"No."

He felt Sherlock tense up behind him. He turned around and grabbed Sherlock's hand, knowing that he might walk out otherwise, if his mortified expression was anything to go by.

"That was not the answer I was expecting," Sherlock said quietly, avoiding his eyes.

"I'm sorry." He carefully carded his fingers through Sherlock's hair and pulled lightly at it, so Sherlock would meet his gaze. "That was not my definite answer, though. I would love to marry you, Sherlock. I just think it's too soon. I think," John squirmed, licking his lips. "If you're just doing this to prove something to me, because of what happened-"

"I want to show you that you matter. Since that day, you keep thinking our relationship won't last, that I'll end up leaving you. You're wrong."

"Look, Sherlock, I appreciate what you're trying to do, but this... Marriage is not the solution to our problems."

"Why not?" Sherlock frowned. "I love you, but you are still convinced that this won't last. I want to prove to you that it will. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and I know you want the same thing, John." He rested his forehead against John's, his arm curling around his waist. "Please."

"I want to marry you, Sherlock... but not right now. I still think it's too soon." John kissed him softly, not wanting Sherlock to feel rejected. "Maybe in a few months we can talk about this again."

"We don't have to get married right this instant. We can be engaged and do the proper ceremony whenever you want. Just," he closed his eyes, tightening his grip around John, "think of it as a promise. We can be engaged for as long as you want, and it will still be a... symbol of us. It will be away for me to show you that I love you and that I won't get bored of you, of us. And I-" He opened his eyes again, his hand reaching out to brush his thumb along John's cheek, "I will know that you won't leave me either. That even when I'm infuriating, when I make you mad because of the experiments or my dark moods, you still chose me and decided to stay."

Sherlock hid his face on the crook of John's neck, conscious that John hadn't say anything yet. Maybe this had been a bad idea, maybe he had ruined it, what if-

"Sherlock Watson-Holmes. I quite like the sound of that." He pressed his lips to Sherlock's temple. "Yes, Sherlock. I'll marry you."

Sherlock drew out a breath, pulling John impossibly closer. "Thank you."


Author's notes:

I'm really sorry for not updating yesterday, I've been a bit busy.
Same goes for this chapter, actually; I didn't have much time, so I hope it's not complete crap.
Enjoy x