Adrian woke up early in dampened spirits. He thinks it has to do with how Blanca acted in the past 3 smiles rarely reached her eyes and her gazes seem to see a grim future. But sometimes he catches her smiling at his work and that knowledge makes him work harder, if only for her smiles, And sometimes if his touches linger, she won't mention it (it is at this moments that he wonders if she feels the same) just as he won't mention when her eyes wander to him.
Sometimes he thinks what if feels like to be normal, to not have your brain process every data presented (sees), to be normal like the rest and simply not have the expectations etched with his family name.
The ping of his laptop alerts him and stops his melancholic thoughts from going darker, He goes over to it with his mug of tea that Blanca herself had given. For a moment he felt cautious when a black screen greeted him. But when the person on the otherside of the screen 'greeted' him, he felt a beginning of a smile tug in his lips.
Quina.S Hello World
He never really understood why she uses different names whenever they talk but somehow he has learned that it has do to with how she's feeling and now that she's using her most interesting name it must has to do with John. Sometimes he wonders what kind of fellow, this John was, to have her love that is so faithful and powerful it could drown you in it. Her love that would remain yours alone.
He shakes his head and goes over to type his reply
QHi
He could imagine the tentative smile tug in her lips. In these moments he thinks he is thankful for being who he is.
In the safety of her room within Q branch does she retreat from heart pain and from the memories of the past that she wishes would simply go away. The darkness calms her and soon she allows her thoughts to wander on how similar she is to Jim, how they had come to love John who simply understood them and accepted them openly, their John that use to not be able to love them the way they want to before and now that their John is with Sherlock...his treasure, the pain that used to be a dull ache became so intense that it made her want to retreat.
Away from the world and everything else.
she closes her eyes and thinks 'John loves Jim, platonically'
a deep breath 'John loves me, familial'
she lets a tear escape 'We love John, romantic'
She clutches her sides tightly a feeble attempt but what more could she do now that she no longer has John to comfort her. She knows in the deepest part of her soul, mind and heart that once John is with Sherlock, she'll fade to the background of John's life slowly but painfully.
She wonders what it would have been had she not been family, If she was older or John's childhood sweetheart, Oh! how she envied Mary.
She was thought what it would have felt if she was John's bestfriend first, the first person John went to bed with, the first person to wake up to John, to be held by him and whispered sweet and sensual words to. In these situations does she envy Jim and perhaps hate him a little bit for it.
because she is reminded of what was never and could never have been hers; John Watson. sometimes though rarely she wishes she met sweet and cunning Adrian first, that when she dreams his young voice, sweet and boyish would be the one she dreamt of, not the velvety voice of John when nightmares come, she wishes so, that when it storms and she remembers and what lies in the dark terrifies her, it would be Adrian's thin and graceful body she'd yearn for, not John's subtly chiseled body.
She wishes she fell for Adrian first so that behind her eye lids it would be lime green eyes she'd see and not cobalt blue.
When she has calmed down, only a tinge of sadness left and acceptance comes in, she decides that she should start moving on, cruel as it may be to use Adrian to heal her broken heart, to be a rebound (though there was a blooming attraction) she'll do so and when everything is done, once that she has completed her plan to help John she'll let that last act be her goodbye, the closure to her feelings.
She walks over to her laptop and opens it, running the program she built to talk to Adrian
Quina World
She smiles nervously in anticipation, she wonders whether he smiles when he sees the username he chose for him, but really he'd be Q sooner or later it hardly matters right?
Q Hi
and she feels the last tinge of sadness disappear in her and smiles soflty, she might still love John a bit but sooner or later she knows that it would turn into storge. Later when she takes the risk, because they never really talk about it, when she leans her body closer than it should, and if she allows him to snake his hand into her waist to pull her closer in the confines of their shared workspace.
she won't mind nor mention it.
and if by any chance they share a kiss, sweet and chaste...
they won't say anything, for what more should they voice out when their eyes conveys for them.
They have afterall reached an understanding.
John had flown to Minsk with Sherlock, though they shared the same plane, they had different reasons. John was there for a medical conference and Sherlock for a case. But that was not the only reason he was there, he ( by Blanca's orders) were to steal ( though in Blanca's term forcefully collect debt) from certain people, he knows that this secrecy among others if found out by Sherlock may just ruin their already fragile relationship.
Sherlock's pleased humming had registered in his brain and so did his lovers perched hand that had just squeezed his. He smiles and looks at the clouds outside his window. He squeezes back mostly in assurance for himself.
" I love you" he whispers softly, as he glances to Sherlock with a small smile (bit sad)
"I love you" Sherlock says the same way as John does (he notices the sad smile and wishes he could make it disappear)
'One day' John thought as he gazes back to the soft clouds ' when there are no longer secrets needed to be kept, when there is still love between us...I'll say it loud and clear'
They both remain in comfortable silence as they enjoy this little piece of bliss, because they are both painfully aware of how happiness could end so suddenly and sadness remain indefinitely.
