, my Molly,' Sherlock said softly 'Will you marry me?' he asked, and held up the box.
Molly took the box with shaking hands, she opened it up, and tears filled her eyes, only in her wildest dreams had Sherlock ever proposed to her, this was beyond amazing 'Yes.' she breathed, stunned.
Sherlock took the box back from her, removing the ring, he took her left hand gently and slid the ring onto her ring finger, his mother's ring, old and beautiful, and it meant something to him, in a world where very little meant anything at all to him, this shone out amongst everything else, and so did Molly.
Molly took Sherlock's hand and pulled him up, she wrapped her arms around him 'I never expected...'
'I love you.' Sherlock said against her hair 'I thought it was the right thing to do.'
Molly nodded 'Yes! I love you too.' her voice shook, she sounded as though she were on the verge of tears 'I always dreamed...' she said quietly against Sherlock's chest 'That this would happen, one day, but I never thought it would really happen...'
Sherlock stared down at her, he cupped her face in his hands and gave her a smile that reached his eyes 'Something to look forward to.' he paused, then added 'I'm sorry, but you can't let anyone seeing you wearing it, I doubt John would recognise it but if Mycroft were ever to see it...'
'It wouldn't be good, huh?' Molly said, staring down at the ring 'It's beautiful.'
'It was my mother's.' Sherlock said quietly 'I think she would have wanted you to have it.' he ran a hand through Molly's hair 'Take care of it.'
'Your mother's...' Molly whispered, her eyes widening 'She's not...'
'There's a lot you still don't know about me.' Sherlock smiled.
'Well if you'd stop being so mysterious.' Molly smiled in return, she tucked a lock of raven curls behind Sherlock's ear 'Will you tell me everything? Y'know, when you're ready. I can wait.'
Sherlock nodded 'Yes.' he took Molly's left hand in his, looking over the ring, he kissed the back of Molly's hand 'Dinner?'
'I'll make spaghetti.' Molly beamed and turned to the kitchen.
Moriarty was standing beside the kettle pretending to gag, he gave her a very forced smile as she walked by, he picked up his tea and walked to Sherlock 'I never considered myself a jealous man.' he said softly, staring down at Sherlock's feet, his eyes ran up his body slowly, finally settling on his face 'Now I know better.'
'Is she safe?' Sherlock asked, he didn't bother trying to make it look like a joke, they both knew Moriarty was capable of having Molly killed.
'I can't imagine you staying by my side willingly if I killed her.' Moriarty said, moving closer.
'I said, is she safe?'
'Yes.' Moriarty sighed, moving back a step and sipping his tea.
'Thank you.' Sherlock replied 'I'd appreciate it if you could stop threatening her, too.'
'Don't push your luck.' Moriarty grinned at him.
Sherlock sighed and walked away from him and into the kitchen, he took a seat at the table and leaned on his hand, watching Molly cook, it was peaceful and relaxing, and it was Molly, he could watch her for hours and not get bored, despite her ordinary appearance he found her fascinating, now that he knew more about her, shy and quiet and nervous, but beneath all of that she was brave, so brave, resourceful and trustworthy and good, easy to overlook, but amazing once you focused on her.
Molly made him happy, distracted him, made him forget the turmoil around him, the problems and the pain, now that he really saw her she was all he could focus on when she was near. He could wrap himself around her and disappear for hours, forget the world and sleep without nightmares. Where Molly was, home could be found.
-
Sherlock woke to someone running fingers through his hair, he opened his eyes and stared up at Moriarty sleepily, frowning 'Hmm?'
'We need to leave.' Moriarty whispered, and his eyes fell on Molly, curled up on top of Sherlock on the sofa.
The previous night Moriarty had refused to give up the bed and sleep on the sofa, so Sherlock had opted for the sofa, and he and Molly had fallen asleep hours later, tangled in each others arms, though they had remembered to put their pyjamas back on.
Sherlock checked a clock on the wall, it was six already, he closed his eyes for a few moments, running through everything he needed to do and remember before they left, he got up slowly, carefully, taking Molly in his arms and trying not to wake her, he managed to climb off of the sofa holding her and stood, carrying her back into her bedroom.
He laid Molly down in her bed as gently as possible and pulled the quilt over her, he picked up her left hand, staring down at the engagement ring, he ran his thumb over it gently, finally kissing the back of Molly's hand again, he laid it over her chest and walked into the bathroom to brush his teeth.
