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

Heart Grows Fonder

John stared down at the frame in his hands. It was a picture of himself and Sherlock, mid-snog, standing on the Pont des Arts after having secured their love lock. He had to admit for a candid shot, the picture quality was exquisite. He figured it would be just their luck that a French photography enthusiast who also happened to be a fan of Sherlock Holmes would be hanging out on that same bridge as them, on the same day. The fact that the young man had opted to send them the photo via email rather than sell it to a tabloid was also hard to believe. The entire thing reeked of Mycroft, but John decided not to question it. It was a lovely picture after all, and he was glad to have it.

John heard footsteps as ending the stairs, and placed the photo back onto the mantle before turning to greet Sherlock as he came in. His face was flushed and his hair was messier than usual, both indications that he'd been under stress recently. Going by the menacing look in his eyes and the way his mouth was set, John guessed he'd just returned from a meeting with Mycroft.

"What did he do or say this time?" He asked, heading towards the kitchen to begin making Sherlock a much needed cuppa. Sherlock appeared moments later with a scowl on his face and a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"Your brother. That's who you've just seen, correct?"

"Correct," Sherlock murmured, staring at John as if he was a new species of human that had just been discovered. "How did you know?" John shrugged, and he turned to face Sherlock, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I don't know. Maybe your powers of observation are finally rubbing off on me." There was a wicked gleam in Sherlock's eyes as he bent down to kiss John, pulling back to gently brush his lips against his.

"Soon that won't be the only thing rubbing off on you." John laughed and pushed Sherlock away so he could tend to the tea. Sherlock left to remove his coat and scarf, and John carried the tea into the sitting room.

"I'm going to Greece." John paused in his movements, but recovered quickly and handed Sherlock his cup. He settled down beside Sherlock on the sofa and took a quick sip of his own tea.

"What for?"

"Mycroft needs me to retrieve some documents from an informant there. Apparently I'm the only person he trusts with the job." John took a sip as he stared up at Sherlock, whose eyes were glued to the mantle over the fireplace.

"When are we leaving?" Sherlock bit his lip and looked down; A nervous habit, John had learned. That couldn't be good. "What?"

"It will only be me going I'm afraid. Apparently it's been requested that I travel alone." John fought to keep his face straight and attempted to shrug nonchalantly.

"Alright then. How long will you be gone?" Sherlock sighed as he sat down beside John and stretched his legs out in front of him.

"That is unknown. You see, this informant is a criminal investigator in Greece. In return for the documents he's asked for help on his most difficult case. The sooner I solve the case the sooner I get the documents and can return home to you."

"Well you better solve that case quickly then," John said, reaching over to pat Sherlock's knee. Sherlock sighed and burrowed into John, curling his legs beneath himself and resting his head on John's shoulder.

"This is completely unfair. We've been married for only a month and already we're going to be separated."

"We are not going to be separated. You are simply going away for a bit to work. Everything will be fine." Sherlock took a sip of his tea and nestled further into John, who wrapped an arm around him and pulled him close. Sherlock only got this cuddly when he was agitated or otherwise upset and needed comforting, and John was always happy to oblige no matter what his own mood was.