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- Opposites Attract
- Sherlock and William were created as a set that's opposite to each other in almost all ways. Hikaru Miyoshi has explained that she gave Sherlock the color “blue” to match William’s “red” and that she designed both of their appearance, attitude and personality to be opposite of each other.
- One True Love
- Meeting each other changed both their worlds and lives, both explaining that they have found the only person to ever understand them. It’s repeatedly stated that William and Sherlock share a unique bond and can communicate in a way no one else can comprehend. In the end only Sherlock could save William as well.
- Star-Crossed Lovers
- William and Sherlock were constantly kept apart due to their circumstance and roles in the Moriarty plan, in which William and Sherlock are public enemies. William was also supposed to die before they had a chance to be together. They could only be together in peace after their “death” with their new life in New York.
- Screw Destiny
- William was supposed to die at the end of his plan while Sherlock lived on, which is also how the original Sherlock Holmes story by Arthur Conan Doyle goes. However, Sherlock decides to save William. Even when death seems certain for William anyway, Sherlock leaves behind his own life to join William in death instead.
Others[]
- Affectionate Nickname
- They refer to each other as “Sherly” and “Liam.” Billy noted it feels as if only Sherlock is allowed to call William that nickname.
- A Friend in Need
- Sherlock rescues William from certain death or dying alone. He is stated to be the only person that could save William and give him a reason to keep living.
- Cannot Spit It Out
- William could not express his true feelings to Sherlock's face due to their circumstance.
- Crush Blush
- Sherlock blushes when William tells him “Catch me if you can”, when he calls him “Sherlock” but then pretends he didn’t and when he compliments Sherlock’s coffee.
- Everyone Can See It
- Billy frequently teases them about their intimacy, especially about how much Sherlock dotes on William. Louis also thinks they act too friendly and is annoyed by how close Sherlock immediately acted with William. In the musical, Albert also talks to William about his affection for Sherlock.
- Hair Contrast Duo
- Blond and dark-haired!
- Just in Time
- William arrives in Vermissa to join the battle right when Sherlock and Billy are trapped in a building in the midst of gunfire. If William hadn’t arrived at that moment to help fight the scowrers, Billy and possibly Sherlock could have died.
- Love at First Sight
- Later into the series, it is revealed that for both Sherlock and William their first meeting and conversation was life-changing and detrimental. They both immediately felt an innate understanding and express an incredible interest in each other from the moment they meet.
- Love Is a Weakness
- William expressed in his letter that he enjoyed spending time with Sherlock so much that he even considered to throw everything away to be with him. This sentiment is especially significant because William had dedicated his entire life to the Moriarty plan— making Sherlock the only factor to ever waver this conviction.
- Love Theme
- “I Hope/I Will” from the second musical becomes a recurring song throughout the rest of the musicals. Although the lyrics are different each time, it will involve Sherlock and William singing the English “I hope [...]” and “I will [...]” and singing about their feelings for each other.
- Moment Killer
- Their interactions and conversations are frequently interrupted by other factors. A prominent example would be William visiting apartment 221B. When Sherlock confronts him why William chose him, the latter begins to speak but is interrupted by the Big Ben tower’s bell which prompts him to leave.
- Noble Man, Roguish Male
- Sherlock and William were created as opposites which is reflected in behavior and attitude. Hikaru Miyoshi explained that she designed William as an “elegant, beautiful gentleman” and Sherlock as a “masculine, lazy and free man.”
- Please Don't Leave Me
- On the cover of chapter 55, William’s phrase says “Catch me, don’t leave me alone.” to which Sherlock’s phrase is a response: “I finally caught you. I won't leave you alone."
- Pair the Smart Ones
- Sherlock and William are both considered genius; they can only be understood by each other.
- Together in Death
- Sherlock willingly follows William to their death, refusing to let him die alone.
- You Must Be Cold
- In the light novel, William asks Sherlock if he’s alright since it’s cold and then lends him his coat, although this is all part of a plan that Sherlock notices and plays along with.