After a long time in his embrace Sherlock carefully pulled away and grabbed her wrists. "Suicide attempts? And according to the amount of bandages not only once. Twice? Three times?", he mumbled sadly. "Seven. Seven times," she said quietly.
He looked at her. "Why?"
Instead of facing him she looked down. "I thought you were dead. I thought..." She swallowed. "I thought when my pulse was elevated with you around I didn't want any pulse without you. Seemed fair..."
He furrowed his brows. "You wanted to throw away your precious life because I was gone?"
Finally she looked up. "You are my life, Sherlock. I didn't see any sense in living any more without you." Sherlock leaned in and gently kissed her cheek. "I never wanted this to happen..."
She felt her skin burning where his lips had touched her cheek and blushed. "I... It's fine." He shook his head. "It's not fine. I'm responsible for your almost death. I will never forgive myself." He looked at the table. "Do you still feel like having dinner with me?"
Irene looked at him with affection. "Of course. But I don't feel like being amongst other people. They scare me." Sherlock nodded and took her hand. "Let's go to 221B then." He led her outside and looked up. "Oh, it's still raining." He wrapped the coat he had just gotten back around the skinny woman and looked at her. He teared up when he remembered the first time they met when she was wearing his coat as well. Such a long time ago. Irene looked broken and vulnerable now. So much had changed. He would never get the time of his life back when they used to be strong and didn't care about anything.
The rain was falling down on them as they walked beside each other in silence.
As Sherlock looked at Irene he couldn't figure out if there were tears or raindrops running down her face. He stopped and pulled her close, mumbling. "I'm here now. Don't be scared. I will protect you forever."
She looked up at him and Sherlock could catch a tiny glimpse in her eyes, maybe hope. He put a strand of hair behind her ear and cupped her face, leaning in.
As his lips met hers, their tears melted together and sealed their love as the last raindrop fell and the rain stopped.
