Chapter Two – The Proposal
"Sherlock, are you all right?"
John stood outside the bathroom door, listening to the sink run, feeling very concerned for his friend. He had to jump back out of the way when the door was ripped open and Sherlock stormed out.
"I'm fine. Clearly the curry was off."
"I had the same thing," John shook his head. "I think this news has upset you more than me. Far more."
Sherlock threw himself onto the couch and lay there, staring up at the ceiling.
"So, this is it, then?"
"What?"
"You're going to marry that, that, woman."
"Looks like. And she has a name. And, in case you haven't noticed, she actually likes you. Though I don't know why. You're very rude to her."
"Bah. I'm rude to everyone."
"True," John smiled. "I suppose that's why she doesn't take it personally. Things are not going to change, Sherlock. Well, they'll change a little. But you and me, we're always going to be best mates."
"Things are going to change dramatically. You're leaving."
With that, Sherlock rolled over to his side, turning his back to John.
"Right then. I'm going to call her back."
Sherlock stayed right where he was, listening to the faint sounds of John on the phone in his room. At one point, John's voice was raised, but then he started talking normally again. Sherlock couldn't hear the words, but he knew that things were not going the way John had expected them to. He was sure that John's proposal had been met with a resounding rejection. When John finally came out of his room, Sherlock didn't have to look at him to know that he had gotten dressed to leave for the day.
"Why are you bothering going over there? She's already told you no."
"Yeah, well, handling this over the phone wasn't the best idea. I'm going to talk to her face to face."
Sherlock sat up suddenly, studying his friend intensely.
"Don't."
"Sherlock..."
"Don't. You can be a father without getting married. Nothing would have to change. I don't want it to change, John."
"Please, Sherlock, you're making this so much harder than it has to be. I promise you, I swear to you, I won't let anything come between me and you. But... if I'm going to have a kid, I want that kid to grow up with both parents, together."
"Please. I grew up with both of my parents. Highly over rated."
"We're not discussing this."
"Why not? Don't I have some say in this? It does affect me."
"No! No, damn it, you don't get a say! It's my life, Sherlock! God, what is your problem? Do you enjoy making my life hell?"
Sherlock narrowed his eyes at John, then flung himself back down on the couch, back into his original position.
"Hardly."
"Then what?"
"It doesn't matter. Not anymore."
"Sherlock? It matters to me. I'm sorry I yelled. Just tell me."
"Just go, John. Just go and change everything."
"Fine. We will talk when I get back."
Sherlock didn't reply to that. He simply laid there in silence, waiting until he heard John leave the flat. When he knew he was gone, he sat back up and stared at the closed door. He knew he was being difficult, he knew he should be supportive of John, but how could he? John was being taken away from him, before he could ever tell John that in reality, he belonged to Sherlock. He had hoped he would figure that out on his own, but it was simply too late.
TBC
A/N: Sorry so short! I'm still convinced it's the plague.
