A/N: Hello and thank you for the reviews last chapter. I want to especially thank guest reviewer Jess for the very, very kind review! It was much appreciated and exactly what I needed to want to write today. Thanks to everyone, of course. Reviews are always appreciated. Hope you all enjoy!

On Saturday, John decides it'd be a good time to buy Sherlock's birthday present. He checks money in his bank account, and unfortunately he only has half of what he needs for his purchase. He doesn't really know where else to go besides Harry, and he really hopes she could help him.

So he calls her.

"So," he starts after a few minutes of chatting. "I have a question."

"Of course," Harry says.

John's rarely ever asked anything of Harry, but she does have a few favors to cash in.

"I was just wondering," he continues. "If you could lend me some money?"

Harry laughs. "For?"

"Sherlock's birthday present," John tells her. "I really want to get him a new pair of really nice headphones, but I only have half the money. I was just wondering-"

"John, Johnny Buddy," she stops him. "Say no more. Tell me how much you need."

John tells her the amount and she tells him it's no problem.

"After everything, I guess I do owe you something, John."

"I'll pay you back," John says. "Gladly, in time."

"Don't worry about it," she says. "I'm driving to town in a few hours, I'll drop the money off then, ok?"

"Alright," he says. "Thank you, Harry. So much."

"You're welcome, John."

John hangs up and makes himself busy until Harry arrives. As soon as she gets there, she takes him to the electronics store he wants to go to get the headphones. He buys a bright purple pair, knowing Sherlock will love them. And Clement will be glad to be able to not hear his loud records anymore.

School is set to start again on Monday, so Sherlock's uncle Asher returns on Sunday with Declan. They get Declan settled in his new room, and Asher stays for Sherlock's birthday dinner.

"Brook says Mycroft is getting on perfectly," Asher tells Clement. "Mycroft is in good hands with my boy, even if Mycroft is the older one of the two."

Clement nods. "I knew he would be."

The three teens at the end of the table silently stab at their food. John actually tries to eat, but it's far too awkward to eat while the other two are just moving their food around their plates.

"So, uhm," Declan finally starts after a long while. "I start at your school on Monday. Any, uh…any teachers to avoid?"

John knows Sherlock would say to avoid all of them, so he answers before Sherlock can. "Well, since you'll be in our classes, I can say that all of our teachers are fine, if not only a big difficult."

"Cool," Declan says. "What about kids? Bullies?"

"A ton," Sherlock answers.

Declan looks at John for answers.

"He's not really exaggerating," John says. "But there's a guy named Vince who would be someone to look out for."

"Oh, right. Vince," Declan says, as if he knows all about him.

Sherlock looks at him curiously.

"What? Our dads share DNA, if yours knows, mine knows."

Sherlock can't help but agree with that logic. He shrugs and continues picking at his food.

"Any girls worth chasing?" Declan asks.

John looks at him. "I thought you have a girlfriend?"

Declan shrugs. "She dumped me. Long distance isn't really her idea of a real relationship, I guess."

John laughs. "Alright, well…let's see…girls…"

Sherlock raises an eyebrow at him. "Oh, do go on."

John laughs and continues. "Well, there are a few girls I'm sure you'd like, Declan. Unfortunately the best ones we've met over the past few weeks are newly taken, but…" John pauses, remembering his 'date' with Alex. "Actually, I may be able to set you up. Not that you're going to have any trouble with girls."

Sherlock eyes him again. "And what does that mean?"

John glares back. "You shush."

Declan laughs.

They have cake before Asher leaves, then he says his goodbye to Declan. "If you'd like, you are welcome home every weekend. I'll send for you on Friday afternoon and you can be back Sunday night."

Declan just agrees, and then his father leaves.

"Well," Clement announces after Asher leaves. "You've all got a big day tomorrow. Get some rest, all of you."

Clement kisses Sherlock's head, kisses Declan's head, and hugs John tight before heading upstairs to his bedroom.

"See you boys tomorrow," Declan says, following Clement.

Sherlock leads John to the door and they step out into the cold.

