The One-Shot: Civil Partnership

by Motaki

Nonslash, fluff. What the title says, between Sherlock and John, in an in-character way. Short, sweet, to the point, in an attempt to banish writer's block. Will eventually reappear as a chapter in "The Dark Side of the Moon", but it begged to be posted, so yeah.

Oneshot:

Civil Partnership

{Author's Note: This is a splitoff from "The Dark Side of the Moon". It will eventually show up as a chapter, but I really wanted to show it off now.}

{This is, as far as I can see, the most in-character version of such a thing that I can imagine. I think I've handled it well.}

{Is it obvious this was born of writer's block?}

**

"It's a matter of practicality, John," Sherlock moaned, turning dramatically. "Surely even you can see the benefits."

John coughed slightly, staring intently at the window opposite his armchair.

"Sherlock…" he said slowly.

"Oh, come on!" Sherlock snapped. "It's a yes or no question. You know it better than I do."

His arms dropped.

"Please?" Sherlock asked quietly.

Slowly, John's eyes tracked to Sherlock's.

"Yes."

**

The pen clicked in Sherlock's hand, scratching against the paper. It clicked again as he reflexively banged the end of it against the wood of the desk, before realizing his mistake and passing it to John.

"Sorry," he muttered.

John's lips twitched. "It's all fine." He reactivated the pen, then signed his name.

He turned to Sherlock, who smiled, just thinly.

Just this one time, Sherlock Holmes let sentiment show.

"Angelo's?" he asked softly.

As they walked out, side by side, the identical rings on their fingers glinted in the sunset.

"Sure."