Baby

They really aren't those kinds of people who show affection in public. Often times, there might be a peck here or there, but never at a scene and rarely just on the street. They just aren't those kinds of men.

John addressed this many years ago while with one girlfriend and Sherlock never forgot. She was young and beautiful and not very smart, if you ask Sherlock, and when Sherlock would see them together, she'd be clinging to John for dear life. She'd make John hold her hand or hold her close to him. She'd kiss John anywhere at anytime. She'd call John names like honey or sweetie or baby. And John never liked it. He always had a really pained face when she did something like that, and their relationship didn't last long.

So now John is with Sherlock and they aren't public people.

John has taken to calling Sherlock 'love' mostly because it's come natural to him. Calling him anything other than Sherlock is silly, but Love just fits. John can say, "Come along, love," or "I'll be back, love," and it just fits.

They've been together a few months and Sherlock's decided to try out terms of endearments.

"Are you ready, dear?" he asks John as they're leaving Lestrade's office one afternoon.

John gives him a curious look and follows Sherlock out the door. Once they're in the lift, John asks, "What was that about?"

"What?"

"The 'dear'."

"I thought I'd give it a try. You didn't like it?"

"I appreciated the thought, it just makes us sound a bit…" John pauses to think. "Old," he adds.

"Old?"

"Yes. Old. Like a grandparent saying it to their grandchild."

Sherlock nods and remembers that 'dear' is out.

He tries again a week later at the shop. "Have you got cash, honey?"

John side-eyes him and reaches into his pocket. "Sure. Here you go."

Sherlock smiles as he pays the cashier.

Once they're outside, John asks, "Honey?"

"Hmm?" Sherlock answers.

"No, I wasn't trying to get your attention, I was just trying to ask what that was about?"

"Honey isn't good?"

John slowly shakes his head. "Again, it's not that I don't appreciate the gesture, it's just…strange."

"I understand, John."

A week later, Sherlock tries again while they're in bed. John is hard at work with his mouth between Sherlock's legs, and Sherlock is scratching at his shoulders and mumbling many thoughts at once.

"Ooooh, John," he pants, "Right there…a bit harder, pleeeease," Sherlock lets out a long, loud groan, and continues, "Harder, baby, oh…faster…"

John moans around Sherlock's cock, and that low rumble sends Sherlock over the edge. He comes hard and fast down John's throat.

When he's finished, John shimmies up Sherlock's body and lays over him. He smiles at Sherlock and Sherlock does his best to smile back.

"Why are you smiling like that, John?" he asks.

John kisses his neck. "You called me baby and I liked it."

"That you liked?"

"Yes. Well, maybe it was the context of the word, but I liked it."

"Well," Sherlock says, "I will never call you that again, so just keep it out of your head."

John looks disappointed. "Why not?"

"That annoying little girl you dated used to call you that all the time. I couldn't go a day without hearing her dreadful voice saying it to you."

John stares at Sherlock as he talks. "That bothered you?"

"I was in love with you, John. Of course it bothered me."

John smiles and kisses Sherlock's nose. "I would've been upset, too, love."

"Would you be terribly upset if I just called you by your name, John? It's just weird when I do it, and besides you already know you're my—"

John presses a finger to Sherlock's lips. "Saying the things you say with my name attached to it is more important than any pet name."

"Really?" Sherlock asks.

John nods.

"Well, in that case," Sherlock grins as he turns John over onto his back. "Let me suck you now, John."

John moans as Sherlock kisses down his body.