Sorry for taking a while, working on another story called 'Manipulation by Mycroft' where Mycroft puts the gang on an island to try and get John and Sherlock together while completing tasks. Anyway please leave a review so I know what to work on! 3

The next few weeks went by, and noticeable improvements were made. John's marks went up (thanks to Sherlock's private tutoring sessions) and he was gaining popularity. People started talking to him more, inviting him to events and eventually he was hit on more than any of the straight guys at London's 5th. Sherlock's wounds healed and their relationship was steady and perfect. John kept up his work, at reasonable hours after school, then spent the rest of the day with Sherlock.

John found himself enjoying the spotlight in school, minus the attention from the girls. He constantly reminded them that he was taken but they just said that was hot, or the way they said it- 'hawwwt.' John still sat with Sherlock in the classes they had together and hung out with him at lunch, but the other classes he goofed off with his 'posse.' Sherlock was getting worried that he'd lose John to the popular crowd, because he was not popular nor did he have a lot of friends.

One Friday night up in Sherlock's room John was sprawled on his boyfriend's bed doing homework. Sherlock was typing on his laptop at his desk when John broke the comfortable silence. "So I was invited to this party tonight and was thinking of going." Sherlock stopped typing and spun to face John. "Okay," he said. "Do you want to come with me?" John asked. Sherlock spun back to his desk. "Please, John. These social gatherings are a waste of time. Nobody wants me around anyway." Sherlock resumed typing. "I want you around," John said and sat up, "Plus we'd only stay for a bit. It's Friday and we haven't gone out in a while. Pleease come." John got on his knees and looked up at Sherlock. "Fine. One hour only." Sherlock gave in. "Yess, thank you!" John bounced up and gave Sherlock a long kiss. "You owe me though," Sherlock smirked.

John shrugged on his jacket and said "Alright, whatdya want?" Sherlock got up and put on his own jacket. "I don't know, when I think of something I'll let you know." John nodded and went to Sherlock's door. "Are we going now? Or-" Sherlock puzzled. "Not to the party yet, follow me." John led the way out the front door and heard Sherlock call to his mom that they'd be out for a bit. John's breath fogged in the cool evening, the last of the sun slipping away. John held Sherlock's hand and let him into the outskirts of the city, into a dimly lit street and finally a quaint little café. It was completely devoid of people except for a young woman behind the counter. She had short black hair with purple streaks, a lean body and an apron with a yellow logo. She had a bright face for someone working in a corner café.

Two tables and four white chairs occupied the small space and a wooden counter behind. "What's this?" Sherlock asked. "This, is the best hot chocolate you will ever taste." John said and smiled. Then he walked up to the counter and asked for two hot chocolate xs." "Xs?" Sherlock inquired. "Secret menu item," John explained as the girl nodded and filled two cups with a smooth liquid, mounted it with whipped cream, sprinkled some cinnamon and mini chocolate chips and a dash of maple syrup. John handed her cash with a generous tip and took the cups, thanking her and moving to sit at one of the tables.

"Maple syrup?" Sherlock asked. "Very sweet, and tasty with the whipped cream too." John answered, licking a bit of the whipped cream. Sherlock shrugged and did the same, followed by a sip of the rich chocolatey liquid. "Wow, John, this is really good, how'd you find out about it?" "My boss at work knows all the restaurant secrets around here." John sipped again. Sherlock took another sip and came up with whipped cream on his upper lip. John giggled and gestured to it. Embarrassed, Sherlock licked it then wiped with a napkin. He looked down at his lap. "Don't laugh at me John," he tried to be stern but a smile broke out instead. John pouted, "but it was so cute." Sherlock smiled bigger. "Thank you John," Sherlock said as he downed a bit more, taking a large chunk of the whipped cream with it. "Anytime, really, I love this, spending time with just you. We don't have to go to the party, we can just stay in if you want. I'll stay with you, you're more important." John took Sherlock's hands on the table.

"No, I said we'll go for an hour, let's go." Sherlock said. "Alright, but you're not leaving my side, 'kay?" John grinned. Sherlock nodded and helped John into his jacket before putting his own on. John said a last thanks and goodbye to the girl before stepping out into the cold. Shame she has to work all alone on a Friday night, John thought. Maybe they'd make a tradition of it, taking Sherlock to try every item on the menu, one every Friday night. He smiled at the idea.

