Seven

"Thank you so much for your help, William. We really couldn't have gotten anywhere without your help." Mycroft smiled, shaking my hand. I smiled back awkwardly.

Then, in the corner of my eye, I thought I saw-

"Sherly! Come here! Meet our lead investigator! This is William Moriarty, the guy who found all the evidence you provided today!" Mycroft pulled him aside. I felt my heart pounding in my ear. I couldn't... it's really...

"And William, this is Sherlock Holmes! My brother and the top lawyer working for the government, said by the Prime Minister themselves!" (I was too lazy to figure out the date of this thing so i couldnt find if the prime minister of thr time was a girl or guy)

He looked away. "Hi. Now, I have some court reporting to do so if you'll excuse me brother-"

He was leaving. Sherlock Holmes was leaving me again...

"Ugh, what a prick. Anyways, you'll see him around a lot so be sure to say hi to him sometime ok?" Mycroft waved it off as if it were nothing. As if his 'brother' meant nothing to me. As if we were strangers... "You should go get some rest now. You can leave the rest to us. We'll track down the head of that school board later..."

His voice begins to fade out. I felt like I was being suffocated by my thoughts. Was that really...? Why was he here? He wasn't dead? Why did he leave us...no me, so suddenly? Why was he just showing up here acting like he didn't know me?

And worst of all, why was he so hot?

I touched my chest, feeling my face start to burn up. I really hoped everyone already left and I was just alone right now because this was embarrassing. The top academic student in England, who's presumably never been even the tiniest bit interested in love, blushing so easily because of one guy.

But he wasn't just one guy. He wasn't just some guy. He was my fucking Sherlock Holmes.

I could hear my heart pounding in my ear and felt myself falling to the ground but I could do nothing to stop it. I thought I at least got over my feelings for him; I was just pissed that he left so suddenly now. But that was obviously not true.

Seeing him in old pictures was one thing, but in real life? In the present too? I couldn't take it.

How the hell was I supposed to work with him?! Especially if he wants us to go back to strangers...

He can't right? He couldn't just throw away the whole life we spent together, all the memories we made, all the moments we shared, and just go back to square one right?

I felt like crying.

"Yo, you ok?"

A hand pushed down on my shoulder and I snapped back to reality with a gasp. I looked up and met the eyes of none other than the man I was just dreaming about.

"A-ahhh! I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I know sitting down on the floor just after a court case, looking like I'm going to cry is not very professional but I swear it has nothing to do with-"

"Liam."

I froze. He reached for my face. I felt my heart beat even faster. 

He pushed my bangs out of my eyes. "You're..." He sighed, looking away. "Thanks for all your hard work, detective. We really couldn't have proven anything without you."

Ah, so this was what it was... saying it didn't hurt would be a lie but...

"That's all. Mycroft said you should get some rest and I agree with him. Leave the rest to us. You can rest easy now. Again, thank you... detective." He ended with a smile. I weakly smiled back.

So this is it? We go back to strangers now? So everything we experienced in the past was just that now; in the past?

"I'm just doing my job..." My vision began to blur so I hastily blinked back the tears. Without saying another word, I turned around and started heading back to my room.

I let out a long sigh. What time was it? I didn't bother to check.

I leaned against the railing on my balcony, enjoying the bustling city view and the light breeze in my hair. The sky soon became orange.

I've been crying for hours.

I thought I heard a faint knock on my door but I ignored it. No rather, my brain didn't process it at the time.

"Is anyone in there?" I closed my eyes and focused on the soothing evening wind brushing against my hot eyes.

"I'm coming in."

To be honest, I almost fell asleep. Until a touch snapped me out of my trance. I jumped.

"Shhh..." A voice hushed me, and blindfolded my eyes with their hand. I felt their other arm wrap around my upper body and something heavy - presumably their head - lay on my shoulder, nuzzling into me. "Why were you crying?"

"I-..I wasn't..." I gasped at the touch. I wasn't used to this kind of affection. I've never received it before. "Sherly- I mean... Sherlock, what's wrong?"

He hummed, not saying anything, instead just cuddling into me more. After a long time, he spoke up. "I've missed you." He slowly uncovered my eyes, instead wrapping that arm around me too, pulling me closer to him as he stood back up straight, resting his head atop mine.

I blushed and turned around on the spot. I buried my face into his chest, realizing I really did enjoy affection, but only if it was from him.

I felt his arms tighten even more around me. "So, why were you crying?" I stayed silent, inhaling his familiar yet intoxicating scent. "Was it because I was acting cold and distant to you today?"

Again, I was silent. For a while, an uncomfortable but peaceful silence fell upon us.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to... I just... I couldn't comprehend my feelings at the time... so I just masked them with the easiest mask to use; professionalism." He hugged me tighter.

I sighed, a smile creeping onto my face. I wrapped my arms around his waist.

Was now a good time for a confession? I didn't know, but I did know I didn't want to overwhelm him with such a truth especially in the middle of such a stressful case and especially since we haven't seen each other in so many years. So for now, I'll just enjoy what we have, before having to give it all up one last time.