A/N: As I was writing 'Lipstick' I was inspired to add a little something about the next time Sherlock notices Molly's lipstick, so technically not a first, but I hope you like it anyway! :)
Lipstick 2
"You always say such horrible things. Every time. Always. Always."
Sherlock suppressed a wince at her words as he realised that he'd done it again. Once again he'd been distracted by something as simple as lipstick and seen but not observed the significance.
Molly wasn't dressed up to see someone else. Molly was dressed up for him.
And in a fit of pique at his incorrect assumption, he'd exposed her deepest secrets to the entire room.
Worse: he'd hurt her.
Again, if her words were anything to go by.
His heart constricted as he saw her blink back tears.
He'd never meant to hurt her, he'd certainly never meant to use his deductive powers against her in the same way he did to Anderson and Donovan. But he'd used it as a defensive mechanism for too long and he hadn't been able to stop himself.
He'd always known that she'd eventually leave him for someone else, for someone better. He just hadn't expected to be blindsided by it. Or to have her prove how easily and perfectly she fit into his world (his life) just as it looked like she was leaving it forever.
The key word being 'looked' as he hadn't been thinking rationally or taken the time to properly observe what he was seeing. Instead had lashed out in the only way he knew how.
He'd been rash and irrational, and now he was paying the price.
For a brief moment he considered ignoring her reaction completely and had half-turned away before he thought the better of it. This was Molly, she deserved better.
She certainly deserved better from him.
"I'm sorry," he said instead, surprising everyone in the room, "forgive me."
Molly continued to eye him warily as stepped into her personal space, "Merry Christmas, Molly Hooper," he said softly, kissing her cheek.
For a brief, glorious moment he thought that everything was going to be ok, but then he got a text from Irene and the moment was broken.
Even as he found himself caught up in the case once more, he still promised himself that – although it wasn't the first time he'd missed the significance of Molly's lipstick – it would be the last.
