Four years before…
"So…This is London?" Sebastian purred turning back to face the dark-haired boy, his expression jovial as he leaned in and kissed the demon's cheek softly. "Thank you…" He whispered quietly before pulling away; his eyes sparkling at the prospect of change.
James shied away from the kiss at first before turning back to the other with a weak smile etched into his porcelain skin. "This is London…" He sighed, reaffirming the fact - while contemplating on whether or not to tell the young teen that his family still inhabited the city. "Shall we?" He offered in a quiet tone, taking his tiger's hand and leading him through the cold streets until they arrived at their temporary flat. "221C Baker Street.." He hummed, tilting his head to the side nervously. "I know it isn't much…" 'But it's possibly the only place in London your family won't find us…' James finished the sentence in his mind.
"Oh! James…It's beautiful! It truly is…" Sebastian cooed as though he were in some ridiculous romance novel, moving forward and politely knocking on the door; his body seemingly less tense then before as he stepped back and leaned against his partner.
After a few silent moments the door slowly creaked open, revealing a well dressed woman in her mid-forties recently widowed - however still wearing her wedding ring, possibly to strike fear in bashful tenets. "Hello…" She hummed in a warm and inviting intonation of her faded cockney accent, it was welcoming to say the least - her eyes holding a spark of curiosity as she looked over the two seemingly young men at her door. "Can I help you?"
James stepped forward with a falsified grin; his dark brown eyes that could almost pass as black lightened slightly as he held out his hand in an inviting manner. "Ah…Mrs. Hudson I presume, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is James Moriarty, I called you over the spare flat for rent…" He chimed in such a pleasant and alluring tone that it sparked an unusual and most unpleasant feeling in the pit of Sebastian's stomach. Jealousy!
The land lady seemed to notice the lost and uncomfortable expression on the other boys face, stepping aside and straightening back up as she gestured for the two to go in. "My. My. Where are my manners? Come in. Come in." She insisted jubilantly - patting Sebastian on the back as he walked through the threshold before closing the door behind them. She led them through the lower flat towards her small kitchenette; imploring for them to both take a seat while she made a fresh pot of warmed tea and biscuits.
Sebastian relaxed immediately as the dull ache of jealously left him being replaced with a new feeling of contentment and homeliness. It was perfect. This was perfect and most importantly, James was perfect. "Thank you, Mrs. Hudson…" He beamed happily, his dark atlantic blue eyes fixing on the warm tea that his new land lady was preparing. "Can I help with anything?"
"No. No. Its fine, dear…" She replied sweetly, collecting three mugs from the top cupboard and placing a few biscuits on a small plate. "So…What brings you two boy's to London?"
"Well…" The demon piped up. "It's Sebastian's sixteenth birthday in a few days, and he wouldn't accept any of my gifts - didn't really want to celebrate it at all actually…" He huffed turning back to face the glaring teen. "So…I offered to bring him here. Its been almost twelve years since he last saw London, you see…" Jim informed before being cut off by Sebastian - who elbowed him in the side, temporarily winding the demon.
"My family moved away…" Sebastian stated quickly; refusing to show the invisible ache of mentioning his family at all - even in such a minuscule way. The memories of that night still haunted him in his sleep; even though he was with Jim now, even though he was safe. The mere thought of his brothers unforgiving and cruel betrayal that night gave him chills.
He was thankful that Mrs. Hudson didn't pester them further on the subject - instead deciding to change the topic to something much more pleasant and less pressing towards Sebastian. "How long are you planning to stay? I'm sure I can extend your lease for as long as you wish…" She advised before setting down the tray of warm tea and jammy dodgers on the table.
Sebastian didn't hesitate as he leaned forward and collected the warm mug of tea before looking at the biscuits curiously. "I-I'm sorry to ask this…but what are they?" He blushed slightly, feeling embarrassed about his own comment.
Jim bit back an unadvised titter as he watched his tiger turn scarlet, embarrassed that he didn't understand what the biscuits were. "They're jammy dodgers, Bastian…" He hooted in response; a cunning grin edging itself across his pale face, and lighting up his devilish features. "Biscuits. You eat them…" He shook his head trying to shake off the odd feeling he was expressing towards his pet.
"Oh…" Sebastian replied red-faced as he bit into the biscuit. "That makes sense…" He confessed, taking a sip of his warm tea. "This is all very lovely, Mrs. Hudson…" He diverted the conversation again; looking around the small space with wondrous blue eyes. "Do you live here alone?"
"Thank you, dear…" Martha praised before looking down at the golden wedding band still wrapped around her finger. She let out a small thoughtful sigh before taking a sip of her tea and nodding. "Yes. I've been looking for new tenets for awhile ever since my husband passed…"
"Oh…" The teen gasped again feeling sympathetic for the land lady. "I'm so sorry, was it recent?" He added hoping that he didn't just open old wounds.
"Yes, but don't be sorry, dear. He wasn't very kind. Cynical really" She elaborated in a daunting tone before looking back up at Jim. "You've gone awfully quiet…" Martha mused, her demeanour changing significantly; from sadness to curiosity.
"No, I haven't…" The demon grumbled, looking between his tiger and the land lady before letting out a loud yawn. "I'm just tired, it was a very long trip…" He whined turning to face the other teen, and pouting childishly "If it's alright with everyone. I think I might retire to bed…" James announced before Martha handed him the key. "Thank you…" He acknowledged before turning to face, Sebastian. "Coming, Tiger?"
By six the next morning, Sebastian was dressed and ready for his run; looking back at the sleeping demon sprawled across the bed with a cheshire cat grin before pulling on his grey track hoodie and walking outside. The air was crisp against his pale face causing cold shivers to run down his spine; his body still trying to adjust to below average temperature. "London…" The teen whispered again in wonder, looking around and taking the sights in before closing his eyes; everything was still how he remembered it from his neglected childhood memories.
The boy soon went to turn only to bump into another, falling to the ground dumbfounded for a few moments before looking up and seeing a ghost. 'His intelligent eyes still the same majestic silver as they were that night, his hair still styled as an unruly mop of dark curls, and lips still as red as blood.' His brother. Sherlock Holmes stood before him, glaring down at the teen with a calculating expression before it changed to one of complete shock. "S-Sebastian…"
Authors Note: I hope you all enjoyed the chapter - the next will be taking place in the present - MistWing221
