Chapter 1 — What If I Want To Kiss You?

"John?"

"Hmm?"

"How do you know you're not gay?"

"I fancy women, Sherlock."

"How do you know you fancy them?"

"I find them attractive. I enjoy being with them. I like them. "

"But how do you know that you don't just appreciate them aesthetically? And enjoy their company? And like them as friends?"

"If you want to kiss someone, you don't just like them as a friend."

"What if I want to kiss you?"

"Then I think you should."

There was a beat of silence.

"But you keep saying you're not gay."

"I never said I was straight."

When one has eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how mad it might seem, must be the truth. Sherlock had to know the truth. With a look of determination on his face, he gave John a quick, chaste peck on the lips.

Before Sherlock could process the sensation, John surged forward, wrapped a hand around the back of his neck, and pulled him down for a kiss that was anything but chaste.

It was actually happening. After seven years of wondering about it, dreaming about it, and trying not to think about it, this was finally happening. Sherlock's eyes flew open, and he took an abrupt step backwards. "You kissed me!"

"Well, to be fair, you did kiss me first."

"Yes, but that was just an experiment to test whether or not I'm attracted you. Which I — apparently — am. But I didn't think you felt that way about me."

"Not such a genius after all, then. I've wanted you since we first moved in together."

"But why did you never say anything?"

"Because you're my best friend, and you told me you were married to your work, and I didn't want to ruin our friendship."

"John, nothing could ruin our friendship. You should know that by now."

"I hope you're right."

"Of course I'm right. Now shut up and kiss me."

As John complied, however, Sherlock felt a sudden burst of shyness. He pulled away.

"Are you okay?" John asked.

"Of course. It's just that this is all new to me."

"It's new to me, too. I've never actually been with a man before."

"But you've been with women. You have experience. Unless it was for a case, I've never even kissed anyone before today, let alone done anything else. I just don't know if I'm ready for all of this."

"Sherlock, look at me," John said, placing a hand on his cheek.

Sherlock flushed at the unfamiliar contact, but despite his embarrassment, he felt himself leaning into John's touch.

"There is no 'all of this' except what you and I create together. We never have to do anything that we don't both want to do. We'll figure it out together, okay?"

"Okay."

"So, may I kiss you again?"

Sherlock nodded his assent, and tentatively met John's lips with his own. At first, his brain went into overdrive, cataloging temperature, pressure, and a dozen other variables. Soon, though, with John licking hungrily at the edges of his lips, Sherlock began to lose focus. He parted his lips slightly and allowed John to deepen the kiss.

As John began exploring Sherlock's mouth with his tongue, Sherlock moaned and fisted one of his hands in John's hair. With his other hand, he grabbed John around the waist, pulling their hips together. The second he felt John's erection press against his own, though, Sherlock gasped and shoved John away.

John released him. "Too much?"

"Sorry," Sherlock said, trying to catch his breath. "This really isn't my area. I just need to cool off for a minute, okay?"

"Yeah, okay," John said, and Sherlock noticed that he was panting slightly, as well. "I really wasn't trying to push you into anything, I promise."

"It's not your fault. I just got a little carried away."

Then, hearing his own words, Sherlock chuckled and said, "Well, I guess it is your fault that I got a little carried away, but you know what I mean."

"Yeah. No problem."

"So, can we take that from the top? But maybe with a little less tongue?"

"Sure," John said, moving back in to give Sherlock a restrained brush of lips.

"I didn't say no tongue," Sherlock complained.

"You're so demanding," John teased. But he made up for it a second later by giving Sherlock a kiss that was just right.

End Notes: This story has not been beta'd or Brit-picked. If you notice any errors or Americanisms, please let me know.

There will be a total of 15 or 16 chapters, the first 12 of which I've already written. I'll be updating on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Please review! :)