"You've been spending a lot of time with this 'Greg' at the pub." Sherlock suddenly stated.
"Yes. Greg's a good friend." John didn't look up from the tea he was making.
"Do you no longer wish to see me in the… romantic sense, John?"
"Sherlock- What- Why would you think that? Because I've been going to the pub with Greg? You know I don't like him!"
"How exactly do I know that?"
"Oh for God's- Lestrade! Greg is Lestrade's name!"
"So you've been going out with Lestrade?"
"If you mean going out to the pub with a friend after a stressful day at the clinic, then yes, I've been going out with Lestrade. If you mean dating Lestrade, then no. That would be you that I'm dating, you jealous idiot."
Sherlock pouted. As John set a cup of tea down next to him, he grabbed John by his waist, pulling him down on his lap. After a few moments, John broke the silence.
"You know, I would never leave you. I couldn't." John spoke into his lover's chest.
"Oh?"
"No, you're too… you."
"Most people say that's a bad thing."
"Well, I'm not most people, am I?"
"No, you're certainly not… Can I ask… Why do you not dislike me?" Sherlock sounded strangely vulnerable in that moment.
John took a second to consider his words.
"You are amazing because… there's no one else in the world like you. There's no one who would be so good at or happy with what you do. You amaze me with your wit, logic, deduction, but most of all, your heart. I don't think anyone really knows how deeply you feel, not even me. I only see glimpses of it. And I love it. I love you… simply you."
Sherlock's eyes widened and his mouth was agape.
"You- you really think so?"
"Yes." The answer was heartfelt, yet simple. "Most of the time anyway. Sometimes you can be a real thick bastard."
Sherlock's brows knitted. He looked down only to see a smirk on the other's face.
"Oh. That was a joke."
"No shit, Sherlock." A moment passed where giggling sounded through the flat. Then Sherlock sobered quite suddenly.
"You really love me?"
"I do."
"I love you, too, John. I love you." He sounded amazed.
John looked up sharply. His eyes welled up with moisture. John buried his head in Sherlock's chest, wetting his shirt with tears.
"Why- Why are you upset? I thought that was an acceptable thing to say when you have strong feelings of affection equating to love for-" Sherlock's words stumbled out of his mouth in a rush of worry.
John looked up again, a grin on his face. Then leaned forward, resting his forehead against Sherlock's.
"I'm not upset. I'm happy. So, so happy. I honestly thought that I'd never hear that back. Not for any lack of feeling, but because you might be unsure of what it is that you're feeling. I- I thought I'd have to live with just the look on your face. And now- Now you've gone and said what I thought I'd never hear. I'm so, so happy." The smile on John's face never faltered. Sherlock brought his mouth into a kiss, slow and gentle.
"Well. I think we might have to thank Lestrade next time we see him."
"Hm?" John questioned contentedly.
"Oh, nothing. It's just that his… willingness to drink with you has led to our little conversation here. Or maybe we should thank all of your difficult patients and coworkers at the surgery."
"I don't think there's any need for that. Now, drink your tea before it gets cold." To demonstrate his point, he took a sip of his own cooling tea.
Sherlock raised his cup. "To… jealousy."
"To jealousy!" John laughed.
A/N - Ok, so this is written as a sort-of gift to TiffanyLopez999, who I offered the chance to suggest an idea or prompt for me to write about, and she suggested a jealousy fic. I'm not all that into them myself, so I had to read a bit before writing one myself. It kind of turned into fluffy goodness, but I hope that's alright. It's sort of grown on me. Please let me know what you thought! Dftba! :)