Ginger with a Chance of Freckles - Chapter 8
Title: Ginger with a Chance of Freckles
Summary: "Why did you never tell me about your little brother, Martin?" asked John, gesturing to the exhausted pilot sleeping on their couch.
"I tried to you," replied Sherlock, "but when you're here...you take over my mind."
Sometimes it takes an extraordinary event to make two people fall in love, in John and Sherlock's case it takes and extraordinary pilot: Sherringford "I-go-by-Martin-Crieff-now" Holmes.
Genre: Romance/Humour
Words: 12000+
Rating: PG-13
Pairings: Sherlock/John, Mycroft/Anthea, Martin/Molly
The reality dissolved, to be replaced by a brilliant haze of incredible feelings: love, joy, comfort, contentment. The emotions danced through John’s mind as he relaxed under the novel feeling of Sherlock’s lips covering his own. It was not a particularly refined kiss but it provoked a natural, visceral sensation that melted any semblance of coherent thought. Existence was distilled into this one pure, shining moment with no beginning or end.
“Sherlock!” squealed Martin’s voice from behind them. The pilot sounded completely aghast at what he was witnessing. “That is not what I told you to do!”
To John’s devastation, Sherlock pulled away abruptly and stepped backwards. He had to suppress the urge to grab the detective by his lapels and pull him into another kiss. Sherlock was scrutinizing him again, his face a mask of concentration.
“He has not physically assaulted me,” responded Sherlock flatly, “In fact, John appears to have enjoyed the contact very much.”
Having his reactions stated in such a bland tone made John blush, but he stared resolutely back into Sherlock’s dark blue eyes.
“Yes, yes I did,” he replied, wanting Sherlock to understand he was not ashamed or embarrassed by what had just transpired.
“Then go out with me,” said Sherlock instantly, his eyes shining with determination, “Go out with me.”
The endorphins rushing through John’s brain from that first amazing kiss left very little room for contemplation. He wanted to shout yes and declare their new relationship from the rooftop to every passerby. He wanted to grab Sherlock in a loving embrace and share another spectacular kiss.
“You’re supposed to woo him, like I explained,” grumbled Martin, breaking John’s euphoric thoughts, “Be romantic - go on dates, send flowers, and compliment his appearance -“
John almost smiled at the last part of Martin’s speech - he was an army doctor, not a teenage girl, and he’d be perfectly content if Sherlock just bought him a pint once in a while.
“I’m not into that kind of thing, Martin,” explained John patiently, “It’s different dating a guy.”
Although dating Sherlock would be completely different from dating any ordinary guy, thought John
“I’ll take that as a yes to going out,” replied Sherlock nonchalantly, but his eyes betrayed his joy and excitement and John couldn’t resist drinking in Sherlock’s exotically beautiful features.
As he gazed at Sherlock, John’s euphoric state of mind slowly dissolved into a mellow happiness and the logical part of his brain returned with all of John’s anxieties.
Dating Sherlock was going to be a rollercoaster ride of emotions. The detective was simultaneous the most amazing and the most frustrating human being alive. Their relationship as flatmates could be strained at times but the increased intimacy of a romantic relationship would produce a whole new set of challenges.
Mycroft’s words echoed in John’s mind: “If this relationship doesn’t work out...”
There was every chance that their relationship could end in bitterness and disappointment. John was a thoroughly ordinary man and at the back of him mind, he half expected the day when Sherlock would simply grow tired of his company.
How long can I hold his interest for? Thought John, How long before he becomes frustrated or disgusted by how ordinary I really am?
John had been so sure of himself when he declared to Mycroft that if Sherlock wanted a relationship he would make it work, but now as he stared at Sherlock’s beautiful yet alien features, doubts began to gnaw away at his resolve.
Once again Martin’s protests chased away the dark cloud of uncertainty in John’s mind.
“Well - well,” spluttered Martin, “You still need to ask before you just go and kiss someone!”
Martin’s desperate expression was so comical that both Sherlock and John grinned openly at that remark.
