Delightful | William James Moriarty x Reader

Chapter 8

It's so difficult to come to terms with something that does not seem real.
If you're being honest with yourself you can't even think about the last what was it a week ? Yes, a week without getting a headache. So many questions still wonder through your mind yet your biggest fear is that you won't get any answers.
Not even possibly one answer.

Is there any way to go back to your timeline or are you stuck here permanently ? You still don't even know how you got here. You did turn everything in your apartment off before time traveling right ? Well to your defence it wasn't exactly your plan to travel to a different time period. Although if you did go back, you can't even begin to imagine the cost of your rent along with other payments.

You shake your head at the thought.

All day you've been laying on the floor and yes the floor because you've found it to be more comfortable than that small and hardened bed that you swear had never been used before. You haven't seen or spoken to anyone today. Perhaps it was because you hadn't left the room or perhaps it was because no one genuinely looked for you.

You were sure that Louis wasn't your biggest fan. You were still pissed at Moran for setting you up to see Albert. It wasn't that you didn't like Albert, in fact he seemed quite genuine however you could sense there was something off about him.
He looked like he knew everything about everything but didn't share it. Well he has every right to do that you suppose.
Fred was quiet and you couldn't help but wonder was it just him or was he just simply annoyed by your presence.
You couldn't tell due to the blankness in his stare.

Then there was William. You honestly haven't thought about him at all. It was if your brain was preventing you from doing so. He sort of reminded you of Albert in the sense that he knew all yet acted like he didn't. But he's quite different from the others. Besides a one sided greeting you struggled to make conversation with him. Which was something that typically never happened to you. The way he spoke and acted...you honestly couldn't see yourself getting along with him. Never.

It was only when you got up from the floor and looked out the somewhat foggy window did you notice that it was the afternoon. You had been in the tiny bedroom all day which really wasn't much different than any other day.

You can remember Moran telling you not to pull another "stunt" like you did the other night again but you also couldn't remember asking Moran his opinion so he could get lost for all you cared.
Though this time, you made sure to carefully sneak out the front door instead of the window.
Thankfully you no longer had a limp.

The sky was settled with various shades of orange.
A market quite similar to the one before your sudden mysterious arrival to the past was where you found yourself.
Sneaking out the manor was quite easy besides when you were just about to shut the door behind you and you locked eyes with Fred who seemed to appear out of nowhere, probably returning from the garden. You just hoped he didn't say anything to anyone... especially to Louis.
You were in no mood for chores.

You honestly found the sight quite odd.
People stood and walked alongside each other and actually spoke to each other.
It was something you hadn't seen in a long time.

But as you passed by still clumsily bumping into people you were used to the sound of the agitation of others as you passed by. Perhaps it was the need of air that you felt the need to get out or maybe you still couldn't process what exactly what was happening. Although you found yourself growing bored as you stumbled through the crowd. What caught your eye was a man hollering nearby. You turn to see that no one was paying attention to the situation especially those that you thought were dressed quite fancy.

As you approached closer the shouting became louder and people became more distant unlike you. A little boy that looked no older than six was shaking where he stood.
His face covered in dirt along with having a permanent frown.
His little hands resting on the table as he pears over staring at the bread.

As the man shouts out you look down to see the little boy already looking up at you, only a little bit of light left in his big but empty eyes. You nod at the big slice of bread in the basket and the boy hesitantly nods back. Making sure the man wasn't looking your way you snatch the slice of bread too big to fit in just one of the bouts small palms. Too tired to smile and yet his small fingers briefly wraps around your index finger and shakes it as if he was shaking hands with you. He doesn't spare a moment to run off disappearing into the crowd. A mere second was all it took for the man to notice.

"The hell do you think you're playing at woman !" The man barks he raises his hand and for a brief second of panic you shut your eyes waiting for impact.
Yet it never comes. Peeking through one eye you're quick to open them both as they widen at the sight. A gloved hand catches the mans wrist in a tight grip preventing the hit and you're shocked to find that it's none other than William who you haven't seen since your brief encounter the previous night.

"There's no need for the aggression." William smiles politely at the man.
William doesn't even glance your way as he lets go of the mans wrist, the man attempt to eases the pain by holding his wrist.
"Do take this sir and we'll be on our way." William smiles politely at the agitated man, handing him a coin that shined brighter than the sun.
You can't help but scoff at the sight.

"Keep your woman under control !" The man barks yet you pay no mind as William effortlessly escorts you away.
"Are you alright, y/n ?" He asks, only then locking eyes with you. For a moment.
You're not sure why but when William says your name it sounds so different.
Different from how Moran or the others would say it. Perhaps you're not used to hearing it slip past his lips or perhaps you're not used to being in his presence.

"I've never seen a child so sad." You shake your head at the thought. Not the thought of the child but the constant repeating thought of William saying your name.
"I don't like that." You're not exactly sure what you're referring to but you swiftly move on. "You'd think that man would've had some compassion. It's disgraceful."

Perhaps he expected you to be upset about the horrid man and yet you only spoke of concern for the boy.
But this only puts him at ease as he gains an insight into your true character despite you yourself being unaware.
There's a certain look in his eyes as he looks upon you. A look of intrigue and curiosity. William notices how your brows furrow and how you keep your head low and how your eyes fail to notice his searching yours as they stare down at the ground as you kick small stones in frustration.

It is only when you arrive back to the manor that you dare look up...regretfully as Louis stands still prepared to greet his brother only and the sight of you aswell stood by his elder brother surely did catch him off guard.

"Would you care to join us for tea ?" William asks while offering his hand, paying no mind to the sudden scowl on his younger brothers face.

As you were about to nod, you find that you stop yourself. A sudden yet questionable ache in your chest makes you hesitant. While a pair of unreal eyes stare back at you, you subconsciously start to pick at your fingernails, an old habit that really only occurred when you were sober.

"Another time." You wave the pair off, easily walking off just like anytime you've left the manor.

The sound of a sigh of relief makes William turn his head after his gaze followed your figure as you walked up the stairs. His younger brother was quick to replace his scowl with a smile when facing him.

Louis couldn't help but feel relieved at the sight of your absence.