Constellations Strung With a Shooting Star | Sherliam

Chapter Twenty-Two

[not sure if this needs a warning since it's mtp-typical, but cw for suicidal thoughts in this chapter!]

Before William's name was to be released in absolute print to every newspaper press in the country, he first had to allow his final plan to come clean with the rest of MI6.

As each of them had gathered in the living room simultaneously, Albert took the silent comforting courtesy to choose to sit beside William throughout it all. And by now, the document has been passed around all across the room, everyone having read its spontaneously updated contents. Though, of course, there's nothing sudden about it to the second oldest Moriarty; this has been on his mind for a long while.

"William..." Louis speaks first, his hand almost seeming to tremble with the paper in it, "This is completely different from the plan that you originally told us. Before, you told us that we'd all vanish from this house once everyone knows who the Lord of Crime is." His voice trails off from there, some words crumbling into shakiness. Then, he quickly raises his voice, his eyes lifting up from the document. "Now, it says that you're the only one that'll leave, and we have to stay here! That would be saying that the Lord of Crime is you and you alone, which isn't true!"

As much as William would like to let Louis' frustrations come in one ear and out the other, he can't. Anyone would be able to read how heartbroken his younger brother is, especially William. And he understands it, even though he cannot bring himself to agree. And even with his understanding, that doesn't change the plans that he decided to make a while ago. He's solidified his decisions, and this is the final outcome.

"If you're going, William, then I'm going with you!" Louis then says, looking at William with his brows furrowed, as though almost nothing could change his mind. But William's head remains lowered, eyes shut tightly.

Thankfully, Moran fights that battle for him, scoffing and cutting in. "Louis. Shut it. William's plans are foolproof, and more than that, they're final. Whatever his orders are are always absolute, and if this is the new plan, then that's that. Don't drag this discussion out." He gives the youngest Moriarty a blazing glare, shutting down his argument almost immediately.

And Albert nods his head in agreement, and he allows himself to voice his own opinion. "True, Moran," he hums, his gaze shifting toward William now, "William. This is you we're talking about; your plans, your decisions. And those have never failed us. I'm sure you must have some idea of how this will work out now, even if it's not explicitly stated here." He gestures to the document, which has now been passed to Bond for the second time. "As you've requested, we'll happily maintain the house as is for the time being.. That responsibility is nothing compared to what you'll be working through."

As always, Albert gives William the exact answer that he needs. If it weren't for the stress bearing over him, the blond would've given a smile. His brothers never fail to prove that they're the closest he has. Or the closest he could ever possibly have, when considering Sherlock Holmes.

He knocks that thought out of his head as swiftly as he can, not wanting to allow himself to dread on. Should his last few days be spent more miserably than they already will be? Racking up his thoughts and desires for the unsuccessfully destined other half would do him no good but tear him down further.

"Thank you, Albert," he responds, a bit delayed. He plays it off as himself being somewhat remorseful, but he's sure that his older brother saw through him better than a pane of glass. He almost always has that advantage. "Though I'm sure it won't be easy to fend off crowds of interrogations and questioning, I hope it doesn't serve as too great of a challenge."

Albert shakes his head, as Jack then gives a snort from another end of the room. "Lord William, really, it isn't a challenge at all. I'm well trained in similar sorts of situations, so I assure you that I especially won't back down. You can entrust the safety of this house to me," a bit of a smug smile shows, although William hopes that it isn't minor reluctance that flashes in his eyes. Regardless, he appreciates the cooperation and efforts.