Walking under streetlights out of the city and into suburbs, John almost decided to ditch the whole party and just go walking around with Sherlock but the house came into view and it was too late. Outside of the brick house was typical, and the only hint that a party was commencing inside was the blaring music coming from within. John dragged Sherlock in by the hand, not bothering to knock. As soon as the door flew open the music became very loud and much clearer. To the left, a living room sparkled with different colored lights and multiple foldable tables held bowls of popcorn, munchies and various drinks, including beer.

"Watson! You made it!" A guy named Derek clapped John on the back. John, in turn bro-hugged the guy and walked with him to greet some of the others. He checked back every few steps to make sure Sherlock was following him. A huddle of guys and a few girls who were already drunk greeted John with hugs and claps, high fives and handshakes. A girl tried to throw herself on John but he sidestepped her and awkwardly chuckled. He gently took Sherlock's arm and led him forward, introducing him to the group. The girls, and some of the guys, whistled and welcomed him with handshakes and whoops. "Nice skin, cool hair, you chose wisely Watson," One of the guys looked Sherlock up and down, slurring his words a bit. "I know I did," John smiled at Sherlock.

Although Sherlock was glad John wasn't embarrassed to be with him, and that the group accepted him, he didn't necessarily feel comfortable around these drunk jocks and cheerleaders. "I'm gonna go grab some snacks, I'll catch up with you guys in a bit," John took Sherlock's hand and dragged him into the main room. "Hungry?" John asked as he picked up a pretzel and munched on it. Sherlock shook his head, and John noticed something was wrong. Over the blare of the music and the sweaty dancing bodies in the room John struggled to talk to Sherlock. "You alright?" he asked. Sherlock nodded but his eyes weren't glowing and he wasn't smiling very enthusiastically. John frowned, then smiled as the song changed into a slow song. He pulled Sherlock by the waist close to him and rested his head on his shoulder. "This better?" He asked. In response Sherlock sighed, kissed John's ear and hugged him, swaying in time with the music. "Better." Sherlock smiled. "Good," John said. When the song finished a few minutes later, Sherlock was in a considerably better mood. "I'll get us some punch," Sherlock offered to which John nodded enthusiastically. Content, Sherlock wandered over to the drink table and took two cups off the stack. He filled them and took a sip, it was spiked. He left the cups on the table and settled for two sodas instead. He weaved through the crowd to get to John but was met with a disturbing surprise.

One of the cheerleaders from before was kissing John. John was still and stiff, unresponsive. Sherlock couldn't fathom this though, as he was fighting a pain in his heart and a rolling in his stomach. People were whistling and cheering and she kept attacking him. Sherlock wanted to move, to throw her off his guy, to get the hell out of there, anything but his legs would not move. After a minute of slow motion action, John seemed to startle back to reality. He shoved her off him and seemed dazed. People stopped cheering and stood quiet, waiting to see what John would do. "Sorry, I… uh… I'm taken, I… sorry." John stammered then shook his head. "I'm with someone and I'm not interested in girls." Sherlock let a sigh release but it didn't really ease him.

John turned and saw Sherlock standing there shocked. John strode up to him and pulled him in for a strong kiss before pulling back and taking Sherlock's hand. "I'm with Sherlock and I'm happy." John stated. Sherlock smiled and blushed as people cheered and whistled for them. Not the girl, but for him. And John. For him and John. The girl, wearing a miniskirt and crop top looked a bit taken aback. She bit her lip and walked up to John, who tensed. "I'm sorry. No hard feelings?" She offered her hand. John shook it and nodded, then turned away and dragged Sherlock out of the house. Sherlock didn't know whether he was glad or not that John forgave the animal so quickly. "Sorry," John said once the house was fading behind them in the street. "Next time don't leave my side, or you know, you could pull her off me. I'm yours after all, you just gonna let people climb over me?" John chuckled and winked but Sherlock was still a bit fazed.

"You chose me over her." Sherlock stated, more for self-reassurance. "Of course I did. She didn't save my life, she didn't offer to be my only friend, she didn't ask me out, she didn't invite me over or ask about my story. I'd choose you over anyone Sherlock." John kissed his cheek and Sherlock couldn't help but smile. "I'm glad I chose you John." Sherlock said. And he meant it. John was the best thing that happened to him. Although Sherlock had a decent life, safe, warm and filled with love, nothing compared his happiness pre-John to when he was with John. "I'm glad you chose me too." John leaned into Sherlock and smiled.