Title: Of Rats and Men
Chapter: Meeting the Man
Characters: John Watson; Sherlock Holmes; Jim Moriarty/Richard Brooks; Molly Hooper; Gregory Lestrade; Anderson; Sally Donovan
Place: The dorm; Pub
Mood: Cheerful; Chatty; Light
Enjoy.
Sherlock was laying on the bed, relaxed and his eyes closed, ears covered by headphones. He pressed them closer to his ears by his palms, lost in the melody, wide smile formed on his lips.
He made no attempt to make his presence known and pulled his shoes off and sat on his bed, watching the entranced younger man with a fond smile. John took a drink from his glass and checked his phone, 0 messages. John couldn't take his mind off Sarah. She was great.
As the track stopped, Sherlock blindly put next one on play, wondering why exactly did anyone bother with sending him the link. Not that it wasn't great, a balance between classical music and modern one, soothing melody and the combination of intricate tones of piano and cello. He wasn't sure who sent it to him either, but had three suspects. Jim, Adler, or someone completely different.
Hey John! It's Sarah. What you up to? xx SS
John looked back at his phone, a wide smile spreading over his face as he saw the sender. He added the number to his contacts.
Hey Sarah, how're you doing? I'm just sat back at home. How's studying going? :) -JW
It's difficult! Can's see how you could have 100! Honest. It's a nightmare. SS
What bit are you stuck on? I went to library to study as it's easier to there than with my hellhole of a roommate Ha-ha you can do it! :) JW
He propped his pillow against the wall and leaned against it, making himself comfy as he opened his laptop, eyes lingering over to Sherlock.
Just too much to remember. You don like yur roommate? I dorm with a stuck-up princess, wanna trade? SS
Ha-ha mine's a stuck-up princess too! :D I know how that can feel. Can be a lot to remember, but perseverance! You can do it xx JW
I know I can, I am brilliant ;) Almost there! And once again to remind my stpd brain what I need to know. SS
Exactly! You're brilliant! I'll leave you to your studying, don't wanna distract you xx JW
He smiled at his phone as he sent the message, leaving it on his bed as he went into the bathroom to splash cold water on his face.
'night. SS
Sherlock listened to the track finish, suddenly the music subsiding to the sounds from around. He heard footsteps and opened his eyes, seeing Watson in the doorway. Sherlock screamed in shock as he didn't hear him enter and scrambled to sit up, the wire of his headphones almost strangling him. "When did you - when did.. when did you come here!" he asked the older while tangling the headphones off.
A bit startled at first, John stumbled a bit but then burst out laughing at Sherlock's reaction. He clutched his chest as he went into a fit of laughter. "10 minutes." He managed to speak in between gasps of air.
"You could have warned me!" Sherlock snapped at him with his eyes wide, still more startled than angry. "And it's not funny!" he felt hot rise into his cheeks in embarrassment.
He wiped the tears from his eyes, laughing turning into giggling. "You looked a little very preoccupied." John smiled at him. "You enjoying your music there?"
Sherlock frowned, trying very hard to calm down his frantic heartbeat. It could have been someone else, some one far more dangerous than John, that caught him unaware. Sighing deeply, Sherlock offered a nod as an answer, pressing the heels of his palms into his eyes.
"Are.. you ok Sherlock?" He stopped laughing, looking at Sherlock with genuine concern. Had he actually been spooked?
"You scared me." Sherlock accused, even went that far as to point his finger at the older. "I don't like being scared.." he muttered, looking down.
"I.. I'm sorry I scared you. Seriously, that was never my intention. You just looked so relaxed and into your music that I didn't wanna disturb you."
"Oh.. I see.." Sherlock mumbled embarrassed. "I am sorry." he apologized as well, scratching the back of his neck. "How was your .. date?" he asked in distaste.
"Don't apologize, It's my fault. I should have made my presence known." He ran a hand through his hair. "It was really good yeah. She's great. You still coming tonight?"
