Chapter Text
It Will Go On
by Ash Winters
Chapter 1.
"What do you mean we're going on a cruise? I have a job you know."
"Does it matter? We have a case, and it's on that cruise. What's her name can cover for you. Come along, now." Sherlock sniffed, waving a hand at the fuming man.
"The things I do for you." John huffed, pulling out his phone and angrily pressing the buttons as he called work to cancel for the next two weeks. "This better be worth it. Now, why are we going on this cruise? Couldn't you go by yourself?"
The brunette glanced at the blonde, "Pack your things for two weeks, I'll explain in the cab."
John looked heaven-ward, shook his head and jogged up the stairs to throw some clothes and belongings into a backpack.
–
"So," John began as he got comfortable in his seat in the cab, "What are we doing on a cruise?"
Sherlock glanced at his phone before pocketing it and taking a deep breath, "Mycroft already booked us onto this high-end cruise. It's for gay couples only hence why I am not on my own, don't look at me like that, he's the one who made you my date. A precious piece of jewelry was stolen from Royalty, which is why Mycroft is involved. He didn't want to do this himself, after all, I'm the one who goes 'sniffing around' as he says. He's found that the last trace of information ended on this cruise, so he set us up to go looking for it on said cruise."
John sighed, "Why is it that I'm always paired as your gay lover?"
Sherlock simply chuckled and shrugged, looking out the window.
–
When the cab came to a stop at the docks, the two alighted. John stared in wonderment at the large, over the top luxurious cruise liner that was docked up.
"That's our cruise?" He asked in awe, speechless when Sherlock nodded and offered him the crook of his arm.
"We must look authentic now. Oh, and my name is now Steve. Think you can remember to call me that? Thanks to someones blog my name is well known. That's why I had to do this to my hair in the cab." He murmured, waving a hand towards where his hair was currently slicked back.
With the hair away from his face and a new personality coming alive on his features he could barely recognize his friend.
John slid his hand into the crook of Sherlock's arm, trying to hide his shiver of revulsion. It wasn't that he didn't want to touch the other man or what not, but his constant insistence of not being gay felt hypocritical at this moment for he felt his heart skip a beat as he was lead to wait in line amongst many rich gay couples.
They had been in line for only a few minutes when there was a tap on John's shoulder. He turned around to see a tall, thin man with short cropped hair in a pink T-shirt and tight blue jeans.
"You're new here! I've never seen you before and I've been on this cruise so many times I know nearly everyone!" The man said flamboyantly. John mentally grimaced at the stereotypical fashion of this man.
"My name is Alexis, and this here is Micheal. We've been together for ten years, crazy isn't it?" The other gushed, pulling over his older, and much shorter, partner.
"I'm John, this is Steve." He replied, shaking their hands and almost jumped when he saw a warm smile on Sherlocks features as he shook their hands, "We've been together for five years and it's our anniversary, I thought this would be the best way to show how much I love him." He gushed, wrapping an arm around John's shoulders and squeezing.
"You guys are adorable!" Alexis all but squealed. Micheal appeared to be much more reserved and eyed them a little warily as the more flamboyant of the two continued to chatter on.
John was still taken aback by Sherlock becoming almost as flamboyant, though he made sure to pay attention to keep the false information Sherlock was giving out in case he needed to talk about their 'relationship' with other couples.
The blonde breathed a sigh of relief when the line began to move and the boarding began. It took a few hours before they found themselves on the ship and in a luxurious room. John tried not to look at the large king sized bed covered in silks and velvets.
Sherlock sighed and sat down, looking wiped. John lowered himself into the loveseat a short distance away from where the brunette sat.
"Okay, to go over our story in case someone catches you alone. We've been together for five years, we met at the night club Heaven where I bought you your favourite drink and wooed you, taking you home that very night where we became partners."
John looked at Sherlock incredulously, "I don't even know Heaven, I've never been there."
"If anyone asks, just say it's bright, flashy, and you can't hear anything." The other stated, closing his eyes slightly.
"We're looking for a man around my height, closer to your build. Dark hair. That's whom people spotted running off after the theft. Unfortunately, that's the only information I know so we will have to be patient. Tonight, at dinner, I'll try to study as many people. If needed, we may have to dance to see more people and possibly socialize. Can you dance?" The brunette asked, staring into his eyes.
John gulped, "Not well, I'm afraid."
"Come, let me teach you the basics so that you can at least spare my feet from needless pain." Sherlock drawled, outstretching a hand towards the blonde.
"They tend to do more classical dancing here so we don't have to focus on what the youth of today call dancing." Sherlock explained while teaching John how to follow his lead in a waltz. "It makes it feel more refreshing apparently and makes them feel less sexual."
John nodded and soon got the hang of the dance, only stepping a few times on the others feet. They soon settled back down and John was panting slightly at the exertion needed for such a dance. They heard some chatter in the halls and felt the ship beginning to move.
"Ah, we're on the move. Most people are making their way to their rooms, shall we head to the deck since we're already situated? Dinner will be served shortly so let's make others see us being a couple prior." Sherlock murmured, standing up and adjusting his suit jacket and brushing off his pant legs.
