"So you're sure six months is long enough to send out the save the dates? What if people need to travel? Hotel accommodations? What about getting time off work?" Molly fluttered about her and John's flat while Kairi patiently stuffed envelopes.

"Molly, if they can't reserve time six months in advance then maybe they shouldn't be attending the wedding at all!" Kairi chuckled, "Six months is what the wedding etiquette said, right? I think it's ample time for people to prepare."

Molly sat nervously, gulping down some wine as she glanced at the scattered papers and envelopes, "God, it feels like it's all a rush! We haven't even got dresses and tuxes yet!"

Kairi rolled her eyes with an endearing smile, "Yes, but that will be remedied soon enough. It's all planned for this afternoon! We'll be meeting up with John, Lestrade, Sherlock, and Janine to try on things and make sure they look nice together. Really Molly, just drink more wine, maybe take a nap!"

"I think I'm having enough wine." Molly looked frantically at her friend, "I haven't even found a wedding dress and it's in six months. I'm horrible at this!"

Kairi stuffed one last envelope and sealed it. She stood slowly and walked over to Molly who seemed to be quaking with stress. Kairi sat down and wrapped an arm around her and held her close, "Molly, this is wedding planning. It's always a mess or something! You're doing wonderfully and all that matters is that in the end you and John are there, booze and food is provided, and there will be dancing." She leaned in and kissed Molly on the cheek soundly and Molly put her face into her hands and began to cry. Kairi sighed and ran fingers through the pathologist's silky hair, "Everything will work out perfectly and it will be a day to remember. You'll be the most gorgeous bride and John will be your dashing groom!"

Molly looked up at her with red rimmed eyes, "How is it that I can dissect a corpse, but I can't handle flower arrangements?"

Kairi chuckled, "Well you're on your own there! I am shit at designing things unless it comes in HTML." Molly's lip began to tremble again, "We should look it up on the internet, there are loads of blogs about beautiful wedding planning ideas." She smoothed down Molly's hair again, "We'll be doing your wedding your way. Not your mother's way, not the way you think a wedding has to be done, but the way you want it done."

Molly nodded slowly and exhaled heavily, "Right." She shook her head a bit frantically and glanced back up at Kairi, "What would I do without you?"

Kairi smiled and leaned in to hug Molly tighter, "Shake so fretfully your atoms would disassociate and you'd vaporize into the universe?"

Molly snorted and hugged Kairi back, "Probably."

"Well, let's finish getting all this sorted. What is John up to right now?" Kairi smiled as she stood and walked back over to the envelopes to begin stuffing again.

Molly moved to the floor next to Kairi and helped, "Over at Baker Street actually," Molly yawned, "He's officially asking Sherlock to be his best man."

Kairi chuckled, "Oh, I'd love to be a fly on the wall for that."

Molly smiled, "Yes, I know. I would too, but it also makes me nervous as all hell." Her eyes suddenly went wide and she went a little pale, her hands frozen in time and space as she stared out at nothing.

Kairi frowned, watching her friend clutch the papers in her shaking fingers, she reached out and took the notes and placed them on the table, turning fully to face Molly who was still frozen and looking like she just saw a ghost, "What is it? Are you having a stroke?"

Molly finally exhaled and turned to Kairi, "Oh God, Sherlock's his best man."

Kairi gave her a confused look, "Yes, well that usually is the role of the best friend isn't it?"

Molly nodded slowly, gulping, looking like she was going to be sick, "That means there will be a speech."

Kairi's eyes went wide in response and Molly stared at her, worrying a lip beneath a rosy nose. "Oh shit." Kairi let out in a whisper and looked back at Molly. She tried dispel the nervousness in her gut and she just shrugged, trying on a smile, "It'll be fine!" She placated Molly a little desperately, "You know how he loves to hear himself speak. I'm sure it'll be, uh, beautiful." Kairi couldn't help the grimace.

Molly's eyes somehow went wider, "What if he brings up how I used to be obsessed with him? What if he talks about all the places John and I have shagged in Baker Street? What if he talks about the riding crop incident?"

Kairi bit her lip, exhaling heavily, "I'm sure he wouldn't bring that up. I mean, it'd embarrass him just as much as it would embarrass you and John!"

Molly looked at her again with terror in her eyes, "Shit! This is a disaster! We should elope!"

Kairi huffed out a breath, sending her bangs in a wild dance as the torrent gust upwards, "Now look, it will be fine! I'll help him write a speech! Will that work? I'll proof-read it and make sure that he's decent, all right?"

Molly shook her head, "Sherlock doesn't like being told what to do."