"I guess I am.." he shrugged, not really in the mood to go anywhere. But he promised. And he actually wanted to spend time with the older student. And his friends maybe. Not really. "When are we going?"
"Half an hour." He smiled, settling back on his bed. "You gonna be ready by then?" He raised an eyebrow, smiling.
"Why shouldn't I?" he asked confused, looking down at himself. He had managed to shower by the time John was away, but was wearing the jeans and metal-t-shirt from before again. He shrugged, deciding that he can go like that anyway.
"Alright. Just sayin'." He shrugged, opening his laptop again. John yawned, looking up the violin player again, humming as he did so. "Sarah was really nice. She knew Bricks too."
Sherlock frowned for a fleeting moment, before he schooled his features back into a passive indifference. John didn't need to know he was.. not very fond of his girlfriend. "So? Lot of people know 'Bricks'. Even I exchanged few text messages with him."
"You have? He's a nice guy isn't he? That's why he was able to bag Molly. They're really cute together." He smiled, happy at their relationship. Happy for them. He hoped he could be as happy with Sarah. "Where'd you meet him?"
"I have never met him." Sherlock corrected him softly, cursing himself for saying that in the first place. "Now, aren't you going to change?" he pointed towards John's almost formal clothes.
John looked down at his clothes, "These should be fine for going out right..? I guess not then." He went into his drawers and pulled out a band shirt, taking his own off and flung it on over his head. "Better?"
Sherlock absently ran his eyes up and down John's chest and stomach, before it got covered. "A bit more proper, yes." he shrugged, forcing himself to stop staring. Again. "Can I keep the shirt for now?" he asked, pointing at John's shirt he was wearing.
"Sure, keep it. It looks better on you than me anyways." He offered a small smile, honesty behind his words. Did he really just compliment Sherlock.. on looks? That first beer couldn't come quick enough.
"Thank you!" Sherlock beamed, jumping down from the bed. He switched off the music player, since he hadn't been listening since he noticed John was back anyway, and put it onto the floor as not to sit onto it when he got back. Again.
It was about time to leave when John spoke again, putting on his jacket, putting his wallet and keys in his jeans pockets. He checked the time on his phone. "Ready to go now?" He offered up a smile to the other.
Sherlock rolled his eyes but nodded, following after the older. He was sooo not looking forward to that..
John walked out, locking the door to 221-B behind them and walked down the corridor, walking out into the colder courtyard. The darkening sky hung above them as they trudged over to the small gathering of people.
"If Anderson tries to talk to me, remember you promised to save me." Sherlock quickly leaned over to the older, whispering into his ear. He ran his eyes over the group, noticing the mentioned male there. Oh my.
Anderson quirked his eyebrow at the sight of the casual looking Sherlock and was about to open his mouth but John quickly spoke, "Hello there, you all alright?" He smiled.
"Heya mate! You're looking better." Richard stepped out from behind Anderson, pulling the man into the hug. He smiled innocently at Sherlock, holding his hand out. "You alright? Sherlock was it? Nice to meet you properly." Bricksy grinned, the same grin as Jim. The same face, the same voice.
Sherlock bit down a ridiculous laugh as he watched 'Richard'. He shook his offered hand in enthusiasm, smiling widely. "Delighted to meet you, Bricksy." he grinned. "Oh my, Lestrade, they took you out on a walk as well?" he teased softly, peering around Richard to look at the rest of the group.
"Ah, charming as usual." Lestrade rolled his eyes, stepping to engulf him in a bear hug, which Sherlock endured with a whispered 'Piss off.' to the older.
Richard wrapped his arm around Molly with a smile, "This is great, isn't it? The whole gang together!" He laughed gently, smiling down at his girlfriend.
Anderson kept his arms crossed. "Yes yes. Friendship and happiness, all very nice and dandy but are we actually going to set off..?" He sneered, his eyes looking between them all.
