a willow's bloom | ✓

scene one

     DIMMED lights reflected off the glass as Eurus intently studied Lilith. She was fogging up the glass and drawing hearts and smiley faces on it, causing a light to shine in Eurus' pupils. Her mouth softly twitched upward, and Lilith could see the faint outlining of a smile until she blinked; then it was gone. Eurus suddenly leaned closer and narrowed her icy irises at Lilith's warm ones. 

"I need you to help me with my game, my little tree." She leaned back and tilted her head, awaiting Lilith's response.

"I'd love to help you! What part could I possibly play in this, though? Have you looked at me?" Lilith frowned, and stared at the girl in front of her as she merely chuckled. 

"Yes, I have. You are quite the sight I've noticed. That's why you are going to get close to one of Sherlock's little pets, and show her what it really means to fall in love." She stood up and looked down at Lilith. "I want you to seduce Molly Hooper."

Lilith scrunched up her eyebrows in confusion, a strand of her strawberry blonde hair falling in front of her face. She blew it away with the corner of her mouth and looked back up at Eurus, catching her staring before she cleared her throat. Waiting. 

"Of course I can, maybe. If she finds me charming." Lilith frowned again. "I can't leave the chambers though, especially not like this." She grabbed the ends of her hair and pulled. Eurus' face contorted with concern and she quickly shook her head.

"No, no. Stop that!" Lilith abruptly dropped her hair. "I'll get you out of here because I'm to leave as well, for the game. You can wear a wig to cover up your beautiful locks." 

Lilith smiled at her, a light blush dusting her cheeks. Eurus also had a faint pink, something Lilith never saw before. She tilted her head in contemplation, and then nodded.

"Then of course I'll do it. For you."

❖

The streets were slippery from the rain that covered the city earlier that day, as Molly Hooper quickly walked towards her apartment. The sun began to set, and she needed to go home to her cat Toby. He was an American Wirehair she adopted, and she loved him dearly.

As she continued her speedy journey, a truck drove by the flooded curb, causing the murky rain water to soak her whole body. She gasped and halted to a stop, her hands immediately going towards her face. She wiped her eyes, thankful that she only wore lipstick that day, and grunted. She found a bench and sat down, taking off her pumps as to get rid of the water that trickled towards her feet.

As she was busy trying to get rid of what she could, a girl with dark brown curls sat next to her on the bench. Molly's brown eyes met her dark blue and the unknown girl gave a welcoming smile. Molly flushed red and smiled back, sitting upright and looking at her lap.

"Hello, what's your name?" The girl asked. She was still looking at Molly as she turned back to face her. She gave the girl a shy smile and tucked a strand of brown hair behind her ear.

"Molly. And you...?" She nervously laughed and the girl's smile broadened.

"Willow," the girl shrugged, "not as pretty as 'Molly' I'm afraid."

This statement made Molly blush once more, and she suddenly wondered what this meant. She had the strongest crush on Sherlock for the longest time, that she had not even considered the possibility of other people; especially girls.

She did not even realize she had been staring until Willow laughed a melodic giggle and spoke up. "You're all soaked, do you have any place to go? If not..." she trailed off, and Molly quickly understood what she was asking and began stuttering.

"Oh- oh, yes I do!" She laughed and then continued. "You can come over," she added on, and Willow's eyes slightly widened until Molly quickly continued, "I mean, only- only if you want." She winced and gave a nervous smile, Willow returning it tenfold.

"I'd love that, actually, yeah," she tilted her head and then added, "plus, I can get to know your gorgeous self more." Winking, Willow stood up, and Molly followed suit.

She smiled again, and motioned her to follow her on her walk back to her apartment. They made small talk, and Molly explained she had a cat back home. When Willow told Molly she absolutely adored cats, she felt something in her chest swell; perhaps she was just happy that she made a new friend that loved cats as much as she did.

It was almost too good to be true.