Dancelock

"Sherlock really, it's just a 4 step waltz. You go backwards when I go forwards, then to the side, then you go forward and I go backwards, then we go to the side again, and repeat. I know you can do this."

Molly Hooper has been at this for at least an hour now. There she was at 221B Baker Street, hair in a messy bun, just in pajamas, teaching a properly dressed Sherlock Holmes how to dance. For someone as intelligent as him (and for being the best man) she would have thought he had practiced this before eight in the morning the day of said wedding. But alas, here she was, and she would have been lying if she said she wasn't pleased to be able to spend time with the consulting detective.

"Molly I am stepping on your toes, this is useless. I just won't dance, simple as that." He said, letting go of her hand and waist. He ruffled his hair in frustration and gave a drawn out sigh. He really was the drama queen John believed him to be.

Molly rolled her eyes before grabbing Sherlock's hands and placing them where they belonged when dancing. "No, you're not going to do that. You are expected to dance with the maid-of-honor and you are not going to let John and Marry down." She said confidently, getting used to putting Sherlock in his place when he needed someone to do so.

Now it was Sherlock who was rolling his eyes. Nonetheless, he obeyed his dance partner and tried again.

"Sherlock...try not looking at your feet..." Molly suggested.

"Then what am I supposed to look at?! The smiley face on the wall?!"

"No," Molly said calmly. "Try looking at me...I-I mean you're going to have to look at the maid-of-honor, might as well practice not breaking eye contact with her." She covered quickly, hoping her cheeks weren't as red as they felt.

"I...I suppose we can give that a try." He responded, feeling calmer now.

"Molly my first dance is coming up what do I do?" Sherlock asked frantically, trying to search for Jeanine in the crowd of people.

Molly smiled at him, though she couldn't help be be a tad bit jealous of the woman who had the pleasure of being in Sherlock's arms while she was stuck gazing from the sidelines. But tonight wasn't about her. This was for John, Mary, and Sherlock, she wouldn't let them down.

"Relax Sherlock. Remember how we rehearsed, eye contact." She reminded calmly.

"Right, yes, eye contact." Sherlock repeated, trying to gain his confidence back before approaching Jeanine.

It was just as painful as Molly thought it would be. He was dancing so gracefully because she had helped him and here he was, locking eyes with a woman who wasn't her. Still, she couldn't blame the man for looking at her in such a way, Jeanine was stunning. She imagined every man in the room besides John had their eyes on her.

Thankfully the song was over much sooner than Molly expected it would be. She knew Sherlock had done it intentionally. But as soon as Sherlock broke away, Jeanine placed a quick kiss on Sherlock's lips. That was the breaking point. Molly found her coat, said goodbye to John and Mary, then made her way outside. She didn't have a car, so she simply sat on a bench, looking up at the stars above as a few stray tears rolled down her cheek.

"Fascinating...how brightly the stars shine, even when we aren't looking at them." Sherlock said from behind, sending shivers down Molly's arms.

"Sherlock, I'm really not in the mood to talk. Besides, I think your dancing partner will be missing you."

"Ah, but she's right here." Sherlock smiled as he offered his hand. "No talking necessary, just dancing."

Molly gave a watery smile before wiping her tears and taking his hand. She pressed her face to the small of his shoulder, breaking her own rule of keeping eye contact. Still, Sherlock didn't mind. They were simply swaying in a circle now, and that was far better for him anyways. He gave the top of her head a kiss as he held her close, hoping that whatever was troubling her was now fading, even if he couldn't understand it.

"Sherlock...Are you and Jeanine together? I just mean...you kissed, and I don't want her to get the wrong idea if she sees me dancing with you." Because if Molly was being honest, she was ready to avoid Sherlock, not wanting to see him with another woman, not wanting to have her heart hurt every time she looked at him.

"Ah yes...you saw that...not my doing or my wish I'm afraid. She kissed me, and as far as I'm concerned kissing means nothing if they're not from someone I truly love. Which is why, of course, I came to see you."

Molly pulled away and looked him straight in the eyes. "S-Sorry what? I-I don't understand..."

"Then let me show you." Sherlock said, before leaning down to kiss her slowly, gently. He could only hope she understood what he was trying to say. He pulled her into his coat as she grabbed on to the lapels, kissing him back just as tenderly.

Molly pulled away reluctantly, looking down for a moment before meeting Sherlock again, eye contact. It took only seconds before she understood. He chose to kiss her, he didn't choose to kiss Jeanie.

"Wait...If you only kiss people you love then-"

"I love you Molly Hooper." Sherlock cut off, wanting to be able just to say it so freely.

Molly smiled softly, standing on the tips of her toes just to peck his lips. Somehow she had known, she was foolish to think otherwise. "I love you too Sherlock Holmes."