the richenbach hero // johnlock

Chapter Five

John gathered his wits and put on his best clothes. He drew in a heavy breath. The small box in his pocket felt rather heavy. John was...happy? 'No' John decided. He was happy, but not for that reason. Not because he was proposing today. No, he was happy because he had moved on. He had moved on from Sherlock. He was happy. John smiled at his own reflection in the mirror.

"John, dear, come on, we'll be late! Reservations are at Seven!"

"Coming love!"
John smiled again. Mary made him happy. He didn't care about his feelings for Sherlock, he had Mary, and that's what matters. John practically skipped out of the room. Mary grinned at him as he came down the stairs. He kissed her softly on the cheek and laced his fingers with hers.

"Something's different about you John. You're smiling"
She smiled lovingly at John.

"Yeah. I mean, I have you, I'm happy"
John pecked her cheek again and pulled her out of the door.
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Sherlock laid back in the barbers chair, the cutthroat blade gliding across his skin. He breathed in softly and closed his eyes.

"Ah, Sherlock. Glad to have caught you. You should know....John he...he's moved on. He has his own life"

"What life, I've been away?"
Sherlock stood, his arms out around him.

"Sherlock...he's proposing tonight...to Mary"
Mycroft looked at Sherlock sadly, feeling his brothers pain.

"What? But he.....he said he loved me...."
Sherlock sat down slowly, trying to take in this new emotion. Mycroft came and sat next to him.
"Myc...I don't understand..why would he propose if he loves me...I don't..."
Tears rimmed his eyes. Mycroft wrapped his arm around his brothers shoulders, pulling him gently into a hug.

"You were gone for quite some time, Lockie. What did you expect?"

"Can I...can I still see him?"

"Yes. Yes of course. Come now, I know where he will be this evening"
Mycroft stood, pulling the detective up with him, arm still wrapped around his shoulder.
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John sat with alone at a private booth, his hand shaking and sweating. He prayed for Mary to come back soon. The waiter came to the table to assist him.

"Can I 'elp you with anything, sir?"
The waiter addressed him.

"Ah, yes, a nice bottle of champagne please"

"Mmm! Well, these are all excellent vintages!"

John became flustered, not really knowing much about champagnes and such things.
"Er, it's not really my area. What do you suggest?"

"Well, you cannot possibly go wrong, but, erm, if you'd like my personal recommendation ..."

John did not look up, but nodded.

"... this last one on the list is a favourite of mine. It is - you might, in fact, say - like a face from ze past"

"Great, I'll have that one please"

The waiter pauses for a minute before speaking again.
" It is familiar, but, er, with the quality of surprise!'

"Well, then surprise me"

"Certainly endeavouring to, sir'
The waiter practically stalked away. John was startled at the sudden change in the waiters voice. John pulled the velvet box out of his pocket and ran his thumb affectionately over it. Mary walked down the stairs, back from the restroom, and ran he hand affectionately over his shoulder as she sat.
"Hey, sorry that took so long. You alright?"

"Yeah, yeah fine"

Mary smiled at him.
"So, what did you want to ask me"

"More wine?"

Mary shakes her head lightly
"No I'm fine with water thanks"

"Right"
John could feel himself sweating.

"So.."

" Er, so...Mary. Listen, erm...I know it hasn't been long...I mean, I know we haven't known each other for a long time...and as you know, these last couple of years haven't been easy for me; and meeting you..meeting you was the best thing that could have possibly happened to me"

"I agree"
Mary smiled at John

"What?"

"I agree, I'm the best thing that could have happened to you"

John chuckled softly and smiled at her.
"So...if you'll have me, Mary, could you see your way, um....if you could see your way to..."
John almost had the question out, whe n the waiter came back. John groaned internally and cursed the waiter. The waiter had brought a bottle of champagne with him and showed it to John.

"Sir, I think you'll find this vintage exceptionally to your liking. It 'as all the qualities of the old, with some of the colour of the new"

"No, sorry, not now, please"
His eyes glued to Mary's, all the while she was giggling and grinning at John.

"...suddenly one is aware of staring into ze face of an old friend"

"No, look, seriously..."
John looked up at the waiter, exasperated with him.
"Could you just-"
John stopped. He felt his entire body go rigid. His eyes locked with the brilliant green and blue ones that he was so familiar with. Tears filled Johns eyes as he continued to stare at the man. John slowly stood, tears falling onto his cheeks.

"Long story short....not dead"

John reached his fingers out slowly and brushed Sherlock's jacket, jerking his hand away when he found it solid. Sherlock reached out and brushed a tear from his cheek.
"I'm here, John"

"But you...you died, I saw you die!"

"No, John, you didn't"
Sherlock's voice was barely above a whisper.
"John, I'm-"

"No. No don't....don't apologise...I almost died, Sherlock! I...I took a gun...to your grave. I needed to see you!"

Sherlock stepped closer to John.
"And I'm here now"

John backed away. He grabbed Mary's hand and pulled her to her feet.
"And I have Mary now. Goodbye, Sherlock"

"No, wait. John please!"

John continued to walk out, and left the restaurant, but Mary pulled him back towards the entrance
"Stop it John! This is Sherlock! Your Sherlock! The man you nearly died over, and you're going to turn away from him?"

Sherlock burst through the doors, eyes red. He looked at John and opened his arms. John flung himself into Sherlock's grasp, tears running down his face.