Burn for You
Inspired by Burn for You by Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear
How had it come to this? Come to Aurelia sitting on the chaise of 221b, toying with her wedding band. What had begun as a simple ploy, a simple ruse for Sherlock's case, had become reality within a fortnight. Her parents, frightened that she would be left to ruin, practically forced Sherlock to marry her. And now here she was, sitting in the parlor while Sherlock paced in his study above her.
It wasn't that Aurelia was unhappy to be married to Sherlock. Rather the opposite. She had fallen in love with Sherlock during their year-long-courtship. However, she had not expected him to love her in return. He had told her long ago that he would marry her, but only because it was expected. Now, whatever plan he had created in the beginning was destroyed by the quick marriage.
"Aurelia."
Her head shot up from her hands to look at the man standing in front of her. He had lost his jacket and vest, now wearing his undershirt with suspenders loose. She flushed, looking away from him.
"Aurelia," he said again.
"Yes, Sherlock?"
"I… I… I hope you understand that this was never the plan."
Stomach tightening, Aurelia looked at him once more.
"Excuse me?" He paced in front of her.
"Originally, I had hoped for our courtship to last far longer… in hopes that your parents would, forgive me, offer your hand to someone else."
"Sherlock?"
"And now that this," he gestured between them, "has become an untimely interruption."
"Sherlock Holmes!"
The man in front of her paused in his pacing at her raised voice.
"You mean to tell me that you never planned on our marriage and were merely leading me on a-a-a wild goose chase?"
"I…"
"It was your mistake. You are the one who kissed me in that maze."
"Aurelia—" She raised her hand to make him stop.
"I thought you were the man of your word."
His chest puffed in indignation.
"I am."
"Then you do love me?"
"Pardon me?"
"You told me that you loved me. Adored me, even." He cleared his throat, looking down at the floor. She scoffed, shaking her head. "And now, you can't even look me in my face."
"I burn for you, Aurelia."
"Mmmmmm?"
Stepping forward, Sherlock dropped to his knees in front of her, grasping her hands.
"I burn for you, Aurelia Holmes. But I am not a good man. I have stolen your fate."
"How?" she demanded to know. "How do you know that you have stolen my fate?"
"I will never be able to give you what you want. You will come to hate me."
Removing a hand from his grasp, Aurelia touched his cheek. He sub-consciously leaned into her touch.
"Stop trying to deduce my thoughts," she whispered. "I love you, Sherlock Holmes."
"I… I will never be able to love you the way you need," he warned her. She leaned forward, pressing her lips against his. He squeezed her hand tighter as he kissed her back.
"I don't need love," Aurelia murmured. "I just need you."
With a quiet growl, Sherlock got to his feet. He pulled her into his arms, practically carrying her up the stairs to his bedroom. Their bedroom. He kissed her again as he shut the door behind them.
In the morning, sunlight streamed in through the window. Aurelia opened her eyes to see Sherlock sitting up with his pipe in his mouth. He looked down at her stirring and gave her a boyish smirk.
"Good morning," he said.
"Sherlock, I—"
"I must apologize for my words last night," he said quickly. "But you must know that I meant it."
"Meant what exactly?"
"I burn for you."
Aurelia sat up, clutching the sheets tightly against herself.
"I may not have wanted to marry you," he continued. "But know that you have invaded my mind. I am always thinking of you… dreaming of you."
"Oh, Sherlock."
"I never imagined marriage, but know this, I cannot survive without you."
Inching closer to him, Aurelia leaned her head on his shoulder.
"I'm yours Sherlock Holmes. I've always been yours." She didn't expect to hear it back and was not surprised at the quietness of the room. His lips in her hair did surprise her though as he kissed her forehead.
"And I'm yours, Aurelia Holmes."
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