I had a countdown in my head of the precise time we'd make contact with the water. I braced Liam in my arms and made sure our point of contact was our sides. Still, it hurt like Hell as a shockwave of pain jolted through my entire body at impact. Not only that, but the water was chilling to the bone. I glanced at Liam and he seemed to be in more pain than me. I went to grab his arm once again, but he shook his head. Damn it all! I needed to know how badly he got hurt! I reached for his other arm and he outstretched that one. Grabbing his hand, we swam. We only let up for air when we needed to. The faster we escaped the area, the better.
The chilling waters were becoming a lot to bare, and, clearly, even more so for Liam. He was slowing and his grip wasn't as tight. I broke the water's surface and suggested, "Liam, let's get out and rest. It's too cold to keep swimming like this." Of course, my fear was more on Liam and less myself.
"N-no. W-w-we must k-k-keep going…." Liam insisted through shivers and was about to dive back under, but I stopped him. I bitched, "You're mad. You're freezing. You're going to get sick, Liam." It had to be luck on our side as I saw a fishing boat up ahead. I encouraged, "A little further. We'll ask that boatman for help." Liam was getting colder and my heart was beginning to race. I held him close to me and I swam with him.
"You're not dying by freezing to death. Not on my watch. I saved your sorry ass once, and I'm doing it again. You will not get your wish," I demanded. I made it in distance of the boat and called out, "We seek refuge! My friend needs help!" No one answered, not even a no… or anything. An abandoned boat… here? I helped Liam onto the boat, and then myself. I held him close to me to try and keep him warm. Oh, this boat was previously tethered to something, as a rope hung off the side. I glanced around, but couldn't see where this boat would've come from… Strange luck, but I'd take it. I didn't really care if I was stealing this boat. That wasn't on my list of things I currently cared about. The mess of London was still seen from where we were, after all. With that thought in mind, I unlinked the rope from the boat and began rowing further and further away. Liam's safety was my first and only real concern at the moment. Besides, there was no one else around that this dingy could've belonged to. The broken tether should be a concern of mine, but the rope was frail. Perhaps someone chanced this boat with a rope on its last strands of life and the boat won. That seemed likely… Stop thinking about it, Sherlock… Help Liam, first and foremost.
The sun began to rise when I finally stopped rowing. I needed to stretch my arms and relax my muscles. Liam had fallen asleep in my lap very early on, which was good. The man needed some God damn rest. I rolled my shoulders as I glanced down the blonde… The poor man didn't even look like he was having a restful sleep… I moved his hair from his face with gentle strokes of my fingers. I allowed myself to begin thinking about the man in ways that only popped up in my dreams… Things that seemed strange and unusual considering I was also a man… Love was never something I focused on in life, as it was such a fickle concept for me. But this man in my lap was on a level of intelligence that understood my own and I never once got that from anyone else in this world. No one, ever, has been able to get me fully. Not ever my brother. I was constantly admonished as a child, called the freak and so forth. Even to this day, the nicknames freak and psycho are in common use around the name Sherlock Holmes. But? William James Moriarty… He understood me! We could have conversations that would lose people around us; whether they were aristocrats, or the poor. It didn't matter. I connected with someone for once in my fucking life and my thoughts for this blonde spiraled like heavy, suffocating smoke in my brain constantly. Calling Liam my friend was… well, it was an understatement, to say the least. John Waston was my friend. William was… something else. Something deeper. I longed to try asinine things with him, have meaningless conversations with him. We could solve crimes with our brilliant combined minds in the matter of minutes, I'm sure. It thrilled me to think about a life with Liam. If I could only have him in my life, I guess that wouldn't be so bad.
I smiled down at Liam. "William James Moriarty. I do think you've made the greatest consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes, fall in love. It's one your many amazing accomplishments. Congratulations." Of course, Liam was still asleep, but I realized I had been petting his face this entire time as I thought to myself… At least, he looked as if he calmed down and was more peaceful. I hoped I soothed whatever terrible dreams were assaulting him.
Satisfied with having a moment to think over my own thoughts, I began rowing again. It was early afternoon when I trying to stop due to my own tiredness and hunger. Liam was also finally stirring. I greeted as I was rowing towards a dock, "Good afternoon, Liam. I hope you enjoyed your sleep." He was groggy as he slowly lifted his head and perched himself on the other bench.
