AN: The wedding! I'm worried this is a bit too romantic/sentimental/mushy/cheesy for them – but how do you write a wedding without those elements? Hopefully they aren't OOC and the fluff isn't overwhelming- though I suppose death by fluff isn't a bad way to go. Anyway – Thank You! To everyone who has favorited/alerted/reviewed!
Disclaimer: I don't own Sherlock Holmes. John Watson does. It's official now.
They break off a few moments before the cab pulls up to the large brick building.
John attempts to flatten his hair back into place from where Sherlock had enthusiastically carded his hands through it, tugging it in all different directions.
Sherlock snorts at his attempts "I don't care what your hair looks like."
"Well I do. I'd like to look respectable in the pictures. The last thing I want is for Harry to say 'Got yourself some action before the wedding, didn't you Johnny?' when I show her the pictures."
Sherlock's mouth twists into a smirk "If you call that action John..." he started, drawling his voice slightly, knowing it speaks to an entirely different piece of John's anatomy than those related to audio reception.
"Don't start." John warns, doing his best to picture something off-putting as he feels himself already heating up beneath Sherlock's mischievous gaze. Recalling his drinking and Mycroft's embarrassing escort home the night before does the trick.
By the time they exit the cab he looks neat and put-together. Sherlock looks marvelous, per usual, he thinks ruefully. Somehow he never looks thoroughly snogged. He supposes this is partly because his erratic curls simply can't look more ruffled than they already are. And his lips are larger than normal anyway, so any swelling would go unnoticed. "Not bloody fair." he mutters under his breath as he pays the cabbie.
When he turns to head in he is surprised to find Sherlock standing at the door waiting for him. And he's even more surprised when Sherlock extended an arm saying "Shall we?"
John's eyebrows rise dubiously at his proffered arm. "You're supposed to loop your arm around it." Sherlock quips in exasperation.
John lets out a huff and does so saying "I know that. Just surprised that's all. Doesn't seem like you."
"I seem to be doing a lot of surprising things lately." Sherlock deadpans, dropping his arm when John still doesn't take it.
John chuckles at this "You always do something surprising. Why do you think I'm marrying you?"
"Oh, is that why? I'm just a convenient way to keep you from getting bored? Enliven your existence?" Sherlock quips back.
John grins "Yeah, pretty much." He tosses back with a blasé undertone. Sherlock's grin broadens and he's about to come back with a jab of his own when he's interrupted by the slam of a car door. Lestrade steps out of the cab, wincing slightly at the bright sun, followed by a sympathetic Molly.
Lestrade's wearing a simple yet sharp slate grey suit and is bearing a small blue package. Molly's wearing a lovely purple dress with a black shawl, hair pulled back into a tight ponytail. On her arm hangs a large white gift bag, covered in garish silver glitter. "Morning!" she calls when she spots them.
Lestrade flinches at her chipper tone, but flashes them a smile as well. "I'm glad to see you're feeling miserable as well." John greets and Lestrade offers a sheepish smile. "Yeah. Probably could've done without that last round or so." He grumbles in agreement.
"Nervous?" Molly inquires to Sherlock whilst the two hung-over men commiserate. "No." he answers and when she looks put out by his sharp, short response he tacks on "Nothing to be nervous about. We're practically married already." This does the trick and Molly grins.
"True. I can't get over how perfect you to are for each other." She starts with a smile and Sherlock attempts to return it. She continues on rambling in her typical fashion.
"I mean I thought you'd be perfect for me but – I mean –well – I was wrong wasn't I? But that's nothing new – I mean – I'm really happy for you guys – I just wish – I mean-Damn." She breaks off with a heavy sigh, looking resolutely away from Sherlock. Her mouth has a horrible habit of running off with her.
Sherlock is a bit unsure of how to react to her. She seems genuinely happy for them, yet saddened and even a bit hurt at the same time. He shifts uncomfortably as she tugs at the fringe of her shawl, attempting to compose herself.