"Nice to see you again too, Anderson." John put on his smile, putting his hands in his pockets.
"How'd the date go with Sarah? I told you she was perfect for you didn't I?" Richard grinned at him, his tone playful.
"Went really really great thanks, I owe you big time, mate." John admitted with a slight laugh.
Sherlock finished his whispered conversation with Lestrade, softly nodding into his shoulder before he moved from the hug. He offered his hand to Molly, since he hadn't seen her in a while and she shook it with a smile.
"Sherlock." Molly greeted him from being safely tugged in Richards arms. "How have you been?" she asked, obviously almost skipping with happiness and Sherlock couldn't help but smile. It was nice seeing her this happy, too bad Jim was such a bastard. But oh well. "Bored." Sherlock commented with a smirk, their usual exchange finished.
Lestrade moved to pat John's shoulder in a greeting. "How was your exam, Johnny?" he asked with a grin.
"Alright yeah, thanks Greg." He smiled up at the older man, not mentioning that he couldn't remember it as it would be another waste of a conversation. "Think I did alright. Who knows?" John shrugged with a smile. "How's everything been with you?"
The group started walking down, still in the conversation.
Richard and Molly were behind Sherlock but his eyes occasionally moved to the back of Sherlock's head but his attention was completely on Molly, keeping up the same act he had done for years and years on end.
"You will do fine." Greg bumped his shoulder, throwing his arms around John's shoulders. "Me? I am fine, nothing new.." he shrugged.
Sherlock turned around, giving Lestrade an evil look when the older sent him a smug smile. "What do you study, then, Richard?" Sherlock asked softly when he tore his gaze from Lestrade and John.
"Theatrical arts, mainly. I also study Media, English Literature and Medical Health. You could say I'm a busy guy." He laughed. "Ya can call me Bricksy or Brick if you want, most people do." He smiled happily at the taller. "What about you? You take the same stuff as John?"
"No I don't. We are only roommates." Sherlock shrugged, thinking that if he got to meat 'Bricksy' anywhere away from the people, he would call him 'Jim' anyway. "But well.. where do you know these guys from?" he asked, quite curious as to where he met John and Lestrade.
"Oh, me and John go wayyy back. Back into Secondary Scool. Known him for years." He smiled, thinking back to the memories. "Thanks to him I met this lovely young lady here." Richard kissed the top of Molly's head, "Been with Molly for over a year now. Can't see myself with anyone else. Greg, I know through John and yeah." He laughed slightly. "Not really sure who big nose and his girlfriend are."
Sherlock nodded as he thought it over. It was very interesting. Those were new rules.
Molly giggled a bit as she got called a 'young lady', leaning into Richards embrace. Really, he was too sweet. And to think she went out with him just because she wanted to take his mind off of.. someone else.. He was really a god-sent.
Richard smiled gently down at his girlfriend, eyes full of love and affection for her.
Lestrade threw his arms around John's and Anderson's shoulders, "I wanted to ask - John, you and Sherlock. What is between you two? Like, really, what is there?"
John raised an eyebrow Lestrade, "What do you mean by that...? What do you mean by there? If you're trying to set me and Sherlock up don't bother. Bricksy's tried hard enough. No."
"I am not trying to set you up with him, quite the contrary. I am only worried. And he was wearing your t-shirt when I met him yesterday morning." Lestrade shrugged it off, eyes lingering on the form of the young male. "Still is, I would say, since he is still wearing my jeans." he chuckled softly.
Sherlock skipped to open the door, holding it for Molly and 'Richard', so that he could join John and Lestrade without being suspicious once they passed. He followed right after them, narrowing his eyes at Lestrade since he, obviously, was talking about him. Closing the door right before Anderson could enter, he followed the two first to a table.
John shook his head with a small laugh at Lestrade's comment, looking behind him with a small smile at Sherlock before sitting down at the table.
Anderson gave a small indignant huff as he reopened the door, walking in before Sally and following the group.