Settle Down (Sherlolly fanfic)

A Surprise

Molly's POV

Coming back from ordering, we sat down at a dark wooden table in a cafe. There was a small squeak as I sat down on the vinyl chair.

"Thank you, again." Sherlock said. I allowed myself to smile.

"Sherlock, you don't need to keep thanking me. It's fine."

He smiled gratefully.

"God, I haven't seen you acting this nicely since...well, ever."

Sherlock looked at me, pretending to be insulted. His grey eyes widened. "I'm always nice! What are you talking about?"

He was only joking, but I thought of the times when he had made me feel useless, the times he had broken my heart and completely disregarded my feelings. I raised my eyebrows a fraction.

"Oh, really? Yes, you have been just lovely to me ever since I first brought up the courage to talk to you." I quickly stopped myself from saying more. Once I got started on letting my emotions out, they would flood me, and I usually ended up making a complete fool of myself. I didn't want to do that any more. Sherlock looked at me, his eyes penetrating mine, as if trying to see deeper. I looked away, hoping that he would too.

Luckily at that moment the waitress came and brought us our coffee. I smiled at her, relieved to see that Sherlock had been disturbed and was now looking in a different direction.

"Thanks." I said politely. Sherlock simply picked up his cup and took a sip of his coffee. His face turning sour, he gracefully opened two small packets of sugar and tipped them into his coffee, stirring gently.

"You know, its odd. Usually I'm the one making the coffee."

"Mmmhmm." Sherlock was focussed on somebody out the window. He frowned, and I saw something else covering his face. Sadness? More than sadness. Guilt? Yes, but there was another emotion. Regret. That I knew well. I directed my eyes to where he was staring and gasped slightly.

"John," I breathed. Sherlock quickly turned around, putting his head down so that his best friend wouldn't see him. I did the same; John and I were quite close nowadays, and if he saw me I knew he would come in to talk, and see Sherlock. He didn't see me though. He walked past, staring at the ground with the same blank expression that always covered his face lately.

"You have to tell him, Sherlock. Maybe not today, but you don't realise how much he is suffering." I said to Sherlock quietly. Sherlock looked at his coffee, taking another sip.

"I do."

Sherlock sighed quietly. I picked up my cup, and drank some more coffee. We sat for a while in silence. I wished I could do something for him, but what could I do?

"I'm sorry." I said without thinking. Sherlock looked up at me.

"Why," he said slowly, "would you be sorry?"

"I mean...I'm sorry that...um...that this had to happen. Dying and all."

He frowned.

"Don't be sorry. I don't know why you should be, of all people." His face was blank, but his eyes were sad.

"You look sad. Again." I blurted. "It's John, isn't it?"

Sherlock nodded. I reached out and put my hand on his. He jumped slightly, and pulled his hand away. I blushed, immediately regretting the gesture.

"Don't be sorry for me, Molly."

He stood up. I followed him as he walked out of the cafe.

We sat in another cab in silence. The journey back to my flat seemed to take forever in the small vehicle. I was pleased though. Sherlock didn't even look like the same person he used to be. Eventually we arrived, and the cold London air hit me as I got out.

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Author's note:

Hello again! Sorry about the short chapter this time, just wanted to get something published :)

Feedback is welcome as always ;)

-ImInGallifrey