Molly would likely be shocked if she knew that he is proud to be with her, as proud to show off the fact that someone truly loves him as he was to show off after John had called him his best friend. And all he needs her to be, all he's ever needed her to be when she's helped him most, is herself.
*
During the performance he sneaks glances at her, alternating between being absorbed in the dancers' fine form and energy and being fascinated by the way Molly's reacting. Every time he catches her looking delighted by something, he tucks the image into his mind palace, trying to ignore the occasional adolescent skitter in his pulse.
(He does let go of her hand to applaud, at appropriate moments, but as soon as the applause is finished his fingers find hers in the dark again.)
There's no interval, but between the pleasure of the ballet itself and the newer, sweeter pleasure of studying her, it flies by.
All too soon--or maybe not a moment too soon--the heavy red-and-gold curtain falls, and Sherlock lets go of her hand again to join in the wave of applause that's breaking over the theatre. And this time when he glances at Molly, he's looking for a signal, something to tell him whether this evening will linger at its current warmth or blossom into a fuller heat much more quickly.
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I did a little, in college! Now I try to go whenever I can. :D You?
Date: 2017-02-23 02:27 am (UTC)*
During the performance he sneaks glances at her, alternating between being absorbed in the dancers' fine form and energy and being fascinated by the way Molly's reacting. Every time he catches her looking delighted by something, he tucks the image into his mind palace, trying to ignore the occasional adolescent skitter in his pulse.
(He does let go of her hand to applaud, at appropriate moments, but as soon as the applause is finished his fingers find hers in the dark again.)
There's no interval, but between the pleasure of the ballet itself and the newer, sweeter pleasure of studying her, it flies by.
All too soon--or maybe not a moment too soon--the heavy red-and-gold curtain falls, and Sherlock lets go of her hand again to join in the wave of applause that's breaking over the theatre. And this time when he glances at Molly, he's looking for a signal, something to tell him whether this evening will linger at its current warmth or blossom into a fuller heat much more quickly.