IX
No more talk of darkness
Forget these wide-eyed fears
I'm here; nothing can harm you
My words will warm and calm you
- "All I Ask of You" from the musical The Phantom of the Opera
You never leave his side now. Before he would have rolled his eyes and called you overprotective, but he seems calmed by your presence. You don't sleep or chase criminals at all hours of the night. You offer Moriarty no more opportunities.
He is morose and untalkative. All progress has been lost. He jumps at the slightest sound and leaves his food untouched.
You are always touching. The human contact calms him. It usually isn't a large gesture, but even softly brushing his cheek makes the tension lines at his neck less prominent.
You close in on Moriarty.