"John I'm bored", Sherlock exclaimed from the sofa. He was upside down with his hands pursed against his lips in his classic thinking pose with his legs against the wall. John was typing away on his desk writing up the previous case they had just been on, he ignored Sherlock. Sherlock was always bored unless they were on a case, always chasing that high, always wanted to be doing something exciting. The flat was silent for a few moments other than the click clack of john typing until the detective broke it. "John. I said I'm bored", he said in a sulking manner. John didn't reply. "John". The doctor looked up at the detective with a derogatory look and closed his laptop with a little frustration. "What do you want me to do Sherlock? We just finished a case. Lestrade doesn't have anything for us. Read a book or something", he said opening his laptop again.
"But I've read them all".
"Do one of your experiments".
"I've run out of items to use".
"Go to the shop and buy some then", John said smirking at the detective knowing full well what the response was going to be. Sherlock just looked at John in a disapproving manner. The doctor walked over to the sofa and sat down beside Sherlock. Neither of them spoke for a moment until Sherlock said "Yes?" in a bored tone."We could look at a cold case together?" John suggested looking down at the mangled man. The man swiftly turned around avoiding hitting John and sat upright, then flattening down his suit. The doctor always appreciated how well fitted his flat mates clothing was. Why was he thinking about that? Problem for another day he thought. "What a brilliant idea Watson!" Sherlock beamed, leaping up from his seat and going over to his desk.
John stayed sitting on the sofa until the younger man gestured him over to the desk. Sherlock had picked up a file and sat on his respected chair whilst John returned to his seat on the desk, turning slightly so he could see the other man. The detective flicked through the files his eyes scanning at the photos, the statements and the brief. John could see his brain at work, cogs moving throughout his head. He always wondered what it must feel like to have Sherlocks brain, his thoughts. He didn't realise how long he had been staring at the man until the detective was staring back at him. Deducing him. Trying to figure out why he was staring at him in the first place. John gave Sherlock a small smile and asked "anything interesting then? The case."
"Oh yes quite so" he replied back, looking down at the files again. Sherlock tried to dismiss the fact that John had been staring at him but he couldn't. He noticed it more and more. Quite often he found John looking at him, not quite sure why. Sherlock didn't like not knowing. "Can I look at the file?",John asked putting his hand out towards the detective. Sherlock nodded and handed over the file, their fingers briefly brushing one another as the papers were passed along. John gave Sherlock another small smile then turning around to place the papers on the desk to examine them. The brief brush of fingers sat in Sherlocks mind. He liked the way the small act made him feel. Feelings? Sherlock thought. I don't feel. At least not like that towards John. He shook his head trying to regain his thoughts until that was disturbed by John turning around.
"Victim looks marked just behind her ear, no visible signs of bleeding or a big gash so it couldn't have been a knife. Her face is flat and the rest of her body calm so no visible signs of heart attack or anything related. That's all I've got Sherlock, sorry." John said bluntly, passing the papers back to the Detective, their fingers not touching this time. "You see but you do not observe, Doctor. The victim was clearly pierced in the back of her ear with a small blade given by the little flap we can see from the picture. No blood because she internally bled to her death as she was knocked out by a blunt object. Honestly this was quite an easy case John, I'm surprised you didn't solve this one. In fact I'm surprised Scotland Yard didn't solve this one. A new low for them" Sherlock huffed. John had been intently staring at him mesmerised by his words, the way he just knows and says. Sherlock had returned to the file whilst John continued to analyse him. The doctor picked up on a curl in front of Sherlocks eye, he was looking at it and without even thinking he leaned over and gently brushed it away from Sherlocks face. The man looked up, John's hand still softly placed on the detectives hair. They stared into each other's eyes for a few moments until the doctor released his hand and whispered a small "sorry".
"I-it's okay", Sherlock managed to get out quite effected by the small touch. John's hand had just touched his hair and it made him feel — feelings. Again with the feelings. But he couldn't ignore them this time, he wanted John to touch his hair again. He wasn't sure why the small touch made him feel this way but he just knew he wanted to feel it again.
John finally managed to avert his gaze and stood up to go to the kitchen. He walked over not really sure what he was doing in there and so he decided to do what he always did. He made tea. The doctor always made tea, whether it was for him, his best-friend, guests, clients. It was always tea he made. John put the kettle on and leaned against the counter quickly grabbing a glance at Sherlock. Sherlock had picked up the file again and was examining it. Oh so he thought.
