bedheaded boys

that, and that you both hate nobles

so it’s no surprise when the moriartys move into town, you’re both less than pleased

you always try your best to avoid them whenever they come into your town and your father always begs his friends to take the nobles as customers, despite the fact it could be good for business

but the town you lived in was particularly small and you did end up bumping into william

literally

some stupid man didn’t see you crossing the road and you were nearly crushed by the carriage if it hadn’t been for the hand that pulled at your wrist

“i swear people these days don’t know how to drive carriages.”

you don’t know who you were expecting

BUT ANYONE BUT A NOBLE

“are you alright?”

“i’m fine thank you—“

you’re absolutely flustered

how did i not know that this was a noble??? he smells so clean!

“i’ve got to be on my way now!” and you left william there with no explanation

but lil did you know he actually knew who you were

or to an extent, you weren’t as sneaky as you’d hoped you’d be

he saw you hiding in corners and alleyways every time you two accidentally made eye contact

and some of the townsfolk actually told him a little about you and your father so he understood why you weren’t too welcoming

but to take great lengths to avoid him??? he is very intrigued

so he starts off small, trying to send you a kind smile before you dart off behind a fruit stall

he really tries his best to get close to you and after a few weeks (and a few persuasive friends), he finally gets to hold a conversation with you

and boy does he fall FAST

it takes a while but you finally reciprocate his feelings and he thinks its smooth sailing from there right???

lmao everyone knows your father is literally the most intimidating looking man that could ever walk the earth

if they didn’t know him personally, they would be afraid of getting curb stomped 🤠

i mean,, he’s a big softie but god forbid anyone even DARES to look at you in a romantic light

you warn william of this and he’s like “don’t worry love, it shouldn’t be too bad”

it is bad

even william has cold hands bc your father is giving him the dirtiest look

dinner isn’t even dinner it’s a grill with how much questions your father is asking him

it does NOT help that he’s a noble

“so,,, you’re a noble”

“your cooking is amazing sir”

your father leaves the table for a little bit and you can hear the quiet sigh of relief from william

“i’m sorry for my father”

“no, no,,, i just,,, your father’s really intimidating, isn’t he?”

you let out a chuckle and william relaxed, a soft smile gracing his lips

“he can be, but it’s just something he does.” you threw a wistful gaze at the door your father disappeared before.

“he’s just worried about you, i can see it. he doesn’t want you around people like me.” you grabbed his hand over the table and he gently squeezed your hand.

“if anything, if he’d give you a chance, he’d want me to be with you. noble or not”

you both continue to have a delightful conversation, your sweet laughs filling the room

however, you didn’t know your father was listening in on your conversation and he couldn’t agree more with william

your mother left with more than just a curt goodbye and unshed tears

she left you with a tear stained letter filled with sorrowful regrets and sincere apologies

he knew you would eventually grow up to be critical of the world and if you were to find out that your mother had left unwillingly, he was afraid that you would be too bitter towards the world

but as he hears your laugh and his worries are dulled down a little

he sees you smiling so happily at william and when he chances a glance at the noble beside you, his worries are completely erased

william’s looking at you the same way everyone swore he looked at your mother

it’s a gentle gaze filled with love and kindness, one that he knew could protect you and take care of you

your father hated nobles and hovered over you when it came to love

but he couldn’t help but hold back on questions when he came back and you instantly noticed that your father took a liking william

louis: 508 words

everyone knew you as “Little Noble” in your town

the sole reason being your father literally treating you like a noble lmao

he gave you the best of everything he could afford and tried his best to not let you do any work

tried

of course, you were a little angel and you HAD to help otherwise you’d cry about making someone else tired when you could’ve easily helped

you’ve carried this trait until your early twenties and there were no signs that you would stop

hence why you were bringing home some fresh fruits from the stall clerk before a man bumps into you

you were so caught off guard that your knee buckled and you fell on your butt

everyone was stunned into silence as you fell but louis was so apologetic

so when he helped you back up, he felt the chilling stares of the town burning into his back

and then you apologize for bumping into him when he was the one who bumped into you and you fell??????

“please, let me make you something! i feel so bad!”

he tries to decline but there was this odd pressure to say yes to you

he ends up going home with you

you’re both in front of the door before your father opens it, his eyes wide

“who is this boy?”

