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“H-Happy birthday, Professor!” Bill exclaims, handing William an obvious book wrapped in brown paper. “Y-You must know by now that this is a book… And you might have read it already, but-”
William gently takes the book with his free hand, the other already occupied with a stack of test papers. “No, It’s alright. Thank you very much for this. But could you please help me with this for a moment?” He apologetically smiles as he gestures to the test papers, and Bill rushes to help his professor out.
“Thank you once again, Bill.” William acknowledges once they settle the papers and the book down on his table, tiredly sitting on the chair. William wonders for a moment as to how Bill knew that today is his birthday, yet he brushes off the thought when he suspects that Sherlock must have said it to Bill at some point.
That blabbermouth... William lovingly thinks, grinning. Bill slightly bows to William before taking his leave.
“Have a good day with Mr...- Family today!” The student nervously greets the second time, stumbling about outside the door. William is left alone, raising a brow yet choosing not to let Bill's stammering bother him.
William heaves out a sigh right after the door clicks close, and all he has to do now is check the papers and take his leave, hoping that a relaxing wine with his family would be a good way to end the day.
Although seeing Sherlock would be a tad bit nice too... He slightly pouts as his thoughts seem like a distant dream, finally taking a pen and test paper to check.
In the middle of checking papers, William comes across a lavender rose and a letter stuck on one of the test papers. William quirks a brow, taking the letter and finding himself smiling as he reads:
Come to the place we promised to cook together, Liam.
William lets out a huff, “Not even going to bother giving me something difficult to solve, detective? How boring.” He comments with an obvious smirk, holding the rose close to his chest. He moves the note away, deciding to still check the paper that Sherlock must have answered just to see if the said man has improved ever since he’d been infiltrating William’s lessons from time to time.
Well, let’s just say Sherlock got one point as an effort of at least writing his own name down.
After checking all the papers, William excitedly takes his cane and wears his tophat; of course not forgetting the present Bill gave him, placing the lavender rose on his pocket and walking out the university whilst greeting his co-professors and students with a warm smile and farewell. He rides a carriage over to the train station, buying a ticket all the way to London.
“London..” William whispers to himself as he boards the train, taking a seat. “Oh, Sherly..” He amusedly chuckles, tightly gripping onto the rose. He closes his eyes to rest for a short while, with a smile tugging on his lips.
Once again, Sherlock has surprised William, and the said man isn’t even sure if he’d ever get used to the feeling.
When the train stops on London, William hurriedly walks out, wanting to keep himself as composed as possible.
Sure, William would be meeting his lover after countless days of not being able to send telegrams to each other; or even Sherlock hasn't gotten the chance to attend some of William's classes, previously picking the professor up from his job and taking him out on a small date, but – this is finally an opportunity, a time to be able to celebrate his birthday with Sherlock after a long, tiring day.
William stops his tracks to think of his family back in Durham, yet he continues on, feeling like a teenager again by sneaking out just to see a special someone.
Sherlock, the name that constantly clouds William's mind.
Sherlock, the name that William was once too scared to admit to what he felt.
Sherlock, the name that has accepted every flaw that William had – from the scars that his adoptive mother gave him to his bloodied hands – Sherlock embraced it all, always so gently.
Sherlock, oh, Sherlock.
What a beautiful name.
William halts right outside of 221B Baker Street, the door just a few steps away. He takes a deep breath, releasing it with a sigh hoping as though his problems would go away with it. Just for today.
He knocks on the door after much hesitation, and it swings open in no less than a second to reveal – “Louis?” William surprisingly calls out as soon as he sees his brother, and Louis smiles warmly.
“Brother,” Louis happily greets back, moving out of the way so William can come in.
“I didn't expect you here,” William says with a small chuckle, and Louis maintains his smile as he replies:
“Well, you become a lot more predictable whenever Mr. Holmes is involved.”
William doesn't deny anything.
And as William walks in, everyone is gathered – or rather squeezed in – at the narrow stairs, including his whole family, and Sherlock with his friends.
To hell with luxurious birthday celebrations.
William would pick this on any day.
Louis closes the door, guiding William to stand in front of them and taking the book from his hands. Obviously Sherlock is in the middle of the crowd, grinning from ear-to-ear.
“Liam–” Sherlock welcomes, clearly trying to suppress his eagerness and urge to kiss William right then and there. “Happy birthday,” he successfully finishes, pulling out a pink rose for William to hold.
William gingerly takes the rose, unable to hold back a huge smile daring to tug on his lips. He couldn't say anything more when Bond screams “Happy birthday, William!” Like a madman, throwing himself to William and hugging him close.
A hearty laugh comes out of William as he catches the playful Bond, turning and putting him down. The others take Sherlock away from the spotlight, walking over to William and greeting him a happy birthday.
Moran is one of the people who are as enthusiastic as Bond, yet still being able to control himself as he pops open a rather expensive liquor, greeting a loud “Happy birthday!”
The second batch are Fred and Jack, with the latter patting William's head and giving him a small “Happy birthday, and I wish you all the best in life, Little Will.”
Fred simply gives William a nod and smile, charming anyone around who sees him.
Albert greets William as he holds up a fine wine bottle, patting on William's shoulder. “I also made you a handmade sweater, Will. See for yourself when we arrive home.” He says, earning a distant shudder from Moran.