"I'm sure you'll find yourself a – ah - person that – um – suits you." He murmurs finally, offering a tentative sort of comfort. Her head whips up in utter shock at his reassuring words and even he himself is surprised at their emergence from his mouth. Her surprise softens into a smile and she does something unexpected and pulls him into a hug.
He stiffens reflexively at first and then when she doesn't let go he awkwardly returns it, patting her lightly on the back. He glances up to find Lestrade and John watching them, with looks of mingled shock and amusement.
After a moment she lets go and practically leaps away from him as though just realizing what she was doing. "Sorry. I – uh – just always wanted to do that." She explains sheepishly. He just smiles "Quite alright."
Luckily their conversation is interrupted by Mrs. Hudson's arrival before it can get any more awkward. "Hello everyone!" she calls as she exits her cab. She already has tears in her eyes as she approaches and is grinning ear to ear. "Oh look at you lot. Young and in love."
Sherlock actually shudders just slightly whilst John gives tightlipped smile. Lestrade snickers and tries to cover it unconvincingly with a cough and Molly looks on with a grin.
"I knew it from the start of course. Need two bedrooms, ha!" she continues.
"Mrs. Hudson." Sherlock grumbles in protest, sounding for all the world like an embarrassed and exasperated teenager talking to his mum.
She gives Sherlock a good natured grin "Oh come on now, let me enjoy myself." She says, patting him fondly on the arm and John finds himself thinking that this is his family now.
Of course his sister is missing, but in reality Greg and Molly are like siblings to him. And Mrs. Hudson is most certainly a mother for them both. He feels a silly grin working it's way onto his face at the thought and tries to reign it in. He doesn't want to try and explain that to Sherlock.
Mike arrives a few moments later and after a round of greeting John takes Sherlock arm and they all proceed inside. There is a simple alter set up with a small table and white fold-up chairs for the guests, with elegant flower arrangements on either side, making for the an atmosphere of half-hearted romance.
John hardly notices though as he seems to have suddenly developed tunnel vision and all he can see is the alter and the register as they're quickly approaching it, arm in arm.
Everyone takes their seats, setting the bags at their feet. They've decided they'll have a small "reception" at the café down the road and exchange gifts and makes toasts there.
Lestrade, having been named best man by John, comes to stand beside them. The judge is preparing everything, laying out the civil partnership document on the table for them to sign. "Oh! Almost forgot." Lestrade says suddenly and fumbles in his trouser pocket for something. After a moment he removes a pair of handcuffs.
Sherlock throws John a glare "I thought you were kidding." John looks from Lestrade to Sherlock and back again. "I was! I mean – hell I didn't tell him."
Lestrade is laughing as he takes John's wrist and slaps the cuff on. "Nope. Mycroft did though." He makes a grab for Sherlock's wrist, which Sherlock whisks imperiously away, holding it close to his chest.
"And how did Mycroft find out?" he grits angrily through his teeth. Lestrade yanks his arm down and fastens the other cuff on him.
"Apparently John's rather talkative when drunk." He says with a shrug. "All I know is that I was asked to do a favor and I've done it. 'Sides, now I get pictures." And with that he steps back.
The judge looks between the three of them, obviously trying to decide their mental stability. After a moment Sherlock clears his throat gruffly and prompts "Can we proceed?"
"Ah – yes. Certainly. If you'll face each other, hold hands." He requests and they do so.
Looking at each other turns out to be a bad idea though, because as soon as their eyes meet they burst into hysterical giggles at the ridiculousness of the situation. "I think it's fitting actually." John manages between chuckles. "I mean how it's kind of romantic, in its own twisted way." He jokes.
"And from this day forward you shall be bound together in holy matrimony, which is often times like an invisible pair of handcuffs, binding you together, inescapable." Sherlock intones, his voice breathless with laughter.
Lestrade joins in now quipping "And the handcuff key comes in the form of divorce" which sets them rolling again. Molly and Mike and trying to suppress their laughter whilst Mrs. Hudson looks moderately amused and disapproving at the same time.
The register clears his throat and they all calm down, trying to compose themselves. "May we begin?" he asks once the laughter has completely subsided. They both nod and he begins.
