Lonely
Chapter One
Disclaimer: I do not own Sherlock!
BB/N: This is another little one-shot in the same realm as English Breakfast with the Landlady, but you don't really have to read that in order to read this!
Sherlock Holmes sat alone in 221B Baker Street, clutching his phone in his hand and staring at the empty seat across from him.
A disturbing feeling of loneliness was creeping in his chest, and Sherlock was utilizing his lack of work for the day to self-reflect on why he was feeling so lonely. Sherlock rarely self-reflected—oh yes, he often could sit in his mind palace for hours, wandering around and sorting through rooms and belongings, but rarely did he reflect on his own personal feelings.
It was too quiet in 221B.
John Watson wasn't home. He left early to spend the day with his girlfriend.
The woman who John had been dating for almost two years.
The lady who Sherlock hasn't had the pleasure to meet in the four months he has been back.
Of course, Sherlock understood why John was so reluctant to introduce him to Miss Mary Morstan. He didn't necessarily have a great track record with John's girlfriends, and even though it had been a year since he returned from the dead and his and John's friendship was stronger than it could ever be, John still didn't feel comfortable with the idea of them meeting.
Sherlock took a deep breath and tried to ignore the tightening in his chest.
Sherlock crouched down on his haunches, allowing his fingers to gently skim the spines of the books that were on the shelves as he quickly read the titles. He smiled to himself when his eyes caught sight of the book that he was searching for: "Bees: Their Habits, Management, and Treatment". To stave off the inevitable boredom of not working a case over a four on his scale, he decided to traipse through a bookstore.
"Sherlock?"
Sherlock turned his head slowly and was surprised to see Molly Hooper, dressed in a yellow sundress, white flats, and her hair cascading over her shoulders. She smiled warmly at the consulting detective and he couldn't help but return the gesture.
"Hello Molly."
She shuffled her feet and her smile grew bigger as she saw the book he was purchasing. "Interested in bees again?"
"Always," he breathed, running a hand through his hair. "And is that another pathology book?" he said, a hint of teasing in his voice. Her flat was filled with shelves upon shelves of pathology, anatomy, toxicology, and forensic texts.
"Yeah, specifically on bone marrow. I had an interesting patient a few weeks ago that made me curious. Are you about done here? Have you had lunch yet?"
"Yes and no." Sherlock followed Molly as she turned her head to look at him.
"Want to get lunch? I'm famished."
The feeling that had been clenching around his heart seemed to lessen, and he couldn't help it as he said, "I would love to have lunch."
After lunch at a deli near the bookstore, Sherlock and Molly found themselves eating ice cream in the park. The skies were clear and the chance for rain was slim to none on this sunny, July day. After walking around silently for a few minutes, they sat down side by side on a park bench.
"Umm…Sherlock? I don't mean to pry, but is everything alright? You don't have to tell me if you don't want to…I just noticed…"Molly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and peered at Sherlock. He smiled a little bitterly before spooning the last of his ice cream into his mouth.
"You always see." He didn't say anything else for a moment, before he sighed and tilted his head back, allowing his face to feel the warmth from the sun. He hadn't spent time at St. Bart's lately, and yet Molly still had the uncanny ability to truly see him. "I'm lonely," he admitted softly.
Molly was silent, and Sherlock refused to open his eyes and look at her. He could feel her gaze penetrating through him, and he didn't want to see the pity in her eyes. He flinched when he felt her hand on his arm. "I know what it's like to feel lonely. And…" She stopped talking, and Sherlock finally opened his eyes and tilted his head so he could see her. Memories of her spending the holidays, birthdays, and most nights alone were brought to the forefront of his Mind Palace. She was chewing on her bottom lip, and he could see her trying to pick her words carefully.
"You should come over for supper tomorrow. I've got a late shift at Bart's tonight, but tomorrow is Wednesday and I don't work on Wednesdays—but you already knew that." She giggled and squeezed his arm again. "I can make that toad in the hole that you liked so much that one time or my neighbor gave me a barbie and I've been slowly working through recipes I found online." She smiled brilliantly at him and patiently waited for a response.
Sherlock hesitated for only a second or two. Molly wouldn't invite him over out of pity; for some unfathomable reason, the woman actually enjoyed his company, even though before his fall he had treated her poorly. And he knew he could take this opportunity to remind Doctor Molly Hooper how much she counted, possibly with less emotion than his admission to Mrs. Hudson.
"I'll bring the wine."
BB/N: Thank you for reading, and the second chapter of this little guy should be up soon!