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

[deductivedoctor]

"Will you get off?!" John gnashed out, shoving Sherlock with his good arm. Unfortunately, Sherlock was so rooted in his seat that he didn't really budge. John was quickly turning red again, his blush flaring up to his ears.

"Right, well um, I got you some sandwiches, though I suppose it was kind of a moot point since you're off the hospital food now anyway," Lestrade said, depositing the bag on the desk, he then extended his reach over Sherlock to offer John and envelope. "And this is from the rest of the police department."

It was a get well soon card with a graphic of a cartoon dog in bed with a water bag on its head and a thermometer hanging out of its mouth. It wasn't exactly appropriate for the specific injury, but the sentiment was there all the same. Even Sally and Donovan had signed it.

[deductivedetective]

With a roll of his eyes, Sherlock rolled off of John, straightening his button-up as he got to his feet. Lestrade was giving the two of them glances back and forth, unsure if he should say something about what he walked in on.

"Apologies, Lestrade. I was testing something," he said matter-of-factly. "There's some of Mrs. Hudson's cakes left, if you'd like as well."

[deductivedoctor]

"Thanks Greg," John said with a sigh, propping the card up on the side stand behind his chair. He was still a miserable shade of red, his glance evasive. "Thoughtful."

"Yeah, no problem," said Lestrade, helping himself to one of the cakes. He seemed to go on as if there had never been any tension in the room at all. He was talking again before he even swallowed the snack cake: "That Star Trek? I love that movie. That Captain Kirk is something else."

[deductivedetective]

Sherlock was watching Lestrade for any sign of disbelief in his excuse. He wasn't concerned at all, but John always had a fit about people knowing. It was troublesome.

He made his way to the kitchen, where he wrote some fake notes on legs falling asleep, and how long recovery took, and how long it was possible to anchor an angry small man with a damaged shoulder with your own body weight. May as well make it convincing just in case.

"Much prefer Spock," Sherlock piped in.

[deductivedoctor]

"Can't say I'm surprised," Lestrade said. "You might as well be half-alien yourself. I can't stay for long, today's going to be a long day at Bart's with all you two digged up. Thanks, by the way. That guy was sick."

"I don't think I'll be able to eat meat for a week," John added with a groan.

"Exactly why those sandwiches are caprese," Lestrade shook his head. "The team feels the same."

[deductivedetective]

Sherlock shot a glare at the back of Lestrade's head, before making his way to his own seat across from John. It wasn't as comfy, he thought with a frown.

"Ring us if you get anything interesting."

[deductivedoctor]

"I will," Lestrade returned, grabbing another cake before heading for the door. "You two should bring yourselves down to the pub once John's feeling better."

[deductivedetective]

"Mm," he hummed distractedly, checking his phone idly.

[deductivedoctor]

John waved him off, waiting until he was long out the door to get up of from his chair. "Alright, that's it. We're locking the door from now own."

[deductivedetective]

Sherlock watched him get up, raising an eyebrow. This was one of those few things that were beyond Sherlock's social understanding.

"Why are you so concerned with it, anyway?"

[deductivedoctor]

Click.

John didn't answer Sherlock at first, letting the question sit in his head for awhile. He slumped back down in his chair, adjusting his bad arm in the brace. "I don't know," he admitted finally, pursing his lips into a subtle frown. "I'm really not gay, you know... I don't really want people talking. I don't want to be thought about that way."

John turned his glance up to Sherlock.

"And," he began. "It just so happens that the person I like's a bloke. It's really all sort of a fluke, this."

[deductivedetective]

Sherlock's index finger rested on his mouth in thought, the others curled over his chin. John Watson was simply a subtle man, he supposed, having caught himself up with the least subtle person he could possibly find. It was all right, really; Sherlock didn't see the big deal in hiding it, even if he also didn't see the big deal in their arrangement even existing. He was used to embarrassment that accompanied the people that knew him when he was around. (Mycroft being a splendid example.)

"They're going to realize eventually, John," he said. "And people will talk. I've said it before.

"But all right."

[deductivedoctor]

"If it lasts that long," John reminded. "It's been what? A week?"

[deductivedetective]

"If what lasts that long?"

[deductivedoctor]

"The, um, snogging... as you put it."

[deductivedetective]

Opening his mouth to say something, he stopped upon realizing he wasn't quite sure how he felt about what John was saying. Was there something he still didn't know about 'relationships' that he had missed?

"Is this a short-term arrangement?" he asked. "I'm not sure what you're implying."

[deductivedoctor]

"No," John shook his head. "No it doesn't have to be. I'm just saying things like this don't always work out."

[deductivedetective]

Right. John was a prime example of things not working out.

Sherlock ran a hand through his hair, realizing he hadn't considered the possibility of this not 'working out.'

"I see. Well. I'll, um," he struggled a bit, "try to be discreet."

[deductivedoctor]

John couldn't help but laugh a little at the reaction.

"You're worried."

[deductivedetective]

"I'm not worried," he said quickly.

[deductivedoctor]

"You are, you're worried it won't work out," John said.

[deductivedetective]

"Don't be ridiculous," said Sherlock, looking away and at the TV instead.

[deductivedoctor]

"Right, I'm the one being ridiculous," John returned, all smiles. His glanced lingered on Sherlock for awhile longer before rejoining the movie.

[deductivedetective]

Sherlock spared a glare in John's direction, tugging his legs up on the seat, tucking them into his chest. He didn't like being caught like that. He was supposed to do the catching.

[deductivedoctor]

John didn't even have to look to realize he'd hit a nerve, so he just kept his attention on the television, holding onto his smile. Sherlock just kept surprising him. He seemed to be seeing a lot of Sherlock's human side as time went on. Not that Sherlock wasn't human, no-- He was just so far removed from normalcy and so fantastic that most people couldn't really compare. But there were little things that brought him down from his pedestal. Several of them, as of late. Sherlock could see it too, John was sure. Which is why Sherlock had reacted so defensively on being called out on it.