(Sherlock x Reader) Never trust those who are never truthful

Chapter 10 - Exception

He bit his lip, he was just as nervous as you were. He also knew that this conversation was coming but he wasn't at all prepared for how hard it would be on him and his feelings. He hated being human. He wasn't at all sure if he could love someone properly, but then again he had in the past so why not relearn it? "I also have a condition." That you were not expecting.

You nodded looking at him with an open expression, you were ready. It only seemed fair that if you had a condition he would too.

"I've never dealt with emotions like this before, they are completely new to me and I'm not sure how to control them. So I apologise in advance if I hurt you in anyway or I say something that isn't right. Please let me learn with you." He looked into your eyes now and for once he saw honestly in there. You were being truthful with him, perhaps this was really what you felt and you weren't actually hiding behind a mask for once. He liked that, the truth.

"That seems fair," you said slowly before standing up and walking over to the kitchen, "I think I need a cup of tea after that." Another laugh, he had a nice laugh. Musical, it lit up the room. You smiled, "Would you like one?"

"Yes please," he said still sitting down until the kettle boiled, he padded over to you quietly and watched as you brewed the two cups, "So what are the boundaries?"

"I honestly don't know. It's hard to figure out boundaries of an arrangement such as this, especially when the two people involved are so unsure of their feelings," he snorted from behind you, "okay...make that one."

"But seriously though, I need to know how much I need to contain my feelings to make you feel comfortable, does that sound reasonable to you?" He said taking his cup and adding two sugars to it. He took a sip, it was still a little too hot but he was pretty sure he wouldn't burn himself that badly on it.

"Okay then, I'll think about it." You said before also taking a sip. You then noticed that he was going to protest and ask you again, "no pestering to make my mind up, remember?"

He nodded, gulping down a large amount of tea whilst scalding his throat rather badly. He paused, "just tell me when you do." He sounded grumpy with you, like a child if he didn't get his chocolate. He really was as John said, a massive five year old.

"Are you in a strop with me Mr. Holmes?" You looked at him curiously but he was avoiding your gaze, you'd take that as a yes then. "You should really stop, I mean if this continues my choice may not be the one you want."

"That's blackmailing, that's against the rules," he said looking at you sharply with his blue eyes.

"What rules? I don't see any rules here, only conditions." You pointed that out and he seemed to become even grumpier than before. You were toying with him. He also reminded you of a cat, funny old thing. And yet he seemed very very familiar, homely. It was nice and you weren't at all sure if you were willing to give that up to a possible other woman.

"Believe me when I say this, I've never been in a relationship before. With anyone. So I don't think that another woman would come strutting into my life like you had again anytime soon. Just saying," He'd read you like a book again. So easily and yet he still couldn't dig deeper, it was only the thoughts that seemed to cross your mind at that moment. But he always seemed so casual about it, as if it were nothing. You really were going to need to get used to that.

"So what you're saying," you spoke slowly, not taking your eyes off the duvet enclosed detective, "is that if I don't take this opportunity, it won't come around again. It's basically a once in a lifetime opportunity?"

He nodded, "precisely. So if you don't take this, you won't get it again."

"I wish you'd told me that sooner, I would have probably made my mind up a lot quicker than I had and could have possibly been less reluctant about the whole situation."

"So that means?" he was lost, he wasn't really sure what you were saying at all. Yet another confusing thing about you, you always went off on tangents that made no sense to him.

"It means that I probably would have taken the chance a lot sooner than now." You looked at him seriously, taking the last swig of your tea which as still piping hot.

"Then what are the boundaries now?" he asked, his eyebrows coming together at a furious rate, the confusion in his brain continued, "does this mean that they've changed?"

"Not much but yes, I'm feeling a lot more open to going on that date with you now. I was feeling a little nervous at the thought before. It's just because...well, I don't date. So I would have no idea what to do on one."

"Me neither, so does this mean anything else physically?" He said questioningly.

"You can hug me if you like?" You smiled with your eyes as well as your mouth, your arms open for him to enter. He nodded again, setting his mug aside he wrapped you into the duvet with him. He was a pretty good hugger, if not a clingy one. He just seemed to not want to let go. Maybe you shouldn't have allowed this, it was staring to get crushing, "Uh, Sherlock?"

"Yes ____?" he said into your ear quietly, now that did things to you. You hadn't noticed his voice before, but goddamn it was nice. Maybe you wouldn't pull away that quickly after all, I mean he was nice and warm.

"Never mind." You said, burrowing your head into his shoulder, this probably had to be the warmest and homeliest hugs you had had in a while. And it was genuine. This continued for a few minutes more before you started to feel a bit stuffy, being consumed practically by a duvet monster, it was starting to have an effect on you. You pulled away.

"This was nice." He agreed, he had never had a hug like that either, it was new. "I think I would like to do this again sometime, but I don't think our first date should be fancy or anything. Just a night in." You reached up behind his ear to tuck a curl behind it softly. You then leaned up to speak just as softly to him, "but maybe our second could be a little more formal." It was no more than a whisper but it sent shivers down his spine and it made him smile. You wanted this relationship to last. That was a comforting thought. All thoughts of comfort or losing control were washed away however when you planted a kiss on his cheek. "Goodnight Mr. Holmes."

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A/N - WHABAM! Finally by chapter ten you and Sherlock are going on a proper date! This is so exciting! Any who, I got over 1000 reads last night so thank you all so much for reading and commenting and voting, it means a lot! So read, rate, comment and the first one to comment gets a dedication next chapter! Look forward to it!