“Oh, Martin,” said Sherlock, a small smirk spreading across his smug features, “I think the non-consensual kiss worked very well indeed.”
“Ugh!” groaned Martin and slumped down on the couch with his head in his hands.
As John turned back to Sherlock, he saw that the detective had fixed him with a penetrating gaze. He tried to smile reassuringly but it felt more like a grimace.
What should I do? thought John as Sherlock continued to gaze at him, should I tell him how I feel? Will it get things off to a bad start?
John still didn’t know after three years of living with the brilliant detective whether Sherlock had ever been romantically involved with anyone. Mycroft had briefly hinted that Sherlock didn’t have normal romantic relationships, but that did not mean his flatmate was entirely inexperienced.
I should take this slowly, concluded John, just make some tea.
“Well, now that’s settled, tea anyone?”
Sherlock’s eye suddenly betrayed a hint of confusion as the analytical expression vanished from his features. He opened his mouth as if to object, but then slunk back into his bedroom without another word, slamming the door behind him.
“What did I say?” asked John, thoroughly bewildered.
Martin looked up from his despondent position on the couch and said flatly, “I think he wants to kiss you some more - maybe a lot more...and other stuff as well,”
Understanding dawned on John like a switch being thrown. Sherlock, it seemed, did not want tea or talking or taking it slowly - he wanted to get straight to the point.
All of John’s previous relationships had started off much more slowly, but this time in the course of less than five hours John had transitioned from being Sherlock’s flatmate to being his boyfriend. Although he knew Sherlock much better than any of his previous girlfriends, he wasn’t sure how to go about starting a physical relationship, particularly when he still could not untangle the knot of anxiety building in his stomach.
“Er - do you think I should go in there after him?” asked John hesitantly.
Martin’s expression morphed from disappointment to a full blown smirk that made him look even more like Sherlock.
“Well - if you do I’ll have to sleep on the couch.”
John stared at the young pilot for a moment, wanting to protest that nothing was going to happen between him and Sherlock but he settled instead for humourous smile.
“Would you mind terribly if you had my room instead?”
“I’ll live,” replied Martin beaming from ear to ear, “Oh, and Sherlock has all the supplies you need,”
“What?” asked John, suddenly remembering the exact mechanics of what Martin was suggesting.
Martin started to look very sheepish and rubbed the back of his neck with embarrassment.
“Well...you know...jelly and stuff.”
“Jelly?” snapped John, abruptly getting a terrible mental image of Sherlock lying naked covered in wobbling green slime.
“KY jelly,” clarified Martin, blushing a deep shade of pink, “We went shopping before you arrived home this afternoon.”
“You planned this?” demanded John, feeling both utterly manipulated and rather impressed by how quickly the Holmes brothers had manoeuvred him into position.
“We also bought some milk!” protested Martin.
“Sherlock knew I would say yes?” asked John, wondering just how transparent his subconscious desires had been.
“He’s Sherlock,” replied Martin, as if that explained life, the universe and everything.
John conceded that if ever there was a man who could know what he wanted before he even wanted it, that man would be Sherlock Holmes.
“Yeah, well - I’d better get back to your brother...” he replied awkwardly.
He didn’t knock this time but simply opened the door to Sherlock’s room. The body parts had disappeared, though John knew they were probably sitting in the fridge, and the room had been scrupulously cleaned. To his surprise, Sherlock was walking around with his shirt half open, lighting candles that were dotted around the room. If John wasn’t feeling unsure of himself, he would have laughed out loud at the ridiculous scene.
“Are you trying to set the place on fire?” asked John trying to lighten his own mood, “I know the decor leaves much to be desired, but I don’t want to be homeless.”
“You also don’t want to be so tense,” replied Sherlock, lighting another candle. The room was filled with a familiar, pleasant scent that John could not quite name and as he inhaled the aroma, he felt his anxiety slip quietly into the background.
