When both himself and John were at home, Sherlock insisted on coming for a case. Although John wasn't entirely sure if it were the truth, he allowed him to tag along.
So here they were. Christmas eve in Hyde park walking side by side with John, laughing and smiling.
What could be more perfect, Sherlock wondered, then he glanced passed John and the answer was clear.
Sarah Sawyer…
It wasn't as though he hated Sarah, in fact it was the opposite. He was actually jealous of her , to a point. His jealousy had begun late November when John had become preoccupied with finding her the perfect gift.
'I don't know what I should get Sarah for Christmas.' or 'Do you think Sarah would like these earrings?'
How had he expected Sherlock to even know what she would want? Sure he could know practically someone's entire life within seconds doesn't mean he knows what they would want for Christmas.
Even though he repressed the thought, there was a part of Sherlock that was jealous of the intimacy. It was something he didn't consider with others, until John came along.
Something in him had changed the day they had met.
"John, look." Sarah pointed to a nearby ice skating rink then gripped his hand tighter with a huge grin, "Can we? Please?"
John turned to Sherlock, an uncertain tone in his voice, "Sherlock?"
Sherlock raised an eyebrow. He questioned to himself as to why would actually be asking or permission.
How could John even expect him to say no?
Sherlock rolled his eyes and nodded, before following the two to the skating rink, "I suppose it will be a good way to blend in."
They rented three sets of skates, slipped them on and were off onto the ice within minutes. John and Sarah went ahead together, but Sherlock stayed back for a few moments, staring at the ice as though it had done something to insult him. He slowly stepped on, holding onto side, his feet shaky.
He watched John and Sarah gliding across the ice with ease while laughing for a brief moment.
Sherlock sighed as he pulled himself along the wall in attempt to get used to the ice and skates. He slipped once, and pulled himself up with ease, but the second time he slipped over he struggled.
Noticing Sherlock struggling, Sarah let go of John's hand and left him where he was for Sherlock. "Come on," she smiled as she held out her hand, "Come skate with us."
Sherlock rolled his eyes and pulled himself back up, holding onto the side. Sarah shrugged with a small smile. "Well, if you want us, just call." she grinned before she skated back to John.
He felt as though he must have looked like a cat on laminate from a distance, his legs flailing everywhere. To the worlds only Consulting Detective, it was quite embarrassing and childish.
From her expression, Sherlock could tell she was talking about him, and no doubt John would skate over, insisting on skating together.
Damn…
John kissed Sarah on the cheek then skated to Sherlock. "You alright?" he asked as he leaned against the wall next to Sherlock.
"Go back to Sarah." He ordered with a sigh, "You shouldn't be concerned with me."
"You haven't learnt a thing have you. After all this time, you're still an idiot." John grinned, "I can't enjoy myself knowing you're not enjoying yourself."
Sherlock gave a small smile then stared off at the Christmas lights surrounding the ice skating rink.
"What is it?" John nudged at Sherlock's arm, "Tell me."
Sherlock looked at John for a moment before staring straight ahead. "I can't skate."
"It wasn't obvious at all" John laughed in a sarcastic tone, "Why didn't you just say so? We didn't have to do this."
"How could I say no?" he asked, "You both wanted to skate."
John took Sherlock's hand in his own and pulled slightly. Sherlock tightened his grip on the wall as he looked down at their hands, almost stunned.
John skated closer to Sherlock. "Trust me, Sherlock." he whispered, "I won't let you fall."
Sherlock griped John's hand tighter as he released the wall. John laughs as he pulls Sherlock closer to link arms with him. John began laughing to himself as they skated back to Sarah.
"What?"
"Nothing, it's just…" John paused for a moment, "You don't know how to skate."
Sherlock frowned as he clutched the John's jacket, "It wasn't on the top of my list, John. It was never necessary."
"Well, at least you're learning now." John grinned.
Sherlock smiled as John continued to lead them towards Sarah. Sherlock glared at Sarah who was laughing at how he was clinging to John's arm.