"We have come together today in a community of love, to witness and support the union of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson.
This adventure in matrimony begins with the honesty existing between Sherlock Holmes and John Watson and among you who witness this event.
Be it known to you all that the responsibility for the integrity with which Sherlock Holmes and John Watson make this covenant finally rests upon their own hearts and on their friends and family." He intones.
John's heart-rate has dramatically increased and he can see that even Sherlock, though he will vehemently deny it, is also affected. The words crash over them like waves as they quickly approach the climax of the ceremony.
"Sherlock Holmes will you take John Watson to be your partner?" the register asks and Sherlock feels the weight of the words falling upon him.
He can't help but grin when he answers in an unusually heartfelt voice " I take you to be my partner, and I promise before these witnesses, to be loving and faithful, to have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, to love and cherish from this day forward."
John's often heard that when people have a near-death experience their life flashes before their eyes. But he's never heard of that happening at a wedding. "God, don't let me die now." He thinks to himself as memories of their entire life together flashes before his eyes.
"Afghanistan or Iraq?" "Not his date." "I've been reliably informed I don't have one" "We both know that's not quite true." And it wasn't. Even at that time he'd know that the real Sherlock was someone entirely different from the calculating, dispassionate exterior. And look how far they've come. The register's voice pulls him harshly back to the present.
"John Watson, will you take Sherlock Holmes to be your partner?" he inquires and John has the sudden urge to shout his answer triumphantly instead of calmly answering. But he forces his voice out in a warm and moderate voice.
" I take you to be my partner, and I promise before these witnesses, to be loving and faithful, to have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, to love and cherish from this day forward."
And everyone has the most ridiculous smiles on their faces. Even Sherlock isn't bothering to fight his silly grin.
"The rings?" the register prompts and Lestrade steps forward, extending his hand bearing a simple silver and simple gold band.
Sherlock takes the gold one and says "This ring I give thee, in token and pledge of our constant and abiding love." And slips it on John's extended finger.
John takes the silver band and repeats "This ring I give thee, in token and pledge of our constant and abiding love." And slips it on Sherlock's extended finger.
"By the authority vested in me I now join you in a Civil Marriage." The register intones and Lestrade lets out a whoop. Without prompting from the register John tugs at Sherlock's head, pulling him down and sealing it with a kiss.
They break off after a moment and step down from the alter and into the arms of their friends, everyone grabbing for hugs. This is made rather difficult by the fact that they're still cuffed together.
"Off, get off!" Sherlock finally snaps, pushing away a jovial Mike and teary-eyes Mrs. Hudson. "Lestrade, remove these." He says, extending his cuffed wrist.
"I'll take care of that little brother." An urbane voice drawls from the corner of the room. John half-turns in surprise, wondering if Mycroft was there the entire time without being noticed. Sherlock just stiffens and doesn't acknowledge him. Mycroft emerges, wearing a deep sapphire suit, umbrella on one arm and a key held in his other hand.
"Congratulations. Mummy apologizes for her absence, but she's out of country." He says, reaching for Sherlock's arm. Sherlock snatches it away and Mycroft responds with an exasperated look.
John extends his arm and allows Mycroft to remove the cuff. It's a wedding after all; can't they get along for one day?
"Hello Mrs. Hudson, Ms. Hooper, Lestrade, Mr. Stamford." He greets each of them with a respective nod. "Brother." He prompts and John nudges Sherlock slightly in the ribs.
"Good morning, Mycroft. Enjoy the ceremony?" he greets in a cool voice. Mycroft allows himself a small smile and answers "Immensely."
"We're headed to the café down the street for a reception. You're welcome to join us." John offers, breaking the brief, tense silence.
"That would be marvelous. Sherlock?" John can't tell if he's asking to mock Sherlock or if he really wants permission. Sherlock gives a blasé shrug and answers "I hardly care."
"Right. Shall we?" Molly suddenly breaks in, gesturing to the door. Mrs. Hudson takes up the reins of the conversation, keeping everyone chatting comfortably and they make their way down to the café.
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KP