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It was a clear night. The Moon hung high in the sky, accompanied by countless stars illuminating the darkness that coated this side of the Earth. They had a long and tiring day, running from one place to another trying to find the culprit. They nearly missed the last train too and while neither lacked the money to find accommodation for a single night, the pull to get home and get into their own bed was bigger and more insistent than to find a cheap motel in the middle of nowhere with questionable bedsheets and hygiene.
So here they were, en route to King’s Cross in London where hopefully a carriage would be waiting to pick them up when they arrive. It wouldn’t happen soon unfortunately for the capital was still at least one and a half hours away and Sherlock felt sorry for the poor bloke who no doubt had already been at the station for hours waiting for them at Louis’ strict orders. He was pretty sure the youngest Moriarty arranged everything already for a much earlier arrival but life said no so late arrival was it then. He hummed a tune to occupy himself somehow, while his fingers ran through the soft golden locks of his lover. William was fast asleep on his right shoulder, lulled to dreamland by the quiet rumbling of the train and having exhausted himself to the bone both physically and mentally during the chase and the subsequent planning for trapping the guy so he wouldn’t be able to harm innocents. Sherlock still marvelled at how brilliant Liam could be, how effortlessly efficient he was and while he sometimes missed John’s presence next to him - who was undoubtedly trying to calm down a rather worked up Louis over their lateness -, he felt a different kind of peace and easiness than the one he experienced with John. They still went out to solve some crimes, most often when William was preoccupied with either teaching, investigating and or murdering someone and when John was not out on a date with Louis.
He heard light footsteps coming their way and pulled William’s warm body closer to himself. He had Sherlock’s jacket draped over his shoulders to keep him comfortable as Liam tended to get cold rather quickly especially during chilly nights like this one. Summer meant little warm in England, after all. The owner of the footsteps stopped right in front of their cabin and knocked delicately three times.
“Enter.”
A young attendant carefully opened the door and quietly slid in. He took a quick glance at William before turning towards Sherlock; “We are currently offering late-night servings, is there anything I could bring for you sir and the gentleman?”
Sherlock looked down at Liam’s sleeping form and nodded, “Just a simple plate of some scones and an Earl Grey please.”
The man bowed slightly, “As you wish.” and with that took his leave as quietly as he could. William slept soundly on, undisturbed and Sherlock felt his heart swell. He knew from personal experience and from the “Crime gang” too - as he himself liked to call their team jokingly - that Liam was quite the insomniac but he recently confessed one night after a few hours of love making that he slept better with Sherlock so much so he would rather wait up for Sherlock to get home than to go to sleep alone, which prompted the detective to always come back as early as he humanly could to make sure William was getting the sleep he desperately needed sometimes.
Their snacks arrived shortly after, with the same man bringing in their plate with the utmost care. The attendant placed it on the trail without a sound, straightened himself and asked: “Is there anything else I could help you with sir?”
Sherlock ran a comforting hand down William’s arm. “No thank you. I don’t think my husband will be up anytime soon.”
The man nodded and left, probably hurrying to get back to his tasks. They were once again alone, just the Moon as their sole witness. William nuzzled his face into Sherlock’s neck, his fingers intertwining with the detective’s before placing a soft kiss to Sherlock’s jaw.
“I love you.” Liam mumbled sleepily.
Sherlock squeezed his hand in silent agreement and kissed the top of William’s moonlit hair. “I know. I love you too poppet.”
The gold on their fingers shined bright in the quiet night.