Constellations Strung With a Shooting Star | Sherliam

Chapter Six

Even after William and his older brother head off to make investigations of their own, Sherlock's heart still feels like it's beating at an unhealthily fast rate. How it hasn't bursted out of his soulmate-marked chest yet? Hell if he knew.

But at the very least, he becomes slightly less absent-minded. It's only then he realizes that he was almost scarily bold in his surprise interaction with the professor he desperately wanted to see again. Though, as content as he feels, a smudge of dejection remains in the mix.

The joke he made at the table earlier was an entirely random and hardly considered action he just so happened to make. And for the life of him, he does not know why he urged on about soulmate marks. And he wishes he didn't, as it was outright ignored by William. Even as he begins investigating, his mind wanders to the possibilities of what ran through the blond's head as he heard that.

Holmes also wonders if he should consider the dodge of the subject as a no. William denied that he was the Lord of Crime, but hadn't even shredded an ounce of mind to that part of the accusation. However, for as long as he has no clear answer, the ravenet would not settle on either or.

Admittedly, he has been sneaking a few glances at intricate parts of William, specifically the back of his neck. He almost needily has tried peering at the small spots where any skin is exposed, hoping to find a familiar blue on him somewhere. But damn were noblemens' clothes irritatingly precise.

And when William is unfortunately out of his sight completely, he's even more dreaded to know that Lestrade intended on sticking by his side throughout the entire investigation. Not even a moment alone with his thoughts, it seems.

After having a good look at the train's map, Sherlock and Lestrade walk around the train, investigating parts that stood out. The ravenet is already able to figure out a decent amount of this case, while he has to annoyedly explain it all to his temporary partner. This would be far more bearable with William or John as his partner. The former especially, in more ways than one.

"Mr. Holmes, may I ask you something?" George suddenly speaks up, earning a groan from Sherlock as he turns his head to look at him. "What?"

"I'm curious about the men you were talking to earlier. The Moriarty brothers," the other responds, seeming a bit unsure and cautious as he brings this up. "What's your relationship with them? Does it have something to do with what you were on about earlier with nobles?"

Holmes snorts, rolling his eyes as he turns back to what he was doing. "Nah. 'N I only know Liam, I haven't met the rest of his family besides Albert now."

"Alright, well, what's going on between you two?" The question feels abrupt and extremely bold, but by the other man's tone, it's clear that he doesn't mean it in the way that Sherlock first processes it. He sounds more like he wants to know how and why the ravenet is well acquainted with a nobleman.

"It's personal," the detective insists, letting out a small huff. "Ain't sharin', it's not anything you'd be interested in." He doesn't particularly want to discuss how he fully suspects that William is his soulmate to Lestrade. Being a man and telling someone in law enforcement about your attraction to another man isn't the safest idea.

Lestrade stares confused, eyes furrowed. "Now that just sounds suspicious. I'm not sure I can trust you."

Sherlock rolls his eyes, and begins to walk away with the other man still following him. "Can't force ya to, I guess." The older man groans and shakes his head in annoyance, but the ravenet ignores it and focuses on the case instead. That's what the most important thing is at the moment, and they can't forget that.

As they move on to the next car, the ravenet is able to catch a coincidental glimpse at William. He smirks to himself a bit, his amusement clear as he notices the blond gently take a personnel's glasses and holds them firmly. Something about the way he holds them throws Holmes off, as it seems rather precise and calculated.