They needed to leave soon, Molly's alarm would go off at seven and he wanted to leave before she woke, he hated goodbyes, and saying goodbye to Molly always left him feeling empty.
They got ready quickly, getting dressed and making sure they had everything, gloves, scarf, they left quietly enough and headed back out onto the street, it was cold, and there was a light frost on the ground, leaves crunched under their feet as they walked down the street, shoving their hands into their pockets to keep warm.
'Where do you want to go?' Sherlock asked.
'Sebastian's.' Moriarty said.
'Why?' Sherlock asked 'Surely you can see that's a bad idea, we can't spend so much time under a roof, people will start to noti-'
'Stop tal-'
'No, this is the reason we haven't been to Molly's flat for a month, and you want to go to Sebastian's the same day we leave her place? Why?'
'Because, I want Sebastian to hold you down, while I fuck you.' Moriarty growled 'I've had enough of you staring starry eyed at Molly for a lifetime, it's time for a little revenge for making me suffer that horrendous display of emotion.'
'Next time, stay with Sebastian.' Sherlock grumbled 'I'm sure he'd appreciate your company more than me.'
Moriarty took Sherlock's arm and dug his hand back into his pocket 'You love having me beside you, don't pretend you don't.' he smirked 'We're going to Sebastian's, and I'm going to tie you to something.'
Sherlock gave a heavy sigh, it looked like he didn't have much of a choice in the matter. Well, so be it, he didn't dislike Moriarty or Sebastian's attentions, and he did like sleeping on a bed at night.
He smiled as they walked along, Moriarty guiding, it was a beautiful frosty morning, and he was in the best of moods, Molly had said yes, he'd known she would, and now they were engaged.
Despite their current situation, life seemed good again, in this new life of his, full of fear and pain and uncertainties he had something now to ground him, he had his Molly.
-
Author: Ach Eloise
Word Count: 3740
Rating: Watch out for the fluff!
Characters/Pairings: Sherlock/Molly, Sherlock/Moriarty.
Summary: Sherlock finally makes a decision involving that little thing called love.
Authors Note: This was written for a friend! Anneli asked very kindly for this and got pretty damn excited about it. Hope you like it!
And here's the lovely prompt from Anneli, whilst on the phone:
Anneli: What would you want, if you were Molly?
Me: I dunno', a proposal?
Anneli: Aaah! Write it!
Me: I can't, no, it's so out of character!
Anneli: Write it anyway! For me!
Me: For you.
Taking A Leap
Part 2
'Remind me again why we're here.'
'Have you forgotten so soon?' Sherlock asked 'I never thought someone like you would have a problem with memory.'
'I think it's more that I'm finding it hard to understand.' Moriarty said, stood in Sherlock's livingroom at 221B Baker Street, this was not good, they really shouldn't be here 'You'd better pray your brother isn't still watching your flat, Angel.'
'He wouldn't be.' Sherlock said, looking in the drawers of his desk 'He should have given into the fact that I'm dead by now.'
'Do you feel sorry?' Moriarty asked, walking to the fireplace.
'Are you mad? I hate my brother.' Sherlock grumbled, poking through his desk drawers, pushing aside pencils and paperclips, a scalpel and blades and a pink mobile phone.
'You know I'm mad.' Moriarty said, picking up the skull and turning it over in his hand.
'Put that down!' Sherlock said hurriedly, pointing at the skull.
Moriarty held his hands up, ducking his head and put the skull back down on the mantelpiece.
Sherlock gave a heavy sigh, pushing the desk drawer closed he turned and strode through the livingroom, the kitchen, down the hallway and into his bedroom, Moriarty followed after him, glancing around the room first, taking it all in. He walked into Sherlock's bedroom and to the window, staring out of it at the back alley, checking to see if anyone was watching.
Moriarty turned back to the inside of the room, he ran his fingers over a huge print of the table of elements hanging on the wall beside the door, he walked around the bed to the bedside table and picked up a photograph of Sherlock and Mycroft when they were younger, in an old antique picture frame.
He stared at the picture, he'd never seen one of Sherlock when he was young before, so young, looking smart with his black curls combed and looking absolutely perfect, and his little blue school uniform shorts freshly ironed. He laid back on the bed, his legs over the edge, and stared up at the old picture as he held it above his head 'Have you found it yet?'
'No.' Sherlock said, digging around in his wardrobe.
'How about now?'