"Can I teach him the basics?" John asked, "Then I'll come back."
Sarah continued laughing as she nodded.
"Thank you."
While Sarah had gone to get hot chocolate for herself, John had taken both of Sherlock's hands in his own and began skating backwards, causing Sherlock forwards.
"Baby steps." he grinned with a wink, "Hold on for your life."
"Shut up." Sherlock tightened his grip on John's hands as he moved forward.
Sherlock knew there must have been a small amount of pleasure on John's behalf for knowing something that he didn't. He wasn't bothered by the idea completely, because now John was preoccupied with teaching him.
John held back a smile before pulling Sherlock close, "You're such a child."
"How am I?" Sherlock sighed, "Because I don't know how to skate? Why should that matter?"
John slowly let go of Sherlock's hands before skating to his side and taking a hold of his hips. Sherlock placed his hands over John's, still reluctant to skate on his own.
"I'm not sure Sarah likes this idea." Sherlock commented, "She's been staring at us non-stop since we started. Her expression changed from amused to suspicious about two minutes ago."
John shrugged as he gripped Sherlock's hips tighter then pushed forward. "Shouldn't be an issue. She did tell me she was fine with it."
Sherlock let out a small sigh, thinking that perhaps she changed her mind. When he looked at John, there was something new, something different in his face that he couldn't quite figure out.
In his distraction, Sherlock accidently caught the ground, causing both himself and John to fall to the ground. He wrapped his arms around John as the other man landed on top of him. He groaned in pain for a moment before breaking into a fit of giggles.
"I-I'm so sorry, Sherlock." he managed through his laughter, "That was an accident."
Sherlock clasped a hand over his mouth before he began laughing himself, "So much for not letting me fall."
John pushed himself up enough to see Sherlock properly, opened his mouth to speak, but paused when he saw into those piercing stormy eyes.
"That was yo…" He mumbled before pressing his lips to Sherlock's, his final words drowning in their kiss.
It had taken Sherlock by surprise when he had responded, running his hand up John's back to his neck, not wanting to break their kiss. Of course he knew it would end when John realized -
"Sarah"
There it was, Sherlock thought as John pushed up off of Sherlock's body. He glanced over to where Sarah stood, an expression of shock and hurt in her face. Sherlock sat up, watching as John hurried over to her.
…It's always my fault…
Sarah changed back into her normal shoes, while John talked to her, trying to calm her from what Sherlock could see, but she kept shaking her head.
Once back in her normal shoes she pointed over to Sherlock for a brief moment then crossed her arms.
Sherlock could only imagine it was one of those 'It's either him or me' fights and he didn't want that for them.
John glanced over his shoulder with an exasperated sigh, then back to her. Moments later Sarah just walked away, trying to hold back tears.
…Always…
He pulled his knees close to his chest, as John came back, a forced smile on his face. "Come on," he held his hand out for Sherlock to take.
"Will it always be this way?" Sherlock scoffed as he took John's hand, "It shouldn't always be me, John."
John hummed in response, linking arms with Sherlock and then continued skating.
"Why didn't you go after her?"
John shrugged, then rested his head on Sherlock's shoulder. "As you said," he smiled, "It will always be you. There is no changing that."
Sherlock rolled his eyes, and pulled away only to slip on the ice and be pulled back. With their bodies now pressed together, Sherlock could see the warm smile forming on John's face again.
How could I have been so blind? He's always been there when I called. Every single time, he would drop everything and come back to me.
Sherlock raised his hand, lightly brushing his fingers against John's cheek. John closed his eyes, leaning into the touch. Sherlock hesitantly leaned closer, pressing a chaste kiss to John's lips.
Always and forever, he will come back to me…
When Sherlock broke the kiss he wrapped his arms around John, burying his face into his shoulder.
"Are you alright?" John asked as he wrapped his arms around Sherlock.
"It's fine. It's all fine." Sherlock mumbled into his shoulder, "Merry Christmas, John."
John smiled then placed a kiss into his dark curls, "Merry Christmas, Sherlock."
