AU: Boxing Match 'Verse (which needs a better name)

[mustbetruth]

Holmes is bristling with post-case satisfaction. Oh, yes, he located the person responsible for the crime and now he's on his way to the Yard, and there's something in that worth some pride, but for Holmes, all that matters is the mystery. And the fact that it's been resolved. The pieces fell neatly into place and he left Watson and Lestrade with

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[armydoctor]

The expression on Watson's face as he turned to look at Holmes was faintly startled, and more than a little pleased. It had been a wonderful, productive, glorious day. Holmes had been brilliant, and irresistable, and justice had been done, and it had been exciting. Watson himself was still running high on adrenaline.

This relationship was... new, sometimes frightening, certainly overwhelming, but on the whole... Watson found it disturbingly easy to accept it, despite all his misgivings, all his fears, the fact that this was very new to him, still, and not too long ago it would have been entirely unthinkable to act upon it.

He gave Holmes a smile, one that was a little wary, and stepped to angle himself towards Holmes with his head tilted to one side. "I am beginning to recognise that tone of voice. Shall I guess that you have some notion of how best to celebrate our success?"

[mustbetruth]

"I've given a thought or two to what options are available to us," he murmurs, stepping closer, but refrains from touching Watson. Their curtains are still open, and they'll need shutting, but for now he is enjoying this daring little game of teasing but not touching.

He can see Watson's hesitation, and he reminds himself that they've only been at this a few months; still, it isn't so easy to reign in his excitement, his satisfaction, his thrill over solving a case. To know that he can embrace Watson and spend all evening (in an ideal world) celebrating... He can't quite just turn off those thoughts.

"A good smoke, some good brandy, perhaps even in combination. Perhaps even in combination with another option... though that one would require closing the curtains."

[armydoctor]

"Perhaps you should draw the curtains, then," Watson suggested, with his chin lifted to a slightly challenging angle. Giving Holmes a command was always a curious thing, and he was never sure whether to expect obedience or challenge, but sometimes he was so unsure as to his footing in this relationship that he simply had to test the boundaries.

"Other than that small detail... I cannot say I have much objection to this sort of celebration."

[mustbetruth]

Oh, but that challenging edge in Watson's voice is so very, very alluring. Holmes's smile widens and he sets about shutting their blinds, feeling very warm and thrilled and excited. It had been a good day; it will be an ever better evening, tangling up with his new lover

[armydoctor]

Watson swallowed, taking in Lestrade's little speech with a strange sense of fatalism. Was that... a confirmation that he knew? That he knew what he and Holmes had been up to, and that he didn't care? Watson couldn't think of a single reason why they ought to be that lucky, but he was hardly about to question it too closely. He only hoped he was interpreting it correctly.

"It's... very kind of you to say so, Inspector." He looked down at the cigar in his fingers, realising that he was neglecting it entirely. He raised it to his lips and puffed upon it as he returned, feeling awkward, to the sofa. He still wasn't sure it wouldn't be wise to flee for the Continent as soon as Lestrade had left -- but if they had an ally in him, that was worth a good deal. Watson had always liked Lestrade, and he hated the idea that they would now be working against each other, for very personal stakes. "For my own part, I've only ever tried to do what little good in the world I can achieve. It's gratifying to hear I'm accomplishing that

[theyarder]

He's still reeling with the knowledge that Holmes and Watson are apparently involved. Not today, maybe not ever, but he is just a little curious as to how it all works out. Are they in love? Is it just sex? He shifts in his chair again and puffs on his cigar; no, he doesn't think he'll ever be able to talk about this with them, not in so many words

[mustbetruth]

"Of course," Holmes says easily, a lightness spreading through him that's a welcome relief after the leaden feeling. "I wouldn't want to tarnish your reputation. I won't breathe a word. Your secret is safe with me." He almost feels like laughing, and certainly he's smiling, though he can't be sure that he won't have to go and vomit sometime soon.

Sensing Watson's gaze on him, he looks at him, his smile softening from the near-delirious thing it was. He can't be sure what he sees there, and while he's eager to talk about this with him, he's also dreading it. Holmes feels guilty for getting Watson caught, possibly almost getting him arrested; what's worse is he couldn't even be sure that Watson truly wanted this. Oh, he agreed, but he was slowly opening himself up to it. Will he now deny Holmes and move out?

He looks away again. It's not a good day when looking at Lestrade brings him comfort, and looking at Watson makes him ill.

[armydoctor]

"I shan't say a word, if you won't," Watson promised. It would have taken a very good deal of convincing to elicit him to say anything, in fact, or even acknowledge this conversation had ever happened. "I'd hate to have anyone's reputation's ruined."

He said it lightly, though he was aware of the double meaning in it, and it gave him a terrible sinking feeling. He wasn't sure how to interpret the smile Holmes gave him -- reassuring? conciliatory? secretive and conspiratorial? -- but it filled him with a bizarre sense of fatalism. He certainly hoped he wasn't expected to carry on where they had left off as soon as Lestrade left. He didn't think he was up for that.

He took a long sip of brandy, wondering at the wisdom of it, but Watson could hardly do anything else, and he wasn't sure he wasn't just about to faint.