'Can you go and be irritating elsewhere?' Sherlock asked 'AH!' he shouted suddenly and picked a blue velvet box out from under a pile of clothes, he stood up and flipped it open, looking inside it and, yes, the ring was still there 'Right.' he snapped the box shut and started piling the clothes back into his wardrobe.
'Why did she leave it to you?' Moriarty asked 'Why not your brother? He's older, and he's more likely to get married.'
'I'm surprised you're asking.' Sherlock said, glancing over at him.
'If I show some interest in you, will you join me on your bed?'
'Now isn't a good time.' Sherlock said, trying to get the shoes to fit back into the bottom of his wardrobe.
'Mrs. Hudson is out, John doesn't live here anymore.' Moriarty said 'And I'm laying on your bed, lover.'
'I don't know why she left it to me.' Sherlock said, closing his wardrobe and ignoring Moriarty's suggestions as best he could 'Maybe she thought I'd need it more.'
'She wasn't wrong.' Moriarty said 'You can be so blind, sometimes. Let me help, come here and fuck me.'
Sherlock looked over at him, his eyebrows raised 'You want me to be on top?'
'In your bed.' Moriarty grinned, running his feet across the carpet.
Sherlock walked towards the door, he paused and walked backwards, staring down at Moriarty on the bed, he started saying a word but it fell away, he finally said 'No.' and walked to the door.
'You've never been curious?' Moriarty asked, staring up at the photograph in his hands.
Sherlock had reached the door, he stood there, frowning, he turned back to look at him 'I...' he sighed, this was confusing and frustrating, and as much as he wanted to do exactly as Moriarty was asking he wasn't sure 'James-'
'Only on your bed.' Moriarty added.
Sherlock bit his bottom lip, this wasn't fair, he didn't like one time offers, they had no reason to return here, it was dangerous to do so, which meant that Sherlock may never have this chance again 'Stop it.'
Moriarty grinned, he sat up and put the photograph back down on the bedside table, he laid back on the bed, arched his back and gave the softest, most seductive moan he could muster.
Sherlock blinked too many times, his skin getting warmer, too warm, his heartbeat picked up, he had to walk out of the room, he'd lost the ability to talk. He'd heard Moriarty make that noise before, when he'd been pinned under Sebastian, he'd watched him then, arching his back against the sheets, caught in bliss. Now Moriarty was offering him that, in his bed. He walked into the livingroom to the nearest wall, and whacked his head (not too hard) against it.
He breathed in deeply and pushed away from the wall, shaking his head, he was going to Molly's now, with the ring in his pocket he was all set, and with a vague plan, a plan that needed to be worked on as he and Moriarty made their way there.
'Come on!' he called 'We need to leave.'
Moriarty appeared in Sherlock's doorway, he smirked, walking down the hallway and walking through the kitchen doorway onto the stairs, they were heading to Molly's flat, for what would hopefully be a very happy event.
And if it ended in flames, Moriarty would be there to watch them burn.
-
'Molly Hooper, will you marry me?' Sherlock said softly 'Molly, would you do me the honour... no, too old fashioned. Molly, my... darling...' he sighed 'Molly, will you-'
'Shut up!' Moriarty hissed 'How many different ways could you possibly ask that uninteresting little girl to marry you?'
'I think the ways in which I could ask her to marry me are limitless.' Sherlock said, as if it were an obvious answer 'Don't you think?' they'd been walking for some time now through the cold streets, with Sherlock running through proposals, trying to figure out exactly what he'd say as they went.
Moriarty sighed angrily and kept walking 'You're really intent on making me suffer through this.' he whined.
'No.' Sherlock said patiently 'You could go to Sebastian's flat, I could meet you there later or tomorrow.'
'I don't think it's a good idea to split up.' Moriarty said 'And neither do you.'
'No.' Sherlock said 'So stop complaining.'
Moriarty looked pissed 'I don't know why you want to bind yourself to anyone.'
'What about you?' Sherlock asked 'I'm sure you'd be over the moon if I chose to spend the rest of my life with you.'
'You know what I meant.' Moriarty said 'Anyone normal, anyone stupid.'
'Molly isn't stupid.' Sherlock said 'Molly, will you- would you...'
'But why marry her?' Moriarty asked 'Why insist on going through a pointless ceremony?'
'Conditioning.'
Moriarty turned to look at him 'Ah.'
