Sherlock Imagines

SH - Guardian Angel

Word count: 864

You were running. You didn't know why, really, there wasn't any hurry. You slowed to walking pace, your chest rising and falling with your deep breaths, matching the crashing of the water along the shore. Your shoes echoed as you stepped from the grass to the pavement, gliding your hand along a copper colored rail. You walked adjacent to it for a moment before swinging a leg over it and pulling yourself to the other side. The dark water beneath the bridge reflected the moon. It was beautiful and calming. You stared at it for a few minutes as your legs dangled over the edge.

"Are you going to jump?" asked a voice from above. You nearly slipped from being startled. You looked up, seeing a man casually leaning over the rail, staring straight ahead. You didn't know whether you were disappointed or relieved that the voice wasn't God or some other higher being. Though you could probably use a guardian angel right now. 

You looked back down at your feet. "I don't know," you whispered. The man almost didn't hear you.

"I don't think you should," he responded calmly. Instead of hitting him with something along the lines of 'you don't even know me,' you decided to take a different route.

"Why?" you squeaked.

"You're a nurse, yes?" he started. He'd probably noticed your scrubs. "A hard job, no doubt, but a very important one. . . Tell me about your job." You watched him slowly climb over the rail and sit next to you. You told him about the shit day you had a work, how you just ended your shift. How you messed up a lot. 

"You're new to the job, though," he defended you. "You'll get into the swing of things just like everyone else. No one starts out perfect at what they do. You learn from your mistakes."

"How'd you know I was new?" you asked, staring at him.

"I'm a detective, Miss-" he glanced at your name tag. "(Y/L/N)."

"Call me (Y/N)," you requested, feeling weird with someone who looked a few years older than you using titles in front of your name. "But, you couldn't have known I'm new to the job for sure. I could just be really stupid," you rambled.

He gave you a slightly playful, slightly reprimanding look. "I don't think you're stupid, (Y/N)," he deduced before glancing at the water. 

You looked to the side in a sort of pout. "Everyone's lives would be a lot easier if they didn't have to deal with my mistakes."

Sherlock took the approach he deemed to be the most effective. "Maybe. . . But it would be hard to continue with one less nurse, wouldn't it? Someone would have to do your work."

"They could find a replacement."

He hummed uncertainly. "There's a shortage of nurses here, you know. Besides, they would have fired you if they wanted to replace you." He could see that this comment didn't hit you like it was supposed to, so he continued. "That means you were their best option. You went through internship. You got the job. You're quick on your feet, and eager to help in whatever way you can. You have remarkable bedside manner, no doubt."

You looked at him again. "How do you know that?" you asked, almost frantic.

 He steadily stood up, holding onto the rail with one hand. "Would you like to discuss it over tea?" You stared up at him with an almost blank expression. He could see that you were considering it. "I'll tell you all about how I deduce people," he offered. 

With one last glance at the water, you grabbed the rail and stood, your legs wobbly. The man held onto your upper arm until you were safely back on the pavement. He let out a sigh and enveloped you with his trench coat, holding you close to his warm body. You hadn't realized how cold it was as you'd been outside for almost an hour. Your arms automatically snaked around his torso, clutching his shirt. Tears leaked from your eyes, making his shirt wet. He brought a hand up to your hair and smoothed it down comfortingly, his other arm planted securely around you. You made embarrassing sobbing noises, but the man didn't show any disgust. You only separated when he pulled out his phone to call a cab. His eyes didn't look away from you for even a second. You couldn't tear yours away from his glowing blue eyes if you tried.

"Name's Sherlock," he said after he hung up, offering his hand to you. You untangled your crossed arms and extended one out to let him shake your hand. He was so gentle.

"You already know mine," you smiled, earning one in return. 

When the cab arrived, you both scooted into the back seat and Sherlock directed the cab to a cafe on Baker Street. You hesitantly leaned on his shoulder and he paused before wrapping and arm around you, staring out of the window. As you absentmindedly nuzzled your cheek into his shoulder, you thought that maybe guardian angels did exist, and yours was sitting in the back seat of a cab, telling you about the art of deduction.