a lovely date for a murder, don't you agree

[deductivedetective]

Neither of them called it a date. Sherlock may not have been the most socially up-to-speed person, but he knew what this was; what John was asking. He humored him and agreed, not pressing the matter. It wasn't unusual for them to to be together anyway, even before this. In fact, catching them without the other was even more odd.

It wasn't too fancy, anyway. The Chinese place down the street was good, and authentic (according to Sherlock's verification), and reasonably priced for two men sharing money. The atmosphere wasn't romantic, at least. Sherlock imagined the pressure on John would be lessened if just for that reason, even if he didn't understand the big deal.

"Eating in today for once, eh, Sherlock?" the host asked with a polite smile as they entered. "Two, then?"

"Yes, thank you," Sherlock said, looking at John. "Any plans after this, by the way?"

Comments

[deductivedetective]

"Not hungry," he answered.

[deductivedoctor]

"Sherlock you haven't eaten for four days," John returned. "Take one of Mrs. Hudson's cakes."

[deductivedetective]

Sherlock was frowning again, looking down at the cake.

"Aren't I supposed to be worried about you in this situation?" he asked, taking a small treat off the tray, throwing it in his mouth as though it was a hassle he wanted over with. It was hardly a substantial meal, but it was something.

[deductivedoctor]

"I'm going to be fine, Sherlock," John reminded, a laugh rolling off his lips. He couldn't recall Sherlock ever being particularly gripped by worry, so Sherlock's fretting came off as a bit silly. "A little time and some physical therapy and I'll be as good as new. The knife had been in a freezer, so it's really not likely there will be be any kind of infection."

[deductivedetective]

It didn't erase his frown right away, though. He reclaimed his spot on John's chair, the thought of Sam Jr. haunting him. Sherlock wasn't one to depend on the past, but he couldn't help but think he should've shot sooner. Should've shot lower than his shoulder. The only reason the young butcher was still living was because John was as well.

"How about a movie?" And probably to John's satisfaction, he took another cake, looking less displeased about it.

[deductivedoctor]

John smiled, and with his good arm, he pulled down on Sherlock's collar. He kissed Sherlock just before Sherlock was able to lift the cake. "Movie sounds good, thanks."

[deductivedetective]

Sherlock stared down for a moment, for once being the one caught off guard. Despite himself, a smile had edged into his lips, Sam leaving his mind palace.

"What would you like?"

[deductivedoctor]

"Well I've watched everything we own," John said with a shrug. "There's bound to be one on the telly."

John was referring to the DVDs in his collection, of course, but it was becoming commonplace to claim ownership of objects around the house as our instead of my. John hadn't really noticed it. The transition had happened long before they were ever a couple, but of course now John didn't even seem to claim full ownership of the objects in his room. With the exception of his toothbrush and his jumpers. And then there was of course his chair and his pillow, which were both originally Sherlock's.

[deductivedetective]

Now and then their pajamas would get mixed up, too, John's trousers comically short on Sherlock, and Sherlock's trousers comically tight on John. (Mrs. Hudson spotted him that time - maybe that was when she caught on. Not that she didn't already think there was something going on.)

Sherlock reached for their remote, turning on their TV. There was an action movie on that he didn't recognize, so he handed the remote to John to choose. He knew cinema better than he did anyway.

[deductivedoctor]

John changed the channel a few times, finally settling on what appeared to be a lighthearted science fiction. He had no way to judge if the movie was actually any good, being as he hadn't seen it before, but he was in the mood for something new, and this would suffice. He paused to look up at Sherlock, who was still perched awkwardly on the chair's arm.

"Are you comfortable up there?"

they should be watching star trek heh

[deductivedetective]

"It's all right," he answered, though he shifted where he was. Sherlock felt gravitated to the spot - since it was closest to John without actually being on him.

aw yeah spock vs. cumberbatch

[deductivedoctor]

Rolling his eyes, John tugged Sherlock down into his lap. The two of them together crowded the tiny armchair, and it was evident from the way that Sherlock's bony limbs spilled over the chair's surface that it wasn't exactly a perfect fit, but it was a comfortable alternative to the armrest.

heheh

[deductivedetective]

Sherlock stared up in surprise once he fell into place, looking a lot like one of those surprised cats that crack John up, his body tense and still. He cleared his throat after a moment, glancing down at their arrangement.

"Really, John, you could hurt your shoulder worse moving like that," he huffed. But it quickly subsided into a laugh at their set up (his first laugh since the whole accident), his legs hanging off the couch's arm, one of his arms carefully settled along the back of the chair. "And this is ridiculous."

[deductivedoctor]

"Yeah, well, I could have suggested we move to the couch, but I didn't really want to get up," John remarked with a breathy laugh, shifting slightly beneath Sherlock. They found a comfortable equilibrium eventually.

"And what's ridiculous is thinking the armrest is going to be a good spot to sit for a two hour movie."

[deductivedetective]

"It wasn't that bad," he lied, focusing more on John than the movie. Sherlock leaned in, pressing his mouth to John's neck. He stayed for a moment; long enough to feel his pulse, finding comfort in that.

[deductivedoctor]

John smiled as Sherlock's lips brushed up against the curve of his neck. He would have returned the gesture, but that would require leaning down, which would require moving his shoulder. Instead, he just let his glance fall down briefly, leading his hands mingle with Sherlock's before turning back to the movie.

"You know," John laughed. "I would call that the worst date ever... but that's really up for debate with my track record so far."

[deductivedetective]

"You've had worse than a cleaving to the shoulder?" he asked, with a deep and impressed laugh.

[deductivedoctor]

"Well, no," John said. "But there was that time that Sarah almost got speared through the chest with that Chinese dart. That didn't end very well."

[deductivedetective]

"Ah, right," Sherlock said. "That was fun, wasn't it?"

It was almost worrisome how honest he sounded.

[deductivedoctor]

"No, not really," John replied. "In fact I might actually still have that job if not for that case."

[deductivedetective]

"Still been looking, speaking of?"

[deductivedoctor]

"A bit, yeah," John sighed. "I should get more serious about it. I know I'm not ready to see the hospital bill."

[deductivedetective]

"Worry about it later," he said, waving a hand, clearly not concerned with monetary matters. At least, not at the moment - Sherlock seemed to be more concerned with John's ear, having curiously trailed his mouth up to it, his lips lightly clamping on the lobe.

[deductivedoctor]

Not expecting the contact, John twitched back from the tickling sensation on his ear, a hint of color rising to his cheeks. He cupped his hand over his hear. "Sherlock, movie," he directed, his glance leveling with Sherlock's for a moment before going back to the screen.

[deductivedetective]

Sherlock did look back to the TV, a slight smirk on his mouth. Exploring John's buttons and limits had become a habit of his lately, when things got quiet or boring. (He could enjoy the occasional sci-fi, but he had to be in the right mood for it.)

The movie held his attention for a good few minutes, before he was idly mouthing along John's neck and ear again. He seemed pretty content with this lap arrangement, despite how ridiculous he claimed it to be. The reach was much more convenient.