as long as you're here (william james moriarty x fem!reader)

"as long as you're here..."

     Where was he? The night was growing darker and darker, and [Y/N] was ever so worried for him. [Y/N] knew that William stayed out late due to his area of work, but not as late as tonight. It could have been worse, she wasn't home alone; at least it didn't feel like it. Even if she didn't feel alone physically, emotionally, she couldn't be more lonely. The darkness outside did multitudes on her turbulent mind. Why couldn't William just get back already?

     Tonight was different. As if their minds were connected, she just knew something was wrong. He frequently stayed out late, but never this late. To [Y/N], it was practically the next day. Her nerves had taken over her thoughts, driving her mad.  The anxiety was too much to handle, she was practically pacing circles around the living room of the Moriarty Manor.

   "Come on. Where are you?" she whispered. "Please...I need you here, Will!"

     It was driving her insane. He was okay, right? He had to be. She couldn't imagine what it would be like if he wasn't here. That was an image she wanted out of her mind; it was already worrying enough.

     A little while had past, and she could hear the sound of a door opening. Was it the inescapable news she had dreaded finally coming to haunt her? No, it is quite the opposite.

      "[Y/N]? I'm home." Finally, William had returned from who knows where..

     "William James Moriarty, do you have even the slightest idea how late it is right now?" [Y/N] trembled.

     "How late is it? Tell me." William sighed.

      "Sarcastic, as always. I'm pretty sure you know full well."

      "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you, my love. I hope you aren't mad at me."

      "No, I was never mad at you to begin with." she sighed "It isn't your fault. Rather, it's mine for being so paranoid at every little thing. I can't stop worrying about everything."

      "[Y/N]. It's okay. At least I'm still here, right?" She could tell he wasn't serious about the last part.

     "I'm just worried about you. It's just... you never really seem to care about what happens to yourself anymore. I just want you to be okay."

     The look in his eyes told [Y/N] that what she said was true. William really didn't care what happened to him at this point. His plans had taken over his priority for a small amount of time, and it was clearly visible.

     "Where were you tonight, Liam? What's going on?"

     "I can't necessarily tell you that. I will tell you it was something to do with work, though."

     "Oh, of course it was. Why won't you understand how concerned I am about you, William? Do you?" Tears began to roll down [Y/N]'s face. "You're an idiot sometimes, you know."

    "I know, I know. I understand, you're worried about me and for a good reason."

    The discussion was bringing her to the brink of a nervous breakdown. "I just...it's hard to take in at this point. What were you doing tonight? I just need to know."

     "It's just...something that's part of my plan." Part of his plan? If she was thinking of the same plan that he had mentioned, it was a plan that she couldn't bear thinking of. It was a plan that involved the destruction of society and the end of one's life. To be precise, it meant the end of William's life. The thought of another one of [Y/N]'s loved ones' life ending was so overwhelming that she couldn't take it anymore. Her anger built up, tears spilling over relentlessly, and she could tell that he knew she had caught on to the idea.

     "You bloody idiot!" she cried, reaching out to hit his arm. "You could've died! Do you seriously not care enough to have any concern for your own life? Are you that inconsiderate? You're smart, so use that to your advantage!"

     "[Y/N], look at me."

     "Why should I?" Her eyes stung from her despairing thoughts of her loved ones' departures.

     "Look at me, look at me." He held her hands as she looked at up at him, hands shaking with her breathing. "I don't want you to be upset. I understand how concerned you are, I know that me being late scared you. You know that I would never purposefully do something to cause you harm or make you scared, right?"

   "I-I-I know-" She stuttered, gasping for air between sobs.

   "Take a deep breath.  I know it might be hard to do for a second, but remember, breathe in" he nodded, trying to convince her to gain a sense of stability. "and out." As she took in a few shaky breaths, a couple of her distressing thoughts began to dissipate. "Good, you're doing so good, darling.  Now, I want you to tell me what you need to say. Tell me whatever's on your mind, because obviously there's a lot that's making you upset."

     "O-Okay. I know that I-I'm making a big deal o-out of nothing-"

     "No, you're not. Don't blame yourself." William shook his head, and patted her hands for a sense of security.

     "I-I know that it's not your fault, at least. I know that it's just because it's later than usual. It's just...just that..."

      "Just that what?" She knew that he would've guessed what she was going to say next, that it was one of those things that he could just tell immediately. But he probably wanted to listen because it's something that would make her feel better. 

     "It's just that everyone...everyone I've ever loved leaves me!" she cried, that stinging feeling returning to not only her eyes, but her heart as well from remembering the pain and trauma that their deaths bought her. "I don't want to lose you, Will."

   "Oh, [Y/N]. "My darling, as long as you're here, I'm not going anywhere anytime soon." He whispered to her, wrapping his arms around her. The warmth of William's embrace and his reassuring words gave [Y/N] a better sense of reality, and even though she was still scared out of her mind, William somehow had convinced her that everything would be okay.