"It's upsetting that we don't get to spend all day together tomorrow," John says, wrapping his arms around Sherlock and holding him close.

"I agree," Sherlock says. "But you said that on our first day back you'd give me a new case."

John laughs. "I did say that, didn't I?"

Sherlock excitedly nods. "Something really fun, preferably. Maybe another theft, or a murder. Or—"

"I'm not giving you a murder."

"You are absolutely no fun," Sherlock pouts.

"Aaaaand," John goes on. "Tomorrow is your birthday. What do you want to do?"

Sherlock shrugs. "Probably get away from Declan. Probably want to get away from the school day."

"Well, why don't we hold out on a case for another day and have a nice, romantic evening together? Just you and I at my house?"

"Your mother won't be there?"

John shakes his head and rubs Sherlock's back. "She is going to work tomorrow afternoon at three."

Sherlock nods. "Well, I guess I'll just have to get out of dinner with my mum and dad."

John smiles, then leans in and kisses Sherlock. Sherlock eagerly kisses back, as if he hasn't kissed John all break.

John finally pulls away first, to breathe, and presses his forehead against Sherlock's. "Easy, easy," John whispers. "Tomorrow. Anything you want, birthday boy."

"Anything?"

"Anything," John says. "Although, I do hope you go for something sexual, I'd gladly help you with an experiment, too."

Sherlock grins. "I'll think of something, ok?"

John nods and kisses him again. "I love you."

"I love you too."

John smiles, kisses him again, and leaves.

The next morning, Clement takes both Sherlock and Declan to school together. Clement tells Sherlock he can do whatever he wants for his birthday, and if that means having dinner with John, that's fine.

Sherlock and Declan get into the school and Sherlock takes Declan to the office to get his locker and schedule. Clement and Asher had made arrangements previously, so all of Declan's stuff is in order.

Sherlock takes Declan to his locker, and Declan asks where his is.

"Right here," Sherlock tells him, leaning against the one next to Declan's.

"Oh? Right next to mine?"

"Well, it's alphabetical," Sherlock explains. "John's is around the corner."

Declan nods in understanding. "So, Brook called this morning. He says that he and Myc are set to start work today. One day closer to getting Mycroft back."

Sherlock turns to get into his locker. "Yeah, I guess. I talked to Mycroft, too. A bit odd that Mycroft called when I woke up, and he hadn't been to bed yet."

Declan laughs. "You get used to it. Brook's been in New York for four years."

Sherlock nods. He's about to reply, but someone pats his back. He turns around, excited to perhaps see John, but it's Dane and Duke.

"Hello, Sherlock!" Dane happily cries.

"Hey guys," Sherlock greets.

"How was your break?" Duke asks.

"It was ok."

"Any more cases? Save any more lives?"

Declan looks curiously at Sherlock.

Sherlock laughs. "Lives? No."

"Well, we have something for you," Dane says, reaching into Duke's backpack.

"I picked it out," Duke says.

"Oh? You didn't have to," Sherlock tells them.

"It's nothing, really," Dane says.

Sherlock takes the package and opens it, finding a Rubik's Cube inside. "A Rubik's Cube?"

"Smart people always love these things!" Duke cries.

"It's true," Declan joins. "I have, like, eight of them."

The three others look at Declan. Duke's eyes spark.

"Well, hello…" Duke says.

Sherlock smiles. "Dane, Duke, this is my cousin Declan."

"Are you single?" Duke questions.

Declan opens his mouth to answer, but Dane grabs Duke's arm before he can.

"Come on," Dane pulls his brother away. "See you later, Sherlock! Nice to meet you, Declan!"

"Yes, very nice!" Duke calls, then turns around to walk with his brother.

Declan chuckles. "They're fun. A bit like Tweedledee and Tweedledum."

Sherlock, familiar with the story of Alice in Wonderland, laughs.

He turns back to his locker to put the Rubik's Cube away when somebody else appears behind him.

"Sherlock?" a small voice asks.

Sherlock turns around to see Ellery. "Ellery, hello. What can I do for you?"

Ellery takes a puff of her inhaler, then says, "I found my books! In the book lost and found, just like you said. I won't be in trouble!"

