Bonus Epilogue

Sherlock was already downstairs enjoying the breakfast that Mrs. Hudson had made by the time John woke up. To be honest, John was rather glad; waking up next to Sherlock Holmes might have been just a little bit too disconcerting for the beginning of a new day. John attempted to smooth out his wrinkled clothes, but gave it up after a moment and headed downstairs to join them.

Mrs. Hudson was quite surprised to see him when he entered the kitchen. "Oh, John! I thought for certain you'd gone home last night. You see, I woke up in a nervous panic in the early hours, like one does when they've realized they've forgotten something. And I realized, I should have made you up a bed! So I went into your room with some blankets but you weren't there, and you weren't downstairs either, so I assumed you must have driven home after all!"

"No, it got too late. And I'm sorry you awoke on account of me."

"Not your fault at all, dear. But where on earth did you sleep?"

John felt his cheeks burn a little, knew they were coloring to what was probably a distinct shade of red. He glanced at Sherlock, who looked altogether impassive and bored. John looked back at Mrs. Hudson, tried to think of something to say, and failed.

His glance in combination with his expression must have said it all though, because a look of realization crossed Mrs. Hudson's face. "Oh. Oh," she squeaked, glancing at Sherlock now too. "Well as I always say, live and let live. You two do go quite well together. Although I do hope Mary knows already and isn't too hurt over it."

"Mrs. Hudson, it wasn't like that. He just knew I needed a bed. We just literally slept."

"Oh, of course, John. That makes a lot of sense, now that you mention it."

John looked to Sherlock for support and defense, but what he got instead was one of the cheekiest smiles John had ever seen him give.

John glared in response, then sighed in resignation. There would never come a day when being best friends with Sherlock Holmes wouldn't make him seem irrefutably gay, no matter how much he protested or even how much the very facts said otherwise.