The man was simply just looking at the papers, not thinking about them. He was thinking about John. That touch. Why did he touch his hair? While he wasn't opposed to the gesture he was confused. He wanted John to do it again. Sherlock stood up to intercept John just as the doctor was making a beeline for the restroom. They collided ever so slightly, Sherlock now looming over the older man. John looked startled and so he took a small step back from the other man but he didn't let go of his gaze. They were still quite close to each other, definitely invading another's personal space. They have always stood quite close to each other when out and about, solving cases, waiting around..but this time it was different. There was tension in the air and neither of them could look away from each other.
Sherlock was thinking about what to do next. He was nervous. He didn't think this far ahead. He just stared at John, he always stared at John to be quite frank. But never like this. He was staring directly into John's eyes until the doctor licked his lips which made Sherlock look down at them for a brief second. Was john aware of what he was doing to him? He hoped that he didn't because he didn't know what was going on but it was so hard to avert his gaze from the other man.
John knew that this wasn't normal, it wasn't normal to stare at your flat mate for this amount of time but he didn't do anything to stop what was about to happen next. It was as if his body and brain were no longer working together. John took a small step towards the detective, not as close as they were initially but still far too close than he would have deemed normal. That curl. It had landed on top of Sherlocks eye again. John couldn't resist lifting it up. His hand slowly reached for the curl and he gently brushed it back into the rest of the mans hair. Sherlock just stood there, letting the doctor do what he wanted to do. The curl had returned to the rest of his hair yet John's had remained on his head. John carefully felt the other mans hair through is fingers, his curls weaving through the doctors fingertips. The doctors brain finally caught up with his body and he retracted his hand and put it by his side. "Sorry" he mumbled, still looking at the detective.
Sherlock didn't say anything. He was trying to deduce what was happening but similar to John his body betraying his brain he whispered "Can I touch your hair?". When he realised what he had said he internally cringed but then John nodded and Sherlock decided to not worry about his brains thoughts just for a few moments. Sherlock slowly brought his hand up to John's hair. His hair was grey and soft. He gently caressed it and then eventually his hands were on his scalp and he carefully massaged it. Sherlocks heart was beating so fast he wondered if John could hear it. He wanted to touch the back of his head so he took a little step towards him, their toes almost touching. Sherlock realised he took too big of a step and now his hand couldn't reach the back of John's head so he just brought it to his side in defeat. Sherlock imagined that John would back away any second now but he didn't. Instead John was looking up at the older man. Neither had spoken a word since the whole debacle had started, both too scared that it'd break whatever spell they were under.
With Sherlock being taller than John he looked over him again looking down at him whilst their feet were now touching side by side. Sherlock realised that he had got too close to John and if he moved his head at all now he would definitely brush past John's as he did. They continued staring at each other, was it minutes? Hours? Who knew? Sherlocks neck started to hurt, he had to move his head and so he did. He nose gently brushing against John's. He liked that. It felt nice. The detective began feeling nervous, he didn't want John to pull away. John didn't. Instead he looked up at Sherlock and softly brushed his nose against his. A small smile escaped Sherlocks lips. He brushed his nose against John's. And john did the same again.
And again.
And again.
And again.
Back and forth, gently brushing each other's noses. John's legs had started to ache. How long have they been standing John thought to himself, thought dismissed as the only important thought right now was Sherlock. He slid his hand onto Sherlocks waist, for stability. Yes stability he thought. That touch sent a shiver down Sherlock. He liked the feeling of John's hand on his waist. He wanted to say something, unaware if John knew what was happening. Well of course John must know what he's doing. Sherlocks head started racing again thoughts scrabbling through his mind. Thinking about the times John always said he wasn't gay. He wanted to say something. He wanted to so badly but he was afraid John would move away or worse that this was all a dream he had conjured in his mind palace. His mind palace was an incredible thing. He could go anywhere, create anything he wanted. Did that mean he wanted John? Or maybe this was real? This is real. Returning back to the matter at hand Sherlock placed his palm on the nape of John's neck. That act made them stumble even closer together, their chests centimetres apart from touching.
