What I've been working on for To Pull on the Spider's Silk
A Johnlock AU
Snippet:
"You would need to fully consent to it, of course." Sherlock's baritone from above him dropped ever-so-slightly. God, that voice pulled on strings he didn’t know he had.
"It requires complete–"
"Vulnerability; openness, yeah, I know" John interjected as he swallowed hard and looked back up at Sherlock. Sherlock's mercury eyes were locked onto John's. His entire body was tense, examining John's every minute shift. John did his best not to squirm. It was both parts unnerving and flattering to be so closely examined by this extraordinary man.
He cleared his throat. "Um, yeah," he gestured over to Sherlock's book shelf, "I came across some of the old customs in one of your books."
Sherlock seemed to relax a fraction, his sharp eyes softening. "So you know it requires a level of–"
"Intimacy, yeah," John finished quickly, snapping his eyes back over to the darker haired man. He blushed and rubbed the back of his neck. "I had to goggle what skyclad and the great rite meant, but, yeah, I get the concept."
A small smile flitted around Sherlock's lips. "We wouldn’t need anything that dramatic. However, playing to what we perceive as sacred would be essential. For someone who values physical touch as you do, a simple kiss would suffice."
He hesitated. "Would you consent, John?"
John bit his lip and looked away as he took his time to think. The idea of being caught, charged with unsanctioned use of magick, and locked away somewhere was not an option. Turning himself in before the madness took him and bonded to a strange Handler was tempting but definitely not appealing. John could feel the sharp sting of panic rising. A glance at Sherlock’s face told him that it didn’t escape his notice. Sherlock stepped closer. They were now toe to toe. John felt firm pressure at his elbows, where Sherlock was gently cupping them.
"If you had a true choice. One that wasn’t done by necessity....what would you choose?"
John racing mind immediately stilled as he stared up into Sherlock's intense silvery gaze, feeling achingly exposed.
"You. Always."
