Sherlock is fully aware of Molly's feelings for him 

 (Sherlock meta by mizjoely, bassfanimation and theleftpill

mizjoely:

“After all not all the men you fall for turn out to be sociopaths.”

Why are none of us talking about the fact that this line shows definitively that Sherlock is fully aware of Molly’s feelings for him?? He defines himself as a sociopath, so he’s obviously talking about himself (or at least including himself in a select group of men) - ipso facto, he knows how Molly feels about him.

Guh. I will never be able to write a post S3 story where he’s oblivious of her feelings!

bassfanimation:

I’ve always thought of Sherlock as being very aware that Molly has feelings for him. I think the Christmas scene sealed it for them both. Unfortunately, it also forced them both to acknowledge that it was “impossible” for them to be together. Neither of them let the feelings be forgotten, but they both have had to compartmentalize it and try to ignore it. Sherlock can’t love, or at least he doesn’t want to love. We may never know why according to Moffat’s universe. Molly sadly accepts that because she doesn’t want to change him, even if it means he’ll never return her feelings. I like to think this is something Sherlock truly does love Molly for. She would rather love him from afar than to make him change for her, in any way, shape, or form. Him knowing that he has the love of someone is something he cherishes, even though he would never tell a soul.

theleftpill:

Oh yes, Sherlock knows exactly how Molly feels for him - evident in their first exchange: when Sherlock asks her about her lipstick after beating the corpse, his gaze lingers on her with a knowing expression. He knows exactly what’s up. Where I find the progression is in Sherlock’s reaction to that sentiment. S1 has him using it to his advantage, to utilize her and manipulate her to do his bidding - that is, when he wasn’t dismissing it. That starts to change when Sherlock calls out her “boyfriend” as gay and upsets her; he’s surprised by her pain and crestfallen. The Christmas party is the turn for me. Not only does he fully realize the extent of her love for him, but he reacts strongly in return. Not in love, not yet, but enough regret and affection that Sherlock apologizes for being an ass to her. Then he goes to her for help with the Fall - not to manipulate it from her, but because he accepts her affection and embraces what is freely given. In S3 he begins to return it in Sherlock-y ways; inviting her to solve crimes, bringing her further into the “circle” (engagement party), asking her to help with the stag night; and ultimately he has her in his head, literally, saving his life once again. While I’m not sure that returning her love is yet canon, there’s certainly plenty of fodder that proves he not only knows of her feeling, but returns it as best he can in the ways he knows how.