John couldn't believe how things were going. It had been over a week since he first started hanging out with Sherlock during lunch. They now spent lunch together every day, much like the first. They would meet at the cafeteria with Greg and Molly, and John would share some of his lunch with Sherlock. It always took some persuading to get him to eat, but he would give in eventually. John was happy to know that he was at least eating something every day.

After they ate, they would head to the chemistry lab where John would watch Sherlock with awe as Sherlock did his different experiments. It was a different one almost every day. He'd do titrations or crystallizations, or something John didn't even understand. John was amazed. He'd try to be helpful, but mostly he just cleaned equipment and handed him things.

Sherlock had even asked him to get his phone out of his shirt pocket to send a reply to his brother's text. John's cheeks were hot when he had pulled his hand away with the phone and he spent a moment trying to focus before he sent the text. He had paraphrased Sherlock's rather rude words and in response received thanks to John himself from his brother which startled John. Sherlock didn't seem impressed, which made John wonder if he should worry more. But then Sherlock was a genius so it only made sense that his brother was abnormally intelligent as well.. or all seeing.

John then replaced the phone into Sherlock's pocket without asking. John would never admit why he did that instead of setting it somewhere that would have made sense. But the smirk Sherlock gave in reply was almost worth it.

John was falling further and further for Sherlock, but at the same time he was getting closer to the anon as well. He didn't know what to do. He felt like talking to the anon was too much like cheating or something, not that Sherlock had feelings for him at all. But perhaps because he had feelings for both of them and was having difficulty dealing with all the emotions they both caused. He knew he'd have to choose at some point. Perhaps Greg had a point with flirting with both of them and seeing if they reacted.

John was afraid that either of them or both would reject him immediately. He wasn't sure he could handle that. But he was starting to think that if he had a choice he would choose Sherlock, mostly because he was there. John had met him, seen him. They were close and wouldn't have to deal with distance. It was the preferable relationship. But John had to continuously remind himself that they weren't in a relationship and that Sherlock was likely not to have any feelings for him beyond friendship.

Anonymous:

Your admirers are becoming ridiculous. I hope you know. Not that I mind them too much. But their thoughts about why I don't reveal myself and/or my gender are worse than anything I could have imagined. The things they came up with. Perhaps I'm just not ready to publicly announce myself.

bonds-companion:

They're just having a bit of fun. Well most of them are. At least the ones I post are. I try not to post the rude ones. And you can keep your secret. After all, we're just friends and all. Gender doesn't matter. I think they're getting more carried away with the shipping of us. I just don't see us going anywhere. Do you?

He figured that was bold enough without ruining everything. Besides, with the way the anon spoke, much like Sherlock he thought but ignored it as merely him having a specific type, they'd just tell him exactly what they thought about this odd relationship they shared. John was hoping for that. He wanted to see where he stood with the anon and then with Sherlock.

Sherlock stared at the response he was given. He didn't like it at all. John was pushing him away. But why was he pushing him away? He almost blatantly flirted with him through the anon messages and Sherlock was enjoying it, but now John was telling him he didn't want them to go any further. Sherlock didn't know how to respond. Though at the same time, John didn't know it was him. But still, it showed that John wasn't interested in his personality. Didn't it?

Sherlock couldn't help but respond, trying to understand. He couldn't lose John now. He put too much into this relationship, let himself feel too much.

He spent more time with John than he did anyone else, except perhaps Molly, but that was mainly because they actually had classes together and Molly practically followed him home. He loved spending lunch with John. He didn't even mind eating, in fact he was thrilled that John cared so much that he ate. And of course the time they spent in the chemistry lab together. He'd almost call it intimate. He wouldn't admit it to John, but he'd even messed up an experiment when John had reached in his pocket to get his phone. He pretended like the experiment turned out exactly how he expected and then had to do the experiment again at home when John wasn't around in order to get the correct results.

Now Sherlock stared at the response before sending another ask, pleased when the response came almost instantly.

Anonymous:

I suppose I wouldn't see us going anywhere if that is your opinion on the matter. After all, if your intentions are for us to forever be friends than my intentions wouldn't matter. May I ask your reasons for seeing nothing more to us? I'm asking as a friend, of course. Nothing more.

bonds-companion:

Oh.. well I guess you have a point. Of course you do, you always do. Well, honestly, the main reason would be there's someone at my school… and well, I don't even know which part of the country you live in. I hope you understand.

Sherlock stared at the response, not sure what to think. John had feelings for someone else? But who? He spent most of his time with Greg, Molly, or Sherlock. Sherlock frowned a bit. He needed to know more. He couldn't lose John to someone else. He couldn't handle that.

