This one is longer and took me a while to get right. I'm pretty sure this is the order in which things happened during my roleplay. Anyway enjoy it. Thanks for the story alerts and the review I got.
Warnings: Contains slash.
Disclaimer: Sherlock belongs to the BBC. I only own this plot.
It was one week later when Sherlock and John took things further. They had been sharing a bed – John's bed – but that was as far as things had gone for them. There were the little things like a cuddle in the middle of the night or waking up and just relaxing in each other's presence as the sun shone in on them.
They even went to the park that morning; Sherlock's idea, though it was John's idea to feed the ducks. The detective could only be amused by John's fascination with one little duckling. He had even gone as far as to name it Fred. John had started to feel ill halfway through the walk and so they had to head home. They did so hand in hand as they got closer to the flat.
"I'm fine, Sherlock. I just don't think breakfast agreed with me that's all." Sherlock had still made sure John was comfortable. An interesting conversation soon followed.
"We should get a cat."
"A what, sorry?" Sherlock looked up from John's side to stare at him.
"A cat, Sherlock. You know, as a pet?" John tilted his head.
"Yes, I know what a cat is but why do you want one? Won't it shed?"
"I just like the idea of the pitter-patter of little feet. Cat's feet, I mean." John stretched the arm that was draped around Sherlock's shoulders. Sherlock snorted and ran a hand through his curls.
"I certainly hope you're not thinking about kids. I suppose we could stop by the shelter if you're that desperate."
"You're enough of a kid as it is." John joked. He knew Sherlock didn't take him seriously. "Thanks, though."
That was all that was said as they both fell asleep – Sherlock with his arms draped around John, resting his head against the ex army doctor's broad chest, and John with his arms holding onto Sherlock. They were still cuddled up on the sofa a while later when John yawned and gently moved Sherlock off him, who woke up at the same time.
"We need to go shopping this-evening. That shampoo doesn't suit my hair. Its tea tree scented." John stretched and padded over from the sofa to the kitchen to check the cupboards for necessities.
"Is something wrong with tea tree?" Sherlock stood up and followed his flatmate-turned-lover.
"Nope. It just suits you more." John turned around and caught Sherlock by the waist to give him a kiss. "I find shampoo for blonde hair suits me best." Sherlock just chuckled and nuzzled the top of John's soft, short hair. John started to walk Sherlock backwards towards the sofa, not stopping until both of them near toppled onto it.
They stayed like that entangled in a heated kiss, until John stopped and pulled Sherlock onto his lap. "Do you want to order in tonight?"
"I was thinking," Sherlock sighed, resting his head on John's shoulder, "That we could buy something from the deli in the shops instead. They have a new hot food section."
"Oh yeah. It's quite nice I was told. Maybe we could get some soup? There's spicy tomato soup."
"And spicy tomato is the only one you will eat, right?"
"Right." John smiled and pressed a kiss to Sherlock's thick curls, inhaling the familiar tea tree smell. There was another smell too, not one John could put a finger on, just a 'Sherlock' smell; warm, comforting and strangely similar to the experiment set. "Sherlock?"
"Yes, John?" Sherlock pulled back his head to look at his boyfriend with his bright, silver-blue eyes.
"I… Well-" John paused. He didn't know how to say this. And if he did, how would Sherlock react? "I've been thinking. I think my feelings have gone beyond, well…" Sherlock rolled his eyes at John and sat up straighter.
"I love you, you daft doctor." Smiling, Sherlock kissed John. It was soft, gentle and lingering.
"Well, that made things a lot clearer." John smiled back at Sherlock. "I love you too." He nuzzled their noses together.
"I think we need to go shopping now, John. There's no milk for the tea." Sherlock stood up and went to get his coat.
"And that would be a terrible catastrophe, wouldn't it?" John ran up to his - their – room to get some shoes and a jacket while Sherlock went outside to hail a cab. They travelled in companionable silence with their hands gently touching. As London entered the evening, the cab made its way to the shop.
John plucked a basket from the stack at the door and took out a small list he'd made earlier. Sherlock followed him around for a while. He still wasn't quite used to doing the weekly shopping. Before John, Sherlock survived on only what was really necessary to keep him going for a few days a week. John and their relationship had both given the lanky detective his appetite back and he was eating more than usual. Except when they were on a case; it still 'slowed him down'.
"Right, milk." John looked up to the shelf in front of him. "Of course the freshest would be on the very top. I'm too short."