Once again Sherlock was stuck. If he moved his head even the slightest he would brush John. He wanted to brush against John's face again but he was still quite nervous that this would all wash away. He always knew that he had feelings for the doctor but he never acknowledged them, not until now. He decided to move his head just as well John decided to move his too resulting in a small brush of their lips.
Just a small touch. Nothing else.
John's heart was beating so fast. What was happening he thought? His lips had just briefly touched Sherlocks and yet he wasn't repulsed and nor was the detective. He thought that if this situation had bugged either of them one or the other would have moved away by now. So john went for another brush. Nothing more, nothing less. And so the dance, similar to the nose event, started.
Sherlock brushed John's lips with his own.
And again.
And again.
And again.
Every-time, alternating. Just a small touch of one another's lips.
Often Sherlock would hate delaying the inevitable, he loved getting straight to the point. However he found himself enjoying their little dance. Sherlock noticed that it must have been about 20-30 minutes since this situation had started or maybe it was a few minutes. He couldn't tell anymore. His brain wasn't functioning properly. John's hand was still rested on the detectives hip, Sherlock pleased by the emotions he was feeling from the gesture. Sherlocks hand was still on the nape of John's neck, now rubbing small circles on it. He didn't even realise he was doing it. They hadn't brushed lips for a few moments he thought. He brought his gaze back to John, looking at his eyes then down to his lips. He wanted to touch them lips again with his own.
John had started gently caressing Sherlocks hip seeing his eyes flicker from his eyes to lips. John wanted to touch his lips again. So he did. This time applying a little more pressure. Still closed mouth, just a little heavier than the last. John analysed Sherlock. His face was so pure, a face he hadn't seen before. He wasn't angry, sad, happy, deducing, he was..he was content. The detective returned the act back and put his lips to John's with a little more pressure. John received it well but he was getting impatient he wanted more. He wanted to kiss the detective. His body once again betraying him he tiptoed up to reach Sherlocks mouth and then his brain caught up a little faster and he realised what he was doing and his feet returned to the floor. I am not gay he thought. I can't kiss another man. He was still rubbing Sherlocks hips though. He quickly glanced at his hand his brain telling him to retract it. But his brain didn't listen.
Why did John pull away? Sherlock thought. And then he saw the older man looking down at his own hand. Oh. Maybe he didn't realise what he was doing. I knew it he thought. Embarrassed, the detective wanted to pull away but he couldn't. It felt right. It felt right to be holding John like this.
John tiptoed up again to Sherlocks mouth, inches away from colliding. Sherlock could tell this time it was different, if it was a brush John would have done it by now. It was going to be a kiss, that's why john retreated during his last attempt. The detective was glad that he had some of his deducing skills still in him.
John kept flickering from Sherlocks eyes to his lips. He brought his hand up to his hair again and leaned into the younger mans mouth. He stopped millimetres outside of his lips. Sherlock didn't know what to do other than him moving his hands to rest on the mans waist. He wanted to close the small distance between them and kiss him but he knew that John was thinking again, thinking is this what he wanted to do. Sherlock encouragingly rubbed the doctors waist until John finally connected with his lips.
The kiss was short. Open mouthed. Lasted about a second.
When John moved his head back slightly his and Sherlocks noses were touching side by side. Sherlock decided it was his turn, he slowly moved towards the doctor and kissed him the same. He didn't move back as much as john did he just stopped the kiss. Their chests were touching now. Either mans hands resting on one another's back. John kissed him again, with more pressure this time. He retreated again not allowing Sherlock to reply. They still remained close. The detective kissed John and this time John returned the kiss. The kiss was slow and sensual, their lips moving against one another, both actively participating in the exchange. John played with the other mans hair whilst Sherlock stroked the nape of the other neck. They kissed for about 10 seconds until the doctor broke it and pulled back little resting his hand on Sherlocks shoulder.
John looked at Sherlock, smirking. Realising neither of them have spoken in a long time he broke the silence by saying "you're a good kisser Sherlock Holmes" in a low tone.
