It was a cold day and Lestrade was at a crime scene near Oxford –a murder with the same MO as a previous murder that happened last month. He had called in the one and only consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes. No evidence had been left to hint at who was the murderer. Sherlock was studying the crime scene as Greg stood outside the door of the flat watching the crowd gathered at the crime tape. He looked around for anyone suspicious. He spotted someone familiar- John- he was standing next to a taller female with long dirty blond hair. The two made eye contact and John looked down when he saw the female looking at him.
"John, you know him?" She asked as John moved through the crowd with her following.
"Yea, we met last night at a bar."
"So that's why you were out so late."
"Harry! It's no one's business what I do."
She was always meddling in his life, wanting to know everything and then would tell their parents. It drove John nuts that she was just like their mother.
"Mum will find out, you know how she wants her baby boy to get married to a wonderful woman." Harry said, "Key word, woman."
John pursed his lips, "Well, it won't happen and she knows that."
"She's too stubborn to give up."
"Yeah, and you drink to avoid feelings because of what mum would think of you being a lesbian. Not to mention dad. Imagine if he finds out his little princess likes women." He said, "And if they knew you were an alcoholic.. It would be so much worse."
Harry drank from her water bottle full of vodka. "I don't have a problem and they have a problem with you, not me." She said before storming off. John let out a sigh before whispering, "Yes, you do."
He knew she'd go home and tell their parents about Greg, though by now John didn't care if they knew, he just hated to hear his mum rant on. She hated the fact that he was gay, at least ever since she caught him with their male neighbor a few years ago. He saw Greg approaching him and his heart skipped a beat.
"Greg, shouldn't you be working?" John asked.
"I am, I'm interviewing witnesses." Greg said, "You're here, aren't you?"
John giggled, "Yes but I can tell you I probably don't know anything."
"Maybe you do, did you know this man?" Greg showed him a photo.
"I didn't really know him, we just talked once or twice."
"Did he act like anyone was after him?"
"No, he seemed normal when I talked to him yesterday."
"Thanks." Greg was about to walk away but a thought crossed his mind, "What would you say to dinner tonight, around eight?"
"Where?" John responded
"I can text you the place once I decide."
"Then you better do that or I might not come."
"Well, we can't have that." Greg chuckled.
John smiled before walking away and Greg watched after him before going back to the crime scene. The time passed quickly for John, but slowly for Greg by the time eight rolled around John was already waiting at the Chinese place. They both apparently liked it so they agreed to meet there earlier that afternoon. The young man was worried that Greg had backed out, at least until he saw a cab pull up with a grey haired man inside.
"Please, don't tell me you thought I was a no show." Greg said walking up to him after paying the cabbie.
"It's ten past eight." John said, pointing to his watch. "Why are you late?"
"I had to change, I wasn't about to wear my work clothes for a date."
"Valid excuse, don't let it happen again."
"You plan on a second date?"
"Well, I sure hope so. I really like you."
They entered the place, sitting at a table by the window shortly before the waitress came up, giving them their menus. Greg didn't even need to look at it to know what he wanted, but John on the other hand wasn't sure.
"So, you live in that neighborhood?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. When I'm not at school, at least." John put his menu down when the waitress came back a few minutes later to take their order. "I will have the number one special and a sprite." John said before she turned to Greg.
"I will also have the number one special, but with coffee."
"I will bring your drinks soon."
Greg looked at John as she took their menus, "I don't want to make this sound like um.. an interrogation."
"You're not. You're just curious as to why I was there. I'd probably be too."
"I saw a female with you."
"That was my sister, Harry. We had gone to a neighbors to help with something."
Greg nodded; that explained why they looked alike, "What made you want to become a doctor?"
"Oh, I wanted to help people and my parents insisted on it."
"They don't seem like the type to let their children be themselves." Greg said.
"No, they push their dreams on us. Harry's a drinker because of it and me.. Well, I just sort of be myself anyway." John said. "They hate it."
"What happens when they find out you're on a date with a man?"
John's mobile started to ring, "That is what happens." He pulled it out of his trouser pocket, "It's my mum, she's probably wanting me to meet some nice girl."
"You're more than welcome to answer it or completely ignore it."
"I will talk to her tomorrow, if I answer it will be a lecture."
The waitress brought their drinks; Greg took a sip of his coffee as John drank his soda. He wondered how John turned out so normal for growing up in a household with parents who judged him.
"You going to be able to avoid the lecture when you get home?"
"Yeah, by the time I get home she will be in bed." John said.
"You could always stay in my guest room." Greg said.
John smiled, "I'd like that, but we just met and if I stayed the night the lecture will be worse."
Greg sipped at his coffee again as the food finally arrived. John shifted uncomfortably, now wasn't the time to be horny- he wasn't about to move whatever he had with Greg too fast. As he ate his food, his phone buzzed again; he picked it up from the table.
"My sister, Harry."
"Your family hates it when you're happy."
"No kidding, they rather I be miserable like them."
"You sure you want to go home?" Greg asked.
"No, but I should. It makes things less painful."
After they finished their meal, Greg got up and paid after the bill was delivered. John got up, going to the door to exit.
"John, do you want to do this again?"
"Yeah, tomorrow as long as you don't work late."
"I will text you." Greg said, opening the door for John. When they got outside, the young man was going to hail a cab but stood in front of Greg. He leaned forward, placing his lips to the older mans, whom returned the kiss. John pulled away, smiling, before he hailed a cab, leaving the other in a state of disbelief.