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Tap , tap , tap
The sound of his steps filled the empty corridor.
Tap , tap , tap
Sherlock walked with his hands in his pockets, taking careful, unhurried steps. It was late, and the school grounds were pretty empty, so he walked slowly to not attract any unnecessary attention. He wasn't sure if he should be here at this hour.
William's classroom was nestled at the end of a long hallway, a lonely door amongst so many windows. Relief washed over him when he saw that the lights were still on - William was in there. It was dark outside even though it was only a quarter past six. The winter cold brought with it winter darkness.
A student leaving the room almost ran into Sherlock. They apologised and wandered off down the silent hallway. William sat at a large wooden desk in the corner of the room, looking through what Sherlock assumed were test papers. Embarrassment flooded his tummy as he recalled his own failed test. He was always more fond of chemistry.
Tap, tap, tap
The sound alerted William, who looked up from what he was doing. A smile threatened to take over his face, but he held it in for reasons unknown to Sherlock.
"Mr Holmes, have you come to fail another test?"
Sherlock chuckled, amused at the provocation.
"I figured I didn't need any more of those excuses to come see you."
William's brows raised at his flirty tone. He gathered the test papers into a neat pile and gave him his full attention. Sherlock preened under his gaze - he loved having William's eyes on him. The 24-year-old man was behaving more like a schoolboy with a crush.
William was exhilarating, a breath of fresh air that pulled him out of the monotony of his daily life. When boredom made his bones feel heavy, just the thought of the other man could pull him out of a funk. He looked forward to their meetings, making up excuses to see him, and doing everything to prolong the moments when they ran into each other.
"So how can I help you, Mr Holmes?"
Sherlock stood in front of the desk, looming over William, each of his hands on the hard surface to cage him in. William didn't seem to mind that he was trapped. The detective looked back at the door he had locked behind him to make sure they could have their privacy and leaned down to press a quick, almost juvenile kiss to William's lips.
This development in their relationship was fairly recent, barely a month had passed since William had cornered him after a joint investigation and kissed him. He looked crazed as he did it, almost like he wasn't fully in control of himself. Regret had mixed with the pink of his cheeks afterwards, but Sherlock had reassured him by pulling him back in by the neck.
William chuckled as Sherlock pulled away.
"Did you come all the way here just to kiss me?"
Sherlock smirked, attempting to look self-assured, when he was in fact very nervous.
"That and to invite you to dinner. Are you free?"
"I would have to phone Louis to let him know, but yes, we can do dinner."
It was embarrassing how pleased Sherlock was. He kissed him again, this time for longer, nibbling on his lower lip despite his better judgement. William's lips looked red after he pulled away, and Sherlock hoped no one would notice.
"Shall we go?"
William packed up his briefcase, grabbed his cane, and they were off. The professor guided him to one of the staff rooms where he could phone his residence, and Sherlock daydreamed as he made the call. The stone walls of Durham University were the perfect backdrop for his fantasies, as he pictured him and William as two students, uniforms and all.
He wondered how it would have been, had they met earlier. If they traded a sinking ship for a classroom, would it have made any difference? Would they have hit it off just as well? He looked at the blonde man as he spoke to his brother and mourned those made-up years they could have spent together. He could picture them clearly - the kisses in between classes, the secret touches in the hallways.
There was an air that surrounded William like a heavy shadow loomed over him. Sherlock couldn't explain why, but it seemed like he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders and that one day, that weight would inevitably crush him to death. He hoped William would share the burden someday.
William smiled at him as he hung up.
"Ready to go?"
Sherlock nodded, willing uniforms and whispered promises away from his mind. They got a taxi by the school gates and settled into a small but comfortable carriage. William looked out the window as the moon illuminated the way to their destination. Its light touched William's cheek with such tenderness it made Sherlock envious as he ogled at the other man's side profile.
The detective reached out his hand before his brain could tell him to stop, and William looked puzzled for a second before he understood what he wanted. He smiled, clearly endeared, and placed his gloved hand in Sherlock's. It was an awkward position to be holding hands in, as they sat across from each other, but that didn't seem to stop them, and they travelled the rest of the way hand in hand.
It was foolish, really, how excited it made him. Sherlock had sought thrills all his life, yet holding hands with the puzzling lord, agitated him beyond belief. He guessed William was much healthier for him than whatever his latest drug of choice was. John would be proud.
They eventually had to leave the safe haven of their carriage, but William held on to his hand a tad bit longer as they exited the vehicle. He squeezed it, lightly grazing his thumb against Sherlock's knuckles as he did.
Sherlock felt foolish for fantasising. Reality was more than enough for him.