The Exception (sherlock x reader)

Chapter 20: Torn

"Why wouldn't I?" You shot back defensively.

"Hm, answering a question with a question gives away a lot."

"If you're suggesting that I still have feelings for him," You shook your head, you thought you wouldn't have to deal with this. "That's low even for you." You practically spat the last words as anger boiled up inside your chest. You most certainly did not have feelings, or any positive ones, for Jim Moriarty, not for a long time at least.

"You still haven't answered the question."

"Given the opportunity, I wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger on him, but we both know that it won't play out like that."

"But if it did..."

"I would"

"Would what?"

"I would kill Moriarty." Oh, you wanted to throw your tea in Sherlock's face right now and storm out of this flat, but you didn't. You knew Sherlock was just oblivious or playing a mind game and if he wanted to play, fine.

You both sat there staring each other down, you mainly trying to control your anger and disappointment in Sherlock, but he was trying to read you. Your rise in strong emotions, especially anger would make it easier for Sherlock to analyze your words and body language.

"You know what his endgame is." Sherlock finally broke the silence.

"All I know is he wants to be in control and to make this difficult, and so far he's winning."

"It's quite simple."

"Then enlighten me."

"He wants to destroy me."

"Why? I thought he needed you to keep things interesting." You knew Moriarty had bigger plans, but you couldn't tell what he gained from getting rid of Sherlock. He'd be bored if it weren't for the meddling games he played with Sherlock.

"I'm competition," Sherlock stated plainly, and almost disappointed?

"Competition for what? He's a criminal and you're a detective the two are opposites."

"Competition in the sense that I will stand in his way of what he wants every time, and he can have fun with that sure, but one day he'll become annoyed, frustrated with my involvement and I won't scare away so he'll have to destroy me." Why were men always so dramatic? "But now it's more than that."

"Sherlock-"

But before you could even try to do anything to avoid what came next, Sherlock finally said it.

"It's you, (y/n)," Sherlock said it as if he was reading the paper, but his eyes were full of sadness and grief, as if he could see the future and knew it was going to be full of pain. You didn't know what to say. Obviously, Moriarty wanted you back, not build a life with you, but because he knew he could control you and he wanted that power again, but now that you and Sherlock met and were working together you had changed the game. "He's writing the letters instead of sending you photographs his goons take of you because you're always with John and me. He sees this as the biggest threat to him losing power over you and losing any chance at getting you back. He'll get desperate."

"But that's where we get him. He'll make a mistake if he's desperate." you felt your heart racing faster. The way Sherlock and spoke about the relationship you had built with him and John made you feel giddy. It had been a long time since you thought you'd have anyone close to you, and you really wouldn't mind getting closer to Sherlock. Though that was very wishful thinking.

"He doesn't make mistakes, he's too meticulous."

"So, what? Are you just going to sit back and do absolutely nothing when you know he'll be back for you, for me?" If he wouldn't do it for himself, maybe he'll do it for you. You had challenged him with this, choosing your words very intentionally. You stared at him, willing your emotions down, but it was no use. You wanted your life back and you refused to watch it taken from you piece by piece. Honestly, you were shocked that Sherlock wouldn't be jumping at this. Moriarty would never leave him bored.

No response. Sherlock had closed his eyes, and appeared to be so focused he went to his mind palace. Typical.

You shot up from the couch and stormed downstairs. You gathered all the letters that were scattered about your table in your flat and even grabbed the flower Moriarty left last night. Quickly you made your way back up to 221b and dropped all of the letters down on the coffee table.

"You can give up, but I won't." And with that, you turned on your heel and went back to your flat, not even caring to see if Sherlock would give you a reaction. You were so angry with him for... For what? Being too honest and realistic? You knew he was right and he always was but that wasn't new. You had really hoped with the Woman gone, things might have been a bit different. Clearly, you were reading into things that weren't there and it would be best to save yourself the trouble and forget. Forget you felt something and thought he may have felt it too.

You were too wound up in your disappointment to have noticed the rushed footsteps coming down the stairs behind you before the one making them nearly ran into you at the bottom.

"(y/n)! wait-" You whipped around to find yourself face to face with Sherlock who seemed to be more lucid than he had the last few days. You raised an eyebrow at him. "I-I just wanted to say that I think it would be a worthwhile puzzle to figure out Moriarty's next move." He spoke calmly, but there was something about the way he spoke that was more frazzled than the Sherlock you were furious with moments ago.

"Oh, yea?" You were completely ok with this change in mindset, but you were still curious as to why.

"Because you deserve someone on your side." His gaze bore into you with so much unbridled intensity it was almost unnerving, but it didn't scare you. Somehow you knew he was being genuine and that made your stomach flutter with butterflies.

Without thinking, you stood on the tips of your toes and kissed Sherlock.