𝐋𝐞𝐭'𝐬 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐚 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 || 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐱 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

Cʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ V

'*•.¸♡ Try Again ♡¸.•*'
*.·:·.✧ ✦ ✧.·:·.*

The enigmatic riddle, its cryptic words reverberating in your mind, refused to let you sleep. 'I hurt the most when lost, yet also when not had at all?' You absentmindedly traced your palm, desperately seeking to decipher its meaning. 'What is hardest to express? Easiest to ignore? Feelings?' Frustrated, you reached for your phone and messaged Moriarty.

'Feelings?'

Time seemed to stretch into an endless abyss as you awaited Moriarty's response, the seconds dragging on like an eternity. Finally, your screen burst into life, shattering the silence with a notification.

'Sorry, that's not it... try again, dollface~'

Your frustration boiled over as you read Moriarty'scouldn't help but roll your eyes at his 'nickname.' "Irish arsehole!" You vented, slamming the phone onto your bed. Your hands instinctively covered your face as you took three deep breaths, trying to calm yourself. Glancing at the clock through your fingers, you saw the time: 4:29 am. Sleep seemed futile at this point. You tore off the blanket that had cocooned you, instantly feeling the chill in the air.

Goosebumps formed on your limbs as your bare feet hit the chilled, wooden floors. You crept down the hallway, cringing at every creak as you passed the boys' rooms. You peeked out the large window in the living room, surprised to see a man standing out in the snow. The snow danced around him, causing his form to look majestic.

You watched the man as you peeked from behind the heavy curtains. He grinned at you as shock overtook your features. It was him. You shakily backed away from the glass, unsure of the best option. After you collected yourself, you pushed through the fabric again and noticed his body had vanished. You breathed a sigh of relief, but you had celebrated too soon as there were three identical knocks on the main door.

"Let me in, Darling~" His voice, muffled by the wood between you, carried a hint of urgency. You descended the stairs, your curiosity piqued. "Y/n. Let me in." His once playful voice now held a note of seriousness as he rattled the doorknob.

"If you wanted to come in, you would've."

His silence sounded like a proud smirk. "Isn't it more fun this way, kitten?"

You scrunched your face at the revolting pet names. "What do you want?"

"Let me in, and I'll tell ya~"

"I'm not a fool, Moriarty, so I'll ask again," you growled through the door, your voice laced with defiance. You stepped closer to the door, mere centimetres away. "What do you want?"

His silence said more than enough before a faint whisper of his voice pushed through the wood. "Now, it wouldn't be very entertaining if I told you, now would it?"

You sighed deeply, resigned to the fact that this man only wanted to play his twisted games. "Then James, enjoy the snow, build a snowman, make some snow angels, you arse." A sense of satisfaction washed over you as you turned to walk away. But as you ascended three steps, the front door creaked open, revealing a chilling surprise that left you frozen in place.

"Darling, you didn't think I'd actually play by the rules, did you?" The way he held himself, his menacing grin on his skin, and his smooth tone as he taunted you made you feel something you had never felt—and you weren't sure you liked it. "Don't you look all cute in your PJs," he cooed, eyeing you up and down.

You scoffed but reached to cover yourself. "What is so important that you had to, y'know, break in to tell me?" Your eyebrows furrowed as you glared at the Irish man before you.

He chuckled cynically as he approached you. "That? That was just for fun, my dear..." He leaned by your ear, a menacing whisper leaving his lips. "I love watching you squirm—just as you are now." He slowly backed away, smirking at your distracted gaze. He noticed how your pupils dilated the closer he came to you, how your heart rate sped up, and your breathing quickened—he had you wrapped around his finger.

Once you collected yourself, knowing wholeheartedly that Moriarty had a point, you stared at the man. "You're sick!" you spat from the stairs.

His reaction was not one you had anticipated you'd receive. He sucked his teeth before presenting his signature smirk. "Is that such a bad thing? You seem to enjoy it."

Your eyes shot wide because of his accusation. Enjoyed it? He is just trying to get in your head, you reminded yourself. "You know nothing of me!"

"Is that so?" he challenged, raising an eyebrow at you. "I do know you'll leave here with me."

"Yeah? Why's that?"

He pushed back the side of his coat, revealing the firearm that was strapped to his hip. You rolled your eyes as you knew the gun could do you no harm.

"It's not loaded."

Moriarty slowly clapped his hands together, grinning mischievously. "Brava, my darling." He stepped to you, halting inches from you. "You're different than your brothers, Y/n."

"Is that so?" you questioned, not missing his left-hand slip into his pocket. You eyed him as he folded his hands, the left tighter than the right, and frowned slightly.

"Well~ they usually know when something won't end their way..." His left palm covered your mouth and nose before you could react as the smell of chloroform invaded your senses. "But, that's okay... you'll learn," he mumbled as he wrapped an arm around your waist. "That's it, darling. Just relax~" he cooed as you felt your consciousness leave you. The last thing you heard was Jim growling into your ear, "You're mine now."

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