Jim Moriarty x Reader | Hard Times

The Loyal Tiger

Warning(s): None.

Word count: 1225 words.

~~~~~~~~~Previously~~~~~~~~~

'Failure does not suit me.' His words echo around in your head. 'Try not to disappoint.' He began to circle you, running his hand through your hair. 'I wouldn't want that pretty little face of yours to get hurt.' You remember his carefree smile growing darker with every word.

The memory of the one-sided discussion gave you chills. It also made you realize something. You had failed him. You had disappointed him. You were going to die.

~~~~~~~~Now~~~~~~~~

To say that Moriarty was mad was an understatement, but he didn't take that anger out on you. Of course not. He had a better job for that. Sebastian becoming your best friend was enough, the loyal tiger watching over Moriarty's prized doe. You didn't like it one bit.

"You don't talk much, do you?" Sebastian questioned, watching you inquisitively.

He had walked over to your side, gazing out of the window- like you had been doing for a while now. It was a lovely day, beautiful even, absolutely perfect weather for London this time of year. But, inside was just depressing. You didn't like being stuck in one place.

With a small nod, you bring your arms in closer, hugging your body for comfort. "I don't want to say something I would regret." You mumble, continuing to watch the civilians walk by. Would he let you go out today?

"I see..." He hums, crossing his arms over his chest. "Let's go." He grabs onto your wrist gently, pulling you to the door.

"Wait," you follow behind, scrunching up your nose in thought, "go where?"

"For a walk, you obviously want to get out of here." He states as if it were fact, which it kinda was. Maybe he wasn't all that bad...

You hear a deep chuckle, snapping you back to reality. Sebastian looks at you knowingly, the corners of his mouth turning up into a slight smirk. He had already brought you outside, were you that deep in thought? Well, this was embarrassing...

"Did I just win you over?" He raises a brow, a pleased smile gracing his features. "You truly are a simple woman." He scoffs lightly.

"I-" You begin, but he pulls you close.

He wraps one hand around your lower back, the other he places on the back of your neck. He leans in close and your heart hammers in your chest. You try to push him away, feeling uncomfortable by his close proximity, but he holds you in place. He looks into your eyes seriously, freezing your movements. He leans to your ear, muttering three simple words.

"We're being watched."

Well, that was different. You give a sigh of relief when he lets you go. He ushers you forward with a sudden bright smile, placing a hand on the small of your back.

"Play along." He whispers into your ear again. You chuckle lightly, acting as if he had said sweet nothings to you. "Quite the actor." He mumbles.

"Uh- thanks, I guess." You mumble, leaning your head on his shoulder. "Where are they?"

"Three o'clock, don't look." He smiles down at you. "Come on." He pulls you into an alleyway.

Sebastian ducks down behind a dumpster, holding you in a close position. His breath tickles you, but you dare not make a sound. You hear steps approach cautiously, it sounds as if it's only one person. Sebastian moves away from you silently, getting into a defensive stance.

The figure grows closer and as soon as he is right in front of you, Sebastian lands a punch to his face. In a hurry, he grabs you off the ground and starts running. Your flat had been discovered. He knew who had been following you both, and Moriarty needed to be informed. Sherlock had found out about you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sebastian had taken you back to the safe house, knowing that you're apartment was already too risky. When you had gotten into the main living room, he had gestured for you to sit down. You complied almost immediately, all the stress was getting to you.

"I have to give a briefing to Moriarty," he began, "please wait here, I need to find out what your situation will be." He wrinkles his forehead in thought.

"Do whatever you like." He states leaving you, walking through 2 wide doors.

You begin to feel drowsy from the lack of sleep, and drift off, dreaming of seeing your brother again. 'I hope he is okay...'

It was a surprise to Moriarty to see Sebastian without you by his side, and that worried him. And after Sebastian had explained everything that happened that evening, An audible sigh left Moriarty's lips. You were going to be the death of him...

"Are you absolutely sure?" Moriarty grumbles, rubbing his temples slowly.

"Yes, sir." Sebastian answers lowly, eyes glazed over with darkness.

"She has a talent for getting into trouble, doesn't she." Moriarty sighs, running a hand down his face. "Sherlock is more clever than I thought~." He sings with a smirk.

"What would you like to do, sir?" Sebastian looks at him seriously, straightening up a little more.

"Move her here, she can't stay there any longer." Moriarty states, folding his hands neatly in front of him. "And don't let her leave your sight." He adds, moving his attention back towards the work on his table.

"Always, sir." Sebastian gives a curt nod, stepping out of the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sebastian chuckles at your dozing form. It had only been an hour debriefing with Moriarty, you shouldn't have fallen asleep in that time. He lightly rubs your head, and at the gentle gesture you lean into his touch, mumbling slightly before repositioning yourself.

A sly smirk works it's way onto his face, how sweet. He was tempted to bother his boss, but that never ended well, even if it was for a good cause. So, being the 'gentleman' that he was, Sebastian decided to poke your face until you were awake.

"Huh? Sebs..." You mumble, rubbing your eyes. "Did I fall asleep?" You realize where you are, and sit up.

"I already have a nickname? You bond quickly." Your face begins to heat up. "Well, obviously you're tired..." He states with a playful smirk.

"Wha- what did he say?" You begin to feel anxious, knowing that this was yet another unfortunate event.

"Just to move you here," Sebastian waves his hand dismissively, "don't worry about the rest, it's just minor details."

"So, I'm not going to die?" It was a valid question, you were constantly questioning why Moriarty had still kept you close.

"Look," Sebastian loses his ever present smirk, "if Moriarty wanted you gone, you would be." His voice is dark, and his eyes tell you he is being serious.

"Uh, than- thanks for the info." You breath, feeling a shiver down go down your spine. His smirk returns, and he pats your head gently.

"You're something special, (F/n), just don't go out of your way to be a damsel in defense." He grabs onto your hand, pulling you into a standing pose.

"Distress." You correct him, moving away from his tall form.

"You'll know what I mean, later." He winks at you, waving for you to follow.

"Where are we going?" You tilt your head to the side.

"My room." He turns back, gesturing for you to walk faster.

©Shenanigans4321

~~~~~~~~~To Be Continued~~~~~~~~~