Secret Santa ficlet for purpurnena!

The request was Sherlock and Molly fluff. Ficlet below the cut!

Molly let Sherlock into her flat. The cat wound around his legs as she helped him to a seat on the couch. “I’ll get you some tea,” she said, stepping into her kitchen. The man was silent, eyes quickly slipping closed. His injuries had been tended quickly and quietly and he’d said he had arrangements to leave London within the next two hours.

“Sherlock you have to keep your eyes open. Might be a concussion.” She set the tea down in front of him.

He frowned at her and leaned forward to sip the tea, moving carefully.

Molly didn’t expect thanks or gratitude. She’d worked with him for years, after all. And now she’d helped take apart his world. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to face John any time soon. Turning away she started to leave him be when he reached over and took her hand.

Biting back a gasp, Molly turned and looked down at him. He looked….vulnerable. She sat down next to him and just held his hand while he sipped his tea.

Finally he set it down and looked at her. “Thank you,” he said quietly

Molly smiled sadly at him. “Won’t be the same here without you.”

Sherlock’s eyes hardened and he looked away, retrieving his hand. “I have to do this.”

“I know.”

The door rang and Sherlock tensed. Molly got up and opened the door a crack. “There’s a cab downstairs.” The woman was gone before she could respond.

With a sigh, Sherlock got unsteadily to his feet. Molly put an arm around him, halfway giving him a gentle hug. “You take care of yourself.”

Sherlock met her eyes. “I couldn’t have done this without you.”

Molly smiled. “Go on, cabs waiting.”

She watched him go, smile fading as he went out the door. Wherever he went next all she could do was hope and pray that he’d be able to come home safe.