A/Note: Thanks moveyourlife for favoriting this story. I had intended to use tabs to visually display texts, as to indicate whose point of view we're following. FF does not have that option. Grr. This is the best I can do.

The drama of this story was not them coming out to their families. Now you guys can start worrying. ;) And please review?

22. The hunt

.

'Meet me after class today?'

_'J, I've told you before, you need to sign your texts. S'

'Who's J?'

Sherlock had goose pimples spread on his body and his eyes went wide.

_'Who's this? S'
_'How did you get my number? S'
_'Identify yourself. S'

'Just me, Sherlock. Sebastian'

_'How did you get my number? S'

'I have my ways. Who's J? So you do have someone. Boy or girl?'

_'Leave me alone. S'

'I just want to show you I also have a gentle side, Sherlock. Come meet me after class.'

_'No. Piss off. S'

'Come on, Sherlock. Just to talk, please.'

Sherlock didn't reply.

'If you come, I'll make all the others stop bothering you.'

He couldn't care less. Sooner or later he would give up.

'If you don't, I'll spread rumours that J is John Watson.'

His eyes widened. It took him a while to come up with an appropriate answer.

_'Nobody would believe you. John is very openly straight, if you haven't noticed. S'

'Yes, but would you risk losing his friendship? He wouldn't stick around if everybody thought you two were shagging.'
'I could be your friend too, if you let me. Meet me after class today.'

_'Fine. S'

'By the bleachers.'

...

'Today?' he whispered.

'Sorry John, can't.'

'Why not?'

'I was informed I have a doctor's appointment, apparently.'

'Anything wrong?'

'No, just Mycroft thrusting his enormous nose into my life again. Wants to make sure we're "safe".'

John blushed and choked on his own saliva. 'Sherlock!' he hissed, eyes darting around them. 'Let me know how it goes,' he whispered.

'Of course.'

...

'I was wondering if you were actually going to show up.'

'Sebastian, this is ridiculous. Why are you doing this?'

'I like you, Sherlock. I know we started on the wrong foot, but I want to change it. I want to get to know you better.'

' "Started?" You mean a four-year-long start?' He huffed, 'Sebastian, how do you expect me to change my mind after all you've done to me?'

'By being different. Come with me, let me buy you dinner.'

'Too early and I'm not hungry.'

'Let me buy you an ice cream then.'

'It's cold out today.'

'So? I like ice cream even when it's cool outside. How about tea and dessert then? Look, I'm not a monster. Come on Sherlock, give me a chance. Let me take you out.'

'This is ludicrous,' he started walking away.

Sebastian grabbed his arm. 'Don't be that way, Sherlock. I don't want to have to spoil your - friendship - with John.' He let go and smiled. 'I've been watching you. I've seen how you look at him. You think the world of him, don't you? How do you think your loyal friend would react if he learned you wanted more than just friendship out of him?' He smiled and walked around Sherlock, openly appraising him.

Sherlock kept staring straight ahead impassively, while his heart pounded in his chest. He felt a chill down his spine for not being able to watch Sebastian. He felt naked and fear threatened to render him paralysed again. He felt a puff of air in his ear and the words had a wave of goose pimples spread from his nape down to his whole body.

Sebastian whispered in a way intended to be sexy, only to come out as a bulldog attempting to hump his leg. 'Well, I think I can make you look at me that way too. Come on, let me take you out and treat you right.' He continued walking slowly around Sherlock like a hyena sniffing his prey, then he whispered on the other ear, 'I'll make you feel as special as you are. As you get to know me you'll see: I know how to make you feel - so - good.'

Sherlock lifted his head. 'If I go with you now - just this once -, will you leave me alone?'

Sebastian finished his survey and stopped facing him again. 'Just once?'

'One time only. Take it or leave it.'

'Always so feisty. All right. It's a start.'

He shook his head. 'Not a start. Just this once.'

Sebastian smiled widely. 'Let's go to Sugar 'N Spice. On me.'

He took a step forward but Sherlock turned and walked. Sebastian walked alongside him and put a hand on the small of his back.

'No touching. Keep your hands to yourself.'

'All right, Sherlock.'

'And I'm not getting in the car with you.'

'Why not? Sugar 'N Spice is really far from here.'

'Then I'll meet you there.'

'Sherlock, don't be silly. I can drive us. I can be a gentleman, I assure you.'

'Forgive me if I don't believe you. For all I know, this is a ruse to beat me up again.' Or worse.

'No, Sherlock. I wouldn't dream of marring your pretty face ever again,' he stretched out his hand, but Sherlock pulled his face out of reach.

'Ach, fine. We can take the tube.'

'Good.'

...

Sherlock was unmoved by Sebastian's unctuous cliches. He didn't touch his tea or the scone and kept his arms crossed.

'Sherlock, can't you see I'm trying? Don't be like that.'

'What did you expect? You beat me up for fours years. Can I go now?'

'Only answer me this then. Are you gay?'

'If you must know, no I'm not. Goodbye, Sebastian,' he stood up. 'Thanks for the tea.'

'I don't believe you. Who's J? Is that a boy or a girl?'

Sherlock turned away.

'Cause I have a feeling it's John Watson.'

He didn't pause or look back. 'Think whatever you want Sebastian.'

He walked away, his stomach in knots, a sinking feeling that filled him with dread. They should've changed their initials, just to be safer. Stupid!

As he sat on the tube, Sherlock's mind was working feverishly. Their entire interaction was pretty much an admission on his part. He had to avoid exposing John at all costs. Once he got home, he grabbed a blanket and his cigarettes and headed to his thinking spot.

J. Janet? No, can't stand her giggling.
J. Jennifer? No, she does date that behemoth of a rugby player. No good.
J. Julie? Not credible, she's gay.
J. Joan? Ugh.
J. Juliette? Ew. Even worse.
J. Judy? Too stupid, nobody would believe that.
J. Janine? Hm. A possibility.
J. What's her name? Jhuma? She's smart- Heavens no, she has that nervous tick.
J. Jing? Not bad. A possibility.

Jing and Janine.

Jing is an interesting option. With her different background I could have interesting conversations with her, or at the very least, practice my Chinese. And she is somewhat smart. And attractive.

Janine is not too stupid. In fact, she fakes being less smart than she really is, just to fit in with that frivolous group she hangs out with. She is credibly attractive to most.

Jing prefers blonds. Whenever John and I are together she always looks at him first.

Janine. I have caught her looking at me, even when John is not around.

Janine. J.