Molly was gazing into my face anxiously, her hands twisting in her lap.
"Molly. You're nervous. Why are you nervous?" I watched her intensely and noticed her wilting under my scrutiny. I raised an eyebrow impassively. "Oh." I muttered. "Well, anyway, back to John..." I half-sang airily, trying to brush away the emotion I knew I wasn't hiding so successfully. Molly gave me the tiniest of encouraging smiles, and I frowned at her, prompting her to swiftly clear her face again.
"Sorry." She cleared her throat again.
"Yes, quite..." I sighed. “John. Well. He was -" I was interrupted yet again by a small yelp from Molly. My eyebrows dropped in concern as the woman's jaw dropped.
"Sh-Sherlock! What are you wearing? oh. I mean, not that it looks bad, actually it looks quite nice, but-"
"-Molly, do shut up..." I sighed. She pressed her lips together.
"Of course, sorry." I forced the biggest, widest, shiniest fake-smile I could muster and folded my shaking hands in my lap.
"John was... Playing dress-up, I rather suppose, with this hideous clothing. He was laughing and I was embarrassed - He took my shirt off for me - but that was... Okay. And I asked him - becase the fool has been seeking to prove that I am actually human, or some nonsensical theory along those lines - I asked him what that little game was set to improve. And then-" I took a deep, wobbly breath before continuing. "-He squeaked something about it not mattering, and... Left." I sighed deeply. "Why would he do that, Molly?" Molly appeared to be choking on her own tongue. I was, suffice to say, slightly confused as her face sowly transitioned through many shades of pink and red before finally deciding on purple as I deliberated over calling '999' - she wasn't breathing, at any rate. "...Molly?" I said uncertainly. Big mistake.
A squeal so massive errupted from her throat like the dying screams of the universe that I knew nothing of. I swear I felt the walls move - the intensity of this shriek, I promise you, was far from Molly-sized. Poor Billy was traumatized. And she was still going. I reached across and pressed my hand to her mouth, and, finally, the tearing noise stopped.
"SHERLOCK! YOU IDIOT!" She squealed again, and I tilted my head to the side as I stared at her, utterly confused. She just shook her head, a wide smile replacing the nerves on her face. I returned it hesitantly, not sure exactly why I was smiling, as she vanished from the flat, skipping - yes, skipping - down the stairs and whirling into the street. I sighed, placing my head in my hands.
"Mrs Hudson!" I roared down to her.
"Coming dear, do keep your voice down, Sherlock... The neighbours!" She trilled through her ceiling, her tone reproachful but warm. I smiled; Martha never could bear to be too angry with me for very long. This was no exception, as she pattered up to our flat. Her footsteps are heavy, but unmistakeably hers - so she's carrying something. The slowness of her tread suggests balancing - liquid? Not alcohol, she used to have a problem with that, so... Tea or coffee. And it's Mrs Hudson, so most likely biscuits on the side...
She slipped through the door and into the room where I sat, and gently laid down her tray of tea and biscuits. Got it. I smiled, and she looked at me worriedly.
"What are you smiling about this time, dear?" I just smirked, shaking my head dismissively. She made an unconvinced noise, but let it lie. I chuckled slightly then as I heard John re-enter the building. The rustle of cellophane accompanied him.
"John!" I called out warmly. His footsteps seemed to stutter, and when he ducked through the door, he looked to be blushing. I laughed at him happily, and beckoned to the sofa beside me. His eyes widened as he dumped the shopping - Mrs Hudson had taken his armchair, and the only free seat was next to me. I wasn't too sure why this bothered him, and he must have noticed my smile paling slightly. I widened it again, with great effort, and he seemed to reach a decision within himself. He marched over and lowered himself into the seat, where he perched stiffly. I rolled my eyes at him, and he chuckled, while Mrs Hudson gazed between us frantically, trying and failing to decode John's actions.
I must admit that I had been trying to do so, as well, with no success.
"Are you boys-?" She asked coyly. I glared at her and snapped,
"No!" At the same time as John seemed to whisper it... Reluctantly? Of course not - he was just embarrassed. I heaved a great sigh of relief. Life did not need to get any more complicated at 221b Baker Street.
But, of course, like all things... It did.
YOU ARE READING
The Humanity Extraction
Fanfiction"John. When you said I was a machine... Did you really mean it?" Sherlock Holmes, Consulting Detective - the only one in the world, let me remind you - at your ser... Never mind. Your commander, and additionally the best amateur detective - I d...