"Thank you" was all Sherlock could muster, his brain was still jumbled up from the events that had just occurred. Deciding he wanted to kiss John again he leaned in with more force this time. This kiss more erratic than the last, their mouths moving more violently, John responded to the kiss just as hard as Sherlock had initiated it. They continued kissing, hands moving through ones another's hair, a small moan escaped Sherlocks mouth. Sherlock stopped kissing John. "I-I'm sorry" he said. John looked confused.
"why are you sorry Sherlock?" He asked playing with his hair. "I-I moaned. I didn't mean to." He said. John gave Sherlock a small smile remembering the inexperience that his friend has when it comes to these things. He moved his hand towards his chiselled cheeks and said "it's okay sherlock, it's fine. these things happen when you're kissing someone".
Having words spoken to him Sherlock regains his thoughts and his brain is starting to work again. "we were kissing" Sherlock says still holding the other man close. "Wow good deduction Detective Holmes" John says sarcastically, still playing with his hair. He could see Sherlock thinking again. "I thought you weren't gay?" Sherlock questions. A small nervous chuckle leaves John, "I'm not" he starts. "Well I thought I wasn't, I thought I wasn't gay. But you, Detective Holmes did something to me. It's only been you, I've only been attracted to you, no other men. I've been confused for some time".
"You amaze me Dr. Watson". That's all Sherlock says and then leans in to kiss him again. This time he starts with a small kiss, and another, and another until John is finally returning and they're necking like teenagers. They get really into it until Sherlocks phone starts ringing. He breaks the kiss and cringes at John. "I'm sorry, I have to get that" he says, leaving John's embrace. Neither of them have any idea of how long they were like that for. "It's Lestrade, he's got a case for us. He said to meet him at the station". Sherlock said going to collect his coat as if nothing had just transpired between the two friends. John was going to say something but then realised it was Sherlock. A case is a case. And he did say he was bored earlier but then does that mean what they had just done was out of boredom? As if he was reading his mind Sherlock said "John what just happened, I wanted to do that for a while but you always said that you weren't gay so I never did. It wasn't out of boredom. If I do recall you initiated it so I'm sorry if my reply to your acts made you uncomfortable, but the acts were not out of boredom". Sherlock swiftly put his jacket on and returned to look at John who was now looking at the floor.
John hadn't said anything in a while so Sherlock went over to him and said "John?".
"Oh yes sorry, the case."
"Did you not hear what I said?"
"I- your response didn't make me uncomfortable, I'm glad you responded that way. I'm sorry I took so much time to do it, I was nervous as you probably deduced".
"I did deduce that but with everything going on my brain stopped working for a while. As silly as it sounds my body started doing things before my brain could register it" Sherlock said passing john his jacket. "Mine too, I didn't even realise I had touched your hair those first two time" John said with a little chuckle. He slipped on his jacket and went to go for the stairs not wanting to talk more on the subject but Sherlock had other plans. He grabbed John's wrist and the doctor turns to him. "Can I kiss you?" Sherlock asks with authority. John sheepishly nods. Keeping hold of the mans wrists Sherlock starts to kiss John and everything gets heated fast. Sherlock pins John to the wall above the stairs, not with his hand now just with his tall figure whilst John messes with his hair. Sherlock now pressing the man right against the wall, their crotches ever so slightly rubbing against each other starts to deepen the kiss. "Sherlock" John's manages to breath. "Yes?" He asks.
"The case" John says attempting to be let go from the mans stance over him. The doctor felt uncomfortable from how fast he felt something down there as they were kissing so he decided to stop what was happening. He liked Sherlock.He just wasn't ready for it to be like that. "Oh of course" he says in a seductive manner, knowing exactly what John is thinking. "We must get back to this though, I quite like it" Sherlock confesses as he lets the man go. "I agree, I like it too" John exclaims catching up with Sherlock as he's already out of the door not sure if the other man heard his reply. He catches up to him and sees him standing on the curb waiting to hail a cab. John stands besides him and notices that curl again, he reaches up and adjusts it back into the flow of his hair and before retrieving his hand he strokes Sherlocks face "I like it too" John says smiling. "I know" Sherlock replies with then shouting "TAXI!!".
The cab pulls up and both men get inside, not saying anything. It's a comfortable silence, they can always sit in silence like this. They ride along as if nothing happened, well to others it would appear so but to them they understand the implications of what that evening means. Some things might change now at 221b Baker Street but one things for sure, the adrenaline of chasing a case will not.