We head inside, all four of us helping Sherlock up the stairs. When we're in the apartment, Mycroft and Watson push Sherlock on to the couch.
"He's your problem now, John," says Mycroft.
"I'll walk you out."
Watson and Mycroft leave the apartment and Enola follows them, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she waves at me. I turn around to see Sherlock sitting up, staring right at me.
"Why are you staring at me?" I ask.
"Because you're beautiful."
My face heats up, "You're drunk."
"Doesn't change the fact that you're a beautiful woman."
My stomach flutters, the butterflies in my stomach never seem to rest when I'm around him.
"You should get some rest," I reply, looking out the window.
The sound of footsteps pull my attention away from the starry sky. I look to my left and see Sherlock standing next to me, staring out the window. His arm brushes against mine, I wait for him to step away. But he doesn't.
"I wish you would've gone with us tonight."
"Why?"
He looks at me with a small smile, "Because you make everything better."
My heart stops. Did I hear that right? Surely not, I must be imagining things. The sleepless nights are finally starting to affect my mind.
His hand caresses the side of my face, and my mind finally calms down. All I can do is stare back into his blue eyes.
He leans in closer, my heart feels like it's about to burst out of my chest, and the thoughts in my head are moving faster than I can comprehend. His blue eyes close, and mine do as well.
His lips meet mine and without even thinking I kiss him back. My arms wrap around his neck and he grabs me by my waist, pulling me even closer to him.
He pulls away, the two of us stare at each other, trying to catch our breath. I look for any sign of regret in his eyes, but don't find any.
"I like you, a lot."
He's drunk, I remind myself. He won't remember anything he's said or done tonight. But I will. I'll think about it, and I'll obsess over it until I finally pass out from sleep deprivation. Then, I'll wake up and restart the whole pathetic pattern over and over again.
"You're just saying that," my voice comes out shaky.
He shakes his head, "I mean it."
"Then why can't you say this when you're sober?"
"I can't."
The door opens, the two of us step back from each other, and Enola walks over with a smile. "Ready to go?"
I nod my head and the two of us walk to the door, each step away from Sherlock tugs at my heart painfully. When we're standing outside the apartment I look back one last time and lock eyes with Sherlock. He doesn't say anything and neither do I. Enola shuts the door and that's when I feel my heart break for the first time ever.
"Are you okay? Enola asks.
A tear drops from my eye, I wipe it away before she notices. She's my best friend, the person I trust the most, but I can't tell her what's wrong with me.
"Do you think Tewkesbury is awake?"
"He better be," she replies.
~~°°••°°~~
Enola bangs on the front door loudly, I cringe and try to pull her hand away. "He's probably asleep, let's go-"
"Absolutely not. Something's going on with you, and as much as I hate it, I know you can't speak to me about it. So, he better open this door or I'll break it down!"
The door opens, revealing a very annoyed Tewkesbury. "I was in my library, please don't break my door down."
Enola marches in, dragging me along with her. Tewkesbury follows us to his library and Enola nods. "I'll go make us some tea, and won't eavesdrop because I am a good friend."
She shuts the door behind her and I turn to Tewkesbury, "She's definitely gonna eavesdrop, but I don't care."
"What's wrong? You look absolutely miserable."
I look around nervously. This was such a stupid idea. Why did I even come here? It's not like it's a big deal.
"I just don't understand why everyone lies to me," I whisper.
"What do you mean?"
I wipe the tears from my face, "Everyone tells me Sherlock likes me, and I actually started believing it. How could I be so stupid?"
"You're not stupid-"
"I really thought he liked me back, but I should've known better. He could get any woman he wanted, why would he want me?"
Tewkesbury frowns, "Don't speak about yourself that way."
"I'm such a fool," my voice cracks painfully.
I swallow the lump building up in my throat, "He kissed me, told me he liked me, and I believed it. Even though I knew he was drunk."
Tewkesbury's eyes widen, "He kissed you?"
"I've never in my life wanted a man's love so bad, not even my own father's."
He smiles sadly, but lets me speak.
"It is so hard being around him. I finally get him out of my thoughts, then he pops back into my life, and my mind can only think about him."
More tears stream down my face, Tewkesbury hands me a tissue, and I wipe my face.
I look back at him, "It's unfair that he has so much control over me when all I am to him is a speck of dirt on his shoe."
"That's not true," Tewkesbury says.
I shake my head, "I just wish I didn't love him."
My eyes widen. I love him? That can't be correct, this is just a regular crush. One that will leave me broken for a little while until I find a new one. That is why they're called 'crush' because you're always left crushed.
"I don't love him, I didn't mean to say that," I add.
Tewkesbury grins, "I think you do."
I shove him lightly and groan, "Don't look at me like that."
"I'm sorry, I'm just surprised that you were capable of loving someone," he says jokingly.
"Rude!"
We laugh until my ribs feel like they're about to break. He smiles before turning serious. "Sherlock likes you."
"Really? After everything I just told you, that's what you say?"
He leans back in his chair, "Drunk words, sober thoughts."
The door opens, Enola stands there with a tray of tea. Her eyes avoid mine as she sets the tray down and sits. Tewkesbury and I share a look before he turns to her. "How much did you hear?"
She gasps, "Nothing! I don't eavesdrop!"
"Come on, Enola. We know you did."
She finally looks at me, "I'm sorry, I couldn't help it!"
I laugh and she grabs my hand, staring right into my eyes. "I will kill my brother."
I pull my hand away, "What?!"
"He's an arsehole! He broke your heart, all because he has too much pride to admit his feelings."
"Enola-"
She jumps to her feet, "No! Tomorrow morning I'm marching right over to his flat and giving him a piece of my mind."
My eyes widen, "Enola, don't do anything rash. He was drunk, he won't even remember anything."
Enola sits back down, "Fine."
"Besides, we have cases to work on tomorrow."
~~°°••°°~~
We say goodbye to Tewkesbury, and make our way to Enola's apartment. Every now and then she looks at me, I guess to make sure I'm okay. It makes me feel as if I'm a fragile vase, ready to shatter at any moment. I hate the feeling, but I know she's only doing it because she cares.
"Good night, (Y/n)."
"Good night, Enola."
After a few minutes I hear her snoring, so I sneak out the window and on to the fire escape. I slowly make my way to the top and climb on the roof. The bottom of my sleep pants get caught, but I yank them away. They tear a bit, I'm sure Enola will notice it in the morning.
I lay down on the roof, staring at the bright stars above me. Stargazing always calms me and helps me get my thoughts and feelings in order. Tonight it helps nothing.
Perhaps, there really is nothing that can help you get over unrequited love.
Author's Note: Ah, unrequited love. One of my favorite tropes (right behind enemies to lovers) I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Let me know what you think!