It was Sherlock's first day back after the Christmas holidays, just a little over a week since he had received John's apology. Sherlock had read over John's card more times than he cared to admit, he could probably quote it word for word if he had the desire to do so. At first Sherlock had been desperate to see John, he was even tempted to try and find his teacher's address online – but he quickly dismissed the idea. He might not get the reaction he hoped for if he just turned up to John's unannounced. Moreover, the initial joy Sherlock had felt from receiving the card had dwindled slightly as the teenager's anxiety got the better of him. Whilst he was in no doubt of John's sincerity, he was all too aware of the clear signs of dismissal that his teacher exhibited after Sherlock tried to arrange a meeting during the break. As a result, Sherlock was unable to sit still and fidgeted profusely as his waited for John to arrive to class. John finally strode through the door, quite clumsily Sherlock noticed; he deduced the teacher had overslept, clearly he had become used to not waking up early over the holiday.

For the entirety of the class the pair failed to make eye contact, admitted both were not going out of their way to avoid looking at the other. It just happened to be that there was an atmosphere in the room; a culmination of Sherlock's anxiety and John's guilt. The lesson proceeded normally, the tension in the room apparent only to the two friends. Sherlock distracted himself by absorbing the flight pattern of a lone sparrow, whilst John tried to focus solely on introducing his class to the wonders of DNA.

As John's lecture drew to a close, the atmosphere between him and Sherlock had barely eased.

Fuck it. John decided that he was going to be the bigger person and make real amends. "Sherlock, if you don't mind. I'd like a quick word".

The class gave a theatrical "Ooh".

Sherlock gave no vocal reply, and instead just nodded. He waited for the class to vacate the classroom, consciously ignoring Magnussen's taunt, "You're in trouble Holmes", before walking over to John. He noted the similarities between his nervousness at present and the nervousness he felt the first day John had called him back. "I… er, I got your card… Thanks?"

John hated seeing the boy in a state of such unease, his guilt ate away at him knowing it was a result of his own actions. "Sherlock, I won't insult you by trying to excuse my behaviour, but maybe I could explain?".

"My behaviour the other day, I apologise for being so cold. Firstly, I know it was unfair to be so distant, it mustn't have made sense after being close in London. It's my fault of course – as the adult I should've been more aware that to others our relationship could appear to be beyond that of a normal teacher/student. It wasn't until Miss Jones approached me with her concerns that I realised how it might look. Although I understand acting how I did wasn't fair to you."

Sherlock took a minute to digest what John was saying. He had been so wrapped up in concealing his feelings for John that he had failed to realise that others might have started to question the pairs daily meetings. Shit. Did that mean they could also have noticed how Sherlock felt for his teacher? Did that mean John had noticed? He shook his head, if John truly knew then he was certain that he wouldn't want anything to do with him. He can't know.

"Then what has changed?" he managed, still trying to figure out how obvious he had been.

"Well, I mean, she's left now, was offered a job at a private school in the next village". John admitted. "I know that's not the point-" he began before being cut off by Sherlock.

"So because some substitute teacher had an opinion, you decide you don't want to be friends" Sherlock couldn't help but sound bitter. "Oh but then, when she leaves and you don't have to be ashamed anymore, it's fine for you to be seen with me".

Sherlock got up to leave but was pulled back by John.

"Sherlock, do you really not get it?" John marvelled, "I'm not ashamed to be seen with you, I just don't want to lose my job to idle gossip".

Sherlock bit his lip, feeling a little foolish for being so mad at John. Of course their relationship must look odd to the outsider and the risk of such implications would be worse for his teacher. As smart as he believed himself to be, he had a habit of missing the obvious.

"Do you want me to stop coming over as much?"

"No." John insisted. "That's not what I want at all. I'm not going to let silly insinuations dictate who I am or am not friends with. I mean we're just friends right?"

Sherlock refused to dwell on John's last comment. "Yes, of course John".

John's face lit up, glad they could put the past weeks behind them. "Good, because I have a little surprise for you. It seems you're not the only one who can make clever deduction." John reached into his bag and pulled out an envelope containing two travel passes to London. He had brought them as a backup in case his apology failed, but was glad to give them out on better terms. Sherlock viewed the contents delightedly.

"John, not that I'm not grateful, because truly I am, like wow, thank you." He was rambling, pull it together Sherlock. "I just mean; I don't really see the deduction".

John grinned, "I booked them for the ninth of the month, your birthday".

"How? I didn't say?" Sherlock asked.

"Just clever aren't I" John replied. "Well that and it's on the registration system."

Sherlock chuckled, "Ah I see, well anyway thank you John, it was a good deduction – sort of".

"Brilliant, now bugger off, we all have homes to get to" John teased and pretended to shoo his friend away.

Sherlock grabbed his bag and started to leave, but decided to give John a quick hug before he did.