'Mm.' Sherlock hummed 'It was drilled into me when I was very young, when our parents died Mycroft continued it, making sure I knew exactly what was expected of me.'
'You do know you're your own man now, don't you?' Moriarty asked patronisingly.
'Yes, thank you.' Sherlock said, sounding prickly.
Moriarty shook his head, smiling 'Still an upperclassmen at heart.'
'It was never something I wanted.' Sherlock said 'I tried to escape from it all.'
'Well, that clearly didn't go well, did it?' Moriarty said.
'Mycroft dragged me back.' Sherlock said quietly.
'I never took you for weak.'
'Mycroft turned our family home into a prison.' Sherlock said 'As soon as I turned eighteen I left. I didn't want to be anything they wanted me to be, I'd never planned to meet their expectations, they didn't understand me and I didn't want them.'
'You kept your mother's ring.' Moriarty said.
'I liked my mother.' Sherlock said simply.
'I hated mine.' Moriarty said.
'I guessed.' Sherlock said 'And considering your love of fire I'm guessing your house went up in flames?'
Moriarty turned to look at Sherlock again, expressionless, but his eyes were searching, considering him.
'With them inside?' Sherlock suggested.
Moriarty smirked and looked ahead again as they walked down the road 'They were in my way.'
'And you kill anyone who gets in your way.' Sherlock sighed, but he couldn't help but smile, remembering the game they had played a year ago 'If I get in your way again, do let me know.'
'Just like last time,' Moriarty said, staring ahead down the road 'Would it stop you?'
'Probably not.'
Moriarty took Sherlock's arm in his, grinning 'Good. I like a challenge.'
-
They were both standing in Molly's livingroom now having broken in, not badly enough that she would need new locks, but Sherlock would no doubt let her know that hers weren't a good enough deterrent to any thief looking to break and enter her small flat. But then, she might go and purchase something that he couldn't break into, so perhaps in the end it would be better not to mention it.
'I'm not hungry.' Moriarty said.
'Liar.' Sherlock said simply 'French toast?'
Moriarty smirked 'And then a shower. You smell.'
'That's the pot calling the kettle black if I ever did hear it.' Sherlock said, walking into the kitchen 'I'll make us lunch, you find some clean pyjamas.'
Moriarty nodded, walking away into Molly's bedroom.
'Don't break anything!' Sherlock called after him as he slipped his coat off and hung it up, he turned back to the kitchen and got to work making them something to eat.
-
'I do love showering with you.' Moriarty said against Sherlock's neck, he leaned in against Sherlock for what for anyone else would have been a kiss, and grated his teeth against Sherlock's skin 'Mmm.'
Sherlock sighed, leaning his head back against the cushions on the sofa, they had been sat on it for the last hour, kissing, and talking, about murders, about cases, about how they would rule the world if they ever had the inclination, entertaining the idea but with no honest plans to see it through. They were both wearing nothing but pyjama trousers, still warm from the shower, Sherlock had put their clothes in the washing machine just an hour ago and it hummed in the kitchen closeby.
'Molly will be home soon.' Sherlock said quietly, the little blue velvet box in his hands, he held onto it gently, moving it about in his hands.
'No time for a second round, hmm?' Moriarty sighed against Sherlock's ear 'We should have spent more time in your bedroom earlier.' he leaned left and picked up an apple from the fruit bowl beside him, he bit into it, it crunched loudly beneath his teeth.
'We might never have left.' Sherlock said, watching the front door.
The corner of Moriarty's mouth picked up in a smile, he held the apple out to Sherlock.
Sherlock took it, taking a bite, enjoying the sweetness of the flesh, he frowned when Moriarty tapped his chest, over his heart 'What are you doing?'
'You've fallen.' Moriarty said softly, and smiled up at him, laying down with his head on Sherlock's lap, forcing Sherlock to move his arms up and onto his chest, and the arm of the sofa.
Sherlock sighed heavily, staring down at him 'You're mad.'
'So you keep reminding me.' Moriarty said 'Were you ever an Angel, Sherlock?' he asked 'You're on their side, but you're not one of them now...'
'Tainted at a young age, I'm afraid.' Sherlock said 'I'll tell you about it some other time, if you're still interested.'
'Hmm.' Moriarty considered this 'Not something you want Molly to know about.'
'Not just yet.'
'You have darkness in your past.'
'I'm not the only one.' Sherlock said, taking another bite of the apple 'If there is such a thing as Angels, I think that makes you a Devil, don't you think?'