“They smell like the candles my mother used to like,” said John, as old faded memories to slowly come back into focus, “she’d always light one when we were unhappy or ill or just need comfort,”
“I know,” stated Sherlock calmly.
John couldn’t help but gazed in wonder at the detective. At times like these, Sherlock’s abilities seemed almost supernatural.
“You’re anxious,” observed Sherlock, “and insecure - you are afraid that our relationship will end horribly.”
“Can you blame me?” asked John with a humourless smile, “I mean look at us, we must be the two most incompatible boyfriends in the history of gay relationships. I’m not even sure I am gay - and you don’t seem to have a sexual preference for anything.”
Sherlock turned to look at him with an unfathomable expression.
“I have a preference for something,” replied Sherlock slowly, “I prefer John Watson and only John Watson.”
Sherlock’s words washed over John like a tidal wave of revelation. It was one thing being told about Sherlock’s feelings and quite another to actually hear directly from the man. The heavy knot of anxiety started to unravel. He felt hope and confidence replacing the dark doubts that once preyed upon his mind.
“That’s enough of a sexual preference, isn’t it?” asked Sherlock, fixing John with his intense gaze that seemed to narrow John’s entire world down to one single moment. As the warm glow of joy expanded throughout his entire body, John struggled to make even the most incoherent of noises.
I know I love you, thought John, desperately hoping that Sherlock could see his feeling through his expression alone, but I don’t know how to love you.
In that moment, Sherlock let all his defences fall away like a soldier stripping off his amour. He looked oddly vulnerable for a moment, before a smile of pure joy spread across his face - lighting up his features with a new kind of brilliance. It was the most beautiful thing John had ever seen and it would remain etched into his memory for the rest of his life.
“Haven’t you always said: you can’t logically dissect emotions, you need to feel them?” asked Sherlock standing up and moving forwards so that they were only inches apart. “Well, John, follow your own advice and stop trying to think - just feel.”
John’s thoughts evapourated like mist in the bright morning sun and he leaned in automatically for their second kiss.
AN: Thank you every one for your kind support! Please take the time to leave a review!
Summary: "Why did you never tell me about your little brother, Martin?" asked John, gesturing to the exhausted pilot sleeping on their couch.
"I tried to you," replied Sherlock, "but when you're here...you take over my mind."
Sometimes it takes an extraordinary event to make two people fall in love, in John and Sherlock's case it takes and extraordinary pilot: Sherringford "I-go-by-Martin-Crieff-now" Holmes.
Genre: Romance/Humour
Words: 12000+
Rating: PG-13
Pairings: Sherlock/John, Mycroft/Anthea, Martin/Molly
The reality dissolved, to be replaced by a brilliant haze of incredible feelings: love, joy, comfort, contentment. The emotions danced through John’s mind as he relaxed under the novel feeling of Sherlock’s lips covering his own. It was not a particularly refined kiss but it provoked a natural, visceral sensation that melted any semblance of coherent thought. Existence was distilled into this one pure, shining moment with no beginning or end.
“Sherlock!” squealed Martin’s voice from behind them. The pilot sounded completely aghast at what he was witnessing. “That is not what I told you to do!”
To John’s devastation, Sherlock pulled away abruptly and stepped backwards. He had to suppress the urge to grab the detective by his lapels and pull him into another kiss. Sherlock was scrutinizing him again, his face a mask of concentration.
“He has not physically assaulted me,” responded Sherlock flatly, “In fact, John appears to have enjoyed the contact very much.”
Having his reactions stated in such a bland tone made John blush, but he stared resolutely back into Sherlock’s dark blue eyes.
“Yes, yes I did,” he replied, wanting Sherlock to understand he was not ashamed or embarrassed by what had just transpired.
“Then go out with me,” said Sherlock instantly, his eyes shining with determination, “Go out with me.”
The endorphins rushing through John’s brain from that first amazing kiss left very little room for contemplation. He wanted to shout yes and declare their new relationship from the rooftop to every passerby. He wanted to grab Sherlock in a loving embrace and share another spectacular kiss.
