Nothing But Flowers (Johnlock)

Chapter 16

- TEN MONTHS LATER-

"Do you like spicy?" Theresa leaned closer to John, giving him a bit of a flirty smile.

John matched her expression. "Definitely." He deliberately looked down from her warm brown eyes to her full lips before meeting her gaze again. Their flirting had been heating up a little on this date, and he was getting the feeling she would welcome some kisses before they said goodnight later.

Theresa smirked back, and turned to the server. "We'll share the Shiro Beyaynetu."

As the server left, she stood. "I'll be back in a minute."

John nodded, and watched as she wove her way through the busy restaurant towards the washrooms, admiring her slim form in a turquoise dress.

"You like her a lot, I can tell." Eva grinned, taking a sip of her wine.

Mike chuckled. "That's hardly news. John has been wanting to date Theresa since they met, years ago."

Rolling his eyes at his friends, John gave a little shrug. "It's early yet. This is only our third date."

So far, it had been going surprisingly well, having enough in common to try a variety of activities. The first date had been some casual after work drinks at a pub near the hospital, running quite late when they got into a spirited game of darts. The second date had been walking the Oak Trail in Epping Forest, watching for deer and other wildlife, and lunching in the small town nearby before taking the train back to London. Somehow, this one ended up being a double date with Mike and Eva, who Theresa knew slightly. They seemed to get on.

John was trying to keep his hopes and expectations in check, just wanting things between Theresa and himself to develop at their own pace. He didn't want to screw anything up by rushing. At the end of the last date, he had dared to take her hand to give it a warm squeeze and kissed her cheek goodbye.

Theresa was soon back, and they dug into their meals, chuckling as they tore off pieces of injera to scoop up the flavorful food. As Mike told a funny story about a recent patient, John watched how Eva nodded along, supporting him even though she had probably heard it all before. They had been married for years and had two kids. John wanted to be as close and loving with his eventual partner as they were.

Theresa reached over, taking his hand to give it a squeeze. Their eyes met, her's fond and happy, warming him. This could really be something.

...

"I really enjoyed that. Although I think next time I'll encourage Mike to have a couple more drinks. He's known you long enough to have some really great secrets about you to spill." Theresa chuckled, looking up at John outside her building.

John was in no rush to go. It was a mild spring night; warm enough to get by just wearing a light jacket. The air was sweet with the scent of the nearby flowering apple trees.

He chuckled, stepping closer and taking her hands. "It won't work. I've got just as many stories about him as he has about me. He'll be silent as the grave."

Her dark eyes glinted in the moonlight. "Hmmmm....I see you didn't bother denying you have some secrets in your past. Were you terribly naughty, John?"

Shaking his head slowly, John moved even closer. "No, just the right amount of naughty." His voice was low, barely a whisper, as he leaned in to kiss her lightly.

She kissed him back, her hands coming up to his shoulders, his going loosely around her back as the kiss deepened. Sweet, short, light kisses became lingering ones.