John woke stiff and aching, with the early morning sunlight shining a strip of bright light in his eyes where the curtains didn't close properly.
He squinted and frowned, rolling his shoulders in an attempt to loosen up his limbs.
He very quickly became aware of sounds coming from behind him in the kitchen. Sherlock was up then. John briefly considered pretending to be still sleeping in order to avoid his moody flatmate but decided against it when his bladder made it clear that he would have to move soon anyway.
He stretched his arms and flexed his legs before standing and heading upstairs to relieve himself.
As he came back down, he hesitated outside the living room door, collecting himself and his thoughts before entering. He'd been with Sherlock now for long enough to know. He shook his head at himself for expecting this time to be any different.
He'd just go in and make breakfast for them both, then they could go about their day as normal. John slowly pushed open the door, but nothing could have prepared him for what was on the other side.
"What the...?" John stood aghast in the doorway, his clothing from the previous day looking as wrinkled as his face which screwed up in obvious confusion.
"I'm not very good at this sort of thing, John." Sherlock said, his face a picture of vulnerable uncertainty.
John studied the scene before him. The small desk had been cleared, and on it, sat a light breakfast of tea and toast. He then looked at Sherlock. This man who John had known for many years and who he thought could no longer surprise him.
The detective knelt on the floor in front of the table, clearly steeling himself to say more, so John stood silently and let him.
"I know that you thought I had forgotten, John. I hadn't. I hadn't forgotten at all. Today is the 18th of January and it is ten years to the day since we became lovers. It's our anniversary."
As he raised one knee, he produced from behind his back, a small box. He finally risked raising his head and looked at John - his John - directly in the eyes.
"I think it's been long enough, don't you?" he continued, flicking open the box and holding it up towards John.
"John Watson, will you marry me?"