"It was… fine, I suppose. You've been rowing all night? When did you find a boat?" Liam questioned. I happily replied, "Of course, I was rowing all night. I had to get us escaped from London, didn't I? I found the boat shortly before you passed out. The sun warmed you up quite a bit, thankfully. I was prepared to frantically find a doctor if not." Liam's lips upturned ever so slightly. He commented, "It almost appears we may have entered Belgium." It did appear to be Belgium. As long as it wasn't London, I didn't care.
"The night allowed us a safe travel as well. We should get out before our luck runs out," I insisted, pulling up to a dock. I got out first and then helped Liam. He was unsteady on his feet, but I made sure he was stable. With an arm around his waist, I kept him close as we walked. Liam eventually asked, "What's with the care all of a sudden, Sherlock?" I pouted a little as he didn't call me Sherly… But, I explained, "Ever since you thought you could get away with killing yourself. If someone other than your brothers have to step up and show genuine care for you, I wouldn't want it to be anyone else except me."
"You're too kind to me…" Liam softly replied. I stroked his cheek, making the blonde blush. I told him, "Once we get a change of clothes and hotel to relax in for a day or two, I'd like to share some thoughts with you, Liam." He glanced at me curiously, but shrugged. He replied, "Of course. Whatever you'd like to do." I let go of him, once I knew he could walk on his own accord.
I soon found a clothing store, pointing to the name; "Herrenbekleidung. Men's Wearhouse. German. I'm glad I can read that. Though, looking inside would've given me an insight, as well." Liam grinned, questioning, "Do you also know Dutch?" I shook my head and posed, "I do not. It should be close to German. right?" Liam smiled and informed, "Yes. You are right. You shouldn't have an issue learning it."
"Ah. That means you get to be my teacher. Teach me Dutch, Professor Liam," I played, to which Liam laughed. He replied, "Happily, Sherlock. Happily." With that in mind, we headed inside and I bought a set for Liam and a set for myself. I had enough money to get us a new set of boots, as well.
Now for a hotel. We found a cheap one and got a room. Once in, I was more than happy to change out of my damp clothes, but I also didn't expect Liam to begin stripping right away as well and it make me feel… well, in short of it, aroused. I turned my back to the blonde, stating, "Good. You should be the one to get dry clothes on, first." Liam was quiet for a moment before he replied belatedly, "Oh, right. Yes. I grew up around my brothers. It was more common for us to change around the other, especially Louis and I. My apologies. I'll be quick."
"No, no. Take your time. It's fine," I insisted, hoping Liam ignored how rushed my own response sounded…. It was not common for me to get aroused, as my brain was generally focusing on far more important matters, but that didn't mean it never happened. I had been accidentally groped by another boy as he was trying to get away from me while I was in the early stages of puberty. It was all awkward and strange and a moment I didn't know how to feel about at the time… Later on, I've had women try to take advantage of me while drunk. I let them think they were winning by going as far as letting them grope me and fondle me, which felt good, but I was always the bigger person and walked away from the situation to go fix myself.
This situation was different, though… I wasn't being touched; my body was reacting because I actually felt that someone was attractive enough… With that thought, I turned my head and got Liam's bare backside right in my face. That was… a rather attractive backside. Not only his butt in general, but his back muscles leading down to his cheeks and his strong looking thigh muscles below that… I wanted to just grab him… I turned my head back around and knocked my head on the wall in front of me repeatedly. I couldn't deny it now… I was a homosexual… which again, I never took much consideration on the matter until this moment.
"Sherly! What's wrong?" Liam quickly exclaimed and I sighed as I rested my head on the wall. I insisted, "Nothing's wrong in particular. I'm just unlocking knowledge about myself that I never once considered and I feel like an absolute fool that I never knew these things before. Ah, but they weren't that important anyway." I lifted my head and smiled at Liam who looked confused and worried. He mentioned as I turned to get changed into my own new clothes, "We may be one in the same there as well, Sherly. I never take the time to think about personal things with myself."
"That's obvious. You were willing to let yourself die for a greater good without thinking about how much you meant to people. This right here could've always have been the plan if you just allowed you and I to talk personally," I insisted. Liam laughed and questioned, "Run away to Belgium with you?" I smiled. As I finished dressing in the dry clothes, I went up to Liam and grabbed his hands, "Of course. I'm a criminal in London anyways. I only got let off because I'm a genius mastermind. Jail is boring and there was a crime that needed solving. To which I give thanks to the lovely Lord of Crime for." Liam laughed, then glanced at our hands. Oh, yes… I questioned, "Is your arm alright? You were fickle about letting me touch it when we first sank into the water."
