I promise I'd never sing of love if it does not exist.

  My hands move to the sides of John's face. His stormy-gray eyes are suddenly dilating rapidly from affection. I can feel his pulse racing in his neck, and I focus on the steady beat. It had always been my rock...he had always been my rock.

  "But darling, you are the only exception," I murmur almost silently before saying louder. "You are the only exception."

  "Sherlock?" John asks in a gentle voice. That voice he only used if he was talking to Mrs. Hudson or...or me.

  "You are the only exception, John. Maybe I know somewhere deep in my soul that love never lasts. And we've got to find other ways to make it alone, or keep a straight face. And I've always lived like this...keeping a comfortable distance. And up until now I have sworn to myself that I am content with loneliness," I say all in a sort of rush. I'm surprised that John even understands half of it.

  But I see in those eyes that he understands all of it.

  "None of it was worth the risk. The risk of loving you. Because, John. You are the only exception. You are my exception. You're the only one who could ever be my exception.

  "I've been waiting to tell you for so long. I know caring is a disadvantage, but Mycroft knows nothing about the way you make me feel. My heart always pounds when you're around me...especially when you're close enough that I can smell your shampoo and your cologne. I-I've got this tight grip on reality, but I can't let go of what's in front of me here...I can't, John. I can't let you go."

  He exhales, and for a moment I can smell his mint toothpaste. His scents drove me insane, and I couldn't stand it anymore.

  I crash my lips to John's. He staggers backwards, but his arms are soon wrapping around my waist, tugging me close to him. Everything was overwhelming. The way his lips felt; the way his lips tasted; the way his lips moved. I had to get it all.

   "Sherlock." John pushes the heels of his hands against my chest as he pulls away.

  "I know you might leave in the morning, so please just leave me with some kind of proof that this is--and was--not a dream..." I murmur. I dare a look into his eyes. They've gone blue now, with little flecks of silver shining brightly in them.

  "The only exception?" He asks, a smile tugging at those swollen, pink lips.

  "My only exception."

  "I'm on my way to believing that, Sherlock." He finally smiles before grabbing the collar of my shirt and pulling me close again.