Chapter 1

(JOHN'S POV)

The teacher handed out the letters for skiing, i took one. My eyes darted across the page until i read what i needed to tell me whether i was going or not. The trip was too expensive so I wouldn't be going. 'What a shame' i thought to myself, if i could go i would be spending ten days in a room with Sherlock, I his only friend and he mine.

"My dearest John, do not pout for you shall go to the ball" Sherlock said as he waltzed over to me.

"Sherlock, you know for a fact my parents...can't afford this" I said under my breath.

"And dear Cinderella, you know my parents can" he leaned towards me brushing my hair out of my eyes.

"But Sherlock..." I started but he cut me off.

"And they'll buy you all the equipment, I insist, anything for my John" he said taking the seat next to mine.

"Sherlock, are you sure, because it's only two weeks, I'll see you the day you get back." I felt guilty and a little embarrassed.

He shot up, looking down on me he said "I am not going to spend two weeks in Russia on my own" I tried to interrupt but he seemed quite determined to make his point "John Hamish Watson, I love you and I want to do this for you."

'God, I love you too Sherlock' I thought but I couldn't say that, I knew he wouldn't break my heart, but I couldn't take the risk. "Well, if you insist" I smiled at him, I wanted to tell him how much I loved him and how deeply I cared, but my heart had been broken so many times and I was still a little broken.

"It's settled then, call you mother to tell her the good news, and I'll call mine to book the tailor, how's this afternoon for you?" he asked, sounding very excited.

"This afternoon is good, this afternoon works for me I'll call her now" I replied pulling my phone out of my pocket. Harry had given it to me, it was a lovely phone I don't deny that, but it's a pity it came into my possession because of Harry and Clara's separation. I always admired them as a couple, they were so in love but nothing ever lasts in life.

"Voicemail" I sighed deciding to text her instead.

You aren't picking up Mum, I need to tell you something important - JW

I'm all ears darling - Mum

You text but don't pick up the phone, I'll never understand that. Sherlock and you are so alike, speaking of Sherlock, he's offered to take me skiing and I said yes, I have to got to his today, he's booking the tailor now - JW

I know, his mother called me, that's why I didn't pick up, although you do have a point. NOW BEHAVE WHILE YOUR AWAY - Mum

Love you xx - JW

Love you more xx - Mum

"She said yes Sherlock" I said putting my phone away.

Turning and sliding his phone into his jacket pocket he said "I know my mother called her this morning"

A little shocked I said "then why on earth did you get me to call her, what if I had said no"

"You wouldn't have, besides she wanted to hear your side of it, she doesn't trust me, she will though." He began to ramble about how he would win my mother's trust so I tuned out of the conversation.

Later on, when I was at Sherlock's we were having a conversation about what we would do, but I wasn't paying too much attention after all I did have an old man in a suit wrapping a measuring tape around me.

"John? John? Are you even listening to me?" Sherlock asked looking up at me.

"Sorry no, I was...a little side tracked that's all" I smiled down at him, I didn't get to do that often he was so much taller than me so I made the most of it.

"Well I was just saying that if you want, I can teach you to ski, I'm rather good so don't worry about the quality of you lessons. We could tell the teachers who are coming that your a good skier so they let you go off on you own, or rather you could go off with me. How does that sound?" His hands were placed under his chin as though he were playing, but obviously he wasn't.

"Sherlock, it sounds absolutely wonderful" it really did though the tone in my voice didn't reflect how happy I was. It was so generous of Sherlock to pay for the whole thing, he always did things for me, pity I couldn't pay him back. Well only in sexual favours.

"All done sir", the old man said putting away his measuring tape. "Mr Holmes I'll give you the bill when you pick everything up." He said winking at Sherlock who smiled back at him.

"Thankyou Mr. O'Brien, that will be all." Sherlock said still smiling, it was so false, but then again he never smiled his real smile except when we were alone. The old man left and I put my Scarf on "Are you leaving already John? I'll tell Mycroft to bring the car around" he said beginning to exit the room to call Mycroft before I stopped him.

"No Sherlock, I'd rather walk, I have some things to think about" I pulled his sleeve so that he would turn to face me.

"very well, would you mind if I walked with you?" He seemed rather eager to join me so I agreed.

"Come on, go get your scarf and coat." He ran off to get his long coat and navy scarf, I followed slowly behind him, admiring Holmes Manor for the hundredth time.

I heard him open the door then call "come on slow coach!" I quickened my pace to a slow jog and came round the corner to see mt Sherlock, his curly hair blowing slightly in the breeze coming through the open door, his cheeks were hollow, more so than before, I had to make him eat but he was so stubborn. His hand was extended out towards me, I took it and we walked into the night, locking the door behind us.

He wrapped his long arm around my shoulders and put his other hand in his pocket. I put my arm around his waist. It was so small I had to search for it under his many layers of clothing. As we walked out the gates, he came away from me to shut them, I offered to help but he didn't let me.

"Sherlock, did you want to talk about something?" I was growing more and more worried by his silence.

Returning to me he said "Err... yes John I did want to talk to you." He put his arm around my shoulders and we began to walk the walk that would continue to be the longest in my life.