“oh, i didn’t get his name on the way here. what is your name?”

your poor father’s heart is pounding way too fast for his liking

“oh! look at that, thank you so much for bringing my child home! you should be going home now”

he tries to shut the door on louis but you hold it open and beckon louis inside

“i invited him here! i accidentally bumped into him earlier so i offered to make him something!”

louis is so awkward pls

your father reluctantly lets him in but gives him a side eye the whole time he’s in the house

“does your child do this often?”

“why? do you find it strange?”

YOUR FATHER IS SO PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE PLEASE SAVE LOUIS

anyways, you finish making your treat and give it to louis, your father glaring at your interaction

louis is still a little stiff but the more you talk to him, his guard is let down a little

soon enough he has to leave and you wish him well

he leaves with a wave and a kind smile and you look over at your father who had been scowling since you appeared at the front door

“he is a bit cute, don’t you think father?”

your father sputters, stunned by your bold claim

“y-you’re still too young to think about men like that!”

you laugh and shut the front door, teasing your poor father about finding love while also wondering if you would meet louis again

as you talk with your father behind closed doors, louis smiles to himself as he thinks about the unusual encounter today

surely, if i met them again tomorrow, it would make for a pleasant day

albert: 546 words

he meets your father before he meets you

it was during a ball your parents organized in order to connect with the more prestigious nobles around you

your parents were obsessed with the way your family was viewed and apparently being an earl wasn’t enough

so albert hears about you when your father boasts about how you’re the perfect child who answered to his every beck and call

in all honesty, albert was disgusted

no one deserved to be brought up like that

he casually makes his way into the conversation and your father is seething

“my child is your age, it’s a shame you act like this, i would have thought of you as a prime husband for them”

who is this earl to tell him what to do?

needless to say your father crosses him off of the guest list for the next ball

days go by and your father doesn’t know that you’re currently in town, doing what you can to help the working class as best as you can

it is on one particular day of visiting an orphanage do you run into the eldest moriarty brother

you two exchange polite greetings and you both pause

“your father is the earl, is he not?”

“you are a general of the army, are you not?”

a brief mention of your father and your mood dulls slightly

“yes, but i’m here on my own accord”

he would kill you if he found out you were amongst the “filth” as he called them

“well, i’ve brought books for the children, would you like to help me read some to them?”

he seemed sincere enough to not want anything more from you, so you agreed

he was actually very pleasant to be around and you find yourself enjoying his company

the meetups continued to happen and soon enough, albert finds himself standing in front of the doors to your family estate

your father is not pleased at all

“it’s nice to meet you again, sir”

“i didn’t forget about what you said to me at our first meeting”

and you’re sitting there like,, ????? they’ve met??? and your father doesn’t like albert???????

of course, inviting albert to your home would have repercussions but you didn’t expect your father to be so hostile

he was always hostile towards other nobles unless they were of higher importance than him

but for him to hate albert so quickly and openly??? this was quite new

you had mentioned that your father has always been one for power so it was clear to albert that you obviously grew up in a home that was more,,, toxic than protective

it was at dinner that this behavior reached its peak and albert despised the atmosphere and the way your father treated you

“i’ve come here to ask for your child’s hand in marriage”

your father rejects the idea without any hesitation

“i refuse to have them live the rest of their life in your household when they could do so much better”

when you invited albert that night, you knew there would be repercussions with your father

but what you didn’t expect was that you would leave your father and adopt the moriarty name as your own, the family welcoming you with open arms

it takes you like ten minutes to process everything that’s going on because: “i’m dreaming right??? or did i actually shift???

after finally accepting the fact you indeed did not shift and are not dreaming, you finally looked at the man who had stayed silent during your incoherent ramblings

“you seem more awake now, is it alright if i ask a few questions?”

hhh he’s such a gentleman

you both honestly take this whole time shift thing really well

louis definitely walks in on you two and he’s like,,

“who tf are you and how did you get in”

sdjkfhd pls its so funny when you guys converse

his speaking manner is so refined and yours is just,, yours

but he loves it

he thinks its cute

he comes up with a story for you because there were people who were no doubt going to question how you came into his life

and from there you two hit it off really well

accidentally said you two were to be wed during a conversation and the nobles went insane

when you are on the carriage ride back from the party he apologizes for saying something so out of line

