Chapter Text
Five Years Ago
Location: Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire –
One of Moriarty’s hideouts.
Time: 07:01 AM
-“WHAT?! What do you mean no? You said I was in! Don’t tell me you just changed your mind”-Sebastian Moran blurted out loudly. Never taking his eyes off the black haired man in front him. He was fuming
-“Calm down Seb. If you don’t lower your voice I might have to gag you”- James Moriarty said softly - “but I forgot you like that”- He continued, giving the blond man a flirtatious smirk
-“Cut it out. I’m serious.
You want me out of this, so you’re sending me away? And you won’t even tell me where you are going to meet. What the fuck Jim?”- The man raised his voice once again
-“Seb, I told you to calm down”- Moriarty said shutting his eyes –“I know what I’m doing. Besides, this is only a precaution. This way you’re out of everyone’s sight. Well, maybe not out of Mycroft’s, that ship may have sailed”- He opened his eyes again as his voice went into a high falsetto at the end of that sentence.
-“Yeah, because the second most dangerous man in London needs to hide and be protected like a little bi-”
-“Uh, Uh. Watch your language Tiger”- Moriarty interrupted him and after a pause, continued -“You know I hate repeating myself. Do you really want me to do it?”
-“Oh, pardon my fucking language. And would you, please?”- Sebastian snorted, sarcastically while raising a hand.
Jim’s face fell into an expressionless mask, putting his hands together on the desk and following with his gaze Sebastian’s every move. The man looked like a caged tiger. Furious and impatient, moving back and forth
-“Come here”- Jim ordered. His voice was soft, but threatening
Sebastian hated when his boss put on that mask, but he never stopped obeying.
-“On the desk”
Sebastian got on the desk on his knees, facing him.
Jim grabbed Sebastian by the collar.
-“This is between Sherlock and me. It has always been our game. And yes, I did include you once, but not anymore. So you can’t stop complaining and acting like a jealous bitch now, or leave”
There it was again. "The game". Sebastian couldn’t help but to feel hurt by Jim’s words.
He put himself together. He was used to Jim’s mood swings, but never knew when to expect them.
-“Jim”- Sebastian whispered, keeping his intense gaze fixed on the Irish man -“I’m worried about you. That’s all I care about. You”
Jim let him go, but waited for him to finish.
-“Did you ever consider this might be a set up? You said it yourself; the detective might be your equal so what if he pulls something you don’t expect him to do?,”-He took a deep breath and then continued –“Tell me. What happens next? On one hand I feel you might be in danger and on the other… I’m afraid you’re never satisfied”
Jim kept examining his face for a while as he noticed Sebastian looked genuinely concerned. His eyes started to shine again and his expressionless mask fell off once he gave the blond man that smile made him feel weak.
-“Oh, basher”- He slowly got up and then leaded his hand to Sebastian’s cheek.
The sniper wasn't sure if it was the right moment, but he couldn't help himself so he daringly took Jim's hand on his own and gently kissed it. His fear turned into surprise seconds later when he realized it was the first time his boss didn't jerk his hand away nor did he show a disgusted expression on his face, as he looked up to meet his gaze.
-"Just do as I say and I'll be back in a few days. Get onthe plane and once you reached the destination, wait for me"- Jim said softly. His large dark eyes were so focused on Sebastian's it seemed he was trying to hypnotize him, and apparently it worked.
-"Okay"- Sebastian sighed in resignation. He knew he could never change his mind.
He was Jim's best man: unconditionally Loyal, a formidable assassin, tough, and despite his harsh expression, Sebastian is a really handsome man
They were the most dangerous men in London and they worked together. Unfortunately for him, this wasn't enough.
Although Sebastian Moran was strong and had unerring instincts when it came to hunting his prey or protecting his boss, he lacked his astucity and for this reason, he wasn't an adequate to "play the game".
The game he hated so much. But everything was coming to an end, and his was waiting for it happen, but after a few minutes of silence, he realized Jim wasn't as happy as he expected him to be about his "play date" with the detective, as Sebastian called it. The man was completely unreadable, but he was sure his boss seemed... disappointed?
-"You're going to love Positano."- Jim finally broke the silence.