"Allow me." Sherlock smirked and reached effortlessly up to take down two cartons and stick them in the basket. John gave a small thank you and they wound their way around the aisles. On a slightly emptier aisle, John braved himself and slipped his hand into Sherlock's. Instead of pulling away, the detective instead held back. As a couple gave them a strange look, Sherlock's protective side came through and he stood slightly behind John. To say he held a smug look was an understatement. Seeing his proud smile, the other couple swiftly moved on to leave John and Sherlock alone in the aisle.
"You don't mind?" John tilted his head back to look at his lover as they approached the shampoo aisle.
"Why should I? We're a couple now." Sherlock dared to kiss John's cheek before moving away to scan the rows of colourful bottles.
"Yeah… We are." John could feel himself turning pink, but was soon distracted by the blonde section. His eyes roamed the various women's shampoos. He spent a few minutes in serious thought between two bottles.
"John?" The doctor looked up to see Sherlock standing with his own bottle of shampoo, looking between the yellow bottles in front of his lover.
"I can't decide between Sun-kissed glow and Blonde Bombshell…" John held up the two bottles which were almost identical to show Sherlock. The taller male snorted and patted John's shoulder.
"I'll leave you to debate that with yourself while I buy soup. But," Sherlock leaned down to whisper into John's ear, "I heard Blonde Bombshell smells good. See you in a few." John could only stand there and wait for the tingling that Sherlock's warm breath left on his ear to pass.
Meanwhile, Sherlock ordered their food by the deli. The woman at the deli was attractive and as John made his way with Blonde Bombshell shampoo in the basket, he couldn't help the feeling of jealousy rise in his stomach.
"Ah, John. This nice young woman has offered to give us half price." As John reached his boyfriend's side, Sherlock snaked an arm around his waist. The deli woman, whose nametag read 'Delilah' gave them both a look and nodded. She was obviously feeling 'defeated' but as long as she knew Sherlock was John's and vice versa, they were both safe. She handed them their to-go soups in a bag and tucked her red hair shyly behind her ears.
"Thank you. Come along John, the cat shelter doesn't stay open too late." Sherlock took John's hand once again and they made their way for the check-out.
"Do you know the owner of this place, too?" John opened the door to the cat shelter and let Sherlock step inside first.
"All this opening doors for me John, really." Sherlock smiled and shook his head. "No, I don't actually." As he said that, a stocky man with a kind face rounded the corner.
"Evenin' lads. What can I do fer ye?" The man asked with a thick London accent. As he stopped, cat hairs flew off his shirt and into the air.
"Well, we're looking to adopt a cat." John peered at the door ahead, where he could hear meows coming from.
"They're all in 'ere. Follow me an' I'll show ye both the kitten an' older cat section." The stocky man led the way to the same door, pushing it open and allowing the couple to step through first. The room was brightly lit with rows of spacious cages lining the walls and middle section of the room. On the left were the kittens. The middle section was the slightly older cats and the right hand side were the fully grown cats.
Sherlock made his way calmly towards a few of the kennels on the left. Stooping by one with a white fluff ball of a kitten in it, he stuck out his finger. A pink nose gently poked its way through the spaces of the cage and nudged Sherlock's fingers.
"Oh my god. She's beautiful!" John knelt down beside Sherlock and looked in utter awe at the tiny white kitten. He reached out a finger to stroke it's head and the little thing purred in response, even going as far as to lick the finger.
"She is. But there are other cats here too, John. Let's have a look around first, eh?" Sherlock stood up and waited for John. Reluctantly, the doctor joined him. He gave the kitten a little wave and it watched them as they walked away.
"Almost all o' these cats were abandon'd and found by people at the side of streets or in alleyways. Poor little mites." The man who owned the shelter led them to the middle row. Most of these cats were sleeping as John and Sherlock passed them by, stopping to look into one or two of the cages.
"What about this one?" Sherlock asked, pausing by a grey tabby cat's cage. The cat inside it looked like it was peeved with having to listen to the meow's of the other cats.
"Ah, Tobias. 'E was abused by his former owner and was 'ardly ever fed. We found it after the neighbour complained but since it was rescued it's been so angry. Nobody seems to wan' it because of its temper." Sherlock bent down to peer into the cage. The tomcat inside just stared back at it.
"He just feels like nobody cares." Cautiously, Sherlock reached a hand forward. The cat pulled back for half a second, but sensing no danger, slowly stuck its head out to sniff at Sherlock's fingers.
"We can get that one if you want to, Sherlock." John looked in at the cat, who perked its ears up at him. Sherlock smiled and looked over at his lover.
"I'd like that. But I don't think you want to leave without that little white kitten, do you?"
"We can get two?" John's eyes lit up and the owner just raised his eyebrows.