"My arm? Oh, yes. I'm fine. It was incredibly sore from the landing, but I'm fine. It's bruised, but nothing is broken," Liam assured me and I let out a small breath. It was great news that Liam wasn't seriously injured. I let go of his hands finally, curious now of how to approach this subject… I was turning around to go to the bed when Liam grabbed my hand, asking me, "What were the things you wanted to share with me?"
"I am trying to put my thoughts into coherent words. If I put them into actions, well, we may both be shocked by what I do," I answered and Liam gave a small nod. He told me, "Take your time, then." I put a hand to my head as I really tried to conjure the right formulation of words to make this confession not so shocking, but I couldn't come up with anything. With a bit of frustration towards myself, I confessed rather loudly and angrily, "I think I'm in love with you!" I realized my tone afterwards, and I insisted more calmly, "I'm frustrated with myself that I can't come up with any other way to phrase that." Liam was doe-eyed, seemingly in shock…. Fuck it all. Every little fucking human interaction I try to have… I fuck up… Before I could say or do anything else, he punched me in the face before falling to the floor on his knees. I stood and blinked… I never thought a love confession would be the right conditions for getting punched in the face. It stopped me from mentally beating myself up. Thankfully. But my attention soon turned to Liam when I realized it might not have been the confession itself, but who I confessed to.
"Why would you say that? I'm not worthy of anything like that after all I've done… I've committed so many atrocities. How the fuck could anyone love that?" Liam cried out and I knelt down in front of him and lifted his head and just kissed him. Just as my thoughts carried me to do. I've been kissed before, numerous times by both males and females, even some people I couldn't decern the sex of at first glance... I had to think about it before I realized. But kissing Liam felt like perfection. His lips were soft, slightly wet and salty from his crying, but that made me want to kiss him longer in an attempt to sooth his fragile self. He wore a lip salve, something honey flavored. It was rather nice. In morse code, I tapped out on his chest, 'Not lying'. It wasn't until then that Liam pulled away and he took a heavy sigh. He admitted, "Perhaps all of my deeds have made me a broken man and I am only now realizing it."
"Let me help you, Liam. Let me be there for you. Let me into your god damn life. You will find I will invade your personal space every second if you don't, anyways, so you might as well just give me consent, Liam," I pressured. He still looked shocked, but he nodded, claiming, "My personal space being invaded by Sherlock Holmes doesn't sound too terrible." I smiled and assured, "In that case, I'll know everything about you within… four days." I held up four fingers.
"Mm. That seems rather slow. I'll know everything about you in three days," my Liam challenged and held up three fingers. Both of us laughed. I promised, "Challenge excepted."
I helped stand us up at that and remarked, "Food. We should get food. We should eat. Let's go find somewhere." Liam nodded, commenting, "I'm sure you're hungry from your long night."
"Mm. Yes. But I was thinking of you," I stated. I made sure I had my wallet and took Liam's hand.
"You think of me a lot. I think of you a lot," Liam replied, but I knew that. I answered, "I did always seem to be involved somehow once we met. So that feels obvious." Liam asked me, "What about you, then? When did you take an interest in me?"
"When we met on the ship… What a brilliant mind you have... You're intelligent. You can handle me…. But more importantly, you can keep up with me. I don't like being outsmarted, but damn do I like the effort it takes to solve those mysteries. It keeps me from getting bored," I insisted with a bit of excitement in my voice. Liam smiled, insisting, "Having it always be you was intriguing. There was a man that took every tiny speck of detail, never missing anything that was out of place, into complete consideration. Each time I hoped it would be you, Sherly. That we'd run into each other once again just so I could see that mind of yours work in person." I grinned wide. I was just that good, wasn't I?
"You're brilliant, Sherlock," Liam complimented once again. I stated, "I know. You seem to be among the few who think so. The only other person who's said so has been John." I watched as Liam smiled. He stated, "I'm glad he and I can see eye to eye on something, but more importantly, Sherlock. Are you sure you'd like to go out?"
"Of course. This hotel isn't luxurious enough to have room service. I'm not a rich man. As that somehow surprises people," I explained and Liam grabbed my wrists and began backing me up. My mind was swirling suddenly. Liam replied, "It doesn't surprise me. I don't have a single shilling on me because my plan was to be dead. We're both poor now, yet you still have a higher standing than myself." My back hit the wall and I blinked, staring into Liam's still damp, ruby eyes. He pressed himself against my body and it should've been more obvious to me that Liam noticed my little problem. Quite honestly, I didn't know where to go from here. I didn't touch myself for pleasure, only to fix said problem… I verified, "I don't consider rubbing myself off any kind of fun. It's merely a means to fix a problem."
