The Labyrinth of Fragile things

Chapter XIX- A stormy night in Baker Street

On a late Saturday night with the rain pouring over Baker Street, I was restless in my sleep. I usually love going to sleep with the sound of the rain hitting the windowsill, but tonight the rain proved to be more of an annoyance than a pleasure. Along with the rain, my mind just simply wouldn't turn off. A new thought would run through my mind, something that would either keep up me up all night with excitement or something that only got on my nerves.

As I laid in my bed, sleep proving to be a fruitless activity, I heard a noise outside my bedroom. Nothing to worry about, the noise was only mere footsteps, but they gave me a reason to get out of my bed.

As I opened my door and peered through I saw a sleepy John walking to the window in the living room, tugging at his pajama jumper. I walked to him, ever so quietly. As I was approaching John a strange, but familiar feeling ran through me. I experienced this feeling when I was first reunited with John after I solved his case. I realized that I could approach John in a number of ways, some being in a romantic manner. A few scenarios ran through my mind, but I instead, stood behind him and asked, "can't sleep either?"

John's eyes didn't leave the window, nodding a silent agreement. A sigh escaped my mouth as I lent up against my armchair. "What do you want to do?"

John turned from the rain stained window and cocked an eyebrow at me. "What do I want to do?" he repeated, dubious. The light from the window provided little light, but it was enough to highlight John's priceless expression. "It's two in the morning."

I shrugged. "Neither of us can sleep. It's not like we're doing what 'normal' people would be doing at two in the morning." And I miss you.

"I hate it when you're right," John said lightly.

"So, always?"

"Pretty much."

A smirk played on my lips, until John sprinted to his bedroom. I laid in my armchair, bemused, until John re entered with a stack of books.He placed them on the dining table, filling up all the horizontal space. "After the fall, and even before I lived with Mary, I used to read books to spend my time. It was a good way to... Take my mind off of things."

I was thankful for the little light as I was afraid that my guilt would betray me and show on my face. I sprung off of the armchair, while John turned on the lights so we could see his array of books. The novels weren't ones I would have chosen, most of them being fantasy, but I could see that John was delighted at just being surrounded by them."Not my caliber of reading, but they will have to do." My fingers found themselves on a book titled The Fellowship of the Ring. John seemed to have already begun reading it, but was only a few pages in.

"The Lord of the Rings has to be one of the best trilogies of this century, it's... Absolutely fantastic!" John remarked as he saw me taking interest in it.

"Well, I suppose you better follow me if you want to read it." I ran with the book in my hands, a smirk on my face, as I ran to my bedroom. I could hear John running after me, his hands brushed the back of pajama shirt, but I kept running until I reached my bed. I crawled to the head of the bed, while John sat diagonally, reaching for the book. I raised it higher, John trying to grab it, but failing miserably. I let my arm fall slightly, giving John an opportunity to grab it. He held it possessively to his chest, giving me a look of shame.

"Stopping being adorably possessive over it, and start reading." I hadn't realized the full depth of what I had said until John looked at me with a slight blush creeping to his cheeks. "I meant only that you should begin reading now if you want to keep me interested. Do catch on, John."

Thankfully John didn't push the matter and begun reading the first Lord of the Rings book. I must admit, the author does have a way with words, and captivated me from the first word. Although, it could also have something to do with the fact that John was reading it, and that I couldn't help but observe the sound of his voice in certain parts of the chapter, and how his hair seemed to somehow become disheveled, and how he his hand kept disappearing into his large jumper. He was awfully distracting. Bloody sentiment.

After a few chapters, John looked up at me with tired eyes. "That can't be the end of the chapter?" I asked, aghast.

"Now who's enjoying my inferior book?" John smirked, gaining me to roll my eyes. He chuckled slightly, sleep evident in his posture. And for a time I just looked at him. "Sherlock!"

I looked at John when I heard the urgency in his voice. I must have been silent for quite awhile. The table lamp on the side of my bed radiated light and shone on my face, and created John's silhouette on my bed. You need to tell him. I took a breath, trying to not think of the thousands of horrible outcomes that might occur after I speak.

"Molly's an interesting character."

"Hmm?" John cocked an eyebrow up. "Despite the early years of our relationship; the nuisance she had been, she's changed a great deal... And I suppose I have too." I noticed the evident confusion on John's face. "Because of this change I value her advice. We made a promise. More importantly, a promise concerning you." John had turned rigid in his posture and facial expression. He seemed to be preparing himself. I've already ruined it. Well, I've already begun I can't just stop now. "And while I agree that I should tell you this important information, the prospect is new and foreign to me." John looked so beautiful in the lamplight. The rain was becoming slightly heavier, the sound echoing through my ears. "With the events of the last year, I've realized how much you mean to me." I really hoped my nerves weren't as obvious as I felt. "I always assumed that love was a dangerous disadvantage; a chemical defect... A human error... But I am as much human, as I'm in love with you."

All the tension that was evident in John a moment ago was replaced with a blank face. I didn't know how to respond to that. I suppose I would have to become immune to the feeling of doubt when it comes to love. John responded with one word.

"Extraordinary."

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A/N: So... Did you like Sherlock's little monologue/speech? I honestly don't. I think it's kind of lengthy and formal, although I was aware of this while I was writing. It makes sense for it be to long cause Sherlock's anxious over it, and it makes sense for it to be formal cause... It's Sherlock. But something about it is just kind of meh.

Anyway, as long as someone liked it. (And it's about time Sherlock told John ;))