Chapter Text
Sherlock Holmes was the most brilliant man John knew. This was usually good news, for everyone, except for John at the moment. This was because John Watson was in love with Sherlock Holmes.
John knew that confessing was pointless, cause Sherlock, just, didn't seem like the type of man to date. This was fine! John didn't mind, he accepted Sherlock for all his quirks and differences. Though some little part of John was heartbroken, because he knew this was a man, a gorgeous, smart, funny man, that he could never have. Confessing was pointless, and it would do more harm than good. He would put one of the only good friendships he has had recently at risk, and risk losing one of both of their only sources of income. So John knew what he had to do. Simply, get over it.
That didn't prove exactly easy though. Every compliment Sherlock gave, every small gesture, made John increasingly flustered. Even the very platonic hugs they had shared now made him feel giddy. John hated himself for this, feeling like a teenager with his first crush. John knew he couldn't have Sherlock, so why was his caveman brain thinking like this? John decided the only solution was simple, to avoid Sherlock when around the house, and excuse it with needing to edit the episodes or other work-related excuses.
John knew his excuses were glaringly obvious, and of course, Sherlock Holmes of all people would see through them! He was a world-class detective! John knew Sherlock could tell when his roommate was telling a white lie. So it wasn't extremely shocking when Sherlock asked John to have a talk with him. John knew he was in fact, royally screwed.
The hour before John came to Sherlock's room had John's brain running rampant with anxiety. John paced around his bedroom imagining every single thing that could happen. He chewed down his nails, and by the time John went over to Sherlock's room, his fingers were raw from scratching at his cuticles. He entered and sat on Sherlock's bed, gazing at Sherlock expectantly.
"John." Sherlock said
"Sherlock? You asked to see me, I'm here now."
"Yes, I can see that," Sherlock said facing away from John
"Well, no not really, all you are seeing is that computer on your desk. What did you want to talk about?"
Sherlock spun around suddenly and faced John, starting to speak
"John, if I did anything to make you uncomfortable, you would tell me, correct?" Sherlock spouted out
John nearly let out a sigh of relief. Perhaps he wouldn't lose the man he cared so much about.
"No of course nothing happened mate, if anything happened I would have said," John said voice softened.
"Ah. I see." Sherlock said, looking away from John. The silence between them was loud and uncomfortable in its own way. John was about to leave when Sherlock began to speak again.
"So you are in love with me! My original hypothesis was correct!" Sherlock exclaimed, looking very happy with himself
"PARDON??? Sherlock, I'm not- I mean I don't- I just-" John stammered out
"John I do not care if you are attracted to men, it is the 21st century. Most people in London couldn't care less either"
"No it's just- fuck, you got it all wrong- God, how did you even know- you know what I don't think I want to know," John said before being cut off
"Increased heart rate around me, dilated pupils, a sudden aversion to making eye contact, patterns of you avoiding me" Sherlock listed
"So I'm that obvious" John chuckled dryly "Well, how are we gonna do this then? I can ask Mariana to move into my bedroom and I can move into 221A, or I can move out entirely. You can stop associating with me publically, though that will be difficult with the podcast- Oh!" John made a noise of surprise as Sherlock pulled him into a hug, cutting his ramblings short. John relaxed into the hug eventually.
"John, for such a brilliant man you come to such idiotic conclusions sometimes," Sherlock said pulling away from the hug. John just looked at Sherlock, mouth agape from shock.
"I do not mind your attraction to me, John. I am not angry, nor surprised for that matter. We live in close proximity, and we spend almost all our time together. It is not a major shock that you have begun to feel a certain way, to be honest, I have begun to feel differently for you as well John." Sherlock said
John took all the information in. He just sat there astounded for a minute, before asking
"Sherlock, would you perhaps like to be together- I mean I know we are together but like together together. Romance style. Like a relationship, fuck I'm awful at this" John stammered out
Sherlock took a moment to consider
"Why not," he said "Seems like a good solution"
John almost laughed at how nonchalantly Sherlock had said this. They sat together for a while, neither saying a word before Sherlock swiftly got up
"Is this conversation over? I need to get back to going through this dead man's computer" Sherlock said impatiently
"Oh- oh fuck- uhm yeah! Leaving! Making my way out-yep" John said as he left Sherlock's bedroom. He stood in the living room for a moment. That conversation went quite unexpectedly.