Sebastian Moran had been working for James Moriarty for 5 years since his dishonorable discharge. For 2 years since working for the man he'd known Jim Moriarty,the younger brother, For 2 years his interest steadily grew in the younger Moriarty. As well as his knowledge between the two siblings.
James Moriarty deeply loves his younger brother sometimes crossing the line, but Jim Moriarty does not return the sentiment, always in the younger one's mind was John Watson an ex-lover and Jim's only friend if his ramblings are to go by. Despite Jim's protests that he is anything like his older brother, he sees how obsessive the two are in regards to love.
But he really doesn't care either way, all that matters is he'll get what he wants. He doesn't care if James Moriarty acts like a spurned lover whenever he sleeps around with women or men, if Jim Moriarty depends on him intimately he does not care. All that he cares about is who'd signed his paycheck.
He is never loyal to anyone but himself.
He trusts no one but himself.
That is why as he sat outside the cafe with this woman who reminds him of the Moriarty brothers he wonders why he is taking time to answer a simple question; Who do you truly work for?
because what does it matter who really employed him and he voices this out only to receive a frankly annoying answer but he had hid it well.
"Yes." the woman says and sips her tea "you took your time to answer"
He thinks that she's really not a woman, she's nearly there though and he stops his train of thought because he is starting to think like Jim or James.
"Mr. Moran, believe me when I say that it would matter in the near future"
He looks at her truly this time
"why"
"because where your loyalty lies would be essential to your survival"
and her words echo in his mind when he sleeps later on as if it was a foreboding.
Jim Moriarty was a mathematical genius and a computer wiz as well as second to his older brother in all ways. He had always been alone but he knows and met two people who understands him. His first and only love John H. Watson, a latent genius.
John who had befriended him despite his difference, who treated him as if his quirks were just that. John who wanted his first to be with someone important.
He could probably write a novel about John alone if prompted, because that is how much he loves John even if John had stopped loving him like a lover and continued loving him like a friend. He makes himself believe that when John strokes his face nowadays, ever so gentle with him, that it is out of hidden love.
This is what makes him going on.
He does not care if Sherlock and John are together.
He'll ignore the dull ache that turned into pain he doesn't think of Blanca at all.
Blanca Valmont who is an eagle that hides her talons, who loves John like him.
Blanca understands him out of the fact that they shared the same situation, always overshadowed by the older child, made aware that everything they do is second, that no matter what in everyone's eyes they amount little to nothing.
Where everyone lies to them and uses them as if they were dolls.
He remembers when he first met her, they ( John and him) were staying in their vacation house in the Philippines, it was night time and there was a storm raging outside when John had opened the door and rushed inside with a teen drenched thoroughly by the rain.
Blanca at that time was carrying a duffel bag that contained only her essentials, her tear stained face and shaking figure that John held closely at that time made him jealous. He felt like an intruder at that time, with her clutching on John as if he was her last line and John soothing her and whispering sweet words to her ear. But when John had cradled her face and their foreheads touched he saw, the very same emotion he hid, in her glassy eyes.
She loves John more than a family should.
When John had left to prepare her warm bath did he only spoke to her "You too?"
he knew that they both shared the same sad smile, of acceptance and but held the same silent hope, an ardent desire to be love by John.
'My love is madness' he thought ' but aren't we all mad here?'
After the woman whose name John will never want to know ended the call, he had followed Sherlock at Bart's, watching his genius lover with absent eyes as he thought and grew worried for Jim. At this point, John already has all of the pieces that completes the puzzle, it is only a matter of time before he fits everything. John is aware of the animosity between the two even if it is onesided on Jim's part.
And calling for Blanca is out of the window, she was his only family left. He sighed loudly though he had not realize it until Sherlock spoke
"You can go home"
John smiled a bit worn out by his emotions and said " I'll wait for you" and goes back to his thoughts becoming blind to Sherlock's worried and hurt face, he didn't really like how unreadable John could get. He quickly goes back to his microscope and schooled his expression just as Molly Hooper went in.
John was still in his thoughts that he had not notice Jim enter until the man was practically standing right in front of him
"It's been a long time hasn't it, Johnny"
Molly looks between them with a questioning gaze
"Oh, indeed it has, Jimmy" John says with a polite charming smile that makes Sherlock and Molly surprised and a little bit jealous.
"How long have you two known each other?" Molly asks
" Oh, we met each other when we were in fifth form" Jim says with a sly smile and nudges John who chuckles and adds "been best friends ever since, You're in good hands Molly" and winks.
Jim laughs and slaps John's shoulder playfully "Oh, John" while Sherlock remains in the sideline already frowning and burning with jealousy and hate. John had not informed him of this. But what made him snap and go back to his work with an obvious sulk was when John (his John!) had the gall to place his hand on the meer cat's back and lead him out of the door "to catch up".
