[COMPLETE] ??? ???? ?? ??? ??????「Sherlock」

017; Valse Sentimentale

"Well, Sherlock knew that it would have to be some sort of connection to the Empty Boy case," Julia suspected, refusing to look at the man in question. She allowed her arms to wrap around her lover's torso and nestled her head up beneath his chin. He held her back tightly, sighing softly. "I know..."

"What have you gotten yourself into?" Elliot mumbled. "Have you contacted the police?"

Julia paused. "No... not yet," she replied, grimacing as Elliot drew away for a moment to look into her face. "I know, I know. It's dangerous, but we three have each other, and-"

Sherlock will keep me safe-

The words fought to be heard but were evidently swallowed down. "-I'm sure that you won't let anything happen to me." She had known Elliot to be worrisome, especially when it came to how fragile of a woman she could be at times. This profession was certainly an odd one for somebody of her stature to take up, but hey... it worked for her. It really did. Sherlock and John made it well worth it at the end of each day.

Elliot shook his head, his lips parting. He wanted to say something, but he wouldn't. The man drew her closer again, kissing her temple. "Perhaps... you should contact the police soon. I don't want to see you get hurt. Not after the incident at the factory," he implored, murmuring the words into her hair. After a moment of silence, the two embracing, the kettle thumped against the burner.

"Anyway!" Sherlock practically shouted. "You two should get moving if you have to find a place for tomorrow evening's events. I'd suggest you move quickly, seeing as it's the day before Christmas Eve. Places will surely be packed."

The scientist hummed in agreement. "Do you want to change before we head out?" he asked, even despite the fact that he knew there was a time-crunch. Julia knew that she could do with a shower, but if she really needed to, she could have herself ready within fifteen minutes.

"If you don't mind," Julia simpered, moving for the door, her hand within Elliot's. Shooting Sherlock a glance, she offered an apologetic smile, to which he simply narrowed his eyes at. Oh, it had been a mistake bringing him inside of their flat. He would surely be fuming about it to John later on. Quickly grabbing her things, they slipped through the entrance and mosied on up the stairs, reaching her aunt's flat rather quickly. "I'm sorry you saw that. I just... I fell asleep on the couch next to him and.."

"It's alright Jewels," Elliot laughed. No, it was not. He was hiding it. Julia chewed on her bottom lip as they ventured into the flat, earning a soft hello from Martha Hudson. "I get it. You were just taking care of him."

"Oh! So this is the boy you've been seeing!" trilled her aunt.

Oh no! Elliot's head swivelled on its joint, his lips parting and his faint smile growing. He immediately took her bag from her and set it in the small little wardrobe where it belonged. "Martha, I presume?" he offered, reaching forward for a handshake, only to be yanked into a crushing hug from her aunt's surprisingly strong limbs. He grunted softly, but then chuckled.

"It's so nice to meet you, finally!" The elderly woman was so excited, her smile as big as ever, her bare cheeks a nature rich shade of rose. "Oh, he is a handsome lad, he is. Such charming features... You've done well, Julia!"

"Auntie, please," she begged, although could not help but try and stifle a giggle as she pulled him down and kissed him on the forehead. "You're going to break the poor man before you've even gotten to know him!"

Elliot laughed, shaking his head. "Thank you, Mrs. Hudson. It's very nice to meet you too."

Shaking her head, Julia turned and exited to the spare room, taking her time in getting herself ready. Her limbs were admittedly still a little sore from having remained in one place for so long. When had she last slept on a couch, anyway, let alone next to a man? The redhead quietly padded to the bathroom and quickly peeled off her clothes, hopping into the shower. The water was cold, which helped wake her up each morning; it had been quite some time since she had last taken a warm shower. It always tended to make her sleepier. Julia had scrubbed and washed herself clean within five minutes before she finally stepped out of the bathroom, her bare frame wrapped in nothing but a towel. Her hair was a mess of damp auburn tangles that draped down her back like hanging lichen.