Sherly, hope you don't mind, I got us tickets to the fair! I'll pick you up at noon. See you then! -JM
"John, what time is it?" Sherlock asked, a bit panicked. He was currently in the middle of an experiment that could not be interrupted.
John checked his watch. "A bit past eight."
Sherlock relaxed. He would be done by then. He continued to drop citric acid on the rotted mouse tail.
At eleven, he stuck the experiment in the fridge and ran to his room. John, who was reading a book, looked up when he heard odd sounds coming from that direction.
Knocking on the door, he called, "Sherlock? You okay?"
The door opened. Sherlock stood in a pair of dark jeans and a striped hooded shirt. John stared.
"Too casual?" Sherlock fiddled with the hood strings.
"Why?" John finally asked, surprised at the man's very informal outfit.
"Going to the carnival with a friend." Sherlock stated. "Shouldn't dress in a suit, obviously."
"I didn't even know you owned clothes like that." John leaned against the door frame. "You always wear… well, suits."
Sherlock strode past him. "I've always had these."
"Right…" John followed him. "So, when will you be home?"
"What are you now, my keeper?" Sherlock asked as he collected his coat and scarf. "I'll be home later."
"Alright. Well, have fun, I suppose." John waved as Sherlock stepped out the door. Looking through the glass, he saw Sherlock get into a black car that was loitering in front of the flat, which then drove off.
Not quite believing his luck, John called Sarah and set up a date while he was sure Sherlock wouldn't interrupt.
"Candy floss, Sherlock?" Jim held out a stick of spun sugar to the man as he approached. He was leaning against a post, just inside the entrance. Sherlock made his way up to the man and took the treat.
"Thanks." He said unenthusiastically. Jim smiled and tilted his head, looking Sherlock up and down. "I like the new look."
"What do you want?" Sherlock snapped. Jim looked surprised.
"Same greeting as last time, Sherly? Boring! And to answer the question, I don't want anything except you're company. We are friends. This is what friends do!" He gestured around him. "They go to carnival and get together and have fun! They make dates. This is a get together, Sherlock!"
Sherlock bit into his candy floss. "Well. What are we standing around for?"
Jim pulled out a map of the park. "There are several attractions around that I think we would like. Just so you know, there are snipers stationed all over the park if you try to arrest me or kill me. So let's go have fun!"
Leading the way, Jim pulled Sherlock (who was reluctantly following) to the first attraction.
By the end of the day, Sherlock and Jim were both laughing. Jim was telling a story about an idiotic banker who had the NERVE to ask if Jim would like to make a deposit when clearly he wanted to make a withdrawal, and Sherlock was snorting back laughter.
"I mean, he couldn't even read my stance or look at me and see I had no wallet or pockets. What was I supposed to deposit? Huh? Really."
Sherlock nodded, chuckling. "It saddens me when people can't pick up on the most obvious clues. There are very few men like us, Jim. Very few."
"So true." Jim leaned forward. They were sitting at a small table opposite each other. "That's why we need to stick together, Sherlock."
Before Sherlock could respond, Jim stood up. "That was a lovely day. Sebbie's waiting with the car to drive you home. Byebye, Sherlock. Thanks for a good time!" He turned and disappeared into the crowd. Sherlock noticed several people follow him after a minute, eyes out for potential threats. He casually stood as well, straightening his shirt, then left the carnival. The same black car that picked him up was waiting in the car park, Sebastian Moran at the wheel.
Sherlock opened the back door and got in.
"221B, Mr. Holmes?" Sebastian asked, grinning at him in the mirror.
"No. St. Bart's Hospital, please." Sherlock pulled out his phone and sent a quick text. "And don't hang around, I'll find my own way home."
"Whatever you say." Sebastian pulled out of the car park. "You're the boss."