"That's marvelous!" Sherlock cries.

"I just wanted to thank you," she adds. "And wish you a Happy New Year."

"Thanks, Ellery. You too."

Ellery gives him a quick smile, then glances at Declan.

"Well, hello," Declan says to her, grinning.

Her eyes grow wide and she gasps. "Hi!" she quickly squeaks out, then scurries away while shaking her inhaler.

Declan laughs and turns back to his locker, like Sherlock. "She's like a cute little mouse!"

Sherlock laughs.

"So, you've got a lot of friends?" Declan asks.

"What makes you think that?"

"Three people today have said hello to you. You've even gotten a gift!"

Sherlock considers this and realizes Declan is right. "Yeah, I guess so."

John finally finds them as they're leaving their lockers. He warmly greets Sherlock with a quick hug and says hello to Declan.

"I've got something for you, love," John says.

Declan begins to step away from them. "I'll catch up with you guys later, then. Give you a bit of privacy."

"Don't you need me to show you to your class?" Sherlock asks.

Declan spots a group of girls down the hall and begins towards them. "I'll manage," he says with a wide grin. Then he leaves John and Sherlock alone.

"A present?" Sherlock asks as Declan leaves.

"You could say that."

"A case? You said we'd wait a day on the cases."

John smiles. "That's the surprise." He hands Sherlock a paper with a print out of an email on it.

Sherlock reads the email. "Kennedy Pound. Someone's vandalizing her car?"

John nods. "And see? It says here it's happened at school, at home, at her job, and once when she was at an appointment."

"We may be dealing with more than a car vandal, then."

"How so?"

"Someone could be stalking her."

John's brows knit together. "Oh. I didn't think of that."

Sherlock bites his lip. "Kennedy isn't in any of my classes. I'll text her during first period."

"Good," John says. He discreetly grabs Sherlock's hand and kisses it, then begins to pull him down the hall.

Sherlock does text Kennedy during first period.

To Kennedy Pound: Hello, Kennedy. It's Sherlock Holmes. I got your email and I'm willing to help.

He gets a reply almost instantly. He leans low in his seat so he can hold the phone under the desk.

From Kennedy Pound: Sherlock! Thank you, you're such a damn dear. My parents are wicked mad about my car, but I have no idea who's doing it!

Sherlock thinks of any way to go with that. He could take a sample of the paint and try to find out where it came from, then search stores to find who's bought it, but that seems like a stretch. He could stake out anywhere that Kennedy's car is to watch for a culprit.

To Kennedy Pound: How often are the vandalisms and do you have any photos of them?

Minutes later, Sherlock receives a long message of a few photos. They all give the date of each incident, and there isn't any sort of pattern of the incidents. But the photos are all shapes, maybe an artist's sign or a gang. Sherlock finds it all very curious.

To Kennedy Pound: I'll be in touch as soon as I figure anything out, ok?

From Kennedy Pound: Thanks, love. You're a gem. Also, could you get me your cousin's number? Lol!

Sherlock can't help but laugh.

Sherlock talks to John about it while they're waiting for their second period teacher. Sherlock shows John the pictures Kennedy had sent. John examines them.

"What do they mean?" John asks.

"If I knew, I wouldn't need your help," Sherlock sarcastically retorts.

"I am not above hitting you on your birthday," John tells him.

"Sherlock, it's your birthday?!"

Sherlock looks around for the voice and sees Lily smiling down at him.

"Oh, uh, yeah," Sherlock says.

"Happy Birthday!" Lily cries, hugging him.

"Oh…" Sherlock mutters, patting her arms. "Thanks."

"The four of us will have to do dinner again, yeah?"

John nods. "Sure!"

Lily smiles at them again, then goes to her seat.

Through the class, Sherlock thinks of who to go to for help with this one. He doesn't know what the symbols mean, or if they're just arbitrary symbols. He scrolls through the photos again while waiting for his third period class to start.

"What are you looking at?" Declan asks behind him before third period.

"Oh," Sherlock exits out of the text from Kennedy. "Nothing."

