OK, folks! As promised, at least one more chapter before heading home for the evening. There is more to come, more to come! I tried to spend some time at dinner, because, well, the City Zen is beautiful and Chef Eric (yes, the guy is real!) is amazing in his creations! Enjoy! (editted 'cause I'm an idiot)
The moment he walked into the City Zen Restaurant, his stomach seized up. It wasn't until that moment it had completely sunk in that he was about to see Sherlock.
He told the hostess his name and the young lady smiled at him.
"Oh, Mr. Smith! It's very nice to meet you! Mr. Jones described you perfectly!"
"Mr. Jones?" John asked before thinking. He cleared his throat and quickly continued, "He's here already?"
"Yes, sir," she said as she led him toward the back of the room. There was a wall that separated the small dining area from the rest of the restaurant. On either side, there were curtains that hung from the ceiling to floor. The side closest to them as they approached was pulled back. He could see a small table towards a wall that was a wine rack and cooler.
It wasn't until John and the hostess had stepped through the curtains that he saw Sherlock.
Sherlock stood, looking through the other curtain out the window. He saw Sherlock watching him through the reflection in the window. John watched as Sherlock's shoulders stiffened and he stood taller before he inhaled deeply and turned to face John.
John thanked the hostess and walked further into the room. He saw the changes in Sherlock and felt the tears well up in his eyes. Sherlock's dark, curly hair was gone. In its place was a short-cropped blond spiky mess. There was a touch of curl, but nothing like he had come to know and adore. Sherlock was also much thinner, almost gaunt. This just made his cheekbones and eyes much more pronounced. What did cause the tears to start falling were Sherlock's eyes.
John saw so much pain and fear in them! John wondered at that fear. Why would Sherlock be afraid?
He knew immediately why. He knew Sherlock would never admit to being terrified that John didn't care as much as he'd said. He also knew that Sherlock was worried that John would be more angry than happy to see him. He paused at that. In all the time that he had known Sherlock was alive, he had never felt that anger. John wondered at that. But John also knew that that moment was not the time to concern himself with lost or forgotten emotions. The moment was for letting the man he loved know how much he was loved.
He stepped closer to Sherlock and slid his fingers along his jaw and into his short hair. Without hesitation, he pulled Sherlock in and kissed him soundly. The moment Sherlock relaxed into his kiss and wrapped his arms around John, John also relaxed. He kept in mind that despite the curtains, they were in a public place, so he kept the kiss as chaste as possible, but Sherlock's hands on his body were very distracting. John deepened the kiss to explore Sherlock's mouth and lost himself in the beauty and warmth that was Sherlock.
"Sher-" he breathed against the man's lips, "Sherlock, we're in public, love."
Sherlock lifted his head reluctantly and stared at John intently. John saw all the emotions that he knew Sherlock tried so desperately to hide every day.
"John," Sherlock started, "I-"
John interrupted him with another kiss before saying, "Later, love. For now, let's just enjoy dinner."
He pulled away from Sherlock, taking the taller man's hand in his and walked over to the small table in the corner of their little alcove.
"I've missed you," Sherlock said softly as they sat in two black straight back chairs with soft linen colored cushions.
"I've missed you as well," John said lightly, "I'm so glad I'm here."
Sherlock sighed heavily and started again, "John, I-"
"Sherlock, not tonight," John said tightly, "We have plenty of time to discuss the ugliness. Tonight, I just want to be happy that we're here…together."
Sherlock smiled slightly and nodded, knowing he was unable to say anything that would change John's mind for the evening. John leaned in and gave him a light peck on the cheek to ease the tension that had flared between them.
"Now," John said, "I'm glad we're both here, but I'm starving! Let's eat!"
Sherlock chuckled and rang the little bell that sat on the table. The server entered the area and smiled.
"Good evening, gentlemen," he said politely, "My name is Steven and I will be your personal server this evening. Chef Eric has prepared a wonderful meal this evening. Mr. Jones, shall I serve?"
