A/N: Don't kill me.

Chapter 11

Ever After

"I love you."

"I know."

The words echo around in John's head as he sits up from his bed. Funny, he doesn't remember falling asleep after he and Sherlock spoke. Oh, right. They had spoken. Oh, god, John had told Sherlock how he felt.

And Sherlock feels the same. But that still doesn't quite the nagging in the back of his mind that he doesn't remember going to sleep. Hmm. That is definitely going to be a problem.

Certain that it doesn't matter all that much, John hoists himself out of bed and makes his way downstairs, ready to make breakfast. Shouldn't Sherlock be here, speculates John as he puts the tea to boil and starts making some toast. It is awfully odd that he's not bustling about solving a crime, or composing, or-

John stops spreading the jam on his toast, staring at the calendar on the kitchen wall. 23 January 2012. That should be 18 August 2012. John remembers because he just changed the calendar himself yesterday because someone else refused to. This intrigues John as he sits down at the kitchen table, moving Sherlock's microscope. What could have possibly happened to that calendar?

Making a mental note to himself to ask Sherlock later, John finishes his toast and tea. He stands and pulls his laptop from beside the couch-though he swore he left it on his chair-and opens it to check his email. No New Messages.

The on-screen prompt to refresh catches his eye; the date below it confuses him even further: 23 January 2012. Oh god. John stands, placing his computer beside him gently, and rushes to Sherlock's room. He doesn't hesitate before bursting in. The sight confirms his worst fear-dust is settled on everything, even the comforter at the foot of the bed.

Oh god, no. Just... No.

John falls onto Sherlock Holmes' bed, wishing with all his might to go back to his dream, back to a world where there was a happy ending.

"Afraid it won't come 'round again

Afraid to move on

Wishing I could go back when

Everything was easier and meaningful to me

Wanting all we left behind like it's the answer

An hourglass we can't rewind

Holding back the life that I've denied for so long

Can I find my way to you?

After all that we've been through

After all we left in pieces

I still believe our lives have just begun

Cause now the past can be outrun

And I know you are the reason

I still believe the best is yet to come

A photograph still in my hands

Afraid to let go

Minutes rain like grains of sand

And time is just a war that's stealing dreams from within

So come and take them back again."

-Best Is Yet To Come

I'm... Sorry. I love you all.

And I just read Alone On the Water... I guess that explains a lot.

I'mSOSOSOSOSO sorry. This most definitely wasn't the fluff ending you imagined, was it?