A Study In Marriage (Johnlock) - Sequel to A Study in Love

An (Un)familiar Face

Quiet evenings weren't exactly in short supply at 221B Baker Street. Boring evenings, however, were certainly on the rare side. Whether they were going over case notes, watching crap telly, or Sherlock was experimenting in the upstairs bedroom that had now become his study, things were hardly ever "dull", and John was never bored.

Even on days when there was the absence of cases or experiments John managed to busy himself with reading the newspaper or surfing the net. He was using this one particularly calm evening to update his blog and let the world know about his engagement to Sherlock Holmes. He was sure his followers would have a field day with the information, and he figured now was as good a time as any, considering the fact that his and Sherlock's engagement party was that night.

Sherlock was plucking absentmindedly at the strings of his violin while John typed, timing each pluck with the steady click-click-click of the keyboard that John provided, the combination of sounds creating some sort of strange duet. Other than that there was silence, but the silence between them was comfortable, and neither man felt the need to fill it with small talk. John remembered his father telling him many years ago how important it was to find someone who you could spend hours with doing absolutely nothing and never be bored. John glanced over at Sherlock, saw the hint of contentment on Sherlock's otherwise expressionless face, and smiled.

Sherlock's eyes snapped to John's face and narrowed, but John just continued to smile at him. Having most likely read John's mind, Sherlock gave a small smile and nodded his head before looking out the window.

"I feel the same way." John chuckled, then went back to his typing. He finished the post several minutes later and went to the kitchen to make some tea. He felt Sherlock's eyes on him as he passed by his chair but kept walking. Sherlock could wait until after he'd had his tea.

John hadn't even picked up the kettle before the violin playing ceased and he heard movement in the sitting room, and by the time he poured the water a pair of long arms were wrapped around his waist and a pair of lips were on his neck.

"What's this?" John asked, going about his business as if his fiancé wasn't currently nibbling at his ear.

"What, a man can't show his new fiancé some affection every now and then?"

"I suppose not. Though, Sherlock Holmes isn't exactly the most affectionate man on Earth." Sherlock sighed, but didn't argue, and John leaned back into him, closing his eyes and resting his head against Sherlock's shoulder. "So, are you ready for tonight?" Sherlock's response was a noncommittal grunt, and John expected him to pull away. However, he didn't, but instead tightened his hold on John and rested his chin on John's head.

"I still don't see why we have to go."

"It's our engagement party, Sherlock. It wouldn't be very good if the guests of honour failed to show up."

"I don't see why we're even having this party in the first place."

"Because getting engaged is an event worth celebrating and our friends want to do something nice for us by having a party. We've been over this."

"And yet I still don't understand." John sighed, but there was a smile on his face when he turned around to face Sherlock.

"Sherlock, I know you may not consider his to be a big deal but everyone else does... including me, so I'd really appreciate it if you would be cordial for just one evening and not make me regret saying yes to you." Instantly Sherlock's jaw dropped and he stared at John, who laughed and shook his head. "I'm kidding. I would never regret this." He stretched up to give Sherlock kiss on the cheek and flashed him a warm smile before turning his attention back to the tea. Sherlock left the kitchen then, and several moments later the a canorous violin melody floated in from the sitting room.
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