John looked at Sherlock. Sherlock had ordered dinner ahead of time?
"Yes, please," Sherlock said with a small smile. Once the server had left to get their first course, Sherlock turned to him,
"I hope you don't mind that I ordered, John," he said, "the restaurant actually closes at 9:30 and I wanted to make sure our dinner would be ready and available when you arrived."
John looked at him, puzzled. Forethought about food? Hmmm… He smiled slightly and lifted Sherlock's hand to his mouth.
"The less I have to think about anything but you tonight, the better," he said quietly, rubbing his lips over Sherlock's knuckles. He knew it was a silly, romantic gesture, but he couldn't help but want to touch Sherlock, remind himself that he was with him.
When the server came in with their first course, John went to let go of Sherlock's hand. Sherlock held his tightly, refusing to let go. Sherlock placed their connected hands on the white tablecloth. John looked at him briefly and frowned. He then turned to watch the server place their appetizers in front of them.
"Mr. Jones, for you, the crispy farm shoat belly. And Mr. Smith, for you the pickled sashimi of Japanese Hamachi," Steven said with a smile, "I'll give you a few minutes."
Very quietly, he left.
"Sherlock?"
"We're in Washington, DC, John," he replied to the question, "If I want to hold my lover's hand during dinner, no one will say anything. Here, gay men can be open and loving and most of the populous does not care."
"Still, Sherlock-"
"John," Sherlock said sternly, "there are certain things you don't want to talk about tonight. That is fine. But I would like tonight to be just about us being together without the worry of who might talk. We're in a foreign country. We can continue to be Hamish Jones and Marty Smith without anyone the wiser. If we want to openly be a couple here, it does not bother anyone."
John smiled and shook his head. He was definitely okay with that idea. He never thought he would be, but the idea of being an open couple, regardless of those at home who had always suspected, had frightened him. In America, who would it hurt?
He took up his fork and tried his sashimi. The flavors in his mouth were beyond delicious, something he'd never had before.
"Good?" Sherlock asked with a small grin.
John continued to chew and hum as he nodded, his eyes connecting with Sherlock's. The love in Sherlock's eyes stopped him. He swallowed the remainder of the piece of sashimi and leaned toward Sherlock, tugging him closer with their still-connected hands. The kiss was gentle, loving, and not so intense that John forgot himself. When Sherlock hummed into his mouth like he had hummed about the appetizer, he couldn't help but giggle. Sherlock joined him, knowing exactly why John was giggling, as he always did.
"I love you," John said on a sigh as he pulled back.
Sherlock's eyes filled with tears and John was taken aback.
"Sherlock?"
Sherlock gave him a watery grin and replied, "I never thought I would hear you say that, John."
"But you've suspected, Sherlock? Probably even before I did," John said in confusion.
Sherlock smiled again, wiping his eyes with his free hand.
"Yes, John," he said as he picked up his appetizer fork, "but suspecting and knowing are two different things, John."
John watched as Sherlock took a bite of his appetizer. He wasn't really surprised that Sherlock had doubted. He himself had denied it so often. He chuckled at their stupidity and couldn't help saying it.
"We're idiots, Sherlock, you and I."
Sherlock just laughed. It was the laugh John had not heard for well over six months; the one he had told everyone about in his blog. It was the laugh that had turned his heart over and over until it didn't know which way was up. He joined in Sherlock's laughter as they finished their appetizers.
Yes, only appetizers! We still have the main course, the cheese and dessert courses...wil they EVER get where we all want them to go? Let's ask Doc! He just nodded, but as he IS part Hobbit, he is a foodie, so he wants me to tell you about the deliciousness the boys are feasting on (sorry...you know I go where he goes!) Let me know what you think about their reunion...I wrote what Doc told me and I think it's sweet, personally! (blushes) RRR please!
Editted because I realized that I made the server Andrew...this is not the same person as in my JW story(obviously), so to avoid confusion on my own part, I changed his name...just saying...