“You’re supposed to woo him, like I explained,” grumbled Martin, breaking John’s euphoric thoughts, “Be romantic - go on dates, send flowers, and compliment his appearance -“
John almost smiled at the last part of Martin’s speech - he was an army doctor, not a teenage girl, and he’d be perfectly content if Sherlock just bought him a pint once in a while.
“I’m not into that kind of thing, Martin,” explained John patiently, “It’s different dating a guy.”
Although dating Sherlock would be completely different from dating any ordinary guy, thought John
“I’ll take that as a yes to going out,” replied Sherlock nonchalantly, but his eyes betrayed his joy and excitement and John couldn’t resist drinking in Sherlock’s exotically beautiful features.
As he gazed at Sherlock, John’s euphoric state of mind slowly dissolved into a mellow happiness and the logical part of his brain returned with all of John’s anxieties.
Dating Sherlock was going to be a rollercoaster ride of emotions. The detective was simultaneous the most amazing and the most frustrating human being alive. Their relationship as flatmates could be strained at times but the increased intimacy of a romantic relationship would produce a whole new set of challenges.
Mycroft’s words echoed in John’s mind: “If this relationship doesn’t work out...”
There was every chance that their relationship could end in bitterness and disappointment. John was a thoroughly ordinary man and at the back of him mind, he half expected the day when Sherlock would simply grow tired of his company.
How long can I hold his interest for? Thought John, How long before he becomes frustrated or disgusted by how ordinary I really am?
John had been so sure of himself when he declared to Mycroft that if Sherlock wanted a relationship he would make it work, but now as he stared at Sherlock’s beautiful yet alien features, doubts began to gnaw away at his resolve.
Once again Martin’s protests chased away the dark cloud of uncertainty in John’s mind.
“Well - well,” spluttered Martin, “You still need to ask before you just go and kiss someone!”
Martin’s desperate expression was so comical that both Sherlock and John grinned openly at that remark.
“Oh, Martin,” said Sherlock, a small smirk spreading across his smug features, “I think the non-consensual kiss worked very well indeed.”
“Ugh!” groaned Martin and slumped down on the couch with his head in his hands.
As John turned back to Sherlock, he saw that the detective had fixed him with a penetrating gaze. He tried to smile reassuringly but it felt more like a grimace.
What should I do? thought John as Sherlock continued to gaze at him, should I tell him how I feel? Will it get things off to a bad start?
John still didn’t know after three years of living with the brilliant detective whether Sherlock had ever been romantically involved with anyone. Mycroft had briefly hinted that Sherlock didn’t have normal romantic relationships, but that did not mean his flatmate was entirely inexperienced.
I should take this slowly, concluded John, just make some tea.
“Well, now that’s settled, tea anyone?”
Sherlock’s eye suddenly betrayed a hint of confusion as the analytical expression vanished from his features. He opened his mouth as if to object, but then slunk back into his bedroom without another word, slamming the door behind him.
“What did I say?” asked John, thoroughly bewildered.
Martin looked up from his despondent position on the couch and said flatly, “I think he wants to kiss you some more - maybe a lot more...and other stuff as well,”
Understanding dawned on John like a switch being thrown. Sherlock, it seemed, did not want tea or talking or taking it slowly - he wanted to get straight to the point.
All of John’s previous relationships had started off much more slowly, but this time in the course of less than five hours John had transitioned from being Sherlock’s flatmate to being his boyfriend. Although he knew Sherlock much better than any of his previous girlfriends, he wasn’t sure how to go about starting a physical relationship, particularly when he still could not untangle the knot of anxiety building in his stomach.
“Er - do you think I should go in there after him?” asked John hesitantly.
Martin’s expression morphed from disappointment to a full blown smirk that made him look even more like Sherlock.
“Well - if you do I’ll have to sleep on the couch.”
John stared at the young pilot for a moment, wanting to protest that nothing was going to happen between him and Sherlock but he settled instead for humourous smile.
