The Labyrinth of Fragile things

Chapter XX - Contentment

I awoke to the sound of soft breathing and to tangents of the sun peering through the blinds. I breathed in, slowly waking myself up. I rolled onto my side and noticed that John was sleeping peacefully beside me, his arm underneath his pillow (or I suppose mine, but that would change soon). I smiled to myself as I looked at John Watson sleeping in my bed. Why was I even worried last night? John even said that I was an idiot for doubting his reciprocal feelings. I lent down to kiss his forehead. As I admired his features, John's lips formed a smile as he awoke.

"Good morning," he mumbled as he sat up.

"Morning. How long were you awake?"

John shrugged. "Receiving a kiss from you is a small wake up call." John stretched his arm onto the bedside table and checked his phone. "It's 10:07,"he said, rather too nonchalantly.

I sprung out of bed. "Is it really? Why didn't you wake me?"

John chuckled. "Because it's Saturday and I was too busy sleeping myself. Besides, we never get many clients on Saturday."

I half hardheartedly agreed and slid back into bed, feeling the warmth wrap around me once again. As John stepped out of bed, I pulled his jumper sleeve , dragging him back to bed. "Stay," I murmured against his neck.

"I thought you were the one who wanted to get out of bed?" He nestled against me, my fingers playing with some strands of his bed-head hair.

"You were right. Saturdays are usually dull."

John's laugh vibrated off the bedroom walls. "Alright, we'll stay in bed. But only for a little longer."

"Thank you, John," I kissed his nose.

Then the doorbell rang, and I groaned. Why could no one just ever leave us alone? "I'll answer it," John offered.

"No, it's fine." I forced myself away from John and the comfort of my bed.

Once I opened the front door, it revealed Mrs Hudson. Along with a long grey dress, she was wearing a worried expression.

"Oh, Sherlock, what's wrong?" She noted my disheveled hair and pajamas.

"I just woke up. Nothing's wrong."

"You just woke up? But you hate waking up late!" Her tone was thick with confusion.

"Well, this morning I slept in. And it was quite pleasant, actually."

Mrs Hudson eyed me suspiciously. "What about John?"

"Also slept in."

She looked at me as if I had just told her that Santa Claus was visiting Baker street. "I was just worried about you two. It's very unusual for the both of you to sleep in."

"Would you like me to continue shooting the wall in boredom?"

And with that she was about to close the door, but I let my foot in between the said door. "Oh, and Mrs Hudson, call it off with the cafe owner. He's having an affair."

~

"Sherlock, look here," John called from the window at the bottom floor of the flat. I walked over to him as I fixed the collar of my coat up. Outside the tranquility and quiet of the flat were hundreds of fans, photographers, and interviewers.

"No doubt, are here to catch a glimpse of my Doctor," we both tore away our gaze from the window.

John gave a small smile. "Not so sure about that. The press are usually after Sherlock Holmes." I could still hear the low murmur of the the interviewers and camera crew from outside.