"Of course. I feel the same way. You've yet to have intercourse, Holmes," Liam deducted and I gave an affirmative nod. I listed off my own deduction, "You, on the other hand, have. Once. It was for getting information out of someone, an affair of sorts, just a onetime thing. She really took a liking to your face, but she didn't like your skills, so that was one reason, but she also ended up dying. Not from you, but of illness. That and your heart wasn't in it because, well, let's be obvious here, you have a man pinned against a wall and you are getting quite aroused about that." Liam kissed me, throwing me a bit off guard. I don't expect affection when I get these things right… Well… affection was usually awkward and not my thing regardless, but still. I wasn't used to this type of reaction. William was proving to be a very interesting man indeed. Liam parted his lips and I decided to follow suit. Much to my surprise, William put his tongue into my mouth. These physical acts were beyond my normal, reasonable comprehension, yet I allowed myself to just feel these sensations, the emotions that naturally swelled within me, the chemical imbalances of being sexual with someone and it made me want more. I took my hands and touched Liam's thin face on both cheeks and let my breath get taken away as we kissed like this. Soon, I flipped us, so he was against the wall and I was in the lead. I pressed my groin against the blonde's and he let out the most attractive sound a person could make; a moan of such deep sexual pleasure. It was no musical masterpiece, but somewhere within me, I longed to hear more. I did it again and Liam sounded off again. Such bliss…
We parted our lips, panting like dogs. Liam seemed to tease, "You appear to like seeing me in a compromising position." I quirked a brow before answering, "No. That's not quite it. I'm just allowing myself to feel and enjoy the sensations of arousal for once. Do you get dumb while in the act?" Liam laughed. He insisted, "No. But I do seem to get more aroused hearing you be at your most intellectual while I'm already hard."
"Obviously," I stated. I could feel that. I added, "My grinding against you played a part." Liam panted out, "Obviously…" It made me feel harder… He shoved me off of him suddenly and gave me one more shove, making me fall onto the bed. My heart was beating like a drum, as if I had been running all over London, but in fact, Liam was simply staring at me. My eyes dragged down his slender form to his erection where they stopped. I allowed myself enjoyment of this for once. The view was interrupted when Liam sat himself on my erection and a sensation like no other drowned me. My back arched and the most vulnerable noise escaped me, a moan in which I had only allowed myself to make while isolated…
"You've only moaned while taking care of yourself and for good reason Mr. Holmes. You'd have nations dropping their trousers in lust if others ever heard such a sound leave you," Liam expressed as he pulled my arms above me and began kissing me yet again, but not along my lips. He kissed all along my cheeks and neck and collarbone. My body and skin felt so sensitive and it felt as if Liam was making me weak and fragile. I supposed, I didn't truly mind if it was him. He began unbuttoning my recently done up shirt and I was panting more, trying not to moan out so loud. I wasn't sure what I was hiding now, Liam had heard me once now. No, no, no… I'm still hiding my enjoyment of this to myself.
"Liam… Liam… Ahhh! You being here… feeding me all of these sexual feelings…. Mmm… It's, it's making me realize something…" I managed out as Liam began giving my nipples such tender, arousing attention. I cried out, unable to handle myself, "OOOHHH, GOD!" Liam stopped for a moment, looking into my eyes as he held my arms above my head once again. He stated as I caught my breath, "Let me figure it out. You are still learning how to enjoy this for yourself. You, in fact, aren't sure how to behave while in a compromising position and you've never had to learn. You masturbated out of sight and earshot of everyone, covering your mouth with one hand while you stroked yourself with the other. Now you've offered yourself up for sex. Which is involves two people… usually two, and feel very vulnerable." I rolled my head and commented, "Mmm…. William James Moriarty… how you woo me? Every word is correct. Meanwhile, you may have only had sloppy sex once and with a woman for knowledge gain, but you have read erotica. But who's was it? One of your brothers'? Or was it yours that you bought? And you were trying to educate yourself, but we can't always predict how other humans, especially those dumber than ourselves, will react. You're finding a much deeper enjoyment having the great Sherlock Holmes pinned down, anyway. Oh, yes. It's the second scenario, just in case you thought I was confused."
"How you woo me? Every. Word. Is. Correct…" Liam spaced out his words as he kissed me in-between them. He then began sucking and biting at my nipples once again, making me let out moans of pleasure. We weren't even in the act itself and this was so much stimulation. If I could manage to get myself addicted to this, oh, God! Liam stopped suddenly and I could finally normalize my breathing once again. He asked me, "How do you want to move forward? Just hearing you, I'm so aroused… I need you, Sherly… I need you so badly."