Moriarty grinned up at him 'And if I was? Would you be any more afraid of me?'
'No.' Sherlock said.
'Why not?' Moriarty asked, not at all surprised, he already knew the answer to his question, and Sherlock knew, but they humoured one another constantly.
'I already know what you're capable of.' Sherlock said.
'I think I could still surprise you.' Moriarty said softly.
'Don't threaten me.' Sherlock said 'There's no need, not now. You have me.'
'Yes.' Moriarty said, running his fingers down Sherlock's chest 'I do.'
Sherlock looked up when he heard the front door downstairs slam, he hid the little box behind a cushion behind him just as Molly's front door opened, and Molly came bustling in carrying a Tescos shopping bag, as well as her handbag, in her coat, scarf, hat and gloves, she stared over at them both, eyes wide, and closed the door hurriedly behind her.
'You're here!'
'James, get up please.' Sherlock said with exasperation when Moriarty stayed laying on his lap, Moriarty grinned up at him 'I will push you off.' he added darkly.
Moriarty climbed off of the sofa, he walked to Molly, smiling a smile that didn't reach his eyes, he stopped in front of her and kissed the top of her head, just like Sherlock always did, mocking them both, before he walked away into the kitchen to make himself some tea.
Sherlock was off of the sofa by now, he kissed Molly gently on the lips, she dropped her shopping and handbag, threw her arms around him, and jumped up, wrapping her legs around him, too. Sherlock smiled against her lips, clearly surprised, and turned three hundred and sixty degrees, holding onto her tight.
Molly pulled away, laughing 'I've missed you!'
Sherlock rubbed his nose against Molly's and said against her lips 'I've missed you, too.' he sighed, his demeanour changing a second later, quiet, nervous 'I have something for you.'
'Oh?' Molly asked softly 'What is it?'
Sherlock put Molly down gently, he turned and walked to the couch, digging the little blue velvet box out from under the cushion, when he turned back he noticed Moriarty watching him closely, leaning back against the kitchen counter, his face emotionless. Sherlock knew how much Moriarty hated this, it was too ordinary for him, too emotional, too Human, and on top of that Moriarty wanted Sherlock for himself, and here he was giving himself away to someone else.
He walked back to Molly, stopped in front of her, her eyes were on the box in his hands. Sherlock took a deep breath and went down on one knee before her, this is what he'd been practising on the way over, the reason he'd broken into his old flat, something that he'd been taught as a child was a great and important thing, he stared up at her, looking nervous, trying to build up his confidence 'Molly, my Molly,' Sherlock said softly 'Will you marry me?' he asked, and held up the box.
Molly took the box with shaking hands, she opened it up, and tears filled her eyes, only in her wildest dreams had Sherlock ever proposed to her, this was beyond amazing 'Yes.' she breathed, stunned.
Sherlock took the box back from her, removing the ring, he took her left hand gently and slid the ring onto her ring finger, his mother's ring, old and beautiful, and it meant something to him, in a world where very little meant anything at all to him, this shone out amongst everything else, and so did Molly.
Molly took Sherlock's hand and pulled him up, she wrapped her arms around him 'I never expected...'
'I love you.' Sherlock said against her hair 'I thought it was the right thing to do.'
Molly nodded 'Yes! I love you too.' her voice shook, she sounded as though she were on the verge of tears 'I always dreamed...' she said quietly against Sherlock's chest 'That this would happen, one day, but I never thought it would really happen...'
Sherlock stared down at her, he cupped her face in his hands and gave her a smile that reached his eyes 'Something to look forward to.' he paused, then added 'I'm sorry, but you can't let anyone seeing you wearing it, I doubt John would recognise it but if Mycroft were ever to see it...'
'It wouldn't be good, huh?' Molly said, staring down at the ring 'It's beautiful.'
'It was my mother's.' Sherlock said quietly 'I think she would have wanted you to have it.' he ran a hand through Molly's hair 'Take care of it.'
'Your mother's...' Molly whispered, her eyes widening 'She's not...'
'There's a lot you still don't know about me.' Sherlock smiled.
'Well if you'd stop being so mysterious.' Molly smiled in return, she tucked a lock of raven curls behind Sherlock's ear 'Will you tell me everything? Y'know, when you're ready. I can wait.'
Sherlock nodded 'Yes.' he took Molly's left hand in his, looking over the ring, he kissed the back of Molly's hand 'Dinner?'
