Queen of the Mind Palace // Sherlolly ✔️

Chapter 13

Molly let out a shaky breath as she observed the scene before her. They had arrived back at 221B Baker Street, Sherlock constantly testing Sawyer, who aced every test he threw at her. They now sat across from each other, Sherlock describing scenes and Sawyer solving them. They both sat cross-legged, Sherlock watching Sawyer intently as she thought, her eyes closed and hands familiarly folded together under her nose.

Molly was reading and Gael was curled up on her lap with Toby, hesitantly stroking the cat. Though she was lost in her book, Molly couldn't help but feel like someone was watching her. Whenever she'd look up, Molly would see Sherlock watching her curiously. He'd hold her gaze for a moment longer before turning his gaze back to Sawyer.

It was odd, usually when Sherlock was looking at her she saw nothing, just the same blank stare that told Molly he knew everything about her. But lately, it was like he'd taken on a curious look, like he was just now finding out about Molly. Of course she was just being ridiculous, Molly didn't know Sherlock, right?

Still she couldn't help but feel something was off, that something had changed. Of course, everything had changed, Molly wasn't sure things would be the same ever again. Molly was snapped out of her thoughts when Sawyer suddenly stood up.

"I'm taking Gael to get ice cream," she declared. Molly raised an eyebrow as Gael sat up quickly, a smile spreading on his face. Sawyer then excitedly turned to Sherlock, the smile on her face wide.

"I wanna go practice," she said. Sherlock shrugged.

"Just be back before dark."

Sawyer snorted, "I've been in the dark there before," she began to put a coat on herself, then proceeding on Gael who was giggling excitedly, "some might even say it's my friend."

Sherlock rolled his eyes at Sawyer's dramatics as she closed the door behind her. Molly grinned and looked at her watch.

"Oh shoot!" She said suddenly, "I'm going to be late!" Sherlock's eyebrows furrowed.

"Late for what?"

"Uh. A date- I think." Something flashed through Sherlock's eyes and a frown creased his face.

"Why would you go on a date?" He snorted.

Molly blinked at him, an eyebrow raised, "because I can." Sherlock stood up.

"Well," he paused, as if thinking, "you can't because you have to stay here."

"Sawyer and Gael are gone, Sherlock. I won't be gone for long." Sherlock watched with something nothing short of anger in his eyes- a look that intrigued Molly to no ends. She'd known Sherlock didn't like it when her attentions went anywhere but him- she'd taken comfort in the fact actually- but this was just annoying.

"You can't go!" Sherlock cried as Molly began to slip on shoes.

"Sherlock," Molly huffed, crossing her arms over her chest, "give me one good reason as to why I shouldn't go."

Sherlock paused, searching his mind thoroughly. What in the world had gotten into him? Finally Sherlock blinked. He turned to Molly and flashed her a charming smile.

"Because I need you here."

Something deep inside Molly woke up- something she had kept bottled up for too long now.

"Sherlock," her voice came out low and threatening, almost like a growl. Sherlock blinked, confused as to why his usual tactic wasn't working, "that won't work on me anymore."

Sherlock opened his mouth to deny but Molly cut him off, "every single time, Sherlock. You flash me a smile when you want something and yes- I admit it- usually you get it. But not this time! I've had enough of you with your flirting and such. Just so you could get me to roll out a few bodies. Just for your own selfish purposes!"

The shock and even a bit of hurt was clear on Sherlock's face, but Molly was on a roll. She made her way up to Sherlock and jabbed him in the chest. Sherlock stepped away from her, as if scared of the monster he created.

"You always expect for things to work your way. And they do! They always do. But not this time Mr. Holmes!" Molly cried, Sherlock was still silent, his eyes wide, "this time things are going to be working my way and my way is I'm going." Molly turned her back to Sherlock, hopping up on the kitchen counter and crossing her arms over her chest. Molly's veins pumped and excitement coursed through her. She couldn't believe she'd done it. Molly Hooper showing up Sherlock Holmes. Who'd guess? Pride made Molly keep her composure as Sherlock stared at her in shocked silence.

Sherlock slowly began to walk toward her, his gate slow. They were both silent as Sherlock stopped inches away from her, his nose almost grazing hers. Molly looked up to meet Sherlock's gaze, but something was off. His breathing was short in his chest and his pupils were blown to the rims, making his eyes dark and almost feral. Something that almost looked like fear or relief or something in between clouded Sherlock's eyes, and it killed Molly that she couldn't figure out what it was. The smell of peppermint and forest fires radiated off of him, engulfing her senses. Molly tilted her head in confusion, but Sherlock suddenly leaned in.

Their lips met.

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