consulting detective. consulting criminal.

very clearly two different titles, both a bit ridiculous in their own ways. one sounded like a sketchy, amateur private detective. the other sounded like a fancy way to describe a psychopath.

but things aren't always as they seem.

sherlock was surely no amateur, and he had proved that time and time again. you? a psychopath? maybe so, maybe not. but brilliant? absolutely.

you were one step ahead in every way possible, like your entire life was planned from the start. you didn't just get away with what you did because everyone else was stupid. no, not like other famous criminals.

you got away with it because you were just that goddamn good.

sherlock actually admired some part of this. god, he couldn't help himself. you matched his moves, you played the game.

... maybe he could see why you kept saying you two were the same.

"... what do you want from me?" sherlock asked, far too calm as he strolled into the room.

the pool. the same one where you almost shot and blew up him and john, just over a year ago.

and now here you were again, after tarnishing his name. burning him, like you said you would.

could this be the final problem?

"are you here to kill me?"

it was the only logical question. you had already killed the sherlock holmes name and brand. now he was all that was left. just a man, with nobody to believe his innocence.

and you, one step ahead of it all.