Kairi chuckled and grabbed at both of their wine glasses and handed one off to Molly, "No he doesn't, but he also hates the idea of hurting John in any way. They love each other so much it's sick." She smiled wide at Molly whose eyes were glistening, "He cares for the both of you and he's not good with sentiment, but he also wouldn't want to hurt you either."

Molly nodded slowly, her eyes going blank again as more treacherous thoughts began to pour through her addled mind. She sucked in a deep, shocked breath and on the exhale she looked at Kairi, "Dear God, the telegrams!"

Kairi took a sip and looked inquisitive, "What are telegrams?"

Molly took another gulp of wine and ran nervous fingers through her auburn locks, "It's like an RSVP, the people who can't attend send a little note to the bride and groom. Sherlock will have to read them out loud." She gulped down air and sounded a little petrified, "In front of everyone."

Kairi nodded placing a hand on her leg, "Well, how about we eschew tradition and I'll read them before my speech instead?"

Molly sighed, tears threatening to spill over again, "Oh God, that'd be wonderful."

"See?" Kairi nudged her and Molly smiled, "All will be well, I swear."

Molly nodded and placed her wine down before reaching for more envelopes. "Right. Well, hopefully we can find dresses this afternoon. I can't decide if I want you both to wear the same dress or something different in the same color scheme."

Kairi chuckled and began again with her Save the Dates, "Don't worry, I'll wear a burlap sack if that's what you want. I don't care at all. It's your day!"

Molly chuckled, "Hopefully Janine will be as effortless. She can be tiresome."

Kairi smiled, "I'll have a talk with her if she decides to be difficult." Molly snorted at that, "Or worse, I'll let Sherlock loose on her."

Molly laughed, "Oh God, no I love her. I want her to still be my friend after all this!"

"Ha! Yeah, letting Sherlock loose is a guaranteed way to alienate people." Kairi scoffed, "If you need to thin out your guest list, I'm sure we could send him on a tour to people you don't really like."

Molly guffawed, "Oh please! I'd love to see him go up against my aunt Frida. God, she can be downright nasty!"

"Well, will she be coming to the engagement party? I'm sure I could arrange a covert meeting to put her in her place." Kairi said as she closed up an envelope.

"Perhaps, but hopefully not. I think it's mostly just close family and friends. We didn't really send out invites, it's just a fun little gathering." Molly smiled, "I'm very excited for it."

"Me too!" Kairi replied, "It'll be fun to have dinner and talk to people. I'm looking forward to meeting more of your family. Your mom is lovely, but I haven't met your brothers or other cousins aside from Janine."

Molly coughed, "Oh, please beware of Thomas - he's the ginger I was telling you about! He's, oh, he can be really lecherous if he fancies someone."

Kairi gave Molly a reassuring smile, "I'll hide a cattle prod in my purse."

Molly chuckled, "If all else fails, you could let Sherlock loose on him."

Kairi nudged Molly, "I thought we were trying to keep Sherlock from maiming people."

Molly scrunched her nose, "Thomas can be a real prick."

Kairi laughed loudly at that and leaned into her friend who was finally smiling again, no sign of tears in sight, "Well good, me and Sherlock can be bouncers, I'll hold tight to my cattle prod and we can get Sherlock another riding crop."

Molly sighed heavily, "Oh damn, I know. We never did replace it."

Kairi shuddered slightly, "He's probably fine without it. He is a resilient man, I'm sure he's managed."

Molly just chuckled and poured her and Kairi some more wine, "We should probably eat before going dress shopping. Don't want to show up all blotto and giggly."

Kairi sipped her wine, "I think reduced inhibitions would be perfect for dress searching." She thought for a moment, "Maybe we should get John and Sherlock drunk too, see if we can get them into pink tuxes! Just to try on!" Molly laughed heartily at that and Kairi winked, wondering just how she'd be able to make it happen to bring a little less stress to her dear friend's day.

β€”-

John climbed the stairs of 221 Baker Street, memories flowing through him as he breathed in the musty smell of chemicals and books. Each of his steps were in tune with the violin music playing at the top of the stairs. He was nervous at the moment, knowing that he'd be asking Sherlock to be his best man. Despite the fact that Sherlock was his closest friend, he knew how particular the man could be. He was thoroughly slated into being stoic and impersonal. He didn't do it very well with those he was closest to, but if he felt threatened by an emotional overload, he would shut off almost completely and become a real ass.

It was no surprise that they were best friends. It wasn't something that was mentioned frequently, if ever. John wasn't good at discussing emotions, it was difficult to express things and project words onto feelings he barely understood. He'd lived a stunted emotional life, with a closed off family which later ended in estranged, jilted relationships until his parents passed away and his sister moved across the country to escape his judgement. He sighed heavily, thanking God for the fact that he had met Sherlock when he did, then when Molly came into his life and he found that a relationship with her was effortless and comfortable, he was utterly pleased. He was excited to approach this new era of life, with the two people he loved the most at his side.

