— “ YES WELL, perhaps if i had any rough inkling of where & when you’re going to show up… i might have had more time to prepare, get us a better spot on a better night. ” the detective’s words were played off as nothing more than his usual dry dramatics; but sherlock couldn’t help but feel a sting of truth to his words. a truth he put a great deal of effort into not thinking about in fear of perhaps facing emotions he wasn’t quite ready to face. still, he knew he was being a tad bit unfair in this instance. he knew irene wasn’t critiquing him or his efforts. quite frankly this food was over priced for the quality of it; & only a few select seats would actually have a decent view. so, with swallowed pride ( something he was capable of on occasion ); sherlock softened. — “ at least, we’re here. it’s been a few months since we’ve had more than a couple hours. ”
“ I know, I know— I’m sorry my love. I didn’t mean it to come across as ungrateful. ” Reaching across the table, her hand blindly finds his own upon the cloth, their fingers instinctively interlocking as she gazes upon him with a somewhat remorseful expression, softened only by the gentle, pleading curve of her lips. “ The flight’s just knackered me out, that’s all. We could be sat in Nandos for all I care. ” Irene had, indeed, pulled the short straw for this visit, the seven-hour flight time between New York and London weighing heavy on her as she forced herself to remain awake. “ Sitting here, doing this with you, it’s enough. It’s always enough. ”