William hums, “I'm thrilled to see it, Brother. Thank you.”
“You are?” Albert excitedly questions, “it has you and Sherlock knitted on it!”
Sherlock seems to be uninterested, still deciding to nod and smile either way at his superior – or rather, William's big brother.
Louis gives William a loving hug, grinning as he whispers in one breath, “Happy birthday, brother. If Mr. Holmes ever hurts you, I won't hesitate to decapitate his head and bury him deeper than the very depths of hell.”
“Oh my lord, Louis.” William smiles meekly at his unbothered lover, laughing it off and letting Louis go.
John and Ms. Hudson cheerfully walk to William, humbly greeting him.
“You're always welcome here, Mr. Moriarty.” Says Ms. Hudson, slightly squeezing William's shoulder and moving to the side for John to greet him with a brightened smile.
“I hope you enjoy your birthday, William. It's nice to have you here at our much-loved 221B.” John nods once, going out of his way for Sherlock to finally talk to William properly.
“Sherlock.” William leans in, placing a chaste kiss on the detective's lips.
“My Liam,” Sherlock grabs William by his waist, pulling him in for another kiss. The professor lets him, even eagerly wrapping his arms around Sherlock's broad shoulders.
They pull away once Louis clicks his tongue, with William slightly chuckling. “Thank you for this, everyone. You can all drink to your heart's content now.”
Everyone cheers, going up to where Sherlock usually stays.
“Let's hope they won't move my violin around; I still have plans to play for you once we get some alone time.” Sherlock proudly shrugs, taking a cigarette out and placing it between his lips.
William raises a brow, “And what will you be playing for me?”
“Something dramatic, something that will move you.” Sherlock daringly responds, and William laughs.
“I look forward to it, Sherlock.”
Sherlock lets out a whine as he lights his cigarette up, both his hands cupping William's sides that almost circles around his waist. “Call me Sherly. Or your beloved – or anything you're comfortable with.”
“Hmm… Why would I?” William teasingly queries, giving Sherlock a quick kiss on his cheek.
“Because I want you to. Just for today.” Sherlock smiles, taking his cigarette away from his tempting lips and breathing out to the side.
“Beg for it?”
“As much as I'd like to, Liam, begging just isn't my thing.” Sherlock shrugs, not as fast as bringing his cigarette back when William takes it from him.
William hums, heaving in the smoke and huffing it out in Sherlock’s face. “Suit yourself... Sherly.”
Sherlock effectively lights up at the endearment, pulling William upstairs.
“Are we going to where the others are?” William follows behind, letting Sherlock lead him anywhere; since the said detective knows very well that William would, undoubtedly, follow him blindly.
“Let me show you someplace else before we celebrate with them.” Sherlock vaguely says, walking up the attic and opening the window to the rooftop. He climbs out, holding a hand out to William. “Shall we talk up here, professor?” He teases, yet William kindly takes his hand.
“My, aren’t you such a gentleman?” William counters, pulling himself up with little help from Sherlock.
As they sit comfortably on the rooftop, Sherlock fights for his own cigarette back as William bluntly laughs at him, finally giving in when Sherlock is oh-so close to crying. William hugs a pouty Sherlock from the side, peppering the raven-haired man with small kisses on his cheek.
William finally lets go of Sherlock as he admits to forgiving the professor, and the latter lets a sigh fall out of his lips. Sherlock tilts his head, taking his cigarette out and throwing it to god knows where. “What’s wrong, Liam?” He cautiously asks, scooting nearer to the blonde.
“... I was thinking…” William leans back, looking at Sherlock with curiosity. “How did you convince everyone to go here? It must have been pretty difficult, hmm?”
Sherlock rubs his nape, chuckling. “Well... You could say that. Your brothers were about to murder me not until I mentioned your name. I also thought of giving you hints to bring you here, but you must have already known that you’ll be led here anyway.” He reasons out, slightly brushing his shoulder against Wiliam’s.
The blonde giggles, deeply endeared by Sherlock's effort of bringing his family all the way from Durham to here. “They seem to like you.” William comments, and Sherlock looks at him with a smile.
Sherlock's eyes soften, reaching a hand out to tuck a stray hair behind William's ear. “You look lovely, poppet.” He whispers, his other hand taking a red rose from somewhere William couldn't see, all too distracted by Sherlock leaning so close that he could just jump right in and kiss him.
“This red rose is for you.” Sherlock states the obvious, his palm clasping the back of William's hand – and what do you know, their hands fit perfectly against each other.
“The last rose... my love, admiration, passion for you... never withering...” Sherlock gently continues, raising their hands up and kissing William's as he hands over the rose.
“My Liam.” Sherlock fondly calls out, kissing William's forehead. “Happiest birthday to you once more!” Sherlock brightly says, hugging William close even before the said man could react to the detective's sudden statement.
Sherlock pulls away, holding William's shoulders. “Should we go down and get wasted? Oh – and you can sleep in my room tonight.” He winks, eagerly pulling William back down to the attic.
William grins, “I'll gladly accept your invitation, Sherly. Thank you, again… For everything.”
The ebony-haired man stops, beaming at William. “Anything for you, my Liam.”