He was even eager to see how Kairi would change the future of Sherlock Holmes. John expected to spend the rest of his life as the confirmed bachelor running about town with the boffin detective. That life didn't really seem all that bad, but when he first met Molly he was always amused by her shy smiles and her intelligence. He was never hurt by her affection for Sherlock - it was extremely difficult not to be fascinated by the bastard. Eventually, if you spent enough time with him, just about everyone fell in love with Sherlock Holmes.

He chuckled to himself as he rapped on the door and entered, watching Sherlock turn as he played the violin and saw John. His eyes lit up and John felt so happy to just be seeing him again. The last year had been boring without Sherlock Holmes in his life. Though he couldn't devote all of his time to solving crimes anymore, his adventures with Sherlock would never really be over.

"Ah, John, pleasant to see you." Sherlock muttered as he placed his violin in its spot, "Tea?" He questioned, not really waiting for an answer as he strode into the kitchen and began preparing it.

"Yes, I'd love some." John chuckled as he followed Sherlock and sat at the table which was surprisingly clean and uncluttered. He glanced around for a moment, unsure of where he was actually sitting. "What's this then? No experiments? You've been back for almost a week now." He chuckled.

Sherlock turned with a tight grin, "Yes, well, it's been a busy few days with the case and all."

John gave him a snarky sort of look, "Not to mention beating the hell out your girlfriend's previous romantic entanglement."

Sherlock frowned heavily, "Yes, well, I'd hardly consider him that." He glanced at John who grinned, "Lestrade shouldn't have slept with her if he didn't want me to be upset about it."

John blanched, "What?"

Sherlock glanced at his friend, "Isn't it obvious? Kairi and Lestrade had sex while I was away."

John shook his head and took a deep breath, "Jesus! Are you having me on?"

Sherlock scoffed, a pang of anger still rising at the mention of the event, but he eventually quashed it, trying to seem flippant, there had been many somewhat heartfelt discussions in the last few days between him and Kairi. "Please John, all the evidence was there."

John put up a hand to stop him, "Right, I just didn't observe it." He looked at Sherlock who seemed amused, "So you and Kairi, you are, uh, talking about it all I'm guessing?"

Sherlock nodded, "Yes, there was a significant amount of information that needed to be exchanged." He sighed and glanced at his friend, "It has been a long year."

John nodded and cleared his throat, "Yeah, I can see that now." He looked at the table, scratching at the patch of wood that had a relatively deep slice running through it, "So, uh, are you all right then?"

"Yes, why wouldn't I be?" Sherlock looked at him oddly as the water began to boil.

John scoffed, "You almost threw a man through the floor over him sleeping with your girlfriend. It seems a bit excessive."

Sherlock shifted, looking uncomfortable, "Yes, well, that's apparent now."

John just chuckled, "Right." He looked at Sherlock, laughing to himself that the man was not only capable of complex emotion, but almost adept at it. He loved Kairi, he felt jealousy, he understood the meaning of monogamy. It was all astounding and completely the opposite of what John expected from him. "So we've got an appointment this afternoon."

Sherlock busy with the tea only replied over his shoulder as he gathered the items necessary for John and his own tastes, "What for? A case?"

John chuckled, "No, you clot. Tux fittings."

Sherlock turned with tea-tray in hand and walked over to the table to set things down, "Why would I need to be fitted for a tuxedo?"

John stared at him, completely flabbergasted, "For the wedding, of course."

Sherlock sat and began pouring tea into a cup for John, "I'll just wear one of my suits. That should be adequate."

John scoffed, looking affronted, "No it wont. The best man can't just wear a regular suit."

The silence stretched for a moment as John stared at Sherlock who's eyes were now wide, staring down at the tea-cup that he was filling, but not actually seeing it. John took in the blank look in Sherlock's eyes and then he glanced at the tea-cup which was rapidly approaching its fill limit.

"Sherlock?" John muttered and he watched as Sherlock's hands shook ever so slightly, vibrating the tea-pot just enough so that the stream of umber colored liquid went a little jagged and spilled some of the contents over the edge.

Sherlock remained silent. The tea kept pouring.

"Sherlock." John insisted as the detective remained stone faced, hands quaking gently as the tea rose in the cup and eventually spilled up over the edge and began filling the saucer it sat atop.

"Sherlock!" John shouted and reached for the tea-pot in the detective's hand.