“i wouldn’t mind being married to you, william.”

this man always has something to say but THIS

YOU

he wanted to respond with something witty but you just,, existed and made him melt

“let’s go buy a ring tomorrow then.”

asks you questions about the future

only trivial things, never if his plan works in the long term

but judging by the way you talk about your previous life he can tell that everyone is somewhat equal, except for “the dumbass politicians” you speak about

oh did i mention he picks up your swears too LMAO

louis: 459 words

 he’s heading back to his room when you come OUT of his room

“who tf are you, how did you get into this house, and why are you here”

instant kill mode

you think you’re dreaming so you’re like,, ok cool and you tell him most of your life story and he’s like

??????

has never been more dumbfounded in his life

who is this person and what are they wearing and why are they telling me their life story

eventually the rest of the moriarty team gets involved and matters are settled lmao

you all agree that staying in the manor is the best course of action at the moment

louis thinks you’re taking this a little too well so he’s still a little sus of you

like seriously,, the future?? cmon now

the people you’re working for probably made those weird clothes for you

but anyways

you’re helping him clean the house and cook

“this is fun,,, but honestly?? if i have to do this by myself everyday i would cry”

you keep saying this and you know it’s getting annoying for louis but he ISNT TALKING

if you can’t beat em, annoy em

finally gives in

“how did you used to wash clothes in the future?”

and you get this big smile on your face and you start TALKING

you’re so excited that he finally spoke to you

even tho you know you lowkey annoyed him

but you’re talking and louis is like,, huh

you’re talkative, but not annoying at all

you have little stories that make him laugh sometimes

needless to say you both get closer

but it isn’t until one night louis is making rounds around the manor that he passes by your room and hears crying

so he’s worried and he goes into your room

bruh you try pulling that shit where you wipe away your tears and be like “oh i’m okay!”

like,, no u aren’t

louis makes you spill what’s bothering you

“my friends, my family… are they okay? are they looking for me?? they must be so worried”

note that you’ve already been at the moriarty estate for about two months without any word that you can return to your own time

and louis holds you

he teaches you more about the year that you’re currently stuck in and he tries to take your mind off of the bad things

asks william to buy more books to indulge you bc you have some book withdrawals bc “WHAT DO YOU MEAN A TALE FOR THE TIME BEING HASNT BEEN PRINTED YET” followed by a short crying session

he’s a really good boyfriend

you taught him what a boyfriend was and he couldn’t stop thinking about how much society’s view on relationships changed

albert: 579 words

is walking down the streets at night when he sees you barreling down the road in your clothes

you look pretty scathed when you run right into him

“are you alright?”

you’re scared and out of breath but he’s wearing what you can only assume is a uniform of england

he takes you to his place and tries to calm you down

he asks you questions and you tell him everything straight out

you know you look crazy but you couldn’t bring yourself to care

you were just walking back from a friend’s place IN BROAD DAYLIGHT and you felt dizzy and you woke up alone in a dark alleyway

“where are you from?”

you obviously give him your city but he corrects himself

“what year are you from?”

“2019”

doesn’t want to believe you bc you’re all frantic and maybe insane

but your clothes just seem to different for him to brush off the possibility

tells you to sleep it off and gives you his bed

he’s already writing a letter to his brothers that he’s possibly coming back with someone

“ohoho brother albert has a suitor now?”

anyways, albert asks you more questions about your other life as you’re both on the train to durham

albert went out to buy you more fitting clothes before leaving and you couldn’t even repay him

but he tries to get you in a comfortable position so you don’t spiral again

but he’s genuinely nice about it when he finally accepts the fact that you are in fact from the future

funny enough, you both don’t get each others names until you get onto the train

“oh, my name is albert james moriarty”

and you’re briefly like “oh like sherlock’s nemesis” but then you remember that this is only the victorian era

sherlock holmes doesn’t exist, it’s just a coincidence

so you both get to the manor and he introduces you to the moriarty team and this is where you’re like,,

oh my God

this is real and i know the ending

you suddenly want to travel back further in time and never meet them bc they’re all really sweet towards you

and you got attached to them more than you should have

albert notices you’re a little tense so he makes small conversation to get your mind off of things

“i do like to play the piano”

bro

they have a piano delivered to the house to make you feel more comfortable and hopefully keep you occupied

itching and nostalgic (ironic), you play songs from rachmaninoff and joe hisaishi, despite it being from the future

everyone knows chopin so shhh

“that’s beautiful, did you compose that?”

