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The return of the two of them to London was a pretty big decision to make. Not for Sherlock but for William who is reluctant to show his 'left eye'. His body was too 'sticky' to the fishy sin he committed. Is it appropriate for him to set foot on the ground that he made polluted even though it is his birthplace, and is still an unfinished inner struggle for him.
The train station turned out to be just as crowded, not to mention those who arrived exactly at noon. Billy had gone ahead to prepare the necessities that would be used later. Both want to go before tonight the warfare will begin.
Their simple disguises were a little scary for William. He kept his head down and lowered his hat, hoping no one would see his face. Of course, Sherlock was disturbed by this but he cannot be found out either, before the time.
Compared to anyone else, even Billy, solely he knew how much fear was hidden in the finest pomegranate. William who never wanted to show it failed to do so in front of Sherlock. And to 'respect' it Sherlock kept quiet, while 'pushing' him slowly.
There are times when 'saturation' approaches, but for the umpteenth time, Sherlock pushes his thoughts away and continues to emphasize how the journey of life that they have to go through is up to now. No one likes trauma, not even Sherlock. And his oath to protect his loved ones is a promise to protect the invisible.
The sound of a whistle brought him out of his thoughts, letting them know that their destination was getting closer. Moving his hand to tidy up the slightly wrinkled shirt, William tried to shake off his nervousness. Every prayer he could remember had been internalized, and his conscience was trying to stay sober and sane.
"Are you okay? You know I can handle this myself, including picking up—"
"Sorry, Sherly," William retorted calling him that in public, even though they were in a private compartment, "I still 'can'. Don't worry too much, your makeup might fade and Billy will be very disappointed."
"It's better if it fades away..!" Really, Sherlock also wondered why he let the 'cowboy' do his make-up.
A chuckle finally escaped from the mouth that felt like it had always been bent for the past few hours. Good thing they can dilute a little cold air that is created without realizing it. And the better news is now that they have arrived at their destination.
One by one the passengers walked out, including Sherlock and William. Mingling with the crowd would mask their existence rather than walking alone. Crowded with many people who boarded the train, but such a sunny day seemed to be enough to treat the dense feeling that surrounded the two.
Exactly fifteen minutes before they could fully get out of the station. Choosing to go on foot first, the two of them walked down the road a little bit changed in the eyes that had not looked at him for years.
There are more vendors and stalls lined up, as well as eye-catching shops to visit. The children who used to just stay in the dark alleys are now running around or helping the activities of the adults around them, some even selling by themselves. Bargaining activities are not left behind as a lively atmosphere among the promotional shouts of the shop owners.
As if there was a festive festival that was the situation the two of them observed, with their own eyes.
"Is this the London I once terrorized?" The whisper sounded too sad for the sun-reflected blonde strands. The dark bead also whined with him, trying to share his sorrow and pain so that he wouldn't have to endure it all.
The arm around his shoulder led him to the path they had to walk, "let's get things done. After that, we'll take vacations as long as you want."
"Billy would be in trouble if we went on vacation together."
"Don't care. If you still feel bad then I'll force him to apply for leave too."
"Haha, you taught Billy to cheat like you?"
"I've never been cheating though?"
"Who says this Mister Great Detective never cheats? I can't believe it."
"Liam," Sherlock's scowl was enough to fill William with humor for the rest of the afternoon and as a 'stock' as they made their way to their second destination.
***
From crowded with pedestrians to deserted leaving the two of them alone, Sherlock and William arrived at their second destination, to be more precise a wooden building that looked so weathered that a slight wind blew it and the place would collapse. Exaggerated, but Sherlock loves his description of nostalgia running through his memories.
"Three years? This place is stronger than I thought."
"You like to despise things, Sherly. This place is probably protected from the prayers of His people, and therefore age cannot eat it," William might have been half joking, but not with the history that covered the old Church before him.
It is said that one day a couple ran away because they did not get the blessing of their family. The two of them ran all night without rest until the woman fell and asked her lover to run away from her. Of course, he didn't want to leave her. With faith and courage, he carried the woman's body and continued to run.
But as humans, they will reach their limit, sooner or later. Both fell in the dark forest, exhausted and hungry. To see how death will come to them, their grip on their hands tightened, inseparable until they breathed their last.
