𝔸𝕟𝕚𝕞𝕖 𝕆𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕥𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕊𝕔𝕖𝕟𝕒𝕣𝕚𝕠𝕤

22. William Moriarty x Reader pt. 2

●By Candlelight●

It was a cold evening in London, the kind where the fog hugged the streets so closely that the gas lamps seemed like little stars in the night. You were invited to a ball at one of the grand halls in the city—a place teeming with the who's who of London. A place you weren’t particularly eager to be, but journalistic duty called.

As you navigated through the crowd, a familiar figure caught your eye: William Moriarty. He stood by the fireplace, looking contemplative. Gathering your courage, you approached him.

"Mr. Moriarty," you greeted.

He looked up, his face breaking into a smile of genuine surprise. "Ah, the inquisitive journalist. It's a pleasure to see you again."

The two of you engaged in polite conversation, discussing books, music, and the state of London. As the evening wore on and the ballroom grew more stifling, William suggested a breath of fresh air.

The two of you made your way to a balcony overlooking the Thames. The river's shimmering reflection of the moonlight made for a mesmerizing sight.

"It's beautiful," you whispered.

"Yes, it is," he replied, but his gaze was not on the river. It was fixed on you.

You felt your cheeks warm under his intense stare. "Mr. Moriarty..."

He took a step closer, his fingers gently brushing against yours. "William," he corrected, his voice barely above a whisper.

The world around you seemed to fade as you lost yourself in his gaze. The sounds of the ball, the cold of the night, everything disappeared except for the two of you.

Without a word, he leaned in, his lips meeting yours in a soft, lingering kiss. It was a moment of pure connection, of two souls recognizing each other amidst the chaos of the world.

When you pulled apart, William looked at you with a smile that reached his eyes. "Perhaps this evening turned out better than either of us anticipated."

You nodded, your heart fluttering. "Indeed."