An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
John laughed in the slightly hysterical way one does after going through an emotionally challenging moment, and took Sherlock’s hand the way he always had. He lowered his face and ran his nose along the thin skin of Sherlock’s inner wrist, inhaling as he went. It tickled and Sherlock squirmed, giggling. John flashed him a fond smile which made Sherlock squirm for an entirely different reason.
“You don’t have to do that, if you don’t want.” He said, self-conscious as John scented at his wrist again. “If you’d rather not or…if my scent is distasteful…”
“No, not at all.” John said. “I like your scent.”
“Oh.” Sherlock could see John’s blonde eyelashes fluttering atop his cheeks and smell the faintest whiff of his scent. He scooted closer, to the edge of the sofa. “I like your scent, too.” His heart was pounding in his chest, almost making him lightheaded. “John…” He wet his drip lips and scooted even closer, sick with fear that he would be rejected. In all likelihood, he would be. “It’s been a long week. Hasn't it?"
“Yes…” John agreed cautiously. Sherlock wondered if he’d already guessed what he wanted.
Familial scentings were commonplace. Mummy’s scentings were rare but Father scented him every morning before breakfast. Mycroft scented him of a morning and night, and sometimes whenever he saw him throughout the day. It was an everyday expression of their love, and their bond, and Sherlock always felt happy and loved and safe when his family scented him.
He wanted that from John too.
“I suppose I shouldn’t ask,” He began in a shaking voice, “but if you wouldn’t mind…” Sherlock trailed off, thinking of the horrible week they’d both endured. He thought of watching John with another Omega, watching as she pressed herself against him and whispered in his ear. He thought of being left behind while everyone else- John included- went ahead without him and had fun. He thought of being ignored, feeling like no one wanted him. He thought of the distance John had kept between them and the fear that he’d ruined everything. He thought of the multitude of things he’d wanted to say to John, places he’d wanted to show him, thoughts and feelings and opinions that had gone unsaid because they hadn’t been speaking.
“Would you please…?” Sherlock couldn’t ask for what he wanted. It felt different to do this with John. He didn’t know why. It just did.
John was frowning, eyes darting between each of Sherlock’s own, but Sherlock held his gaze, steady. He wasn’t asking for anything wrong. He’d seen Alpha patrons scent their Omegas before. Scentings were important for both an Alpha and Omega. It soothed and comforted. It reaffirmed a bond and confirmed for each of them that they were wanted. He and John were family, after a fashion, and there was nothing preventing him from giving Sherlock a scenting.
John must have reached the same conclusion as Sherlock because he slowly...slowly...slowly leaned forward, propping himself up with his hands on the sofa, giving Sherlock plenty of time to stop him.
Sherlock had no intention of stopping him.
He watched as John came closer and Sherlock's eyes fluttered closed when he was inches away, stomach twisting, wondering what John would do. What would happen. How their first scenting would take place. It was important. A monumental moment in both their lives. Sherlock had always wondered how his first scenting with an Alpha who wasn't a member of his family would go- although, he amended, John was family. Just...distant family. Not-quite-yet family.