"Do you wish to have me penetrate you? I've heard that hurts a lot for males. There's no natural discharge and sweat, unfortunately doesn't work." I would offer myself to give this a try if Liam so desperately needed it. I'd be lying if I said I was out of my wits with my own arousal. All I wanted was the high of ejaculation right now. Liam reminded me, "Pain is irrelevant. Make me take you." I looked into his ruby eyes and replied, "As you wish. Only if you look at me." We both nodded and completely undressed in front of each other. There was no point in embarrassment or shame at this point between us. Though, it wasn't really that from the beginning. I was trying not to allow myself to be aroused was what it was.
I laid myself back out on the bed and took Liam's hand as he crawled onto the bed, straddled my legs, and he… was about to start lowering himself onto me. I gripped his wrist for a moment and he stopped.
"What is it, Sherly?" Liam asked me.
"It's just, um… Everyone made this seem different. I didn't realize I was doing anything correctly…. In this situation. Um… yeah. That's it. Continue then," I encouraged which got me a smirk from Liam. He replied, "As long as you're consenting. I don't want to add rape to my list of crimes." In the moment, I laughed. I assured, "No, no. I… I… I'm consenting to this. All of this. Go ahead." We both smiled at each other and Liam continued on. He made contact and fuck, did it all feel good! I moaned out, "Oh…! FUCK! I should've traded meth for sex!" I was all the way up in him and he began bouncing on me and this entire experience was something I never expected to actually feel so fucking amazing! I gripped my hands on Liam's thigh as I soon began to rock my hips just to feel this more and more. I heard the blonde's own moans tangling with my own as he moved his hands to my sides.
"Sherly… your… your added… oh, GOD! I can't!" Liam cried out. After being at this for a passing of time that I couldn't bother to fathom, I felt an even greater sensation building up within my erection. My eyes rolled back and my back arched as I moaned out yet again with Liam. Hot liquid did indeed pour into Liam and the blonde oozed onto me. My arms dropped to the bed as I stared up at the ceiling, trying to process what I just experienced and how much I liked that… I looked to Liam when I felt something and he was pulling off of me and came to lay by my panting, sweaty self.
"Is… this… this part… also… typical…?" I panted out and Liam smiled at me. He leaned to give my lips a soft kiss, then replied while also out of breath, "Yes…" I smiled, looking back to the ceiling. I might be able to get used to this new lifestyle. I took time to catch my breath before asking, "Do you wish to marry me, Moriarty?"
"Me? With the greatest and only consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes? How could I resist, honestly? Especially after that?" Liam replied and I felt bliss at his reply.
"Ah… I hope you don't regret that sentiment after living with me for a week…" I have been known to be a lot to live with. Liam reminded me, "Our first problem has arisen. We're shit out of luck to find someone to even marry us, Sherly. We're both men." I groaned and grunted before holding up my hand in front of us. I demanded, "Imagine a marriage certificate. Right here. William Sherlock Scott Holmes and William James Moriarty marriage certificate. A declaration of love in life and death, I do and all that. We sign with a pen and make a heart with our thumbprints."
"I think you made that last part up, Sherly," Liam teased me and I giggled. I encouraged, "Just amuse me, Liam." He smiled and nodded. We wrote out in the air on this imaginary certificate, our full names, and falsely made an ink thumbprint heart between our autographs. Liam cuddled me more and insisted, "That did secure the thought in my mind, Sherly. That I think I love you, too. Not signing our marriage certificate, but the sex." Dramatically, I put my hand to my heart, "I was about to be hurt, Liam. But yes… um, well… I could live off that kind of a high." Liam smirked. He stated, "That I will supply you with. Not meth."
"Did I say that out loud? Ah, well. Let me damned." I shrugged. Liam rolled over one of my arms and revealed he noticed small bruises along my bare skin. He stated, "And you inject yourself with drugs." Not really being able to hide my addictions, I simply replied, "What is a man of our intellect supposed to do with he gets bored out of his god damn mind and he's lower class? Drugs. Because drugs give me something to do when there's nothing interesting going on. I would often get opium as well." Liam sighed and then patted my chest.
"Come on, you. Let's get dressed again and go eat something. Better yet, let's get some knowledge about this area. Let's hope we find something interesting for both of our sakes," Liam suggested as he got up. I was more than happy to oblige.