Sherlock reached his hand out, slightly shakily and felt John's pulse. Fast. Faster than normal. Then it clicked. It all clicked inside his mind and he looked back into John's eyes. The pupils... No... John couldn't really be... "J-John..." Sherlock's voice sounded unsure. Definitely something that didn't happen a lot.
"Sherlock." He swallowed his nerves and didn't allow his gaze to waver from Sherlock's.
Sherlock pulled his hand away from where it had stayed on John's arm. He used it to gently sit himself up on the couch. He turned to face John, ignoring the sharp pain in his side. "John, I..." For once, Sherlock had no idea what to say.
John was at a loss for words. What could he say that his body hadn't already said? He looked back to the floor.
Sherlock and John sat/stood in silence for a few minutes before Sherlock finally broke it. "Me too."
John blinked and then turned to look at Sherlock. "What?"
"Me too." He repeated.
In disbelief, John had to form the words in his mouth before he could say them properly. "You... t-too...?"
Sherlock nodded. He almost felt ashamed of himself. He had sworn to himself he would never fall in love. Love was for ordinary people. But then again, that was before he met John...
John took a deep breath. This was certainly a shock to his system, and most of the oxygen had left his lungs. "And you're...sure?" He sat next to Sherlock on the couch, careful to keep at least 6 inches between them.
Sherlock took a shaky breath. "Yes."
"You don't sound very sure."
Sherlock gave him a sideways glance. "I'm sure."
"Okay," John exhaled, and placed his right hand between them on the couch, rather absent-mindedly. "Now what?"
Sherlock's eyes darted down to John's hand. Was it too early for that or...? It was so frustrating for Sherlock since he knew nothing about dating or anything like that. He sighed and ran his hands through his hair.
"Something the matter?" John looked at Sherlock, slightly concerned.
"Not really... I just don't know how to do any of this." Sherlock admitted.
"I know," John smirked. He reached over and touched Sherlock's arm. "Do what feels right and I'll help where I can."
Sherlock looked over at John and nodded. "Okay..." He even smiled slightly.
John smiled back and gently stroked Sherlock's arm.
Sherlock felt a small shiver go up his spine. He had never really been touched affectionately before and he quite enjoyed it... Much to his surprise.
John watched Sherlock's body language, and decided it was ok to reduce the gap between them
As John moved slightly closer, Sherlock's mind finally sorted all these thoughts and accepted what was happening. It was a nice change.
"I'm sorry I never said anything. I may have been a soldier, but I'm a coward where feelings are involved."
Sherlock looked down. 'It's fine, John." He assured, placing his hand over top of the one John had on his arm. "Better now than never
"It wouldn't have done well with me for either of us to die someday without you knowing that I love you."
Sherlock's heart skipped, like, six beats. That was the first time John had said the three words out loud. It sounded beautiful. 'Yeah. That wouldn't do."
"But you know now," John smiled.
"Yes, I do." He smiled back.
John pondered it for a moment. He realized he had always said it in his head, under his breath, in his sleep, and even whispered it when he was alone. He looked Sherlock directly in the eyes and, smiling, said, "I love you, Sherlock Holmes." It was the first time he said it all out loud. His heart swelled with emotion. It felt so right coming out of his mouth.
Sherlock was unable to speak for only a moment before he allowed his feelings to take over and respond correctly and truthfully. "I love you too, John Watson."
John's happiness was almost overwhelming. He leaned over and kissed Sherlock on the nose.
Sherlock's pale cheeks reddened slightly, though it showed a lot because of his extremely pale complexion.
John smiled even wider, if that was possible. "That's a charming look on you. That's the most color I've ever seen you wear," he teased.
"Oh, be quiet." He grumbled, though he had a smile on his face. Sherlock gazed into John's eyes and for once felt completely safe and accepted.
John's gaze darkened, but not in a malicious way. "Why don't you make me?"
"Is this a challenge?" Sherlock asked playfully. He knew what John was hinting at but couldn't help but feel almost excited.
"It would seem that way, yes," John grinned.
"Well, I accept this challenge." Sherlock said as he shifted slightly closer to John, being careful with his side.
John had to avoid looking at Sherlock's chest to maintain eye contact, which was difficult as he was still shirtless...and glorious. "Try me."
Sherlock smirked slightly and nodded, leaning down slightly so their foreheads touched. "You are mine now." He whispered as he gazed into John's eyes.
