Songs of Sherlock
Prompt: Sherlock brings back his old piano keyboard from a visit to Mummy Holmes, and surprises John with the fact that not only can he play piano and violin-he can sing too. (John/Sherlock established relationship)
Sherlock grunted as he finally succeeded in manoeuvring his old instrument up the stairs to 221b. He placed it down on the living room table, and leaned back against the wall to catch his breath, glaring at the offending instrument. He had stayed at the Holmes Manor for a week, and his mother had insisted that he bring it back home with him to learn to play again. Sherlock had, of course, mastered both the violin and piano, but still- he preferred his violin. It sounded so much nicer. He groaned as he noticed his name in the side of the keyboard In his childish print. Glancing at his watch, he determined that it would be at least an hour before John returned from work. He pouted briefly, beginning to feel the slight touch of boredom already.
Well...if he must keep the infernal thing here, then it wouldn't hurt to just, brush up on his piano skills. To prove that he could still do it if nothing else.
Sighing in defeat, he sat down on the couch and started to play a few simple warm-up pieces, before deciding to challenge himself and learn a new song. Of course, it probably wouldn't be much of a challenge for him, but at least it would occupy him while John was still at work. He grabbed his laptop, and went to google some song options, before deciding on "The Scientist" by Coldplay. The title had appealed to him more so than the others, so why not? He opened a browser to listen to the words, which helped him with the flow of how he should play a song. Hm. His initial thought was that the song reminded him of himself and John strangely enough, and with that in mind, he strengthened his resolve to learn it.
He kept the notes on screen, and began to practice.
It took him only four tries before he had it memorized, and on the fifth try, he could play it flawlessly. He rolled his eyes. He knew it wouldn't be a challenge. He continued to play it anyway, simply because he liked the song-a fact that annoyed him deeply. Why get attached to songs? He sighed again. Oh well. At least he chose a song that reminded him of John. He started to play again, and without realizing it, started to softly sing the words. He had always been good at singing, as it was a musical skill, but usually preferred just playing an instrument by itself. Although now that he thought about it, he supposed that singing sounded better with a piano than his violin. He decided to play it a few times to ensure that he knew it, and so he continued to play, memorizing the words more each time.
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John happily finished work, grabbed a cab, and began his short journey home, grinning all the while. The driver probably thought he was crazy, what with the look on his face, but oh well. It was the day Sherlock returned, and if John was right, than he should be waiting at home right now.
When he arrived at Baker Street, he threw the right amount of bills at the cabbie, and eagerly opened the door, prepared to make his way upstairs. Once inside, he paused, confused. He was used to hearing music from Sherlock when he arrived however, definitely not the piano. He listened again. Yes, it was definitely coming from 221b. He made his way upstairs, and opened the living room door silently, a little stunned at what he saw there.
Sherlock was sitting with his back to John, apparently engrossed in a small keyboard he was playing. When John squinted he could see the words, "Sherlock Holmes" in a child's handwriting. Joh smiled. It was adorable. So it was an old instrument then. After a minute, John realized why Sherlock hadn't noticed him yet, and he felt a start as he heard that Sherlock was singing too. And he sounded beautiful, John thought. John had always loved the sound of pianos, and hearing Sherlock play...it was the most beautiful sound he had ever heard. Deciding against interrupting him, John leaned against the door, and listened to Sherlock begin the song over.
Come up to meet you
Tell you I'm sorry
You don't know how lovely you are
I had to find you
Tell you I need you,
Tell you I set you apart
Tell me your secrets
And ask me your questions
Oh and I rush to the start
Running in circles,
Chasing tails
Heads on a science apart
John smiled, a little sadly, as he heard the words to the song. As far as he could tell, it was a perfect song for him and the detective.
Nobody said it was easy
Oh, it's such a shame for us to part
Nobody said it was easy,
No one ever said it would be this hard
Oh take me back to the start
Sherlock, still engrossed in his piano, didn't notice John had arrived home, and was still playing absent-mindledly. He had of course, realized at some point that he was singing the words softly, but decided that he didn't care. At least he was good at it.
I was just guessing
At numbers and figures
Pulling the puzzles apart
Questions of science,
Science and progress
Could not speak as loud as my heart
Oh, tell me you love me,
Come back and haunt me,
Oh and I rush to the start
Nobody said it was easy
Oh, it's such a shame for us to part
Nobody said it was easy
No one ever said it would be this hard
I'm going back to the start
Sherlock finished beautifully, and sat quietly after, taking a break.
"Beautiful."
He stiffened for a moment as he heard John's voice from behind him. Apparently he was so focused on playing that he hadn't noticed John arrive home. He was still for anther second before running up to him, and pulling him into a long kiss.
"I missed you." Sherlock said when they finally broke apart. He was bit breathless, but grinning at the fact that John was home again.
"I missed you too." John smiled. "And I didn't know you could play piano."
Sherlock blushed. He hadn't meant for anyone to hear him.
"I prefer violin." He muttered.
"I thought you sounded beautiful. And not only your playing. I didn't know you could sing either."
Sherlock shrugged. "Yes well, mother always encouraged me, so I suppose I'm okay at it. And I had wanted to learn a new song, and this one seemed rather appropriate for you and I." At this he smiled at John, and then sat down on the couch, pulling John down into his lap.
John laughed, and rested his head on Sherlock's chest, and wrapping his arms around him. "Yes I noticed that too." He paused "Maybe it can be our song."
"I'd like that." He heard Sherlock murmur from where his face was buried in John's hair.
"I've always loved piano." John said after a few moments of comfortable silence. Sherlock widened his eyes. Well then. Maybe he could learn to like the piano more after all.
"I could play for you sometime." Sherlock offered. "I rather enjoy learning new songs." Well, he did now anyways.
"I'd like that." He heard John say, as he snuggled further into Sherlock's chest. Sherlock smiled fondly, and wrapped his arm around John's waist, glad to be back at home with his army doctor at last.