“no, but another composer did, i don’t even think he exists yet”

you’re very adamant on keeping things the same

like,, no i’m not going to tell you how to create a washing machine because i don’t want to mess up the timeline if i do go back to the future

you do get very sad occasionally because you are homesick and being placed in a world where you have only heard stories of is very disorienting

but albert and the boys make up for it

albert always tries to be by your side and if he can get his hands on a piano sheet he’ll buy one for you and see if you already know it

it’s always nice to have them around, but you know the troubles you’ll eventually have to face

It was when they first saw you at a tea party, your parents looked perfect, not a hair out of place. You, however, had lightly stained clothes and messy hair. It disgusted Lady Moriarty. How could a baron have the gall to have their child look like that in public?

It was at that same tea party that you met Albert James Moriarty. He had taken an instant liking to you after he saw your untidy state. He heard the whispers about your appearance and the disappointment you brought to your parents but he couldn’t help himself from approaching you.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I must smell horrid.” You apologized when you saw Albert coming closer. The boy laughed as he stopped in front of you. “No need for apologies.” He smiled and you let out a soft breath. “You smell fragrant if you ask me.” He said, referring to your extremely strong citrus perfume.

Your eyes widened before shaking your head. “I knew Mother sprayed far too much perfume on me,” You muttered before Albert laughed. “You seem disheveled, are you alright?” A light smile crossed his face when you offered him a chair for him to sit down.

“I was busy helping around town, I forgot to check the time and left in a hurry.” You smiled and Albert’s eyebrows raised. “I would have looked more presentable if I managed my schedule correctly.” Albert shook his head and watched as you leaned on the table, which would have gotten him an earful from his mother if he repeated your actions.

“You’re giving me the look.” He tuned back into your voice and he saw your uninterested face. “How old are you?” He watched as your lips quirked into a small grin and you leaned back. “Quick to the questions, aren’t we?” He rolled his eyes and you chuckled.

“I’m 11.” You caught the glint of surprise in his eyes and Albert huffed, an amused look on his face. “You’re quite testy, aren’t you?” You both leaned back, sly grins both on your lips, no doubt enjoying the unidentifiable atmosphere.

“You mustn’t be much older,” You quickly replied and his green eyes narrowed. “I’m 13.”

“So you aren’t much older!” His heart skipped a beat when you laughed. “I’m (Y/N) (L/N),” You said, sticking out your hand for him to shake.

“Albert Moriarty.”

And thus, your friendship began and quickly blossomed into what can only be called childhood love.

You two had often kept in touch through letters, much to the displeasure of his mother. Not only was she disgusted by your unkempt appearance, but there was no reason to entertain a family of a lower status. You and your family spent too much time around the “filth” in the town, and she refused to have Albert tainted by your nonsense ideals.

A few years passed and Lady Moriarty decided to hold a 16th birthday party for her eldest son.

Of course, by Albert’s wishes, she reluctantly sent out an invite to your family.

“Where are your parents, dear?” She asked in a sickly sweet tone as soon as you stepped into their manor.

Thankfully, you looked much more presentable in her eyes, but the stench of the working class was stuck to your clothes. “They couldn’t make it today, so they wanted me to send their regards.” You smiled, hands folded politely in front of you. You watched as her eyes turned cold and she moved to the side, her face painted in a forced smile.

“You might want to change your clothes, darling. It could prevent you from finding a suitor if you continue to grow up that way.”

The comments never stopped since then. Since Albert was around you most of the time, they never physically attacked you.

Of course, you being you, you caught onto their implications quickly. You had to persuade Albert that he should leave it alone, but it never sat right with him.

It was on one day your parents invited them over that Albert had finally had enough.

“You don’t have to hold your thoughts in about my mother, you know?” He muttered as you both sat in the library. You looked up from your book, a somber smile on your face. “It’s nothing I haven’t heard before, Albert.” He hated the way you were criticised, especially when you did nothing wrong.