John's breath caught in his throat. This was unexpected, but it was most certainly welcome... and sexy. That smirk. That voice. The way he whispered. Those eyes. It was almost too much. He whispered back, "For as long as you'll have me around, Mr. Holmes."
Sherlock grabbed the front of John's sweater almost roughly and pulled them together into a kiss. He had never really kissed before, but it was easier than it looked, so he just rolled with it.
John was pleasantly surprised by Sherlock's assertiveness in this department. He smiled, closed his eyes, and melted into the kiss, wrapping his arms around Sherlock's shoulders
Sherlock also adjusted himself into the kiss, making it sweeter than it was. He felt more feelings he'd never felt before but accepted them. This was his 'new' life.
John sighed happily, and reluctantly pulled away from the kiss, slowly. "Wow", was all he could manage.
Sherlock nodded in agreement, though his slightly deeper breathing was making his side hurt again. He winced slightly but shook it off.
John smiled, "I may be your best friend, and I may love you, but I'm still a doctor. Take it easy with that wound"
Sherlock nodded. "Yes, yes. I'm fine, John. I've been through worse." He muttered.
"I know that, but if you do anything to disturb the healing, it's going to hurt worse. I don't like seeing you in pain."
Sherlock sighed then nodded. "Yes, Mother." He muttered under his breath.
John reached up and grabbed a small handful of Sherlock's hair at the back of his head and tugged on it, not painfully, but enough to get Sherlock's attention and to exhibit control. "Don't you sass me, Sherlock bloody Holmes."
"Ack-" Sherlock rubbed the back of his head. "Okay, fine." Sherlock leaned back against the couch.
John admired Sherlock sitting next to him for a brief moment before leaning over and softly kissing the space below his ear.
Sherlock didn't say anything, only looking at John through the corner of his eye.
John rested his head on Sherlock's shoulder, a concerned look on his face, "What's the matter?"
"Nothing. Why must you assume something is wrong every time I do something?" He asked, leaning his head on top of John's head.
John's brow furrowed, but he smiled a little anyway. "I just told you that I love you and we kiss and you sit here, quietly, not doing much. It looks like something is wrong. That's all."
Sherlock shrugged. "Well, you're the one that just told me to be careful with my side." Sherlock responded snarkily.
"That doesn't mean you have to sit in silence and do nothing. It just means that I don't want you to over-exert yourself and cause further injury. You can do things, you just have to be gentler than usual," John explained.
Sherlock sighed but nodded. Only a fool would argue with their doctor. "John... Why do you love me?"
John sat up, a little surprised. He had never really put it all into words before; it was just something he had been feeling that continued to grow. Sure, he had fought it for a while, but he had come to accept it.
"Well, I love /you/ Sherlock. I love /who you are/. You never cease to amaze me. You're brilliant, wonderful, brave, and… beautiful. Inside and out. And, since I've come to know you, I've seen the heart that others seem to ignore: the heart that makes you human. You care, Sherlock. I know you do. I once saw you throw a man out of our window because he had hurt Mrs. Hudson, and you saved my life multiple times. Underneath your inconsiderate, arrogant, detached superhuman exterior is a man with a heart, dreams, and feelings."
Sherlock felt actual tears prick the corners of his eyes and he did all he could do to keep them from falling. That was the most amazing thing he'd ever heard anyone say, and it almost made him cry. Cry with happiness, that is. "John I... I don't know what to say," He muttered.
John smiled softly.
"You don't have to say anything. But I do mean it, Sherlock."
Sherlock felt his head rest against John's shoulder without thinking and he closed his eyes. "Thank you." He breathed.
John turned his head, buried his nose in Sherlock's curls, and kissed the detective's head.
"Why is it that /you/ love me, then, Sherlock? I'm ordinary, boring, and nothing special. I'm just John Watson."
Sherlock chuckled slightly. "You're extraordinary. You are one of the only people that care about me. You understand me most of the time and you don't just... Give up and leave. You're an amazing person, and that's just the inside.
John started to melt, but he wanted to hear more, this being the first time he ever heard Sherlock not only talk about feelings, but about the way Sherlock felt about him. He smirked, "Oh? Just the inside? Is there something about the outside, too?"
Sherlock felt his face go slightly red. "You... You're the cutest and most beautiful man I've ever met, John. I can't even begin to describe the feeling. The way you talk with facial expressions, your nose, your lips..." He trailed off and paused for a moment. "The way I want to run my hands through your hair and never let go."