'I'll make spaghetti.' Molly beamed and turned to the kitchen.
Moriarty was standing beside the kettle pretending to gag, he gave her a very forced smile as she walked by, he picked up his tea and walked to Sherlock 'I never considered myself a jealous man.' he said softly, staring down at Sherlock's feet, his eyes ran up his body slowly, finally settling on his face 'Now I know better.'
'Is she safe?' Sherlock asked, he didn't bother trying to make it look like a joke, they both knew Moriarty was capable of having Molly killed.
'I can't imagine you staying by my side willingly if I killed her.' Moriarty said, moving closer.
'I said, is she safe?'
'Yes.' Moriarty sighed, moving back a step and sipping his tea.
'Thank you.' Sherlock replied 'I'd appreciate it if you could stop threatening her, too.'
'Don't push your luck.' Moriarty grinned at him.
Sherlock sighed and walked away from him and into the kitchen, he took a seat at the table and leaned on his hand, watching Molly cook, it was peaceful and relaxing, and it was Molly, he could watch her for hours and not get bored, despite her ordinary appearance he found her fascinating, now that he knew more about her, shy and quiet and nervous, but beneath all of that she was brave, so brave, resourceful and trustworthy and good, easy to overlook, but amazing once you focused on her.
Molly made him happy, distracted him, made him forget the turmoil around him, the problems and the pain, now that he really saw her she was all he could focus on when she was near. He could wrap himself around her and disappear for hours, forget the world and sleep without nightmares. Where Molly was, home could be found.
-
Sherlock woke to someone running fingers through his hair, he opened his eyes and stared up at Moriarty sleepily, frowning 'Hmm?'
'We need to leave.' Moriarty whispered, and his eyes fell on Molly, curled up on top of Sherlock on the sofa.
The previous night Moriarty had refused to give up the bed and sleep on the sofa, so Sherlock had opted for the sofa, and he and Molly had fallen asleep hours later, tangled in each others arms, though they had remembered to put their pyjamas back on.
Sherlock checked a clock on the wall, it was six already, he closed his eyes for a few moments, running through everything he needed to do and remember before they left, he got up slowly, carefully, taking Molly in his arms and trying not to wake her, he managed to climb off of the sofa holding her and stood, carrying her back into her bedroom.
He laid Molly down in her bed as gently as possible and pulled the quilt over her, he picked up her left hand, staring down at the engagement ring, he ran his thumb over it gently, finally kissing the back of Molly's hand again, he laid it over her chest and walked into the bathroom to brush his teeth.
They needed to leave soon, Molly's alarm would go off at seven and he wanted to leave before she woke, he hated goodbyes, and saying goodbye to Molly always left him feeling empty.
They got ready quickly, getting dressed and making sure they had everything, gloves, scarf, they left quietly enough and headed back out onto the street, it was cold, and there was a light frost on the ground, leaves crunched under their feet as they walked down the street, shoving their hands into their pockets to keep warm.
'Where do you want to go?' Sherlock asked.
'Sebastian's.' Moriarty said.
'Why?' Sherlock asked 'Surely you can see that's a bad idea, we can't spend so much time under a roof, people will start to noti-'
'Stop tal-'
'No, this is the reason we haven't been to Molly's flat for a month, and you want to go to Sebastian's the same day we leave her place? Why?'
'Because, I want Sebastian to hold you down, while I fuck you.' Moriarty growled 'I've had enough of you staring starry eyed at Molly for a lifetime, it's time for a little revenge for making me suffer that horrendous display of emotion.'
'Next time, stay with Sebastian.' Sherlock grumbled 'I'm sure he'd appreciate your company more than me.'
Moriarty took Sherlock's arm and dug his hand back into his pocket 'You love having me beside you, don't pretend you don't.' he smirked 'We're going to Sebastian's, and I'm going to tie you to something.'
Sherlock gave a heavy sigh, it looked like he didn't have much of a choice in the matter. Well, so be it, he didn't dislike Moriarty or Sebastian's attentions, and he did like sleeping on a bed at night.
He smiled as they walked along, Moriarty guiding, it was a beautiful frosty morning, and he was in the best of moods, Molly had said yes, he'd known she would, and now they were engaged.
Despite their current situation, life seemed good again, in this new life of his, full of fear and pain and uncertainties he had something now to ground him, he had his Molly.
-