John got up to join him, accepting the hand Sherlock offered. They locked the door as they left and made their way to the deck, passing people who gave them suggestive looks or lewd expression while others just smiled. They were only a few couples up on the deck since most were getting settled right now. They made their way to the side, close to another quiet couple. They just watched the dock fade from sight as the ship moved farther and farther out to sea.
John had to refrain himself from shoving the other off when Sherlock slid an arm around his back and braced it on the railing to make them appear to be having a little romantic moment.
"The couple next to us is paying a little too much attention to us, bare with this for a little while." Sherlock whispered in his ear, the hot breath causing the smaller man to shiver.
They stared quietly out at the sea, Sherlock leaning close to rest the side of his head on John's shoulder, whom had to resist the urge to sneeze when a spare curl tickled his nose.
"Your gel is starting to give out." John whispered as renegade locks slowly broke out of the strangle hold due to the salty sea air.
"I will reapply some before dinner, do not fret." The brunette murmured, standing up suddenly and turning around. John looked over his shoulder, surprised to see the couple from the line directly behind them.
"Oh, darn! I wanted to surprise you!" Alexis groaned, looking at them with a sulky expression. Micheal gave them a tense smile and nod before he grabbed the taller mans arm to drag him away.
"Hold on, Micheal is it? I wanted to talk to Alexis a little bit, could you keep John company? Don't worry, I love John and have no interest in your lover." Sherlock said in a soothing manner, a polite smile tugging his lips.
John wanted to complain, he did, but he knew where Sherlock was going with this. That boy apparently knew everyone on here, he would know who didn't belong, so he sucked it up and gave the glowering Micheal a welcoming smile.
"It's a really nice evening, don't you think?" John said, leaning his back against the railing as he watched Micheal slowly lowering his defenses.
"I'm sorry if I seem a little tense. A lot of people on here attempt to 'swing' and they tend to go after Alexis because of how welcoming and cute he is and they think he's hitting on them when he's just being friendly." The dark haired man stated, looking out at the sea and not at John.
"It's much alright," John began, giving the other a warm smile, "I can understand. Just coming up on deck he and I got many lewd stares, as if we were fresh meat. But don't worry, Sh-Steve isn't a swinger."
Micheal nodded and came forward to lean against the railing, he looked at John and began to talk when they were both interrupted.
"What are two cuties like you doing out here without a man?"
The black haired man looked at them suggestively. He was roughly six foot two and looked like a rugby player with his muscled body and broad chest. Micheal groaned in disgust, muttering under his breath, "Not this guy again."
"Mike, I am insulted that you aren't happy to see me again. You certainly seemed to have enjoyed yourself last year!"
John looked between the two, wondering what could cause the smaller man to go into such a defensive stance near the tall man. The blonde studied the newcomer and realised he fit the description of the possible theif. He tried to wave Sherlock over when the stocky-man blocked his view to his friend and bent down to get in his face.
"You're older, but still very sexy for your age. I want you."
John recoiled back, bumping into Micheal. He was not gay, and besides that, this man would never be his type.
"My name is Culhwch, what is your name?" The tall man asked, holding out his hand. John hesitantly put his hand in and was about to say his name when the other man pulled him forward and went to kiss him.
John squeaked and was surprised to feel cold fingers over his mouth. Culhwch looked up in anger, though backed down fast when he stared into the fierce sea-green eyes of Sherlock.
"I do believe you just tried to kiss another mans partner. What were you thinking?" Sherlock drawled, wrapping an arm around John in a protective manner.
Alexis soon hurried over and fussed over Micheal, apologizing for not being there.
"He came on to me."Culhwch said in a boasting manner, "Not many people can resist me."
John caught himself sneering in disgust, but quickly looked down. He didn't want to loose the possible lead of this man being the suspect. He was taken aback, though, at the sight of Sherlock clenching and unclenching his fists in anger. He was about to grab Sherlock before he did anything rash but saw that he had quickly composed himself.
"I doubt he did, for I had watched the entire altercation from the other side. I do believe it was you who came onto him. Now, please, leave. It's our five year anniversary and I would deeply appreciate some time with him. It is time for dinner, if I recall correctly. Now, if you please.." Sherlock said quickly, taking John by the elbow and guiding him towards the lower deck where the dining room was.
Behind him he could hear Alexis coaxing Micheal to him to bring him down for dinner as well. What he wasn't expecting was the sharp sound that echoed behind. He quickly looked behind to see that Alexis had punched Culhwch and was ripping into him verbally for not only going after Micheal again but also chasing after another man who was already spoken for. He then grabbed the smaller mans hand and marched towards them.
"I am so sorry about that, John." Alexis gushed, threading his arm through John's so that they created a four person chain. "He hits on any man, no matter whom he's with. Stay away from him or he might do to you what he did to Micheal last year."
John wanted to know what had happened, but the strained look on Micheals face made him refrain from questioning. Sherlock would probably get the information out eventually.
They soon broke off their chain as the door was too small for them to enter in such a manner.
"You wouldn't mind dining with us, would you? I know it's your anniversary and all.."
Sherlock and John both were taken aback for the person who requested it was not Alexis, but Micheal. Sherlock gave John a small nod and looked over his shoulder with a smile, "Of course, Micheal. John and I would be delighted!"