Chapter Text
William stared up at the ceiling as he laid on soft, pillowy blankets. He had slept for just 2 hours, and now he's back here; awake in the middle of the night. William has had many nights of insomnia in his days of the Lord of Crime, although it has become much better thanks to Sherlock. But Sherlock isn't here right now, and probably isn't awake either.
After a few moments of thought while staring at the unmoving ceiling, William decided to go fetch a glass of water to help freshen himself up.
William silently padded his way across the hallways of the MI6 building, trying to make his footsteps as inconspicuous as possible.
Approaching the kitchen, William finally saw a glimpse of the kitchen downstairs, only to be surprised as he saw a dim light illuminating the room and a familar figure sitting on a chair.
"Sherly?" William questioned, moving forward silently.
"Wait, Liam! No, ah - shit." Sherlock said, startled. Sherlock quickly duck his head away from William, his unbound black locks hiding his face as he scrubbed his arm across his eyes.
Familiar protective instincts rising, Liam swiftly came to Sherlock's side. Noting the hitched breaths and the vulnerable state of Sherlock's normally confident and cheery demeanor.
Liam slowly kneeled in front of Sherlock, brushing away strands of hair from his lover's face. Sherlock didn't resist, knowing that it would be a losing battle if he did.
Liam then ever so softly brushed away a stray tear with his thumb under Sherlock's eye, his heart hurting to see Sherlock's lively eyes full of tears. Sherlock should never be sad.
Liam wasn't the best at comforting others, but for Sherlock, he's going to give it his all.
"Sherly, what's wrong?" Liam asked softly, heterochromatic eyes gleaming with concern. Sherlock gave a weak bark of a laugh.
"It's nothing Liam, honest." Sherlock said, smiling regardless of the obvious tears streaking down his face. Liam only frowned.
"It's not 'nothing' Sherly."
"But it is, nothing happened." Sherlock pleaded, still smiling. But Liam could see that Sherlock was still on edge.
"Sherlock, please. I'm worried for you." Liam cupped Sherly's face gently with his hands. At the action, Sherly bit his bottom lip harshly, eyes welling up with more tears.
"Sherly..." Liam said forlornly. He felt lost, he didn't know what he should do to comfort Sherlock.
"I-" Sherlock choked on a sob, "Sorry, Liam. I'm making you sad, huh." Sherlock still smiled brokenly. Liam's heart splintered at the words.
"No, Sherly. Please don't worry about that." Hands still cupping Sherlock's face, Liam stroked Sherlock's cheeks that were still wet with tears.
"Sherly, Sherlock." Sherlock's took deep breaths to try and not cry all over again. "What's wrong?"
A moment of silence was played out, only interrupted by Sherlock's hitched breaths before Sherlock looked at Liam's imploring eyes and smiled once again.
"Nothing happened, Liam."
Liam's face fell, "Sherlock-"
"No, Liam. Honestly, nothing happened. Everything's okay. I'm fine." Sherlock still wore the same haunting smile as he spoke. "I mean it, Liam." Sherlock took one of Liam's hands and intertwined it with his, "I'm alright..., my emotions just got the best of me this time."
Liam sighed deeply, knowing that it would be futile if he carried on probing. "Alright, but is there anything I'm able to do?" Liam looked up at Sherly with wide pleading eyes. Sherlock melted on the spot.
Sherlock huffed a laugh, "You can stay with me for the rest of the night, whaddya'say?"
Liam smiled and stood up, "Sure, Sherly. If you don't mind, I'm going to quickly get a glass of water if that is alright with you."
Sherlock stood up as well, "Alright then, I'm gonna head up to your room now while you do that."
At that, Liam looked reluctant, he didn't want to let Sherlock out of his sight. He was still greatly worried for his lover.
Sensing his unease, Sherlock stepped closer to Liam to place a quick kiss on his left cheek, a habit formed by many months of being together. Liam smiled at Sherlock, "I'll see you there, Sherly."
Sherlock smiled and left to head to Liam's room.
As he was walking through the hallways, Sherlock ran a frustrated hand through his black locks. Fuck, he shouldn't have let Liam see him like that. Liam already had enough on his plate, he doesn't need this added onto him. And plus, he made Liam sad.
Sherlock wallowed in self-loathing all the way to Liam's room.
"Hello, Sherly."
Sherlock snapped his head up, "Mickey?" Sherlock didn't even sense his presence there, goodness he's getting slow ain't he.
His brother was leaning against outside of the door, not looking pleased with him. "That was a foolish thing you did down there, Sherlock. I'm not impressed."
Sherlock rolled his eyes, figures that Mycroft would have found out.
Sherlock was too tired to make a comeback, ignoring his brother and opening the door to Liam's room.
"He's concerned for you, Sherlock." Goddamnit, he really isn't gonna let this go isn't he.
"He shouldn't be." Sherlock replied blankly.
Mycroft raised a curious eyebrow. "I thought that you were on the same horizon now."
…Damn it all to hell, he's got a point.
"Sherly," Mycroft said, tone softer, "not telling him things will actually make him even sadder than if you actually told him the things that will make him sad." Mycroft stated, enunciating every word clearly so it can engrave itself into Sherlock's mind.
Sherlock made an oh shape with his mouth, words caught in his throat.
After a moment, Mycroft tutted. "For a supposed genius, you are incredibly slow with emotions, Sherly."
"Oh, says you." Sherlock snarked back, a 'thank you' went unsaid. But Mycroft understood it all the same.
Moments later deep in the night, in a bed where Sherlock and Liam were sleeping together. Liam's head was on Sherlock's chest.
Sherlock spoke, "...Liam?"
William hummed, signaling that he hasn't fallen into slumber yet.
"Later tomorrow, can I tell you about what happened?"
Liam pressed a soft kiss to Sherly's chin, "Of course, darling." Before tucking his head back to Sherlock's chest with a smile.