“Would you mind terribly if you had my room instead?”
“I’ll live,” replied Martin beaming from ear to ear, “Oh, and Sherlock has all the supplies you need,”
“What?” asked John, suddenly remembering the exact mechanics of what Martin was suggesting.
Martin started to look very sheepish and rubbed the back of his neck with embarrassment.
“Well...you know...jelly and stuff.”
“Jelly?” snapped John, abruptly getting a terrible mental image of Sherlock lying naked covered in wobbling green slime.
“KY jelly,” clarified Martin, blushing a deep shade of pink, “We went shopping before you arrived home this afternoon.”
“You planned this?” demanded John, feeling both utterly manipulated and rather impressed by how quickly the Holmes brothers had manoeuvred him into position.
“We also bought some milk!” protested Martin.
“Sherlock knew I would say yes?” asked John, wondering just how transparent his subconscious desires had been.
“He’s Sherlock,” replied Martin, as if that explained life, the universe and everything.
John conceded that if ever there was a man who could know what he wanted before he even wanted it, that man would be Sherlock Holmes.
“Yeah, well - I’d better get back to your brother...” he replied awkwardly.
He didn’t knock this time but simply opened the door to Sherlock’s room. The body parts had disappeared, though John knew they were probably sitting in the fridge, and the room had been scrupulously cleaned. To his surprise, Sherlock was walking around with his shirt half open, lighting candles that were dotted around the room. If John wasn’t feeling unsure of himself, he would have laughed out loud at the ridiculous scene.
“Are you trying to set the place on fire?” asked John trying to lighten his own mood, “I know the decor leaves much to be desired, but I don’t want to be homeless.”
“You also don’t want to be so tense,” replied Sherlock, lighting another candle. The room was filled with a familiar, pleasant scent that John could not quite name and as he inhaled the aroma, he felt his anxiety slip quietly into the background.
“They smell like the candles my mother used to like,” said John, as old faded memories to slowly come back into focus, “she’d always light one when we were unhappy or ill or just need comfort,”
“I know,” stated Sherlock calmly.
John couldn’t help but gazed in wonder at the detective. At times like these, Sherlock’s abilities seemed almost supernatural.
“You’re anxious,” observed Sherlock, “and insecure - you are afraid that our relationship will end horribly.”
“Can you blame me?” asked John with a humourless smile, “I mean look at us, we must be the two most incompatible boyfriends in the history of gay relationships. I’m not even sure I am gay - and you don’t seem to have a sexual preference for anything.”
Sherlock turned to look at him with an unfathomable expression.
“I have a preference for something,” replied Sherlock slowly, “I prefer John Watson and only John Watson.”
Sherlock’s words washed over John like a tidal wave of revelation. It was one thing being told about Sherlock’s feelings and quite another to actually hear directly from the man. The heavy knot of anxiety started to unravel. He felt hope and confidence replacing the dark doubts that once preyed upon his mind.
“That’s enough of a sexual preference, isn’t it?” asked Sherlock, fixing John with his intense gaze that seemed to narrow John’s entire world down to one single moment. As the warm glow of joy expanded throughout his entire body, John struggled to make even the most incoherent of noises.
I know I love you, thought John, desperately hoping that Sherlock could see his feeling through his expression alone, but I don’t know how to love you.
In that moment, Sherlock let all his defences fall away like a soldier stripping off his amour. He looked oddly vulnerable for a moment, before a smile of pure joy spread across his face - lighting up his features with a new kind of brilliance. It was the most beautiful thing John had ever seen and it would remain etched into his memory for the rest of his life.
“Haven’t you always said: you can’t logically dissect emotions, you need to feel them?” asked Sherlock standing up and moving forwards so that they were only inches apart. “Well, John, follow your own advice and stop trying to think - just feel.”
John’s thoughts evapourated like mist in the bright morning sun and he leaned in automatically for their second kiss.
AN: Thank you every one for your kind support! Please take the time to leave a review!