"If you like. I'm sure we can manage just fine. Go on, get the other cat. I'll try to coax Tobias out." Sherlock opened the cage door and entered his hand carefully to set it down on the floor of the cage. John nodded and went back to the white kitten. As the thing saw John approaching, it stood up and waited hopefully by the cage door.
"Yes, I am coming for you." John opened the cage and let the tiny kitten crawl into his hands. "Bitsy. I'll call you Bitsy." The little bundle of fur nuzzled into John's neck and the doctor made his way back to Sherlock. By now, Tobias the tomcat was pushing his head into the detective's hand. For a cat with a temper, it seemed to like Sherlock. Finally it trusted Sherlock enough to let him take him out.
"I can give you Tobias for free, seeing as you're the first people who wanted him." The stocky man got down to cat carriers – a small one and a big one – and let the men settle each of their cats in.
"You go back to the flat with the cats. I'd say a cab would be better to carry both them and the shopping." Sherlock handed Tobias's carrier to John.
"Wait, where are you going?" John let Sherlock hail him a cab outside and load the cats plus the shopping inside.
"They do need food, John. And beds." He shut the boot of the cab and leaned in to kiss John. "I won't be long, okay?"
"Okay. Maybe you should pick up some toys too. I love you." John touched Sherlock's cheek once and settled himself in the back of the cab. As the cab pulled away, he made sure Tobias and Bitsy were settled in alright. Tobias was a bit more nervous of John so he stayed curled into his carrier. Bitsy, however, was purring happily and pushing her nose out constantly to lick John's hand.
Finally putting away the shopping, John made time for the cats. He had already opened both of their carriers, but Bitsy was the only one who escaped it. She was playing in one of the shopping bags when John picked her up and settled the ball of fur on the sofa.
"John? I'm back. Could you get the door?" Sherlock called from the hallway downstairs. John opened the door for Sherlock, who was armed with three big bags.
"I thought you were getting food, toys and a bed?"
"I did. Two beds, a lot of food and a lot of toys. There is more than one cat, John." Rolling his eyes but without saying 'obviously', John helped Sherlock unload the bags. One of the beds was red velvet, embroidered with a white paw. The other was identical in design, except it was black. Bitsy immediately pounced to the black one.
"I had intended the black to be for Tobias… But she looks too cute in it. Speaking of Tobias, where is he?"
"Still in his carrier. I think he was waiting for you." Sherlock bent down and peered inside. As soon as Tobias saw him, he got up and was coaxed out. John went to take out the food and four new bowls. He filled two with cat food and two with water. Setting them down on the kitchen floor, he waited as the two cats sniffed their way over.
"Shall I heat up our soup and put on the telly?" John stuck the two cups into the microwave and set it for two minutes when Sherlock nodded. Said man opened a DVD collection of Doctor Who and got it set up. When John came back with the two soups and the two cats nosed about the flat, Sherlock pulled the table over to the sofa. John sat down first and waited for Sherlock to clamber on before he ate. Sherlock was sitting beside John with his legs draped over John's lap. John used them as a resting spot for his cup of soup and they settled down.
"Any texts from Lestrade lately?"
"Not a word, strangely." Sherlock checked his phone out of instinct and, seeing no updates, tossed it aside. When they both finished with their soup and the cups were out of their way, the two went back to watching Doctor Who. But Sherlock was fidgety and couldn't sit still. Just as John was about to ask what was wrong, Sherlock shifted his position suddenly so he was straddling the older man's lap.
"W-well that was unexpected." John chuckled and settled his hands on his flatmate-turned-lover's bony hips. Sherlock's arms snaked to the back of John's neck and pulled him forward for a kiss. It was sloppy and oddly needy.
"Whoa, was there something in your soup?" John joked, smiling up at Sherlock.
"John." Sherlock leaned down to nip at the shell of John's ear, causing John to darken in colour and bite his lip. Pulling back a moment later, John's eyes met Sherlock. There was something new in them, a sort of wanton look.
"…I love you, John." Sherlock leaned forward, body resting against his lover's.
"I love you, too. What's all this about?"
"I Mmhfhm moo mmf." Sherlock mumbled incoherently into John's neck.
"What?" John pushed Sherlock back and caressed his cheek. "I can't hear you when you're mumbling into me, love."
"I said I want… I want to do it." Patches of colour stained Sherlock's cheeks and he had to look away from John to hide his embarrassment.
"Only if you're sure, Sherlock. Like I said, I'll go as slow as you want." Sherlock had to admire John's patience with him and he just smiled, giving him another kiss.
"I'm ready. But… It will be my first time."
Next chapter is smut; yay! My memory is so hazy but this is the jist of it. And yes – Virgin!Submissive!Sherlock and Dominant!John.
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