"How would you know?" John demanded to know, sharply. "Often there's more than meets the eye, you know." He put his cuppa down and crossed his legs. "Besides, you might need some help. Does he know how you feel?"

"I do know! I know him better than he thinks. And he has a girlfriend. And I don't need help. And he doesn't and I'm not telling him." Sherlock pouted, sounding more and more like a child throwing a tantrum.

John couldn't help but feel sorry for his friend. He knew now it wasn't him, because he didn't have a girlfriend, and he knew exactly what Sherlock knew about him. "I'm sorry," he said softly, smiling softly. "I hoped it would turn out better than that."

Sherlock shrugged, "Told you, it doesn't matter. I don't see him that much, anyway."
John's phone beeped with a text.

Hi John. Just letting you know, when you pick me up, could you please collect me from the hospital? I just got notified I'm working that day. M

John hummed, for now ignoring the text. "Well, you can get to know Jim better, then. He seems rather... infatuated." He managed a smile, however painful, and finished his tea.

Sherlock shrugged, "I still won't like him as much as I like y- uhm, the other person." He mentally scolding his brain for taking a moment too long to kick in,

John narrowed his eyes and then grinned. "Y-? What's his name, then?" he tried, smirking.

"It doesn't have a Y in it, actually," Sherlock blushed.

John bit his lip and leaned closer. "You are being very mysterious about it, Lockie. You can trust me, eh."

"That is the exact reason I'm not telling," Sherlock smiled back, pretending to zip his lips.

John pouted and sat back again. "You're no fun!" He huffed and got up to get some more tea, taking Sherlock's cup too.

"Love you too John," Sherlock joked playfully, but of course, he secretly meant it. He settled back to await John's return, wondering if he should drop a hint. It could be dangerous. And, in addition, if he started giving him clues, he would eventually have to tell him who it was, wouldn't he?

John soon returned with their teas, but once he had finished his own he got up and announced he was going to bed. "Night, Lock, and thanks for today."

Sherlock looked up in surprise. It wasn't that late, but he agreed. "Alright, John. Sleep well. And as for your earlier question, I'll give you a hint. His first name begins with a J, but it's not Jim. That's all I'm saying."

John hummed softly, pondering that hint. "Well, that's not helping at all, Sherlock. There are millions of names starting with a J."

"But I don't know a /million/ people with names starting with J!" he laughed, "/Goodnight/ John."

John laughed too and shook his head as he left upstairs. He gently unclasped his new watch and put it on the nightstand. His own name started with a J. But surely Sherlock didn't mean him? Sherlock wouldn't fall in love with someone as boring as John. Would he?

John sighed deeply and pulled his shirt over his head. He'd think about this deeper tomorrow. Now he should sleep.

Sherlock watched him go with a small smile. He settled down on the sofa, curling up with a book. After reading for about two hours, he eventually fell asleep.

When John came down the following morning, he saw Sherlock asleep on the sofa, book lying on the floor. He smiled softly and walked over to him, looking down at his sleeping friend. He was even more handsome than normal, with his relaxed features and innocent expression. John bit his lip and wished he was allowed to stroke those curls off Sherlock's forehead, and press a soft kiss just there.

Sherlock smiled a little in his sleep, shifting very slightly. It was almost like he could sense John's presence in his room.

John pressed his hand to the back of the sofa and leaned over him. He just wanted to kiss those soft lips, feel their warmth under his own. He... /wanted/.

Sherlock stirred a little more below him.

John swallowed thickly and gently brushed the curls off Sherlock's face. And then... he closed his eyes and pulled away despite his heart pushing him forward. He couldn't violate his friend's trust. He shouldn't risk everything.

Sherlock woke at the touch, sitting up in surprise and looking a little disoriented as his synapses caught up. "Oh…morning John."

John managed to smile as if nothing had happened. "Hey, slept well?"

"Mm, really well," he nodded sleepily. "What about you?"

John smiled and straightened. "I slept fine, thanks. What do you want for breakfast?"

"John," he said sweetly, "you're my guest. Shouldn't I be cooking for you? And I have no idea. What do people usually eat for breakfast?"

