Sorry this took so long again... I've just started at uni, so the updates might be less frequent, but I hope you all still enjoy the story!
Chapter 7: The Swans?
The morning after Sherlock injured himself is a very typical morning for the boys of 221B. John sits in his jeans and jumper reading the paper while drinking his second cup of tea, and Sherlock lounges across the sofa, silently examining his new stitches.
"How long before they come out?"
"Umm, come out of what Sherlock?" John answers not paying the slightest bit of attention.
"The stitches John."
"What?" He says finally looking up from the newspaper.
"Do pay attention Doctor... I was wondering when I can remove these stitches, they itch."
John lifts an inquisitive eyebrow. "You will not be removing those stitches, I will. and I'll do it when I think that you're hand is healed enough. Now stop playing with them."
Sherlock looks at John blankly, apparently surprised at his command. "Yes sir." he mutters as he swings to his feet and begins to pace about the room.
"What's wrong?"
"You." Sherlock says curtly. John thinks that is a bit harsh.
"I'm just trying to help Sherlock, now don't touch those stitches." John says rolling his
eyes at his friend. Sherlock could be such a child sometimes. Sherlock sighs and throws himself back onto the sofa.
"fine."
John watches Sherlock from over the top of his paper, his friends hands a clenched down at his sides, and his eyes are screwed shut awkwardly. "What's wrong Sherlock?" He asks, because Sherlock is obviously more upset than he is letting on.
"I'm having trouble understanding something."
"Another experiment?" John says standing up and moving towards the sofa. He sees Sherlock's eyes open and he knows that this is not a work related problem.
"In a manner of speaking." Sherlock sighs, his face is contorted to portray pain, and John immediately feels protective.
"Sherlock, please tell me what's going on, I only want to help." he says then chuckles a bit, "pretty much everything I do is to help you." he says as he realizes that it's true. John is standing behind the sofa now looking down at the detective.
"I know." When the taller man speaks his voice is almost a complaint, then softer "I just never..." His voice trails off, and John takes this opportunity to speak.
"I think you're just bored and over thinking things. why don't we just go for a walk."
"no."
"It will do us good, come on now Sherlock."
Sherlock huffs and moans but slowly pulls himself up from the cushions, "I'll go but not
because I want to." John smiles at the fact that Sherlock will do something for him, as he grabs both their coats from the pegs.
"What's the point?" Sherlock asks only twenty minutes later as the pair strolls past the large pond on their left.
"Of what? The swans?" John asks feeling legitimately confused.
"no of course not, what's the point of feeling romantically inclined to only one person?" Sherlock says looking out across the water. The day is cold and the air freezes in picturesque puffs of mist around the detective's face as he breaths.
John's brain shuts down as he processes what Sherlock has said and the doctor is momentarily mesmerized by the swirling air and blue haze of Sherlock's eyes. "I-is that what this is about?"
"You must have worked it out yourself, no?" Sherlock sighs as he takes another step towards John, immediately intruding upon his personal space.
"I think I have." the doctor answers leaning in closer to Sherlock. "but I want to hear you say it."
"John, I've never..." Sherlock sighs with frustration, "its so impractical." John chuckles at Sherlock's frustration and steps away from him again.
"Let's keep walking, you can try to explain as we go."
"John wait." Sherlock almost yells as he lunges forward to grasp the back of John's coat. Immediately John finds himself spun around and nose to nose with his flatmate. The feel of Sherlock's erratic, warm breath washes over him and the smell of tea makes him feel safe and comfortable. "Are you okay with this?" Sherlock asks, and John can tell that he's trying to find a way out the situation he had himself created.
The answer John provides is completely non verbal but entirely understandable, and practically screams "Yes! Yes! Yes!" as his lips brush teasingly across Sherlock's own. When Sherlock responds, the kiss is clumsy but endearing and John realizes what Sherlock had meant when he said "I've never." But the detective is a fast learner, and soon matches John's pace with seemingly rehearsed vigor.
Only when they break apart for air, does John let himself indulge in the thoughts he's been trying to keep locked away for so long. And as he looks into Sherlock's eyes he actually starts to laugh as he realizes how stupid he's been.
"What?" Sherlock asks, stepping away, but keeping his hand firmly on John's hip.
"Nothing really." He chuckles out, causing Sherlock to look inquisitively at him. "It's just that I've been fighting this," he motions to the space between himself and the detective vaguely "for so long and with such difficulty, I never stopped to consider you might want it" he motions again, "to happen as well... it's just sort of silly."
"I don't think it's silly. I think you we're just being cautious." Sherlock says as he steps back into John's embrace. John marvels at how lean Sherlock is beneath his heavy winter layers as his hands roam over his sides and back and then they are kissing again, and the winter day is gone.
Feeling warm, and surprisingly satisfied, John steps away first this time as he feels his phone in his pocket buzz.
"What?" Sherlock asks, looking marginally hurt.
"Phone." John says pulling it out, and flipping it open.
New Message: 11:33 AM
I need Sherlock's help, but he's not answering his phone. I'm assuming he is with you.
-Greg
"Lestrade says you aren't answering your phone." John says returning his attention to the beautiful man before him.
"It's been buzzing in my pocket now for about twenty three minutes." Sherlock observes sliding his hand from John's hip to his neck.
"It sound's important."
"I am otherwise engaged in something much more important." The tall, dark haired man whispers as he moves in once more to capture John's lips with his own.
-oh goodness guys, this one was so difficult to write and I fear it may be a bit out of character. sorry! also. this too FOREVER to update, sorry again. anyways let me know what you thought. there should be at least three more chapters!
