Molly's mind was a jumbled mess of bits and pieces from the day she had. A sudden text from Sherlock, a day of solving crimes together and it was all tied up in a pretty little bow with an invite to have chips. Then there was the kiss on her cheek, if you could call it that; it was right at the corner of her mouth. Surely, friends didn't kiss like that, which brought her back to the initial thought in her mind: Sherlock sees me as more than a friend. She let it sink in but soon shook the thought away as it just couldn't be possible.
She was engaged to Tom now; dependable, sensible, perfect Tom. Too perfect. Boring. Predictable. Molly allowed her head to fall against the counter of her kitchen in frustration. To be fair, she didn't expect to ever see Sherlock again, but there he was, crashing into her life at the worst possible time; or was it the best? She knew now that this charade with Tom needed to end; it was unfair to both of them.
Sherlock's mind was racing. He couldn't possibly process all that had happened. The two years away had done a great deal of damage to his protection of his heart. The walls he had so carefully built up since childhood had crumbled. Mycroft noticed the difference what with him being concerned that he hadn't found a 'goldfish.' Sherlock used to be one that chose to be alone but he hated being unwillingly alone during those years; it was unbearable if he was being honest.
Everyone had moved on without him. John with Mary, who was lovely of course; he was surprised that she took a liking to him all things considered. Mrs. Hudson was thrilled at least. Graham had definitely missed him, also to his surprise. Then there was Molly; sweet, loving, beautiful Molly. He had only begun to realize how he felt for her when it was his darkest hour. She counted and it was his fault that she never thought that.
Their day together had been wonderful; everything he could've wanted from what he hoped could be considered as a first date. That was, until, the inevitable mention of her engagement was out in the open. He would have kissed her properly. That was what he had planned to do but changed his mind all too quickly, only capturing the corner of her mouth and part of her cheek. Sherlock yearned for her. He truly did want her to be happy; even if it wasn't with him. But, damn it, he wanted to be the one that made her smile and laugh. Was it so wrong to want that?
Molly felt like a coward for not breaking things off with Tom yet. She wanted to bring him over to 221B and introduce him to everyone. She had a need to feel like she truly had moved on, but damn that consulting detective for the bright smile he flashed her before his face completely dropped when his eyes landed on Tom. She was preparing for him to deduce him or both of them; prepared for Sherlock to see through her ruse. It would've been more believable if she hadn't picked someone who was a cheap knockoff of her true heart's desire. Nothing was said though. He just moved on. She should too, shouldn't she?
