Constellations Strung With a Shooting Star | Sherliam

Chapter Twenty-One

[hey, sorry for the wait!! this chapter felt miserable to write ^^' i'm not really happy with how it turned out, but i just don't want to touch it anymore; i'd like to move on for it, so please just gloss over the flaws lol]

Since exiting what used to be Milverton's country house, Sherlock's back hasn't turned away from it. That's because he's prepared to face the consequences head-on; he knew what he was doing, and he doesn't regret it in the very least. No other option could have been made, Milverton wouldn't have cooperated any other way. And what's more, he got to see Liam shocked by the fact that it was the ravenet who pulled the trigger first. He finally seized a chance to not abide by what the Lord of Crime wants and plans for him.

Though, that's the one thing he's also dreading over. William is the Lord of Crime, allegedly. Sherlock believes it without a shadow of a doubt, but he still would like to gather his facts together and have it proven himself. There's no definitive answer yet; or perhaps he's only telling himself that because that could also mean many, many more things if William is also Holmes' soulmate as he believes.

Yes, even after tonight, he still largely believes that. Who else would it be? Even if he's the Lord of Crime and on an opposing moral standpoint, there's almost no doubt in Sherlock's mind that he's always been right. He only says almost since he hasn't any physical proof to match it. But besides that, his mind hasn't changed; yet his promise also continues to remain true. He will catch the crime lord, in his own way. He has an idea of how to realize that, but it'll take a while to construct.

Which is also why he, once the police arrives, will turn himself in. He can't say how long it'll take for release, but for now, he'll give himself a restriction from proceeding towards Liam. It would also serve as a noble sacrifice for John; for the most part, this entire incident tonight was for Watson's sake.

And, well, besides; he found something that might be vitally useful for himself within Milverton's mansion.

In a safe that the man kept rather poorly hidden, he was able to find a file that Charles put together marked "William J. Moriarty". Holmes has been dying to look through it ever since he saw it, but the mansion was burning too quickly for him to get a moment to look at it. Perhaps he could within his cell.

He smokes the last remaining bit of his cigarette, flicking it out of his mouth and somewhere off across the road as he notices John arriving with the police. A tad bit late, but with how far out this villa managed to be, it's understandable. The doctor spots the detective almost immediately, and the first thing that Sherlock hears is him calling out for him.

He sighs, preparing himself for this for just a moment longer. Giving the news to John is drastically more difficult than admitting it to the police, for him anyway. In no way is he excited for that. Once Sherlock comes to a stop in front of his work partner, the other immediately lets out a needed sigh of relief to see him unharmed. Though he's no less panicked about the situation itself.

"Are you alright?! What happened back there?!" He gestures over past the detective's shoulder, his eyes practically glued to the mansion set in flames. Fear dwells in his eyes, alongside confusion. Sherlock can almost see the questions flying through his head, but he can't seem to find an organized way to ask any more of them yet.

"Aye. I'm fine," he answers simply, brushing past John. In the moment where they're just close enough, he lowers his voice enough for only him to hear. "The evidence against Mary is burned to ash, don't worry. You both are safe now. You can breathe easy."

The doctor's eyes widen some, and it seems as though the thought hadn't even crossed his mind until now. His gaze follows Sherlock even as the detective walks right past him, and after a moment of processing those words, he attempts to protest. "Wait, what? Hold on, Sherlock, what went on in there?!" He yells out, although he only receives deliberate ignorance from his partner.