John's eyebrows furrowed, "Just like that?" He couldn't understand how Sherlock could just forget what had happened.

"I..." Sherlock folded his hands together. "I don't dwell on the past John. It's not...healthy. Especially for me. Yes, it was moments ago but in all honesty if I don't move on...well I never will." He shrugged nonchalantly but inside he was anxious.

John considered what Sherlock was saying. It made sense. He might as well move on as well. John nodded, "Where to next?"

And with that the boys sped off again, skipping madly across town with no particular order. Eventually it began to grow darker and darker and occasionally Sherlock would glance at the sky. "John, I think you should go home." he said after dusk had long since settled. "It's getting dark, your parents will worry."

He frowned, realized Sherlock was right, and nodded. It was getting late and his parents were probably wondering where he was. He looked around and didn't recognize the street they were on, "Where are we?"

"Corner of Dart Street." Sherlock replied automatically. He knew this town like the back of his hand. "Your house is...oh maybe ten minutes walk easy from here, if you cut across Peter Avenue."

John nodded, taking in the information. It took several moments before he cautiously asked "Could you walk me?" He didn't know the town as well as Sherlock did and was still getting to know all the streets, "I'll probably get lost." He said thinking Sherlock would reject the idea.

Sherlock was taken aback by John's offer. "Yes, I can" Sherlock said with a tone that was almost soft.

"Lead the way," He raised his arms as if to gesture the way they were going then he realized he didn't know and they plopped back down to his sides.

Sherlock smirked at John's small blunder and began to walk towards John's home. He certainly felt faintly sad that John was going. He had really only insulted and hurt him but he was fond of the strange short boy. He took a few turns, John shadowing him closely, and tried to find things to say.

John followed closely behind Sherlock as he led the way to John's house. He was sad he was going home. He wanted to spend more time with Sherlock and was glad he had gotten over the insult. He sighed. Tomorrow was Saturday and he had no idea what he was going to do, "What are you doing tomorrow?" He wanted to spend the day with Sherlock but he wasn't sure the taller boy would want to spend the day with him.

"Finishing our tour" he said simply, voice sure. "We are far from done" he added. If he sounded sure, John would come along. He knew it

"Great" John said enthusiastically.

Sherlock's response was a smug smile. The dusk settled quickly and the boys were left walking in fading light. It was peaceful, and their pace was even. Quicker than either would have liked they were turning onto John's street. "Prattson Street," he said unnecessarily. "It's nice... So when would you be up?" Sherlock asked. "Not to be forward" he added as an afterthought.

John shrugged, "I can be up at anytime." They were halfway down his street and he had slowed their pace considerably.

"Hmm, ten?" Sherlock asked, keeping his pace before he noticed John lagging behind. "What is it?" He asked.

He caught up with Sherlock, "Ten's good. Where do you want to meet?" he said avoiding the question.

Sherlock frowned. "Your house. Since we ended there." He narrowed his eyes and let a moment of silence pass before he said "you seem rather reluctant to get home?"

John sighed, "I've got tons of homework to do that I'm not looking forward to." It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the whole truth either. His teachers had given him a lot of homework but he wanted to elongate the time he spent with Sherlock.

Sherlock nodded, finding himself strangely disappointed by the answer. "I find homework tedious. And therefore don't do it. Much simpler that way." he shrugged.

John tilted his head, "It is, but if I don't do it I'll fail my classes." They were standing in front of his house now.

"Well..." Sherlock said distantly. "Today certainly didn't go as I had planned..."

"What do you mean?"

"Considering I very nearly lo-I mean...it was...I upset you. I didn't mean for that to happen. I don't want to see you upset." He shuffled his feet awkwardly. "Goodbye then" he said stiffly and turned to leave.

John smiled inwardly, "See you tomorrow." He said turning to face his house.

"And John?" Sherlock said absently. "Good night" he cast a wink at him and practically floated down the street.

John looked back just in time to see the wink and almost tripped going into his house. He shut the door behind him and walked upstairs to his room ignoring the questions his parents threw at him. He would have to answer them sometime but he ignored them for the moment. He walked into his room and dropped his bag in its usual place. He then went downstairs to eat dinner and answer the questions he had avoided earlier.

"Where have you been?" His mother shrieked as she put plates down. His stepfather peered over his laptop at his son. "You've had us worried sick! School ends at three, that's when you're expected home!" She carried on.

Harry snickered as she walked in the room. "You're gonna get it now" she teased.

John sighed. What was he going to tell his parents? "I was at the library with a friend." The lie slipped out before he could think of anything else to say. He had never lied to his parents before and it felt uncomfortable coming out of his mouth. It was partially true. He had been with Sherlock, just not at the library.

Everyone stopped. Harry broke the silence first. "You have a friend?" She barked harshly.

John's mother smiled tensely. "That's great!" She chimed. "But tell us next time! Who's this friend?" She questioned. Even his stepdad seemed interested as he put away his laptop.

John sighed in relief and decided to tell them as little as possible. "His name is Sherlock. I met him yesterday."

His mother straightened up. "That's a strange name" she remarked.

Harry shot John a harsh glare. "You don't mean Sherlock… as in Sherlock Holmes? As in the town freak? That guy?"

John narrowed his eyes at Harry, he didn't like it when people called Sherlock a freak. "Yes I do, and he's not a freak."

"Oh he so is! Mom! Sherlock ran into my friend in the hall and like...he knew things. Things about her, like that she'd just lost her textbook and that she had broken up with her boyfriend and that he had been cheating on her, it was so weird! He's a stalker." Harry protested.

Mrs. Watsons face grew tighter as Harry went on. "Is this true?" She gasped. "I don't want you hanging around with someone like that!"

"He is not a stalker!" John couldn't stand his sister accusing his new best friend of things he didn't even do. "He's... different," he struggled to explain Sherlock to his mother. "He sees stuff other people don't."

"John," his stepfather began. "It doesn't seem like you know this boy well. Just be careful" he said gruffly in a voice that was final.

"I'll be careful." He didn't say half the things came to his mind.

Dinner was tense and silent as the Watson family mulled over John's new friend. Meanwhile the friend in question was still out walking, letting the dark sink into his skin.

When John had finished his dinner he got up and announced he was going to his room to do his homework. He left the table, putting his plate in the sink on his way to his room.

"Seriously" Harry's voice carried from the kitchen. "Watch out."

John rolled his eyes as he entered his room and shut the door loudly behind him. He sighed as he sat down at his desk, starting his homework.

Across town Sherlock stood on his front step and glared at his house. He hated it. He hated all of it. With a sigh he bowed his head and entered. It was silent, as per usual. No one home. Never anyone home.

John finished half of his homework and decided it was getting late. He managed to get ready for bed and fall asleep without having his family bother him.

Sherlock had made it to his room and glared blearily at the clock from his current experiment. He didn't want to sleep. He never did.