John sipped his coffee and took a look around. Every day since he had moved to London, he had been visiting the little coffee shop around the corner. He was well acquainted with most of the regulars except one. The man everyone called "Sherlock". John's first thought upon learning the other man's name was: What a peculiar name... However, time revealed the name to be very fitting. Sherlock came to the little shop every Tuesday at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. He always ordered a coffee, black with two sugars, and proceeded to sit in the corner. Sometimes he would read from files of sorts, or give the other customers calculating stares. More often then not, though, he would ignore everyone and sit back with his eyes closed, allowing his coffee to go cold as he sat lost in his thoughts. Several times John had tried to talk to the man but, he was promptly waved off. In fact, John had never heard him utter a word to anyone other than the barista.
John waited patiently and sipped his coffee. Today was Tuesday and the strange man would be here soon. Still, he was always surprised to the see Sherlock when he walked in. The strain of the week always seemed to blur his mental image of the man and it always took John's breath away when he was reminded of the sheer beauty that was Sherlock Holmes. John casually looked around, hiding the fact that he was watching Sherlock as he made his way to his little table in the corner. Today he had a file with him and he took a sip of his coffee before opening the file and scanning the page. John couldn't help but notice how a furrow developed between his brows as he turned the paper over and scanned the back. After a couple of minutes, Sherlock sighed, closed the file, and pushed it away before looking around and seemingly noticing everyone for the first time. John looked down at his empty cup and hoped the man hadn't noticed his staring. However he soon grew uncomfortable, feeling as though he was the one being stared at. Slyly, he looked around before his eyes locked with a pair of piercing blue ones. Sherlock didn't avert his eyes when he saw John notice him, however, and John became more than a little embarrassed. He broke the eye contact to check his watch, noticing that he still didn't have to be at work for an hour. Quickly, he got up and went to the counter, asking the barista for a peppermint tea. John stood with his back to Sherlock as he waited. He was handed his cup and he turned to walk away but paused to glance at Sherlock. He was giving John a confused look before he sat up, moved the file, and motioned to the seat across from him. John paused, unsure if he should take the seat. He glanced over at the seat he had occupied earlier and saw it had already been taken. Biting his lip, he sat down across from Sherlock. Much to his surprise, Sherlock just opened his file and began reading it again without saying a word to John.
"Hello?" Sherlock glanced up from the paper.
"Hello."
Now that John was closer, he realized the man's eyes weren't blue at all. They were blue and green and even had little flecks of a gold color. However, that just made them even more breathtaking. He cleared his throat and looked down at the paper Sherlock was holding.
"What is that?"
"It's a file from a case I am currently working on."
"A case? You work for the Yard, then?" Sherlock looked slightly offended.
"Of course not. They do, however, require my help on most occasions."
"So, what do you do then?"
"I am Sherlock Holmes." He gave a proud look and John frowned.
"I know but, what do you do?" Sherlock pouted a little.
"You haven't heard of me?"
"Afraid not. Should I?"
"I am a consulting detective, a job I created just for myself."
"Oh... Well, if you were wondering, I'm-"
"John Watson, former military man. You've been living here for a few months and work at the hospital down the road. When in the military you were injured and discharged. Most likely in your shoulder as you keep favoring it. You live alone and you're bored, missing the thrill that accompanied your time in the war." John stared, his mouth open slightly in surprise. After a moment, Sherlock tensed up and looked down.
"How did you know all that?" Sherlock looked up warily.
"I didn't know. I observed." John leaned back.
"That is... amazing. I see why they need you." He smiled at the other man who visibly relaxed.
"I seem to offend most people when I do that."
"Really? I think it's brilliant. Can you do someone else?"
Sherlock brightened a little as he looked around before settling on a woman sitting by herself.
"She's married, with a pair of twins. Works the night shift in a cafe. Right now she is waiting for someone, possibly her brother but most likely her lover." When John gave him a confused look, he elaborated. "She has removed her wedding band but placed it on a chain just long enough to hide it beneath her blouse. Her nervous glances show she is worried about being caught." John grinned at Sherlock, who smiled softly in response.
"And, you can do that with anyone?"
"Yes, of course."
"Absolutely brilliant." Sherlock looked back down at his paper, hiding a small smile.
John sipped more of his tea before checking the time and jumping up. The other man looked up and frowned.
"Something wrong, John?"
"I'm late for work. I'm very sorry but, I've got to go." He walked past Sherlock to get to the door and was stopped by a hand wrapping around his wrist. Quickly, he looked down at Sherlock.
"Would you happen to work at Bart's?"
"Y-yes. I do. Why?"
"I have to go get something from a colleague of mine. If you'd be willing to stay a moment longer, I could walk with you."
John bit his lip and checked the time again. With a smile, he sat back down. Sherlock looked slightly surprised as he let go of John's wrist. Quickly, he put his papers back into the file and drank his coffee, long cold. He stood and pulled his coat and scarf from the back of his chair and slipped them on. John stood and waited patiently. Sherlock turned to look at John and hesitated for a moment before holding his arm out for John to loop his own through. The shorter man smiled shyly before looping his arm through Sherlock's. Together they walked to the door, ignoring the stares of the other customers.
