Chapter Text
'Damn, it's cold out,' I think as I wipe the frozen rain from my face and hurry into 221. It was freezing cold while I was Christmas shopping and now I just want to enjoy a quiet night in with a hot toddy and some silly Christmas specials. The flat is silent as I climb the 17 stairs up to B, silence could be good or terrible depending on the mood of my crazy flat mate. I smile as I reach the landing in front of B and enjoy the feeling of truly being home.
The door is open and there are 4 sprigs of mistletoe hanging above the door. "What in the hell?" I mutter as I climb the last set of stairs up to put the packages in my room. God I hope Sherlock doesn't deduce all of the gifts before people can open them this year. Our first Christmas together was not good and made worse by Sherlock's insistence on ruining the surprise for everyone as they attempted to enjoy the anticipation of opening their gifts. Well, and the whole Irene Adler issue didn't help.
I'm not sure if I want to go into the sitting room. Sherlock and mistletoe could mean several things, most of them more than a bit not good, such as poisoning someone. Someone like me. OK, I was a soldier, brave on.
The 4 sprigs are still hanging there. Passing through the door I see clothesline strung throughout the sitting room, all hanging with mistletoe. Experiment? Or? We have been growing closer since my return to 221 after the...well just after. I have noticed Sherlock being more considerate and attentive, I feel more at home here than ever and want to stay with the mad man until we...well a long, long time. I'm not certain but I get the impression Sherlock feels the same. I have been trying to hint about my affections for some time now, has the detective finally deduced my intentions or am I projecting? This could be Sherlock's attempt to show his feelings. Only one way to find out.
"Oh good, you're home. Did you bring the isopropyl alcohol I asked for?" Sherlock leans against the kitchen doorway, which is also strung with mistletoe.
I stand admiring him for a moment and decide upon action. Again, I was a soldier, brave on. I reach Sherlock in a few steps crowding him against the door frame.
"John, what..."
I don't give him a chance to finish his sentence and hurry before I loose my courage. Grabbing his shirt with my right hand and placing my left hand behind his neck I pull him down into a gentle kiss. I lean back for a moment to let Sherlock process. Sherlock stares at me with wide eyes and pauses for a minute.
Finally he responds, "What? I mean, umm, how...why?" I have never seen him this flustered.
"The mistletoe," I point up, "mistletoe at Christmas time?" He continues to stare at me, "Kissing under the mistletoe? Long standing Christmas tradition? Let me guess, you deleted mistletoe?"
Sherlock takes a deep breath and leans in slowly placing his own gentle kiss upon my lips, "Of course I remember mistletoe traditions, it never occurred to me you would take my experiment that way."
I step back slowly, "So...this isn't a way for you to...show you're interested? In trying...?" I stammer.
"Well, no, it wasn't. But I am now hoping this experiment will be successful in more ways than one."
My brow furrows, "What, exactly, is the experiment then?"
"OH," his eyes light up in excitement, "there has been research coming out of Germany about the anticarcinogenic properties of mistletoe. I was able to get some cancerous tissue samples from Molly and am creating my own Viscum Album extract to test their theories. The research seems suspect and I am trying to improve upon their protocol and research technique. I think they're all idiots and I plan on proving it."
I take another step back, "Well, I will let you get back to it then," I turn quickly so he doesn't see me blushing.
He grabs my shoulder and turns me towards him quickly stepping into my space, "The samples have not had sufficient time to dry. I would love to find some way to pass the time." His right hand wraps around my neck and he pulls me closer to kiss me again.
I snake my arm around his waist and move to press kisses along his jawline and neck, "I have never been so glad to misinterpret one of your experiments."