Thank you for the lovely reviews! please keep encouraging me please!
Sherlock wore a midnight blue suit with a burgundy shirt inside. He was fixing his calf buttons when he saw Jim's reflection in the closet mirror. He was standing behind him, looking at Sherlock's reflection in the mirror with a look of awe and disbelief.
"What's wrong?" Asked Sherlock frowning.
"I'm not sure if I want to take you down stairs anymore." Jim said swallowing and looking at him hesitantly.
Then don't. "Why?"
"You look impossibly gorgeous Sherlock." Jim said coming close to him. He pressed his forehead to Sherlock's back and closing his eyes deeply inhaled.
Sherlock sighed. Who would be mad enough to look at him for long? Leave alone flirting. Jim was just being possessive without any reason.
"There is reason." Jim said reading Sherlock's thoughts.
"You're the only thing that can be taken away from me." Jim said circling his hands protectively around Sherlock. "I don't possess anything else."
"Your guests are waiting Jim."
All eyes were on them when they descended the wide mahogany carpet covered stairs to come into the hall. Hand in hand, completely at ease with each other.
Ah! There's press. Sherlock thought disgusted. Why did Jim need so much publicity? Wasn't he famous enough?
"Reach, Sherlock." Jim whispered into his ears.
As they surfed through the people and a crowed started to gather around them Sherlock started to feel that well known bout of loneliness and anxiety. He started to feel lost. Jim was always carefully by his side. Never letting go of his hand, never letting anyone come up to him separately.
"I'm so glad you could make it ambassador."
"Oh I always look forward to your parties Mr Moriarty. Mr Holmes thank you so much for taking my grand -daughter's case, it is a rather private affair as you can understand.'
Asking for compensation from one while being impregnated by some other. Of course it is private ambassador. "Don't mention it." Sherlock said with a fake smile.
"Ah! Mr Moriarty! Mr Holmes the most beloved couple in all London! when are we getting to hear the happy announcement?!" Chimed a press reporter, trying her best to impress Jim but failing miserably.
"I'm sure you would find out when it happens because it would be a big announcement and there would be a whole crowed of press, be sure you tuck yourself in somewhere."
"Is it expected soon then?" asked a man standing next to Jim who did not look like a journalist to Sherlock, he didn't recognize him. Jim would never let anyone from the press stand so close to him. It would rather be someone who needed a quick talk and a small favour from Jim which Jim was ready to do in exchange of something.
"Probably." Jim said looking at the man and kissing Sherlock's knuckles.
What?! Sherlock's breath hitched as he felt his hand withdrawing from Jim's hold unconsciously.
Jim turned to look at him at the loss of the contact and found Sherlock receding backwards with utter disbelief and shock in his countenance. Betrayal, angst and hurt in his eyes. Jim's face fell he tried to run towards him but just then a group of important people came and almost surrounded him. Sherlock took the distraction in his stride and swiftly walked to a rather remote corner of the hall. He sat at a small bar at the corner. He realised he was panting, his palms were sweaty and his throat had gone dry. He wanted to go straight upstairs and lock himself in the room. But he couldn't muster the strength at the moment and it would cause a scene. He tried to calm himself by running his hands through his well brushed hair, messing it.
"Here, drink this." A gruff masculine voice came from beside him. Sherlock was too preoccupied to see if there were other people around him. He turned and found a man of his age, well groomed, tall, handsome with smooth black hair and hazel eyes extending a glass of wine towards him. He took the glass and the man spoke again.
"Man! You sure are worth it." he looked Sherlock up and down as if measuring him. Appreciation, greed and lust in his eyes.
"Pardon me?" Sherlock asked not following.
"Worth a man like Moriarty. I'm not much different you know? " He said with a smug smile and lust filled eyes.
Great! Exactly what I needed after that! A man hitting on me. Doesn't know what he's getting himself into.
"Excuse me." Sherlock got up uneasily. He wanted to be away before Jim found him there. God knows what he'll make of it if he sees him with this man in an almost isolated corner. God knows what he'll do if he finds this man hitting on him. He stood up wanting to hurry back only to find Jim standing in front.
"Jim! I was just…" Sherlock was cut short as Jim held his face in his hands firmly and placed a rough kiss on his mouth. Sherlock could feel something was wrong. Something was very very wrong.
He saw it!. Sherlock gasped.
"Let's go back." Jim said softly and pushed Sherlock gently towards the party. Before turning to follow him Jim threw the man at the bar a look. A look which could be felt with all five senses.
A look which felt death.