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

Nevermind

Hello, so, just a heads up: I'm getting ready to wrap this story up. I'm thinking maybe 3, 4 chapters at most. Just so you know, there is a happy ending. :)

Also, because I don't know how many people actually read these author's notes, here's a game for those of you who do. I've made two references to two of my favourite fanfictions. First person to find one get this chapter dedicated to them. (Although I'm not sure how great a prize that is given the content of this chapter...)

Anyways, thanks everyone for your reads, votes, and comments! They are all very much appreciated xx

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The next morning when John opened his eyes he was pleasantly surprised to see Sherlock sitting up in bed beside him. His arms were folded across his chest and he was staring forward at nothing with a frown on his face, and it appeared he hadn't noticed John's waking.

"Um, morning," John managed to croak out while wiping at his eyes. Sherlock glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, but said nothing for several seconds. John closed his eyes again and settled down into the covers, but opened his when he felt the jostling of the bed. Sherlock was standing beside it, hands on his hips, staring down at John with an indecipherable expression on his face.

"I'm going to make tea. Do you want some?"

"You're making tea?" John asked, a teasing smile on his lips. Sherlock narrowed his eyes, and John immediately apologised. "Sorry, sorry. Um, yes, I would love some."

Sherlock left without another word, leaving John to sit alone in bed with nothing to keep him company but his thoughts. Obviously be hadn't been expecting for them to wake up cuddled together and that everything would be fixed, but that didn't mean it didn't hurt that their relationship was still obviously strained. Perhaps they could fix everything over tea. Tea always helped.

John sat and listened to the sounds of Sherlock in the kitchen for a while, and when he heard the kettle sing he dragged himself out of bed to join Sherlock at the table in the kitchen.

Sherlock had obtained a newspaper from somewhere in the flat and was holding it in front of him, pretending to read. Though it was subtle, John could tell when Sherlock's eyes flicked over to him while he set about making toast. Still, no one spoke.

By the time John sat down with his toast and the silence in the flat had grown to extremely awkward levels. Sherlock stole a piece of toast from John's plate, and John smiled, glad they Sherlock was at least making an attempt at normalcy.

They ate and drank in silence, never making eye contact, then Sherlock had a shower while John did the washing up. He was only slightly disappointed that there had been no conversation. No conversation meant no resolution and God knows John wanted that more than anything. At least there had been no fight, John tried to tell himself. He would take awkward mornings over arguments any day. He just hoped the awkwardness wouldn't last forever.

John showered after Sherlock, and when he came into the sitting room Sherlock was on the sofa with his laptop. The television was on and John settled down to watch it. He sat beside Sherlock, but not as close as he usually would have gotten to him. He kept his hands folded and in his lap, and his eyes remained on the television screen. He could hear Sherlock typing, but resisted the urge to ask him about it. He figured if they were to be doing any communicating that day, Sherlock might want to be the one to initiate it.

After an hour had passed and not a single word had been spoken John had grown restless. He continually shifted on the couch and drummed his fingers against his leg. He chewed his bottom lip and tried not to think about how loudly Sherlock was ignoring him.