Everything the DJ played was pop music of some variety or another, nothing with which I was particularly familiar, but fast or slow, with Victoria as my dance partner, the specifics mattered none to me. She was light on her feet, graceful with the rhythm of any music, happy to simply dance rather than forcing social conventions of polite conversation upon me.

I couldn't stop smiling at her, and each time her eyes met mine, she returned one in kind, if she wasn't already doing so. As I spun her around, I caught sight of John and Mary watching us, noticing they quickly waved rather excitedly, grinning widely while giving 'thumbs up' gestures, much to my absolute confusion.

"What?" I mouthed. John waggled his eyebrows and winked. The song changed, everything slowing down in the room, and a gentle flick of my wrist brought Victoria turning into my arms as I slid a hand to her waist, furrowing my brow and shaking my head at John, still unsure what he was getting on about.

"This is a great song," Victoria commented in a sigh, bringing my attention fully to the woman in my arms, cheek against my chest, fingers casually winding through the hair at the back of my neck. And oddly, I didn't feel the least bit uncomfortable. Although I didn't know how exactly it was that I did feel, it was not displeasing.

"I'm not familiar with this particular song."

She looked up at me, cheek still barely brushing the lapel of my jacket. Something in her nearness, or perhaps her expression, or another element I couldn't put my finger on caused my heart rate to elevate in a peculiar manner. "Sherlock, is there any particular song that's played so far that you can honestly tell me you're familiar with?" I shook my head silently, and she grinned. "Didn't think so. Maybe I can teach you a few things since you are apparently not the encyclopedic fountain of all knowledge you let on to be."

My face felt warm, and I was quite sure I was blushing of all things. "I've never claimed to know all things, but I do know a great many." Her eyes remained locked on mine, leaving me wanting to unlock every unanswered question I had about her. "I know you look quite lovely tonight."

"Thank you. Mary said the bridesmaids were wearing purple—"

"Lilac," I corrected.

Victoria grinned. "Lilac. So, I thought something in the realm of purple seemed appropriate but wanted to go darker to keep away from getting too overly coordinated with the wedding party."

"Well, sangria is a color most complementary to you, Victoria."

"Sangria? Now the Consulting Detective is a color expert too?

Smiling widely, I realized this socially required so-called 'small talk' was not at all painful when engaged in with someone of suitably enjoyable companionship. "Indeed. I assisted Mary in a great deal of the wedding planning, including the color scheme. John placed a great deal of importance on this event, and I felt it my place to ensure nothing went amiss."

"I'm not sure if that makes you the best best friend ever or the biggest control freak best friend ever, but either way, I think the thought behind it was really sweet." Her expression turned rather serious, causing a sudden bout of nervousness on my part. "You look quite dashing tonight yourself, Sherlock."

Blinking several times as my heart rate elevated again, I struggled to form a suitable response. "Do you truly think that, or does social convention merely dictate it appropriate to return a compliment with an equivalent compliment?"

Her gaze dropped to my lips before traveling back to meet my eyes. "Yes, I definitely think that, and I would if you were dressed in ratty sweats and an old t-shirt instead of all decked out for a wedding. I'm not one for throwing around compliments haphazardly or encouraging the advances of men I don't genuinely have an interest in."

Bloody hell. My mouth was dry. My palms were sweaty. My pulse was out of control. Where was John? I needed assistance, help, maybe a doctor. "You … You have an interest in me?" My voice cracked a bit, and the question came out lower than I intended.

"Yes. No pressure. No expectations. Just putting it out on the table in case you were wondering and wanted confirmation or anything," she replied casually and placed her cheek against my chest once more as the song came to an end.

Smiling, I wrapped my arm more tightly around her waist and felt her fingernails graze the nape of my neck. "I believe that is quite a great song. What was it?"

""All of My Life" by We Shot the Moon."

"Hm," was my only response as I leaned in to rest my cheek on her head, inhaling the scent of her lavender shampoo, and I held Victoria in my arms as though we were still slow dancing, though neither of us moved and the others on the dance floor carried on around us in an upbeat and rather intoxicated merriment.

I closed my eyes, allowing Victoria to be my own personal intoxication, and was enough in the moment.