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William loved his job as a professor. He knew maths was the least favourite subject for most students and he tried to explain it to the best of his abilities. It warmed his heart with joy when he saw understanding in his students’ faces and was glad they weren’t afraid to ask him in case of uncertainties. Still, he liked to make his exams habit harder, probing the students to think out of the box. However, there was one thing William didn’t like about being a professor: exam week. Due to his lack of assistants, he had to mark all exams by himself and he didn’t have few students.
Despondently, William glanced at the stack of exams still next to him. He looked up when keys jingled and the flat door opened. Sherlock entered, and both smiled when they saw each other.
“Welcome back, Sherly.”, William said and got up to take the basket filled with groceries from Sherlock, who reached out first and pulled his husband closer. William sighed into the kiss, feeling some of the stress fall away. Happiness and warmth flooded his body and he marvelled the simple action of pressing two pairs of lips together. That it could induce such a pleasant reaction was fascinating and William was thankful that he could experience it. He didn’t care their love was considered unnatural, dirty and a sin. While William was on the path of atonement, this “sin” was not one he will ever atone for.
Sherlock wasn’t fairing any better. His husband was temptation brought to life, the embodiment of everything he had subconsciously wanted in a partner and it would be easy, so very easy to fall into William and drown in those scarlet eyes. His taste, his presence was addictive and Sherlock wondered how he had managed to life without William and hoped he would never have to do so without him ever again. It was Sherlock who broke the kiss first, resting his forehead against William’s.
“Hi, Liam. Have you been working all day again?”, Sherlock asked worriedly, tracing the lines of exhaustion on William’s face.
“You know I have a lot of work to do.”
“Liam, you have no deadline. I bet you barely ate or drank anything.”
William’s silence was answer enough and Sherlock’s look had him shuffle on his spot. Not releasing William, Sherlock dragged him to the kitchen. He knew his husband had improved greatly with taking care of himself, because at some point he had finally realized that there was someone who cared. Sometimes, however, especially when William was busy, he fell back into his previous habits.
“Fortunately for you, I will whip up your favourite food: grilled fish in lemon butter sauce and boiled potatoes.”
William’s face brightened and he clapped his hands. “Wonderful! Though, what’s the occasion?”
“Do I need a reason to spoil my husband?”, Sherlock asked with a grin and William narrowed his eyes at the strange undertone in that grin. Something irked him, but he couldn’t say what. His husband shooed him out of the kitchen and soon, a delicious smell filled that flat. Ignoring his growling stomach, William looked for a calendar. He didn’t like the teasing he had seen in Sherlock’s eyes, but no matter where he looked, he didn’t find his or Sherlock’s calendar. Sherlock watched him with amusement. He had hidden them, knowing that William would feel bad once he found out he had forgotten Valentine’s Day. He should stay oblivious until after dinner. Putting the food on two plates and grabbing some cutlery, Sherlock brought the dinner to the table, which William quickly cleaned.
“This smells so good!”, he praised and Sherlock flushed slightly at the praise. Dinner was filled with light talk, a bit of flirting and William trying to tickle the occasion out of Sherlock, but his husband said nothing and always successfully managed to distract William with his foot wandering up his leg.
“Sherly”, William said sternly and Sherlock only tilted his head, smiling innocently. The unabashed fondness in his expression had William blush and lower his eyes in embarrassment, digging into his food. It still weakened his knees to be looked at with such love.
“Liam?”
“Hm?”
“I love you.”, Sherlock confessed brightly and William’s face was burning. It must be as red as his eyes.
“I love you.”, he softly returned the sentiment and Sherlock’s own face grew rosy. The gears in his brain were working on overdrive. Neither the food nor the confession were rarities in their lives, yet tonight, they felt different. Scarlet eyes widened in despair and cutlery cluttered against the plate as William slapped his hand over his mouth, his expression crestfallen. Immediately, Sherlock grew concerned, but then realized that William must have found out tonight’s date.
“Liam –“
“I cannot believe I forgot. I’m so sorry, Sherly.”, William choked out. What kind of husband was he? Here was his dear Sherly, who had cooked his favourite meal and gifted him a lovely bouquet and what did William do? Forget Valentine’s Day. He was terrible, unworthy of being called a husband. Hands gently pried his away from his face and William only then noticed the tears on his face.
“Liam, stay with me.”, Sherlock softly commanded, eyes never leaving William’s. When he noticed the tears didn’t stop, he got up and sat in his lap.
“Liam, dearest, most beloved Liam, don’t fret over something insignificant as Valentine’s Day. I’m neither mad nor disappointed and I certainly don’t think you are a terrible husband.”
It was both a blessing and a curse that Sherlock knew WIlliam so well.
“But still, I should have –“, William sniffled but was interrupted by Sherlock.
“You shouldn’t have done anything but look over the exams.”, he said and kissed his forehead. A sheepish smile appeared on his face. “Besides, we’re even now, aren’t we?”
William blinked, confused, before he remembered. In the beginning of their relationship, Sherlock had forgotten Valentine's Day once as well. He giggled weakly, somewhat relieved, and wiped away his tears.
“I guess you’re right.”
Sherlock was glad he managed to calm his husband. He pressed a soft kiss on William’s lips, conveying all his love.
“I don’t need something special for one random day. All I need and want is you, Liam, and the day we met was the happiest and most blessed day of my life.”