People believe they have turned into big tree that is so shady and beautiful. Always be the only place illuminated by the two stars of the sky, the sun, and the moon. Some people also heard the sad but deep love singing from the tree that stood alone. Until the residents built a church next to it, to symbolize how sacred the feelings of the lovers are, and also how they can continue to be together even though there is a 'bond' that binds them.
"Classic." Sherlock's response. Either William should be grateful that Sherlock's fussy mouth didn't 'act' this time or sad that he didn't hear a 'scientific explanation' from him.
"A touching story if I say."
Both eyebrows raised high, "Are you okay, Liam?"
"I'm perfectly fine because someone scolded me when I went out to buy coffee beans for just ten minutes."
"That's because I was worried that something was wrong with you..! Hey, wait for me, Liam."
Footsteps entered the room full of ruins. There were only one or two rows of pews left, and an old tableless altar step up ahead. There were small spaces in the corner, and the one that caught their attention the most was the room on the far right in the front.
A familiar place to one, and a rather depressing place to the other. The two of them, in the past, had committed the very first mortal sin in its rightful place for the remission of sins.
"Nostalgia?"
This time William did not hesitate to lower the hat that covered half of his face, "You already knew I was here from the start. It turns out that tricking you has never been easy until now, Sherly."
"I take that as a compliment."
Slowly clenched fists covered by a warm grip. Sherlock led William to the front, right where the altar table was supposed to be, in front of the broken stained glass.
"You know what we have in common with that pair of trees?"
"Both lovers? And that tree is one wrapped around each other, not two separate trees."
"Today you are very aggressive Liam."
"Hurry up and say what you want to say Sherly. We'll be late if we don't come back after afternoon."
Slowly and gently, Sherlock kissed the back of William's hand. He bent down, bending one leg but still his gaze was fixed on the blushing face of his loved one. The smile never leaves, unlike the skull ring that used to be attached to his finger, which has now shifted to his partner's ring finger. Oversized for sure, Sherlock held it in place.
"You're not wrong, we are both lovers, who are not, or have not, got the blessing from family and friends. We hide, do everything in secret, and never say anything, even now we don't tell anyone we going home, aren't we? Except for that cowboy boy."
"Billy will throw a temper again if he hears you, Sherly," but the look in his eyes couldn't lie. Full of longing and guilt, wishing to tell but not wanting to hurt, resulting in silence until it creates a secret that he keeps in his pain.
"Hey," the gentle calling brought him back to his senses, "but there's a bright side. We can finally be together, live, and walk forward, toward the future you've always dreamed of. We are standing here, in a place that is said to be a silent witness to the life of a couple without a bond, that, we will now turn them into 'a couple with a bond beyond life and death'."
Which petty romance drama Sherlock had been watching recently William didn't know either. But if there is only one, then William will say that the young man is not suitable when paired with a romantic atmosphere.
His stiff expression and pursed lips were signs Sherlock was too nervous for a man to 'propose' his bride. Therefore, William crouched down, equaled Sherlock's height, and flicked his forehead, "idiot."
"Huh!? Why idiot—"
But before the annoying speech finished, an urge from the crash of a hug hit him. Good thing Sherlock's reflexes are much better than ever.
"Liam?"
"Idiot Sherly, stupid Sherly, annoying Sherly."
"A-aren't you going too far this time, Liam?"
Allow him. Let William leave all the ego that he always kept in his secret box. Letting the key he lost find its place, and didn't stop the soft tears from falling. Only this once, in a secret within another, William wanted to stop time, praying that their current existence would not change.
The soft smack he felt just brought saltwater out of his eyes. And Sherlock didn't mind getting his suit wet.
"From the past, my oath to you will never change. I will always be the candle that illuminates your path. I will be the brush and paint on your white canvas. I will continue to be the identity that fills your heart. You will never be alone, because we are one, one whole, and one that cannot be separated, whether in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health."
There is no plea for love. There is no need for a romantic sentence that usually appears in fairy tale books. Their story is too bitter to be told as a bedtime story.
"And I give the same answer, both in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. Forever I only own and belong to Sherlock Holmes alone. How many universes are created, then there is only one Sherlock and William who becomes happiest mates in it."
From a game of run and catch, to those who throw themselves in the act of suicide shrouded in rescue. Surviving is not easy. One thing that keeps them going is their memories and togetherness which is bound in an invisible oath, but with a clear bond around them.
The two who were secretly living life, were now not afraid to step forward and open up themselves.
Together, slowly until time, the earth buries their bodies, and their souls unite in eternal Heaven.