“No, no…” John takes a breath before trying to continue but Sherlock isn’t done yet apparently.
“Because, it was a request not a command, and if you’d rather not I’d respect your decision. I don’t for one moment think you’re homophobic, you understand, but if it’s that it’s me asking that’s the issue…”
“Sherlock, no… it’s not because it’s you. I wanted to be sure, because, well, the card isn’t too clear.”
“It couldn’t be clearer. Here, let me read it out to you.”
Sherlock takes it from John’s fingers and clears his throat. Now that he’s holding up the small business card sized note, John can see that there’s actually a small red heart embossed on the other side. Perfectly central.
“‘Watson, I request your company at Roberto’s on the 14th February at 7:30 sharp. Sherlock Holmes.’ You see, perfectly clear.”
“Ok, yeah that’s… well now I know that you were asking me out, it’s clearer.”
“Do you accept?”
“I…”
“It’s really fine if you don’t want to.”
“Sherlock, will you…”
“Or we could still keep the reservation and go as friends if you prefer?”
John stands up and takes the card back from Sherlock, looking down at his companions neat handwriting with a smile.
It was a surprise to find on his desk that morning. Sherlock must have placed it there sometime during the night. He’d never suspected that Sherlock had feelings of that kind towards him, never hoped that they could have another form of relationship than the most intimate of friends, but now… the possibilities of what they could be are making him feel a bit shaky.
“A date,” John says, more to himself than anything, just to say the words aloud again.
“Yes, a date,” Sherlock says, that manic tone calmed somewhat. “Do you accept, John?”
“I do, yeah. Yeah, let’s go on a date,” he chuckles, smiling wider, thrilled when he sees Sherlock match it. “Only…”
“Hm?”
“Restaurants are busy at the best of times, but on Valentine’s Day… will you be alright with all the people and the noise? We could get a takeaway and have it at home instead?”
Sherlock shakes his head, looking at John with a fondness that John doesn’t think he’s seen from him before. It makes him feel all warm and silly inside.
“Thank you for the concern but there’s nothing to worry about. We’ll have the place to ourselves.”
John blinks, taken aback.
“How did you manage that?”
“Oh, I helped them with a rather interesting case some years back, before your time. Sabotage, a razor blade in the garlic bread, and mistaken identity that was in fact not a mistake at all. Anyway, the family were more than happy to accommodate my request.”
Sherlock leans forward, hesitating slightly before kissing John lightly on his cheek.
“I’ll pick you up at 7:30,” he says, turning and walking out of John’s bedroom.
“But… we live together,” John replies, raising his voice at the same time as raising his fingers to touch his cheek. “Sherlock, we live together!”
“I’ll knock on your bedroom door then!” Comes the reply.
“Oh, ok… yeah that’s good. Uh, Sherlock?!”
Appearing again at the top of the stairs, Sherlock lifts an eyebrow.
“Will you tell me about that case later. On the date?”
“I’d be happy to. I’m looking forward to it.”
“Me too,” John says, meaning it with all his heart.
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