Sherlock's day had started inconspicuously enough. They'd just closed up a private case the day before, and so Sherlock had been fresh from a post-case crash that morning. He'd expected John to insist he eat some breakfast, but he'd merely made Sherlock a tea before heading out the door for the clinic. Upon reflection, that should have been his first clue.
The second clue, was when John came home practically vibrating from nerves. Sherlock had been too engrossed in his experiment to investigate further, choosing instead to assume John would work whatever it was out. He watched John fidget around the kitchen in his peripherals for twenty minutes before he gave up and turned to his blogger.
"What is it?" He asked, exasperated.
"What?" John responded, obviously trying to delay.
"You've quite clearly got something to say to me. Do spare us both the agony and just come out with it John." His voice was controlled, blasé even, but inside, his stomach churned. Was there something wrong? Had he forgotten some important event, or not taken some unspoken-yet-expected-by-the-rest-of-the-world important relationship step?
"Sherlock, would you go on a date with me tonight?" John blurted out all in one breath. Definitely not what Sherlock had expected.
"…We've talked about this John. I kept my end of the bargain, your end was to not bring it up for a whole year." He said carefully.
"Texting them was not exactly 'keeping your end of the bargain,' Sherlock." John retorted testily.
"The term was to tell them, you never outlined how. So I did keep my end. Which is why I'm surprised by this suggestion of a date."
"Just Angelo's, Sherlock, please? We go there all the time. No one but us would know there was anything different about it!" John pleaded.
"I just don't see that it's a good idea. What's the point of a date anyways?" Sherlock questioned.
John paused to think about it for a second, "To get to know somebody, to spend time with them, to talk…it's just, I don't know Sherlock! It's just nice!"
"We already do those things in the privacy of our own home." He pointed out.
"I know Sherlock, but it just doesn't feel right, me never taking you out anywhere special." John muttered, suddenly seeming shy.
Sherlock took in his flatmate. Why was this so important to him? Suddenly it all clicked together. John was a traditionalist. He was a gentleman. And here he was, in a relationship, kissing and holding hands, with-out ever having earned it with a date or two. John feels like a cad. He had to fight not to laugh. He figured that might hurt John's feelings, and he didn't want to fight right now. In fact, he realized, he'd never been so in love with John Watson.
"Alright then, you ridiculous romantic," Sherlock started, his voice soft with emotion, "Let's go on a date."
John immediately brightened up and with a quick thank you kiss, and instructions for Sherlock to clean himself up a little, John bustled off to get ready. Sherlock couldn't help but shake his head at the enthusiasm, but went off to change out of his robe as requested.
An hour later, they were comfortably ensconced at a table for two at Angelo's. The meal had been superb, as always and talking to John was the peaceful kind of pleasant that always kind of sat warmly in his chest. John looked radiant. He'd worn his most complementary sweater, a lovely a shade of blue, and his matching blue eyes were bright in the candle light. He'd had the most wonderful smile on his face the whole time. Soft and warm to match the sweater. Sherlock was, to his surprise, enjoying himself immensely.
They were just about to start heading back to the flat when Sherlock got the text from Lestrade.
Got an interesting one for you. Double homicide. You interested?-GL
Sherlock looked up at John pleadingly, and John smiled wide in response. And then they were off, the excitement of a new case cackling in the air.
It wasn't until a few hours later, the case closed and John had made them a cuppa, that Sherlock remembered they'd been on a date. They'd been on a date and then that text from Lestrade and interrupted. John had seemed pleased at the time, but perhaps Sherlock had misread the situation? Seen only what he wanted to see. Maybe John was upset the date had been ruined. All John's previous girlfriends had considered that grounds for termination of the relationship. He reached out for Johns hand in a panic.
John looked up, startled by the urgency. He took in Sherlock's pleading eyes and the way his shoulders were ever so slightly hunched, as if expecting a blow.
"Dinner and a case, I don't think I could have planned a better date for us." He chuckled, his eyes kind as they stared into Sherlock's. "Don't you think?"
Sherlock responded with a kiss.
A/N So strange that this began as a one-shot I wrote on a sleepless night and now we're 9 chapters in and still going! Hope you've all enjoyed the fluffy-ness of the last few chapters, because I think the next ones gonna be a BIT of a downer…
Next chapter: Danger Night!
P.S. Just a reminder to feel free to share any suggestions! This fic could go on forever if I got enough prompts :) well maybe not FOREVER…but…well…you guys know what I mean…