Because I can. Neon Trees – Animal. My obsession for the couple began when I saw MonstersInside's video set to Animal on YT. Without MI this fic wouldn't exist (and I would've gotten some sleep last night). Whoever you are, MonstersInside, I love you as much as it is possible to love someone you have never met (which is still quite a lot, I think). Mention of her video is with MonstersInside's permission, whereas the copyright issue in general.. I think this falls under "Fair use". Some references to other shows.

Chapter 2

It had been some time since John had moved in. They had settled rather comfortably into a rhythm where John's sleep was constantly interrupted by Sherlock, whether it was for a case or because the man was playing the violin. To be fair, Sherlock had told him from the start he wouldn't be the best possible flatmate, and, furthermore, John knew he had annoying habits himself.

A few weeks had passed since the events of a Study in Pink and John had some questions for Sherlock. The man in question was lying on the sofa, clearly wondering how to releave his boredom this time.

"So. You don't have a boyfriend."

"John, I thought we talked about this already."

"Yes, we did. I'm just unsure about a few details." John's words seemed to stir a reaction in Sherlock, who got up to sit. He was now facing John. "What details?"

"You said you don't have a boyfriend or a girlfriend."

"You seem to want to accuse me of lying."

"Well, no. No, that's not..Well, actually, yes." John rambled again. Maybe he would get his IQ back if he simply hung out with regular people. Yes, he should definitely do that.

"Based on what?" Sherlock seemed intrigued now.

"The patches." John blurted out.

"I'm sorry?"

"You have the same kind of nicotine patch as Lestrade does." John waited for Sherlock's reaction.

Sherlock smiled. "Anything else?"

"Well, there was also that time I saw him pet you at the crime scene. You know, after I saved your behind in that pink case?"

"Very good, doctor." Sherlock looked at him like he was a dog who had just learned to play fetch. John was a bit annoyed by this, but let it slide to save time.

"So which is it? Are you with him or not?"

Sherlock gave him a devilish smile. "No, I'm not with him."

"But.."

"He's with me." As he saw John's bewildered look, he continued. "He's infatuated with me. You think I'm brilliant, but when it comes down to it, you fancy the ladies. Lestrade's not as lucky. He adores me."

'A high-functioning sociopath'. The man's own words. If Sherlock was telling the truth (and John had little reason to doubt him), Lestrade couldn't have chosen a worse person to fall for. "So, what. He pines after you and for that he lets you dance around in his crime scenes?"

"Actually it's a bit more than that. I had to put out a little to achieve this level of clearance from him." Sherlock spoke as if he were making a list of different ways to murder someone (normal people would be talking about a shopping list, but he's not 'normal people', is he?).

"Oh God. Too much.. Mental image." John tried to think about teddy bears. Anything else. "Poor Lestrade."

"What are you talking about? He gets me. What more could he want?" Sherlock asked. His arrogance was only softened by the fact that he genuinely believed he was right.

"He doesn't get you, he gets a few pity-fucks from you." John tried to make Sherlock see that what he was doing was wrong.

"Pity? Far from it. He's actually very skilled in that area. I thoroughly enjoyed every session." Sherlock smiled, and his eyes became fixed. "In fact, I'm bored right now. I think I'll go see him. Thanks for the idea, John, you've been very helpful."

With that, Sherlock grabbed his coat and left. John tried to come up with something that would take his mind off the conversation he'd just had. Cue daily rape shower.

Lestrade was just about to hit the sack when he heard the door go. "I see you used the key I gave you", he said without turning. He reached up to place the cups he had just dried into the cupboard. He heard the door close. Music started playing. Lestrade smiled. He loved the song, and he knew the person who had put it on knew that as well. He turned around to face Sherlock, who was now standing very close to him. "I haven't seen you in a while. Not since you nearly got yourself killed", he stated. He looked away. He couldn't take Sherlock's hungry stare. He knew why the man was here. He was also aware of the fact that if he'd give in, it wouldn't make any difference. Five minutes after, Sherlock would be bored again and leave in a hurry. He just couldn't take it. Not tonight, at least. The case he had been working on earlier had been finally brought to a close. Unfortunately it had taken the life of a kid to do it. Needless to say, he wasn't feeling up for Sherlock's antics at the moment.

What are you waiting for?

He saw that that was Sherlock's question exactly. He was always the one who initiated whatever it was they did together. Sherlock only needed to show up. Now that he thought about it, that should have been the first clue. "Just go, Sherlock. I'm not up for it tonight."

Sherlock leaned in. Lestrade could feel his resolve waver. "Don't."

Take a bite of my heart tonight

"Why deny me? You want it. I want it. Isn't that all there is to it?"

"I know you don't give a toss about me." Lestrade felt he sounded like a child, but explaining his actions to Sherlock was always more than a little difficult.

"But you can have me! Honestly, you sound like John right now." Sherlock seemed exasperated by their attitudes.

"You told him?" Lestrade winced. He really didn't want the man to put this shameful affair on his blog.

"He figured it out. Can you believe it? I can't. Though you kind of made it obvious to him."

"When?"

"If you want to keep this a secret, try not touching me in a crime scene where anyone can see you", Sherlock teased him.

"For h- You could have been killed! I was upset." Lestrade should have remembered that explaining feelings to Sherlock was the equivalent of explaining how to make an igloo to someone who lived next to the Sahara. Interesting piece of information, yes. Useful? No.

Sherlock raised his right eyebrow. "Why? I survived." Before Lestrade could argue him further, Sherlock placed his cool lips on Lestrade's.

And I won't be denied by you, the animal inside of you

Lestrade broke the kiss. "How did you remember this song?"

"How?"

"You've said many times that you delete this kind of crap from your memory."

"Because this particular piece of crap is useful to me. I've noticed that if you need convincing, you give in easier if this song's playing. The first time it was a coincidence, the second time I tried putting it on just to see if it had an effect on you. Is this song somehow special to you?"

Lestrade smiled sadly and looked down. "Yes, but you wouldn't understand why."

Sherlock nodded. He then proceeded to kiss him again. Lestrade pushed him away. "Just go."

Lestrade saw that Sherlock was visibly upset that he rejected him. He said no to the great Sherlock Holmes? Stranger things had happened, and yet..He knew that if Sherlock tried to convince him again, he'd probably give in. Fortunately, he had managed to wound the man's pride enough to make him stop. Sherlock shot one burning glance at him before leaving. Lestrade went to the door the man had left open. He closed the door and covered his mouth because he was afraid of finding out what sound he might emit if he didn't.

Say goodbye to my heart tonight