He watcheds as Jim's expression went from disappointment to boredom. Opening a drawing, he took the FN Browning GP-35 he kept in there and Sebastian's eyes widened as he watched he played with the gun.
-"You said you’re not going to shoot him"
Jim decided to ignore the man standing behind him
-"The wine, Oh, you’re gonna love that too"- He said walking away from Sebastian and refusing to meet his gaze
-"Jim” Sebastian approached him and carefully grabbed him by the shoulders, stopping him in mid-pace.
The Irish man froze and then slowly turned to face the sniper. -“I won’t”- he finally answered
-“Then wh-”
-“Just in case”- Jim interrupted him crudely.
Sebastian wasn’t convinced by this answer, but it would be ridiculously unwise of his boss to show up unarmed, considering what he just told him.
-“So, are we clear?”
-“Yes, boss”
After this, Sebastian left the room and went to his to prepare his suitcase. They were going to be a long time away and he had to bring all the equipment they needed.
Hours later, Jim was gone. He hated saying goodbye, so Sebastian was planning on text him once he got to the airport.
On his way, His phone vibrated. It was Jim.
“Are you there yet?”
“Close. Are you?”
Jim didn’t answer.
Minutes later, he was about to reach his destination, but before the car got any closer to the Jet, Jim finally answered:
“Don’t cry, Basher. Don’t you fucking dare.”
A sudden feeling of angst made Sebastian’s eyes water and his stomach twist
-“Stop. Stop the car!”- He screamed at the driver. “Turn around. London, Now!”
-“But sir, the boss was cl-”
-“I DON’T CARE. Just do it, NOW!”- Sebastian demanded, interrupting the driver. The Man hesitated for a moment, but did as he was told.
The sinking feeling started to take over the sniper when Jim ignored his calls.
It was a set up. The fucking detective gave Jim to his brother. Or maybe even worst… Someone changed his mind.
How didn’t he see this coming? He’s been working for/with this man long enough to know he could lose him over the hit of the moment, If he was extremely bored or disappointed. He was right before.
Jim never told him where he was going to meet Sherlock, so he called the sniper in charge of the operation, the one who was supposed to kill John.
-“Where’s Jim?” -he demanded as soon as the man picked up the phone
-“The boss told us not to tell you or anyone about his location”
-“Tell me now, Roscoe, or I’ll fucking kill you”-
-“Sorry. Can’t. Gotta go now”-
-“Hang up on me now and your mom, your daughter and even your dog dies”- Sebastian deadpanned.
It only took that to get the answer he needed
“St- St Bartholomew’s Hospital, Sir”
He hang up and instructed the driver.
-“For fuck’s sake Jim. Pick up, Pick up the damn phone!”- He repeated multiple times
Once they were getting closer to the Hospital, Sebastian decided to get out the car and run, since traffic wasn’t making it any easier. He run like he never did before.
He made it to Bart’s front. There was blood, so much blood on the sidewalk, but there was no way of knowing if it was Sherlock’s or Jim's
“It has to be him. The detective jumped after all”- he whispered to himself.
His heart was beating violently against his ribcage as he got inside the hospital and reached the emergency stairs.
He opened the last door. There was no one there. He started walking impatiently all over the place, until he saw it.
A big pool of blood on the floor and what appeared to be little pieces of… a brain?
Sebastian froze but he forced himself to scream: “Show’s over Jim! You really exceeded any expectations this time. We can leave now!” – He said laughing weakly and shaking his head. He still expected Jim to show up
-“C’mon Jim. We have a plane to catch. Aren’t you going to spank me for disobeying?”- Tears pouring down his face.
He froze again and seconds later he hit the floor on his knees, hard in Jim’s pool of blood
-“Jim? Please, Jim. PLEASEE!”-
He’s Gone. He thought Mycroft probably sent someone to take his body, like he sure did with Sherlock’s. He couldn’t even savor his death now.
He knew Mycroft wanted Jim locked or dead. He finally got what he wanted, but he paid the prize too
Jim is dead and he couldn’t do anything to save him. He ignored his instincts and wasted precious time. He failed to protect the one living person he cared about.