*Note: This takes place after 'the Pool Incident'.
After the pool, John goes out for drinks at The Fox with 'a friend', leaving Sherlock to sulk on the couch, waiting for John's return.
John can't help but smirk as he straightens the cuffs on his Westwood suit. He's had to act so damned depressed every since the pool, and he's finally ready to have some fun.
For now, Jim is Richard Brook, just a devoted actor and lifelong friend. John is still John. (John Moriarty.)
John figures it's a bit suspicious, having a big hulking man like Sebastian Moran hovering around them like a hungry vulture the entire night. (He knows the only reason Sebastian is so good at his job is because he's head-over-rifle in love with Richard.)
Because Sebastian is so good at his job, he insists on testing every single drink they order for poison, which effectively turns their night of freedom and loose passion into a something of a cheap sitcom.
John dances with Richard. Their bodies fit together like well-greased pieces of a clock that keeps perfect time. The music may be awful, and the lights obnoxious, but all that matters right now are the smooth, gracious curves of Richard's perfect hips.
John can play Richard like an instrument. He's catalogued every touch, and he knows the reaction for each and every thinkable stimuli. There is nothing new added to their routine. Only variations of things they've done before.
(It's starting to get tedious, boring, dull, predictable. John longs to change up the game, to add something new and sexy.)
John can't help notice the way Richard looks at Sebastian. How Richard's tired, hollow eyes trace the immaculate lines of Sebastian's strong chin. John recognizes that look. It's the way John looks at Sherlock.
(John notices everything. That is his destiny. That is his purpose. That is his curse.)
John takes it upon himself to remind Richard that he owns him.