A Study In Sleep

Chapter. 38

The previous day, the blogger and the detective set off to meet the official and the yarder.

John wrapped Sherlock's coat even tighter around himself as they approached the entrance. He then smiled and looked up to Sherlock, who he was holding hands with.
"You sure you want to do this?" He asked softly, tilting his head with a soft smile.

Sherlock had just his causal blazer on with a white shirt, holding on to John’s hand tightly as he kept him protectively in his side, blue eyes wide and alert and slightly weary. Though he nodded as they stood just outside.
“Yes...” he softly hummed as he gazed to John and just for some courage he leaned in close and placed a lingering kiss to his lips, not particularly wanting to pull away or be here but he was doing it for the man he loved.
John returned a kiss to Sherlock's forehead before smiling up at him, "come on then.." He murmured happily before leading the way in. A waiter showing them to the table, as John spotted Greg and Mycroft sat down waiting for them.

Sherlock soon sat down at the table, letting John sit closest to the wall so he could protect him. His face wasn’t at all impressed and he sat opposite his brother which he also was not thrilled about.

“Evening, brother mine. Glad you decided to join.” Mycroft tried to be polite however Sherlock just stared at him.
“Yes. John wanted to come and I am not letting him go out alone.” He pointed out as he opened the menu, gazing over it. Sherlock wasn’t the one to eat very often though he certainly would try to eat today.

"It's nice to see your doing well again." Greg smiled happily, as he looked to both Sherlock and John, feeling rather pleased John was back on the mend.
"Yeah, it is." John agreed then paused, "Sherlock, you can relax you know.." he giggled slightly, holding onto his lover's hand to reassure him happily.

Sherlock blushed as he sighed slightly, clearing his throat.
“Sorry...” he whispered as he gazed to the menu, holding to John’s hand tightly. He wasn’t good at this type of thing, all of it new and he was trying to adjust to this type of life. Mycroft watched his younger brother closely, before taking a breath.
“It’s nice to see you happy, Sherlock.” He hummed with an honest smile to which Sherlock glanced up at, silent for a moment before smiling also as he glanced to Greg.
“It’s nice to see you happy too...” he hummed back

There was a few moments of silence until a waiter came up to the table with a small notebook and pen in his hand with a black tight apron around his waist.
"Have you decided on what you're having for drinks, sirs?" He asked, looking between the four males with a small miserable look on his face. His voice sounding like a moody teenager and acne confirming he well and truly was in his late teens.

"I'll just be having a glass of water." John was first to reply before Greg spoke up,
"Would that be sparking or tap?" The waiter asked, taking note.
"Tap, please." The blogger replied.

The waiter nodded then turned to the next person to speak, of which was Greg.
"I'll just be having half a pint of Guinness, please."
The waiter nodded then turned to look at either of the Holmes brothers, waiting for either to order their drinks next.

Sherlock opened his mouth to order but Mycroft butted in, the detective looking slightly offended but didn’t say anything.
“I’ll have a small glass of red wine, please.” the official ordered politely before it was Sherlock’s turn and he suddenly become rather shy, clearing his throat as his turned red in embarrassment.
“U-Um... just um.. w-water please.” He stuttered as he turned back to the menu, biting his lips.

The waiter noted down both the other drinks and nodded,
"Alright, I'll bring them right over." He spoke walking away from the table.

"You okay, Sherlock?" Greg asked, after the waiter left. Raising an eyebrow at the younger Holmes as he tilted his head. Sitting back slightly in his chair,
"You seemed a little nervous?"
“He has always had trouble eating out. Ever since he was a child.” Mycroft pointed out to which Sherlock snapped his eyes up at, staring over to his brother.
“We are not here to talk about my life.” He commented back as he held Mycroft’s gaze before turning to Greg with a small smile.
“I’ve... never done this double date before.. forgive me.. trying to adjust.” He politely hummed before glancing to John beside him and holding to his hand with a genuine warm smile, melting at just the sight of the blogger.

"Don't worry, it's fine.. I was just wondering, that's all." Greg smiled reassuring Sherlock softly, as he held his lover's hand happily and the waiter brought over their drinks and placed them down.
"Two waters, a small red wine and a Guinness.." he spoke as he passed them all to each of them.
"Do you think you're all ready to order?" He asked, holding the tray to his chest and looked at all four men waiting for answer.
"I am.." John spoke up softly.

Sherlock swallowed a little at this as he gazed over the menu with wide eyes, biting his lip as he tried to decide.
“I’ll have lamb cutlets, please.” Mycroft smiled as he handed the menu back to the waiter, turning to everyone else to order.

Sherlock however was not ready to order and instead stared at the menu as he thought over his options.

"I'll have the Caesar salad.." Greg spoke up, smiling at the waiter as he noted it down.
"And I'll have the roast dinner.." John ordered his before looking to Sherlock, as did the waiter.

Sherlock felt all their eyes on him, and he began to panic a little as he gazed over the menu.
“O-Oh.. u-um.. um... can I have the stuffed p-peppers p-please..” he stuttered once again, cheeks flushing a deep red as he closed the menu, avoiding everyone’s gaze. Mycroft sighed a little, always hated to see his brother struggle over simple things, the man much more fragile then he let's on.

"Alright, thank-you." The waiter finally finished writing down the order,
"They'll be here with in the next half an hour.." he spoke before leaving the table once more.

John gently placed his hand on Sherlock's knee to reassure him that it was okay.
"It's okay.." he murmured, placing a small kiss upon one of the detective's rosy cheeks.

Greg let his hand steal away into Mycroft's after taking a sip of his pint. Before beginning to try and start up the conversation again,
"So, John.." He started but lost all thoughts as his brain went blank and he cleared his throat.
"Have you found anything on Moran yet?" John butted in, taking a sip of his water as he got comfortable in his seat next to his lover.
Sherlock managed the faintest of smiles hit his lips and cheeks at this as he sat closer beside John, placing his large hand upon John’s on his knee as he began to relax. Though the topic of conversation wasn’t one Sherlock was comfortable with.

“I have been trying to track him, though all leads have proven to have been dead ends. I won’t let him get away with it and I’m sure my little brother, here, won’t either.” He smiled encouragingly, causing Sherlock to nod in agreement.
“I’ll find him, John, I promise you that.” The younger Holmes hummed as he turned to gaze at John to admire him. Of course Sherlock and Mycroft would find him. He certainly wasn’t to get away with it.

"Are we even sure it was Moran though?" Greg questioned, raising an eyebrow, "what about that Milles guy?" He asked, "from what you described of him, he seems suspicious.." he remarked, sipping at his Guinness more.
"Milles? Wait.. he wasn't from the yard?" John asked, to which the detective inspector shook his head. And the blogger sighed, feeling reminded of his own stupidity that day he got shot.
"Can't we just find him then?" He asked, raising an eyebrow to the others curiously.

Sherlock was more focused on John at this point and he let out a breath as he held to John’s hand.
“This isn’t your fault... anyone would have made the same mistake. I should have been more stubborn and made us go home.” He giggled a little to make John feel better, always to make John better.
“We will find him.” Mycroft reassured as he took a sip of his wine, holding to Greg’s hand, the whole scene very sweet.