John:
Sherlock is speechless, and that doesn't happen very often so I'm concerned. I'm also worried that he'll decide to not be my best man. I just gaze at him quietly and wait for him to regain his speech.
Sherlock stutters back to life. "Y-you mean…"
"Yes," I reply succinctly.
"I'm your…" Sherlock continues. "Best—"
"Man," I finish for him.
"Friend?"
He didn't know that? I look at him curiously for a while. A flush of warmth spreads through me when I am sure that what he's asked me is the truth. "Of course," I answer. "Of course you're my best friend."
He takes a gulp of his coffee and spits the eyeball back into his cup, gazing at me over the porcelain. He doesn't smile, but I know he's happy behind his façade. "John," he starts. "I have never been a best man, or a best friend. Friendship has always been beyond my world of logic, but I will do my utmost." He holds out his hand.
I curl my fingers around his boney hand and shake it. "I know you will. Thanks for doing this."
"I wouldn't be thanking me just yet. I am still not sure how to be…A best man. I might fail you. Don't become a victim of false hope."
"I won't be a victim. Being a best man isn't that difficult. It might be relatively tough for the great Sherlock Holmes, but I'm sure even you can handle it."
He narrows his eyes. "What will I be required to do, John?"
"The best man is supposed to help out with the wedding, but I am most certainly not leaving the wedding planning to you. That would be a disaster. So all I require of you is to write a speech that you would deliver at the rehearsal dinner and wedding party, and to just stand next to me in the ceremony."
"What kind of speech?"
"That's up to you. I suggest that it be about our friendship, and make sure to include something about Mary and I's future together," I say. "Oh, and try to make it at least positive. I know asking for heartfelt is a lot. Also, don't go off analyzing us or anybody at the wedding, got it?"
"Alright. Like I said before, I will do my utmost, and that's all I can give you."
"Fine."
"Fine…"
"Alright then. Let me take that cup of coffee," I offer, taking it from Sherlock's hands. "Will Molly miss the eyeball?"
"Probably not. I solved the case easily. They were all classically conditioned, and the killer left his pen behind."
"Right. I'll just put this in the garbage disposal."
I walk to the kitchen and I hear someone knocking on our door. Of course, Sherlock has picked up his violin and doesn't bother to answer the door so I answer it after getting rid of the eyeball.
Mrs. Hudson is standing there with an envelope in her hand. "Mrs. Hudson?"
"Yes, a man dropped by with a letter for you and Sherlock." She hands me the envelope. "Did Sherlock say yes to being your best man?"
"Yes, he did, Mrs. Hudson." I tell her. "If you start laughing again…"
She giggles. "I'm sure Sherlock will be a spectacular best man." She walks away, her giggles turning into laughter.
"Yes, Mrs. Hudson! He will be!" I shout after her. I shut the door and sigh, a little irritated. I turn my attention back to the letter and see that it's addressed to "Sherlock and John." I interrupt Sherlock's violin concerto.
"Sherlock! We've got a letter from someone."
He snatches it from my hands and opens it himself. "John…It's an invitation to your wedding."
"What?" I snatch it back from Sherlock, and sure enough, it's the yellow and white invitation Mary and I sent out to our friends and family. I'm perplexed, but once I look at the other side, I gasp. I show it to Sherlock and his eyes widen.
Thanks for the invite!
-Moriarty