A Study In Sleep

Chapter. 27

John led the way outside, after giving Mrs Hudson a small kiss on the cheek before leaving. He then failed a cab once they got onto the street curb.
"You alright?" He asked Sherlock, opening the door for him to get in, "you seemed a little.. stuttery?"

Sherlock followed closely and he blushed as John asked this, stepping into the cab and sitting closely next to him as he held to his hand.
"Yes.. fine.. just... shy..." he admitted as he gazed to John with wide, honest eyes. He was just shy when it came to things like this, Sherlock a rather private man..
"Mhm, yeah.." John nodded, "I get what you mean," he admitted with a sigh holding Sherlock's hand gently.
"I get a bit anxious with people publicly knowing... this..." he muttered, very quietly.

Sherlock frowned a little at this but he soon nodded, respecting John's anxiety and thoughts.
"I'm sure we can keep it under wraps for a while until we are ready." He hummed just as quietly back.
"Hopefully... Thank-you.." John smiled softly, his hand on Sherlock's thigh slightly as he gave Sherlock's cheek a small kiss, "it means a lot to me.." he added softly, admiring Sherlock softly to every last detail.

Sherlock's blush returned as he felt John's warm, small hand on his thigh. He placed his large one over his, meeting John's gaze for a long while and in that moment, Sherlock could have kissed him again, though he held back, just holding John's bright, calming gaze.
"... I love you, John..." he whispered, Sherlock never having said it since in the hospital, and it was rare for him to say it. But when he did... he meant with every fibre of his being.

"I love you too, Sherlock.." John hummed before turning to the cabbie and telling him where to drop them off, then proceeded to rest his head on the brunette's shoulder.

The cab eventually arrived minutes after and the duo got out, John handed the cabbie the fee before they began heading into the building where Greg and the forensics team awaited.
Sherlock followed closely beside John, the detective even more protective over the blogger since they were now in a relationship and he found it hard to not want to hold his hand or stare at John in awe most of the time. After a short wait, Greg and his forensics team arrived, Sherlock rolling his eyes as Anderson arrived, along with a few new young women who seemed to have joined his team. One seemed to take a liking to John as she fluttered her eyes as she walked past, Sherlock instantly realising and scowling at the young women. Didn't she see that John was Sherlock's partner? He huffed grumpily, jealously beginning to simmer in his chest.

"So, what have we got?" John asked, crossing his arms slightly as he watched everyone get to work. Not really taking any notice of the woman or even Sherlock's jealousy.

"Not a murder this time, sorry guys. Alexander Holder... banker... had an item in his possession as leverage for a loan. An unnamed client gave him a crown in exchange for money. Once the loan was paid back then the client would get his crown back. However... last night... the crown was damaged. The son says it was him but it doesn't add up. Any ideas, Sherlock?" Greg explained but Sherlock was taking no notice as he stared deadly at the woman who kept looking at John. His blue eyes were full of hurt and jealousy as he stood their, taking no notice about the case at hand.
"Sherlock?" Greg said again before turning to John for an explanation.

John was caught off guard and looked to his lover, waving slightly in front of the detective's eyes,
"Hello? Sherlock?" John spoke, attempting to get the man's attention before following his gaze and took in the man's expression.
"Sherlock? You okay?" He asked, looking to Lestrade with a sigh. Placing a small hand round the brunette's back and slipped it into his pocket- as if to reassure him.

Sherlock's eyes never left the woman who smirked at Sherlock like she was going to be trouble, a face of pure unhappiness on his face. He didn't even register anything until he felt the familiar touch of John's small warm hand on his back and in his pocket and he gasped, suddenly blushing as he glanced to John.
"Y-Yes.. s-sorry..." he stuttered once again, biting his lip in embarrassment to which the woman who seemed to be attempting to hit on John snorted at before beginning to work again alongside Anderson who now both snickered as they slyly glanced to the detective who now had a look of hurt on his face as he blushed even deeper in embarrassment.

"Ignore them.." John whispered softly, then gave Anderson a death glare before withdrawing his hand from Sherlock's pocket, "they're just being idiots.." he muttered, also sending a glare to Donovan- who had also been snickering slightly.

Sherlock nodded a little until the woman giggled at John and that was enough for Sherlock to snap and stomp over to her, his eyes full of jealousy and hurt.
"Do you mind not looking at him like that?" He snapped to her with a very heavy chest which caused Anderson and the woman to stop their work.
"I don't know what you mean.." she lied, glancing over to John with a wink which made Sherlock panic even more as he stared at her in utter resentment.
"Stop it!" He panicked to which Anderson stepped in, laughing a little.
"You know you two won't last. At least Elizabeth here has more of a chance than you do." He pointed out to which she giggled at.
"Always liked a man in uniform." She flirted to which Sherlock became extremely jealous at, the fear and hurt visible now as he went silent, now believing that John could do better, that she had more of a chance, that they wouldn't last.

That was when John leapt in, feeling furiosity burn in his gut,
"Will you /all/ stop, please?" He asked, letting out a frustrated huff.
"If you want us to leave the scene, carry on with what your doing. We won't be coming back to help you out." He pointed out, trying to act civil. Then turned to the woman, "And as for you.. Eliza.. or whatever your name is. I'm sorry, but I am /not/ interested." Taking Sherlock's hand as he glared at the duo nastily.

"so you better stop." He paused again, "Because, believe me, your boss wouldn't like this.." he gestured to the scenario, "if he knew you were harassing a man who is a great credit to the yard or even a couple, as a matter of fact." He pointed out boldly.

Sherlock began to panic, his heart racing as he gazed at them with the widest most fearful eyes. Though as John said all of this he felt a lot calmer, feeling his hand slip into his own and he held to it tightly as he stared at the duo who had teased him. Though Elizabeth huffed, turning grumpily back to her work.
“Shame... I’m sure the freak here wouldn’t satisfy you like I could.” She teased once again, Sherlock’s eyes full of hurt to which Donovan snickered at.
“Stop it now the three of you!” Greg snapped after a moment as he stuck up for the pair.
“All three of you get out.” He demanded to which the three reluctantly began to leave though Sherlock didn’t move, frozen to the spot and jealousy still pooling in his stomach. He felt useless and not good enough now, always believing any nickname given to him.

John looked at Sherlock softly, admiring him slightly even if he was feeling a little angry at the trio who teased them. He hated it when they did that. Or even anybody doing it.
"Hey, don't believe what they we're saying.. none of its true.." He spoke quietly but softly, tilting his head as he looked up at Sherlock, "you okay?"

Sherlock was frozen to the spot though his eyes flickered after a long moment, gazing down to John with wide hurt eyes and a weak smile.
“Y-Yes.. y-yeah.. um.. I just need some air...” he mumbled, stuttering rather a lot which was very unusual for him. He placed a soft kiss to John’s lips before he slipped back outside, immediately beginning to shout at himself, angry, hating himself for that moment.

John sighed, looking to Greg.  "I'm sorry, but I'm gonna have to go out there to talk to him.." he spoke, looking to the door Sherlock had left through.