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The sun slowly rose from the east, ascending above the bodies of water, indicating that a new day has yet to be foreseen.
Sherlock coughed out, spewing away the water that dared to fill his lungs. Everything hurt, from the flesh of his skin down to the very bit of his bones. His head was pounding and he had thought that he would die from that fall.
Fall… He couldn't recall why he had fallen for a minute or two, not until he finally felt something heavy laying on his numbed arm.
Liam! Sherlock was quick to shield William's head once more even if his whole body was in agonizing pain, pulling their freezing bodies closer in hopes that they could keep each other warm— to keep Liam warm.
A smile meant for the professor tugged on Sherlock's shivering lips, his fingers carding through William's damp hair. "Liam," He whispered, voice hoarse as he struggled to continue, "I'm so glad you didn't let go…" He paused to rethink about what he wanted to say, reasoning that William wouldn't be able to hear it anyway.
Yet considering Sherlock's hazy mind and his impulsive choices in life, he, nevertheless, said, "... Because I don't plan on leaving you anytime soon, y'know." He shifted his position to make sure that he wasn't hurting William, noticing that his left eye was damaged from the fall.
Afraid that the professor could lose more blood, Sherlock ripped a long strip of fabric from his shirt, carefully yet sloppily wrapping the cloth around William's head, securing his eye from further bleeding.
"I'm sorry, Liam." Sherlock grunted, holding William close as he listened to the calming waves. "Just hold on a little longer…" He muttered, eyes feeling heavy.
And in the next few moments, everything went black.
A lot had changed since they both survived, having been saved by Billy and taken under his care for a few years.
The only thing that didn't change was their relationship. If anything, it might have even been taken to another level of intimacy. And of course, Sherlock was true to his word: still never leaving his side—accompanying his Liam and willingly doing the hard work for him.
"You're back early," William would say with a welcoming smile on his face, "I made dinner for you."
Sherlock ignored the food and walked over to William, checking his condition. After Sherlock had confirmed that William was alright, he tiredly laid down on the bed. William chuckled, laying next to Sherlock.
"Forgive me if the errand I asked of you was too tiring." William said with a look that was personally hard to resist for Sherlock, holding the said man's hand.
Sherlock hummed as he closed his eyes, "If it's for you, I wouldn't mind." He replied, pressing his lips on William's knuckles.
It was silent after that, having Sherlock almost doze off and forget about his dinner; but his eyes instinctively opened when William squeezed on his hand.
"To this day… You've been taking care of me." William's voice was low—unsure of what he wanted to say in the first place. "Thank you." His voice broke ever so slightly, causing Sherlock's heart to sting a little.
Sherlock's unoccupied hand reached out for William's cheek, stroking his cheekbone with his own thumb. He didn't have to say anything, for William already understood. He always understood.
William's captivating eye widened before laughing heartily, "You never fail to amuse me, Mr. Holmes."
"I thought we were past that, Liam." Sherlock leaned in and placed a chaste kiss on William's forehead, down to the tip of his nose. "Call me what you've always called me."
"Am I wrong, Sherlock?" William continued to tease, squirming away from Sherlock's grasp as he chortled.
"Say it—my name." Sherlock demanded, still trying to break down William's god-awful, taller than a tower pride. Although… His trust had already been gained since before.
And before Sherlock could do anything, William kissed him to shut him up. "Sherly," He whispered, "Sherly. That's what you wanted to hear, right?"
A simple term of endearment had Sherlock's cheeks feeling tingly; smiling widely as he said, "... More than anything."
Problems had risen around both of them for more than how many years they could count with their fingers.
It wasn't new. Sherlock was used to overcoming a myriad of obstacles with William, and yet here they were—old and still together.
"Sherly," William called out, voice rasped. Sherlock, attentive as always, held onto William's hand, and he smiled at the ring; a promise that bound them together for life.
"What is it, my Liam?" Sherlock questioned, voice just as rasped.
"Every year that I spent with you… have been the best ones in my life." He said, holding Sherlock's hand as their rings clink against each other. "I never thought that I'd live this long, and I never thought I would end up loving the person that I originally thought was a chess piece for my plans."
Sherlock listened with earnest, rubbing his thumb in circles at the back of William's hand.
"You have given me another reason to live, and it was to stay with you until my last breath. Solving puzzles was next." William grinned, earning a laugh from Sherlock. "... If I haven't said this enough yet, thank you."
Sherlock brushed William's once-blond hair back, giving a kiss on his forehead that had creases on it. Sherlock once commented on how he admired them, continuing to kiss William that night.
"I promised you long ago, Liam. I don't plan on leaving you anytime soon, and only when you let go, do us part." Sherlock replied, gently leaning his head on William's chest, closely listening to his heart beat.
The next day, the both of them were found holding each other's hands, with Sherlock's head still on William's chest, sharing their final breaths together.