He was going to talk to John later in the confines of their home.
John's demeanor immediately changed once the door was locked and look at Jim coldly, all affection gone in an instant while Jim chuckled right in front of him in a taunting manner.
"Oh, Johnny! must you really indicate of our past relationship?" he says as he presses his body close to John creating friction between them and purrs "what would your lover feel?"
John remains stoic only saying "just what is James doing?"
"oh, big brother is oh so bored" Jim says with a bored tone but his eyes gleam with hatred 'John,should only be paying attention to me' he thought 'this is not going where I want it to'
"Jim"
"Well I better get going Johnny" Jim says as he starts to walk away "after all I really can't afford to miss the main show"
John frowns and remains rooted in his position watching his friend walk away and out of the hospital. He took out his phone and sent a message.
'If Blanca gets involve...Caccina is the only one who can help her'
For the first time in his life, John prayed to a God he does not believe in.
The loud sound of hands hitting the metal table of Q echoed within the walls of Q branch effectively silencing everyone and making them stop their actions to look at the very source of it.
"Then let me do my job!" Blanca said with anger, taking deep breath to calm herself after a frankly annoying and frustrating conversation with 007 and 006. It was rare to see the top agents and the two of the heads of MI6 in one place. And usually that meant danger, M who had remained silently during the whole outburst made it even more tense.
"I render my services to Q alone!" Blanca said with a scathing tone " I could care less if you lot want to capture Silva!" she added clearly implying that fighting Silva was not her main concern. 006,Alec Trevelyan was an intelligent man but rarely does he not know when to shut up and his question made Blanca irritated.
"side? I am on no one's side Trevelyan" she said with a glare " It would do good for MI6 to not mistake this" she gestures to her work "as my allegiance to MI6 and England". Alex had held her glare while 007,Bond remained calculating. The tension was rising and the Q branch workers felt fidgety, M's presence of silence not helping to lessen the tension, while Q felt nervous, wanting to calm his student down and sending 006 away.
He knew that neither would do good, the rush of foot steps getting nearer was heard and Adrian's voice broke the tension, everyone except the main cast showed a visible sign of relief.
"Silva has started his counter attack!"
Blanca immediately rushed over and left everyone with Adrian in tow. She could feel her excitement and so did Adrian, they both shared the love of challenges most especially if a formidable opponent showed up, someone who forced them to use everything they got.
a worthy opponent like Raoul Silva rarely shows up and when they do, they are the most fun...until they do get boring.
"White Knight would last against Silva for 4 mins max" Adrian says as they run through the empty hallways of MI6 and to their shared office workspace. Despite the current situation there were still times he gets fascinated with his superior, the woman right in front of him was burning in ardent flames, no longer was she subdued like she was before. In his eyes it was as if she had grown wings behind her back.
He knows that it would take time before he'll have her looking at him alone but she is worth the wait.
"Adrian" she said and he snaps out of his thoughts "Let's win this" with a determined face she sits down in front of her laptop while Adrian sits beside her, his laptop's own keyboard clacking with his quick and succesive strokes of the keys in beat with Blanca's.
'This is a 3 way battle' Adrian thought with glee.
When John and Sherlock went back to 221 B. John had immediately hugged Sherlock surprising the man.
"John?"
"I...just wanted to hug you"
"Jim...something happened between the two of you in the past"
"yes, excellent deduction" John says and hugs Sherlock tighter inhaling his lover's scent.
"romantically?"
"yes"
and Sherlock does not really know what to say next but John saves him the trouble by telling him the story.
"We met in the middle of our fifth form, I was having troubles with my maths at that time and he was offering tutoring, though reluctant, Jim is like you, maddeningly brilliant and total genius, everyone hated him or thought of him as weird though...'cept me. I like Jim, he was interesting and never dull, he was the one who actually convinced me to pursue what I want most of the time. help with it at times, repay him with different favors"
Sherlock remained silent and observes John and saw the despite John's truths he was omitting some parts of his story with Jim. " At one point I fell for him...lasted for the whole year in our sixth form...till he suddenly disappeared that's when James appeared" John's eyes widened in realization and Sherlock had noticed it 'James?'
"anyways it only lasted for a year, I moved on and so did he...apparently that what I thought...I still love him but no longer romantically, just as a friend, Sherlock" John answers
and Sherlock tilts his head "I am not jealous, John"
and John smiles his charming smile, one that is not fake like he gave at Barts and says " deny all you want, but I saw it in your eyes Sherlock" he pulls Sherlock down to reach the man's lips and places a sweet peck on it and pats his lover's cheek and went up to his room. Sherlock remains dumbfounded but happy, his bitterness and jealousy fading with John's words like a cure to a poison.
For all of the secrets John held he also showed all of the truth in him.