His initial reaction was to cut all ties now. It would be hard enough losing him now, he couldn't imagine losing him later into their relationship or friendship or whatever he would call it.

Anonymous:

Oh? Care to say more about such a person that could earn your affections? I'm only curious. I understand if they follow you or you think they might find your blog or something. But if you can say something, I would like to see what sort of person they are. Think of it as an experiment if you like.

bonds-companion:

Honestly? They remind me a bit of you. Especially with that experiment comment you just made. And I don't see them having a blog at all, so I don't mind talking about him. Yes, he's male. He's the whole reason I questioned my sexuality. Um.. I don't know what to say about him.. He's a scientist through and through. He even works in the chemistry lab at lunch. He's brilliant. I'm a bit lost really. I hope none of this hurts you or anything. I really like you, it's just… you're not him. And you're not even here… I hope you understand. I'm so sorry. I hope I didn't lead you on.

Sherlock's eyes widened as he read the new response. He sat still, reading it over and over again, before he had a ridiculous grin on his face. John liked him, in fact John like both of him. He said as much. He was leaving him for.. well him. Sherlock couldn't respond, didn't know what he would say, but he was too ecstatic to care. He didn't have to lose John. He closed his laptop and left the house, needing to walk and clear his head.

His brother called after him, but he ignored him. He didn't want to talk to Mycroft right now, he wanted to think about John. Perfect, amazing, wonderful John.

John was a bit confused, and felt guilty for what he had sent the anon. He hadn't gotten another ask since then. And he knew it had only been a day, but he expected some sort of response to assure him that the anon didn't mind and that they could still be friends, but there was no reply. He sighed and prepared himself for another long wait. He was glad that this time he at least had Sherlock.

At lunch he sat at the table with Molly and Greg, waiting for Sherlock. He hadn't seen him since he sent that response to the anon either, but that didn't worry him. He didn't really expect to see him until now. He looked up with a grin when he heard footsteps, only to see Sally. He frowned as she took Sherlock's seat, setting her school lunch on the table. "What?" She asked him. "Oh I'm sorry, did you think I was the freak?" she asked, causing John to clench his teeth together.

Sally laughed. "You two are ridiculous. I've seen you around. Dull. It's not like you'll go anywhere. He's a freak. He's not interested in people. I bet he's using you for something."

John clenched his fists as well, as he stared at Sally, trying to keep himself from responding, though it was difficult.

"Shut up." Greg spoke up. "If you're going to talk about Sherlock like that, then no one wants you here." He muttered. Molly glared at her as well.

Sally rolled her eyes. "Fine. Fine. I'm sorry, alright? I didn't mean anything by it. It's an endearment of mine." She said, with a false smile that fooled none of them. John looked away from her, still waiting for Sherlock.

Sally started eating her burrito. She hummed lightly. "Molly, dear. I was interested in something I heard you saying to John the other day. He was asking about your tumblr or something. So you guys have a tumblr?" She asked, smiling at all of them.

They all looked a bit shocked at the mention of tumblr before they nodded. She grinned. "Me too. Here. I'll put mine on here. And then you all can follow me, and I'll decide whether or not I want to follow you guys. Alright?" She said, smiling her false smile again, before writing her tumblr on a napkin and handing it to molly. She then grabbed her tray again and left, going to another table.

Molly took one glance at the napkin and started laughing loudly, just as Sherlock sat across from them, raising an eyebrow at her. John handed him part of his sandwich as usual. Greg read the tumblr url, laughing as well before handing it to John. His eyes widened, though he didn't see why it was funny necessarily.

Sherlock glanced at them. "What's so amusing then?" He asked. John shrugged. "It's a tumblr thing. You wouldn't understand. It's just Sally's tumblr url." He said before showing him the name.

Sherlock had to force himself not to laugh like Greg and Molly had as he read 'woman-versus-world'. He nodded and handed it back. He understood why Molly had laughed so hard, knowing that sally was one of the main shippers of John and Sherlock, despite hating Sherlock so much. He glanced at Greg, and knew immediately that he knew as well. He knew that Sherlock was the anon. But a look at John told him he didn't know yet.

Sherlock glared at Molly, knowing she told him, but then started eating his sandwich instead of commenting. As long as Greg didn't let on that he knew, then it was all fine. Besides it probably wouldn't be long before Sherlock would find a way to tell John, perhaps. He hadn't decided yet, though he knew he'd have to eventually. He just hoped he didn't freak out.