"Yes, I am, but I love cooking. Full English?"

"Fine." Sherlock mumbled, sitting up properly. "Okay."

John chuckled and left the room to busy himself in the kitchen. He easily located everything, and was soon softly humming to some song on the radio.

Sherlock watched from the sofa with interest. "Do you get to cook in Afghanistan? Or are your meals pre-prepared?" he asked.

John smirked and turned on the stove. "There's a cook, actually, but when we're in the field we eat from tins." He looked over his shoulder and smiled. "Why?"

"Just trying to determine how you got so good at it." He stood and walked over to him, leaning against the bench.

John snorted. "One doesn't need to be good at cooking to make a full English, Lock. Look…it's mostly tins and precooked stuff."

Sherlock grinned, "Still. What about the eggs?"

John rolled his eyes. "Everyone can make eggs, Lockie, truly. It's…student food." He grinned and cracked four eggs in the pan, where they started to sizzle and bubble.

Sherlock looked on in fascination. "I can't. At least, I don't think I can. Never tried."

John grinned and handed Sherlock the spatula. "Come on, try it, Lock." He smiled and leaned against the fridge, arms crossed.

Sherlock actually froze with the spatula, looking completely out of his comfort zone. "What am I…supposed to do? Flip them?"

John giggled. "Yes, but not yet. When the edges turn brown, you can flip them."

The next minute saw Sherlock Holmes, the world's only consulting detective, transform into a toddler. He was giggling in absolute delight as he pushed the sizzling eggs about in the pan, eyes sparkling with delight as he flipped them.

John bit his lip as he looked at Sherlock, and sat down at the table, chin propped up. He smiled softly at his friend, and sighed almost wistfully. "Having fun?"

Sherlock nodded in excitement, plating the eggs and almost skipping over to show them to John proudly.

John nodded appreciatively. "Well done! Beans, bacon, toast and sausages are in the oven." He flashed a grin.

Sherlock sat down and waited, laughing. "Toast in the oven John, really?"

John raised an eyebrow. "To keep warm, idiot." He took the plates out of the oven and put it down on the table, handing Sherlock a fork and knife, as well as a mug of tea after adding milk. "Excellent," he hummed, tucking in right away.

Sherlock's smug smile disappeared as he started eating. "To keep warm…didn't think of that. Who would think of that?"

John chuckled and looked up. "I would, duh." He winked and stuffed his face with egg. "Don't pout, Lockie, the eggs are perfect."

Sherlock's smile returned at that, "Who knew it could be so much fun? Something as domestic as making eggs…"

"Yeah, who knew?" John smiled and looked at Sherlock, allowing some of the love he held for his friend to seep through on his face. It was simply too much to contain, how much he just wanted to shout it at him.

"Thanks for teaching me John," he smiled back warmly, "now I'll have something to do when I'm bored. Until that too gets boring, of course, but it won't for a while." Because you taught it to me, he thought mentally.

John smirked and happily chewed his breakfast. "Well, there are other ways to prepare an egg. Poached, boiled, scrambled... You should try them one day." He smiled at his friend. "It's some sort of science, after all."

Sherlock nodded like it was Christmas. "Even better! I can use all my free time to learn how to cook! Hang on, I'm just going to go call Jim and tell him he's unnecessary." He bolted off to find the details he had obtained.

Author's Note: SherlockedSherlockian

Hello everyone,

Thank you for your patience! Life has been busy, busy, busy! But I hope this longish chapter compensates somewhat - and you will also be getting a first kiss in the near future, if that compensates.

Two Things To NB:

Mentions of London Bridge: We mean either Old London Bridge or Tower Bridge

Moriarty: We are aware that one brother is named Jim and the other is named James

SHOUT OUTS TO OUR LOVELY READERS:

Christine Eponine sheholmes 8of9 Starlight05 Serenityofthematrix Noxlupis Lamiamedicus johnsarmylady faultierqueen Francine S mishalee KellzKat Eruva darkerangel1 Delin Nobody SundarDibujar jowhoknits Plexy MomotsukiNezumi keegigi

Yours always,

SherlockedSherlockian xxx