Work Text:
Wood crackled under the heat of the orange flames. The apartment lay in silence, only disturbed by the sound of the fire. Although William was sitting in front of the fireplace, chills continued to run through him. He had his arms wrapped around him, a blanket rested on his shoulders, and stared at the blaze, his eyelids heavy with fatigue.
Night had taken over Brooklyn hours ago. William’s partner still hadn’t come home yet. It wasn’t unusual, considering his new line of work, but he had thought that Sherlock would have returned home early today. Perhaps, he had grown too dependent on him…
William sagged in the chair, his scarlet eyes hardly able to stay open. Ever since he woke up from his coma, he felt fatigued more easily. He could have gone to bed an hour ago, but he wanted to stay awake. He knew his partner would be coming home soon. Any minute now…
The flames suddenly blurred, and his vision went dark. He couldn’t fight the fatigue anymore…
“Liam…”
Hearing his nickname pulled him from his slumber. When he opened his eyes, William met with the sapphire eyes he knew so well, and warmth bloomed in his chest.
“Sherly…”
His heart quickened upon seeing Sherlock. He was standing above William, looking at him with soft eyes. He hadn’t even taken off his coat, showing that he had rushed to his boyfriend the moment he had set foot in their shared apartment.
“You’re late…” William murmured, a small smile tugging at his lips, and not in the least angry with Sherlock.
Sherlock smiled back at him, and leaned forward to press a gentle kiss on his lips.
“I’m sorry. The case took longer than I thought.” Sherlock said when he pulled away from the kiss.
“I thought so.”
William noticed Sherlock was hiding something behind his back.
“What’s this?”
Sherlock’s grin grew wider.
“This is for you.”
He brought the gift from behind his back, delighting in the way William’s face lit up.
“Lilies?” William gently took the bouquet, and looked at the flowers closely. White lilies; his favorite flower. He ran a fingertip along the smooth petals, marveling at how soft and delicate they were.
“Do you like them?”
“Yes… they’re beautiful.” William stood from the chair, ignoring that he was still drowsy. “Is there a special occasion?”
Sherlock blushed a little. “I just had a feeling that you had always wanted to receive white lilies from someone you love.”
William blinked rapidly, chasing away the tears that burned his eyes. “Thank you, Sherly.”
He stepped closer to Sherlock and kissed him, lingering on his lips with each kiss.
“I love you,” William whispered in Sherlock’s ear, after bringing him in for a hug, carefully avoiding squashing the flowers. “I love you so much…”
“Love you too, love.”
William definitely didn’t feel cold anymore.