"What were those? Symbols?"

"Uh…yeah. I can't figure out what they are."

Declan holds his hand out, and Sherlock reluctantly places the phone in his hand.

"They're band symbols," Declan says, scrolling through.

"Band symbols?"

"Jesus, cousin, do you live under a rock? Bands, yeah, like rock bands. This one here is Fall Out Boy, this one is Linkin Park, this one is Arctic Monkeys. What are you trying to solve?"

"Who is tagging Kennedy Pound's car."

"Kennedy Pound…the cute red head in my first period class?"

"Yeah, I was assuming you already met her."

"Seems nice enough. Someone's taggin' her car?"

"Looks like it."

"Hmm," Declan sounds, handing the phone back to Sherlock.

Now that Sherlock knows what the symbols are, he thinks about why someone is painting them on Kennedy's car. He realizes that he can't even really pinpoint the type of person who would do this, seeing as how 'bad' kids usually tag, but if Declan knows the band symbols and he's a 'good' kid, it could be anyone.

Sherlock thinks about it for the rest of the morning, and after the class before lunch, he heads to his locker. John follows, and he finds Declan there already.

"Lunch with Brady?" Sherlock asks John, just as he does every day.

"Of course," John says, then turns to Declan. "You're welcome to join, Declan. I mean, you may have found lunch buddies already, but—"

Declan stops him. "I'd love to John, thank you."

John pats Sherlock's arm, then heads down the hall with Declan.

"You're not coming, Sherlock?"

"Hmm? No, I go to the library during lunch."

"Come on, come with us," Declan tries. "I only know John, and I'm imposing on his friend group. And it's your birthday, you don't need to be alone!"

John just smiles.

Sherlock sighs. "Oh, alright."

John wraps an arm around Sherlock and they begin down the hall again.

John and Declan get their lunches and go to John's usual table. His friends are already there, so John introduces Declan to everyone.

"Guys, this is Sherlock's cousin Declan," John says as they sit. "Declan this is Brady, Jenna, Lyle, Sam, Joseph, and Lauren. And…" John pauses for Alex to join their table. He smiles as she approaches. "Alex."

Declan says hello to everyone, lingering his greeting with Alex. He sits across from Alex, and they begin to talk almost as soon as they sit. John mentally pats himself on the back.

Sherlock just silently sits and thinks about Kennedy's case while everyone else chats. They talk about what they did over their holiday and Sherlock wonders why someone is painting band symbols on Kennedy's car. Kennedy's nice, Sherlock's never seen her have problems with anyone. Then again, he remembers thinking the same thing about Jenna.

He glances at Jenna. She's so happy, holding Brady's arm close to her, as if he's protecting her from all the bad in the world. He looks at John and actually longs to hold John close, too.

He thinks about how unfair it is that everyone gets to be so open about their sexualities. Jenna holding Brady close; Brady being awkward and nervous because a pretty girl is touching him. Sam holding Lyle's hand; Lyle kissing her cheek. Lauren playing with the hair on the back of Joseph's head; Joseph being so comfortable with the occurrence. Even Declan and Alex are getting along quite nicely.

Sherlock doesn't even think before he does it. He reaches over, grabs John's face, pulls him close, and kisses him. It starts hard, teeth pressing against each other through two sets of lips. John doesn't even close his eyes. Then Sherlock eases up, gives John room to kiss back, and John does.

Sherlock is surprised at how not surprised he is that John kissed back. John is his boyfriend, has been for half a year already, but that doesn't mean John's ever been out and proud at school. The most physical they've ever been around peers was when they were twelve and John arrived at school crying because of what his dad had done that morning. Sherlock held him for an hour until John calmed. And then the police came and Sherlock did it all over again.

Sherlock finally pulls away and John grins.

"You ok?" John asks.

Sherlock clears his throat. "Fine," he mutters. "You?"

"Perfect," John smiles widely.

"Soooo…" Brady mutters.

John and Sherlock finally look to the rest of the group, who were briefly stunned silent.

But they go on like nothing happened.

