Sherlock snapped his head around to face John, slightly startled from the realisation of the man's words. He closed his eyes ever so slightly and bowed his head. When he looked up again John receive an apologetic gaze from the detectives eyes.
"John, um ... I think you should know that I consider myself married to my work, and while I'm flattered by your interest, I'm really not looking for any ..."
The doctors eyes widened at the gravity of what had just happened. Asking this man whom he had met a day ago out was not his intention at all.
'No, No! I wasn't asking you..I mean.." He corrected. Embarrassed at his degrading attempt at small talk. Something churned in his stomach, a new feeling that wasn't there. Was he sad? Of course he was not upset. He was not even gay for christ sake. He wondered if Sherlock was though. The way he did not deny being in a relationship with John was a curious matter. Perhaps he just did not care what others said about him. John did not know. Sherlock didn't seem to buy what he was saying. The way John stumbled over his words did not exactly help his case.
"I know you mean well.." He began, leaning over, grasping John's hand and kissing his cheek lightly, a gesture he had given many times to assure those he had turned down that he did not wish to cause harm. John felt Sherlocks's cheek brush against his own an impulsively kissed it in return. The doctor was left bewildered by his actions. The way the detective had done it so casually without a second thought sent a chill down his spine. "But I can't. I am sorry."
They no time to discuss the matter. Before John had a chance to respond, Sherlock was already putting his coat on, gesturing to a taxi cab that had pulled up outside.
The case. Of course. How could John forget?
Just a silly little thing I wrote. an alternate version of the scene at Angelo's. ^.^