“My father’s simply a baron.” You sighed. “If I complained about someone of higher status than him, I wouldn’t dare think about the consequences.”

Albert huffed, putting his book down. “They think they’re so powerful just because of Father’s name. The most he is is an earl.” He stared at you intently before a thought crossed his mind.

“I know we’re young, but will you be my spouse?” A strange noise came out of your throat and you quickly shut your book. “Albert!” You sputtered, face hot.

You had harbored a small crush on the Moriarty brother, but only your wildest dreams have you ever heard him utter those words. “We’re not even--”

“My mother wouldn’t make snide remarks anymore. You’ll be treated with the respect you deserve and I’ll make sure of it.” He was so sincere you almost agreed.

“Albert, I appreciate the offer, but we’re nowhere close to the age of marriage!” You exclaimed and he smiled. “Then I shall wait for you until you’re 19.” The genuine tone in his voice made a shy smile blossom on your face.

“You promise?” Albert smiled and his heart fluttered at your breathtaking smile. “I promise.”

He really intended to keep it. He promised.

But when he saw his mother and brother attempt to frame his adopted brothers, every little comment that they made about you and everyone lower than them filled his mind with a calm fury. It was when the Moriarty manor burned down did he realize that your promise would have to wait longer. He was heartbroken that he would make you wait longer than needed, but his mother and brother dying in that estate brought a sense of relief.

That was three fewer people that would no longer harass you anymore.

you know he thinks its all fake

tbh you’re not even bothered, so many people have told you to “get lost” bc they didn’t believe in it either

however, you both find a middle ground after he saw you hustling some nobles at a party

it’s a perfect combination

you get money and william gets easy access into nobles’ manors

sometimes he catches you picking out cards for yourself

he likes it bc you get a cute smile on your face when you pull a card

he also stays with you when you do pick your card bc u tend go quiet for a bit

nothing serious, just meditating

he falls asleep sometimes and when you are finished meditating, he’s sleeping quietly and ur heart just,,,

man needs some rest too please he’s always thinking

does entertain you though

is it bc he’s also lowkey curious??? we’ll never know

he asked you to read his cards once and the smile you gave him when you knew he was being serious made his his heart just,, boom

dw you’ve been doing this long enough to know you won’t be biased in your readings

has thought about taking it seriously

i mean,,, your cards did give good advice and they were pretty effective

comes to you for readings when he’s really REALLY stumped on how to go about some things

all in all 10/10 bf

louis: 182 words

tries to be nice about it lmao

oh you were able to read for someone? amazing! can you help out around the house now pls i beg

doesn’t really like having something other than his brothers telling him what he is supposed to do

after all, their word is kinda law??

but after running into sherlock on the train, he’s kinda confused

why would william let him sit with them? why would they help catch the criminal? sherlock would have easily solved the case himself

isn’t william’s team enough? why lead sherlock on and possibly incriminate himself?

so he’s not too thrilled

he comes to you, extremely hesitant

because no, tarot cards are not for telling the future like what everyone thinks

but because cards are supposed to help during troubling times

you have to remind him of that

there’s no divine powers, nothing supernatural, just fate and the world giving you advice

does it in secret though

and you respect that entirely

he is definitely more comfortable around it now tho

but he won’t go to another tarot reader

only you >:/

albert: 207 words

hhh you first meet him bc he paid you to do his reading

he didn’t believe in it

but he was bored and was like “i have nothing better to do”

you also tell him that it doesn’t predict the future

so your cards give him the advice

and he used it once 

it worked wonders

so he was like,, aight maybe i should see that reader again

but when he sees you again, there’s a woman harassing you and he steps into your aid

you thank him with a free reading

he wants to get to know you better after

so he takes you to a restaurant you are FAR underdressed for

he doesn’t care and so you both start chatting

fancies you INSTANTLY

he knows you can swindle people if you don’t like their energy

not by giving them false advice, but just really, really, really vague answers

introduces you to his brother and team

you’re very pleasant to be around so they accept you immediately

albert becomes very protective of you around sebastian

he’s just jealous lmao

you help the men get close to their desired target easily

and his mind opens just a lil when you read for him