"How about we go ice skating again, hmm?" Jenna asks."All of us, Sherlock you too!"

Sherlock sits back in his seat and is going to ignore them, but John laces his fingers with Sherlock's and continues their conversations.

The school day ends and they all walk home. Declan tells them about the girls he met, all the numbers he's already received, and John and Sherlock just laugh.

"Tell my dad I'll be home in a bit," Sherlock tells Declan.

Declan nods. "Of course. See you boys later."

As soon as Declan is gone, John pulls Sherlock to the house.

"I am going to make dinner," John says, shedding his coat. "My mum went shopping yesterday, so I can make you almost anything you're in the mood for."

Sherlock opens the cabinets and looks through the food. "How about chicken and rice? That sounds good."

"Sure," John says, taking chicken out of the freezer.

After he's got the chicken cooking and the rice steaming, John makes brownies. Sherlock's eyes glisten as he stirs the batter, then dips his finger in for a taste when John isn't looking.

They eat dinner after a while, conversation never dwindling. John, as usual, listens to Sherlock go on and on about his experiments, then about the current case he's working on.

"I still can't figure out why someone is painting band symbols on Kennedy's car."

"Maybe you ought to ask someone who is an expert in this stuff?"

"What, another tagger?"

John nods. "Someone else is bound to have seen this."

Sherlock considers this, then continues eating his food.

Long after their dinner, and their brownies, they go up to John's bedroom. They lay in John's bed to relax, and they kiss slowly for long minutes.

"John…" Sherlock sighs. "I've been thinking…"

"About?" John asks.

"I want to try something."

"Hmm, like?"

Sherlock's fingers trail down John's back, down to his bum. "You know…"

John jumps back. "What?! Now?"

Sherlock smiles and rubs his nose against John's.

"I don't think so, love. Not today. Another time."

Sherlock bites John's lip. "Okay. Another time," he repeats.

John licks Sherlock's neck. "How about just…" he bites Sherlock's neck and grabs the bulge in his jeans.

Sherlock groans and arches into John's touch.

John rubs Sherlock through his jeans for minutes, Sherlock practically whining about the lack of what he wants. His hips thrust into John's touch and he kisses John as hard as he can.

He grunts, as he had on John's sofa, and gets up on his knees. He unzips his jeans and begins to unbutton his shirt.

John follows him up and pulls his shirt off over his head. Sherlock presses his body as close to John's as possible and thrusts against John. John pushes Sherlock's jeans down his hips and grabs his arse.

"I'm going to…I'm going to come already…" Sherlock whispers, still thrusting against John.

John reaches around Sherlock and grabs his cock, giving Sherlock a few clumsy strokes before Sherlock comes against him. John groans as loud as Sherlock does, then Sherlock repays John by reaching into his jeans and stroking his cock.

"Oh god, Sherlock…" John sighs into Sherlock's neck.

Sherlock kisses John roughly, moans into John's mouth, then John comes with a strangled cry.

John falls back against his pillows and Sherlock climbs on top of him. He kisses John's cheek and lips, whispering how much he loves John between kisses.

"You're so good, love," John says, running his hands up and down Sherlock's bare back.

They kiss for many minutes, easing down from their high, then clean up. Sherlock stays undressed, stretching out fully naked on John's bed.

"Do you want your present now?" John asks, slipping a clean pair of pants on.

Sherlock eagerly nods.

John laughs and gets out of the bed, then goes to his closet and gets the present.

He brings it back to the bed and hands it to Sherlock, who sits up to open it.

Sherlock gasps when he sees the bright purple headphones inside. "Now John, this is too expensive, I can't—"

"You can," John tells him. "You said that love is taking care of someone, I am keeping you from the harm of your father if you continue to play your records too loud."

Sherlock smiles widely and attacks John in a hug. "Thank you, I love them."

"Good," John says. "Happy Birthday, babe."

"Thank you, John. I love you."

"I love you, too."

Sherlock goes home before nine o'clock, just as Clement said to. He shows Clement his new headphones and Clement practically jumps for joy.

Sherlock goes to bed almost as soon as he goes home, very happy with the day he had.