Sherlock finally jolted back to reality, glancing at John who ripped the pot away from him. Sherlock looked down at his cup and saucer, overflowing with tea, "Oh." He cleared his throat and grabbed the offending display and slowly took it to the sink to empty out the saucer, pour out a bit of tea, and make it more presentable. He turned slowly and walked back over to the table, refusing to look at John as his chest filled with an unfamiliar warmth and his mind positively vibrated with thoughts he couldn't quite comprehend.

"Sherlock." John insisted as he poured himself some tea, "You'll need to have a tux. I know how much you hate ties since the incident with the Russian, but the fact is, we'll be dressing to impress." He chuckled and looked up at his friend who was standing just behind his seat, the tea in his hands remaining untouched by his lips or his usual sugar and cream. "I'll be wearing one β€” it's a wedding, it's customary." He cleared his throat, waiting for a response, "Please, for Molly? For me?"

Sherlock was still silent, now staring down at the table. He cleared his throat and looked at John who was smiling at him, "For you?" He said softly and John nodded, looking a bit confused.

John laughed, "Well think about it, ladies love a man in a tux. James Bond and all that!"

Sherlock was still rigid. He placed his cup down and sat, placing his hands in his lap.

John, recognizing the deep thought that Sherlock was almost completely submerged in, reached out for Sherlock's cup and began to fix his tea. When he sorted it all out, adding two spoons of sugar and some milk, he placed it back in front of the unseeing detective who automatically reached out and took a slow sip, as was habit. John just chuckled and Sherlock swallowed, placing the tea back on the table and exhaling a tight breath.

"So, what you are saying is that, you want meβ€”," Sherlock gulped heavily and glanced at John who looked expectant, "you want me as your best man?"

John sat back and exhaled, looking at Sherlock incredulously, "Of course. Of course I want you as my best man, Sherlock."

Sherlock let out a tight breath and reached for his cup again, clattering it a bit on the saucer while his hands shook. He placed his hands on the table and glanced at John, "Are you sure?"

John let out a huge laugh at that, staring at Sherlock with wonder, "Yes I'm sure! You're my best friend."

Sherlock stared at him then, inspecting his blogger closely. He tried to detect micro expressions indicating a lie, no twitching mouth, indicators of distress, or lines in the forehead. He watched John's body language, seeing his relaxed pose, his hand on his tea cup, perfectly calm and still. He looked back up into John's eyes, which seemed happy, if a little amused. Sherlock cleared his throat, "Oh."

John chuckled, "Oh? Is that it? A yes, maybe?"

Sherlock looked at John now, almost appalled, "Yes, of course, I'll be your best man."

John smiled wide, "Good. I'm glad that's settled. I need my best mate with me up there."

Sherlock nodded, "Yes, yes, of course. That seems like a very important, if stressful time. One would assume you'd wanted be surrounded by people of worth."

John laughed, "It's not just that Sherlock. It's the biggest day of my life. I'm marrying the woman I love and I want the other most important person in my life to be present as well. You'll be a part of this marriage β€” whether Molly and I like it or not."

Sherlock gave a small smile and reached for his cup, taking a small sip, "I promise, I will try and keep to myself unless there's a case."

John nodded, "Right. You've got someone else to bother now for tea and food. She'd probably be more effective in persuading you to eat as well."

Sherlock blushed slightly, "You mean Kairi."

John nodded, "Yes, well obviously. Mrs. Hudson dotes on you, but you've had to be noticing her backing off since you and Kairi got together."

Sherlock frowned, "No. No, I didn't notice that."

"Some detective you are," John scoffed, "Kairi makes you coffee and gets you to eat. She keeps her kitchen well stocked with things you like. She even did it when you were gone, always prepared for if you returned."

Sherlock glanced at him, "She did?"

John smiled wide, "Yeah, she did."

Sherlock tried to hide his smile behind his tea-cup as he sipped, "Oh."


A/N

Short little fluff chapter. Insight into the relationships our characters have with one another. I really do love Molly and John - I feel like there really isnt a way to make Sherlock and John better than they already are. Molly is fierce, even if people like to pretend she isnt - she's fucking fierce and I love her. I think you all know I have something unhealthy towards Lestrade ;D. Much will be happening. Hopefully a bit more fun and a bit more case madness. We do have a wedding to prepare for! More to come next week and that chapter is fun to write - we've got tux fittings to attend! But what would a Sherlock story be without a case?

I'm thinking that I may be able to hash this out in about 20 or so chapters. I promise a fleshy reunion will be happening soon. Sorry to bore you all with science - but thats why I wrote the smutlock ;D. I have main plot points planned, but pleeeeeeeeeeeease dont think you cant make requests! If there is something you feel like you MUST see then tell me! If it cant it in directly to this story it will probably work for a one shot.

Thank you again for reading, I'd love to hear your thoughts if you have them :D