Disadvantageous

Chapter 26

Sherlock knocked on the bathroom door, speaking in a low voice, "I've just gotten Willow down, we've the night to ourselves."

A smile crept upon Lydia's face as she studied herself in the mirror. She and Sherlock had quickly realised that, with Willow, they were limited in the moments that they had for themselves. It had been hard when Lydia had been with Liam, but she had always had people willing to babysit as they hoped dating would help her get over Sherlock's death. But now that Sherlock and Lydia were back together and insistent on caring for their child together after so many years apart, they were starting to realise how little time that left for themselves.

However, they found a time after Willow had gone to bed on a day that Lydia didn't have a show, when they could go on their first proper date since getting back together. It wasn't much, but she and Sherlock were getting dressed up and going to share a cake from a nearby bakery. Just a little time to themselves that they could call a date.

Fixing her hair one last time, Lydia slipped on her heels and creaked the door of the bathroom open, glancing out to see if Sherlock was ready yet. She caught a glimpse of him holding a lighter and knew immediately that that was her cue to come out; she certainly couldn't trust Sherlock playing with fire.

Sherlock was lighting the last of the candles he had arranged on the table for them when he heard the clack of Lydia's heels on the floor, causing him to extinguish the lighter and look up at her. No matter how many times he laid eyes on her, he could always feel his heart skip a beat and it seemed that his body would forget how to breathe properly. Especially when she was looking as radiant as she was in this moment.

"You know, you had me a little worried for a moment when I saw that lighter in your hand," she commented with a smirk as she looked at his handiwork. "But I must admit, this is really nice."

Sherlock quickly snapped out of his momentary trance and pulled out the chair for Lydia, "I'm certainly trying my best to make up for lost time."

At she was sitting, a frown fell upon her face, "Sherlock, you don't need to do all of this because of what happened between us. What's passed is in the past, you should be doing this because you genuinely want to."

"I do want to, Lia. I-I just have a bit of trouble with romantic gestures, as you well know. But I'm trying to get better for you. I love the way that your face lights up when you see I've bought you chocolates or even when I hold your hand. And while I still find some things ridiculous, they suddenly don't seem so absurd when they make you smile."

"When did you become so romantic, Sherlock?"

"I haven't the faintest idea, you just slowly corrupted me and suddenly I found myself enjoying things like making you tea. But we must make the most of tonight, so shall I reveal the cake you have bought for us?"

"Oh please do, I've been looking forward to this all evening."

Sherlock removed the cover or the tin that had concealed the cake from both Sherlock as well as Willow all evening, his eyes going wide at the sight of the moist chocolate cake topped with chocolate covered strawberries. His tongue passed over his lips as he began to cut into it, serving Lydia her piece first. But she barely noticed the desert on her plate, far too engrossed in the man before her.

After cutting himself a piece as well, Sherlock sat in his seat and cut off the end with his fork, scooping it up and bringing it up to his mouth. Lydia followed the cake's journey with her eyes, finally resting back on his lips with a sudden longing creeping up on her. Sherlock raised an eyebrow at her, noticing how hungrily she was staring at him. Realising that she had been caught, she flashed him a smirk in hopes it would distract from her flushed cheeks. Not that it would, Sherlock would notice. He noticed everything.