In case the title is too long to fit, this is based on the prompt 'things you said when you thought I was asleep.'
It had been a long night. The events of Sherrinford had taken a toll on Sherlock and everyone he knows. He had gone to Molly's flat to explain but she didn't want to talk about it right away. So, they didn't talk at all. The two of them sat in uncomfortable silence for a bit and she assumed he would want to use her bedroom for his usual bolt hole. She had gotten up from where they sat on her bed to sleep on the sofa but Sherlock's scarred hands reached out for her waist to stop her.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"To sleep on the sofa," Molly replied.
"Please stay," Sherlock pleaded. So she turned off the lamp and curled herself under the duvet, facing away from the consulting detective. Her attempt at being cold did not deter him. If there was anything he learned from Molly's love for him is that people who wrap a cold shell around themselves just need to be warmed up. So he inched closer, carefully, and wrapped his arms around her, burying his face against her neck. Molly stiffened but soon relaxed, her breath becoming even.
He listened for her breaths and knew immediately she was asleep. There were things he wanted—needed—to say to her; things he hoped she'd let him say. He nuzzled his nose against her neck affectionately. She didn't stir a bit.
"Molly," Sherlock whispered. "I am so sorry. I wish it never happened that way but it did. It is what it is. I'm no good at this, but I wish I knew how to make it all better. I don't want to lose you. So, if you still refuse to talk to me after tonight, this may be my only chance to say it…" He took a shaky breath. "I love you, Molly Hooper, so very much." He placed a soft kiss against her neck. "It seems it was just yesterday that you asked me out for coffee. Sorry for being so rude to you then. I should've taken you up on that offer but I was a bit of an emotionally repressed arse then. I still am a bit of an arse and I've no idea why you love me, but I want to thank you for loving me. Where would I be without you?"
He snuggled in closer, if it was even possible. He saw but did not observe. Molly blinked, her eyelashes wet with tears. She had been awake the whole time and did not want to alert him to her state. Molly knew he meant the 'I love you' now if the things he said while he thought she slept were any indication.
"Please stay," Sherlock pleaded once more before attempting to sleep.
When Molly felt his breathing become even, she assumed he had fallen asleep.
"It's okay, Sherlock, everything will be alright," Molly whispered. "You're right; it is what it is. You'll never lose me, love. I will always be here. As to why I love you, that's simple. You're a good man with a good heart. I've always seen that in you. When you love, you love fiercely. You would do anything for those you care about, just as I would do anything for you. God, Sherlock, I love you so much it hurts."
Molly placed her hand over his resting on her stomach. Sherlock took an intake of breath when their hands made contact, a tear tracking down his cheek. She fidgeted, attempting to turn around and Sherlock loosened his grip so she could. He knew he'd been found out.
"Hi," Molly said, looking into his watery eyes.
"Hello," Sherlock replied softly. Another silent moment passed before he spoke up again. "You heard me, then?"
"Yes; you heard me too," Molly replied.
"Can we go out for coffee?" Sherlock asked.
"Right now?" Molly giggled.
"No, of course not, right now…unless we go to that all night diner," Sherlock joked.
"That sounds nice, actually," Molly remarked.
"Wait, really?" Sherlock asked, his eyes lighting up.
"Can't sleep anyways, might as well," Molly smiled. She caressed his cheek, wiping her thumb across his cheek to wipe away the wet trail of tears. "Come on, let's get some coffee."
They ordered coffee at the diner and shared a plate of biscuits. Molly listened intently as Sherlock told her about the events of the day all leading up to when he showed up at her flat. She had held his hand and squeezed it every now and then to comfort him when reliving the all too recent memories was too painful.
"Please tell me you believe me," Sherlock muttered. "I do love you, Molly."
"Of course I believe you. I love you too, Sherlock. I'm here for you and I'm so sorry you went through such a trauma," Molly replied softly. "If you need anything, you can have me." Sherlock smiled at her choice of wording.
"What about you? What do you need?" Sherlock asked.
"You," Molly answered. After squeezing her hand, Sherlock walked up to the counter to pay and came back with two takeaway boxes of chips.
"Here," he said handing her a small styrofoam box.
"Chips?" Molly asked.
"Yep," Sherlock replied cheekily, popping the 'p.' He held his hand out to her, and as she gently placed her hand in his, he kissed the back of it before lacing their fingers together. "Fancy a walk back to your flat?"
"Sounds lovely," Molly smiled as they exited the diner and walked out into the cool, clear night. The new journey they were about to embark upon together wasn't going to be easy but it would be worth it. They had waited long enough for one another.
Author's Note: So, I really took this further than I expected to lol. I hope y'all enjoyed it!