Sherlock?

The two were suspended in a moment sculpted out of ice, a masterpiece of the maker. It was so pristine, it felt like one breath and everything would dissolve, like the mist from a pair of lips on a winter's morning. The sight of one man flooded the other's senses, filling each empty year they had spent away from each other.

"You never did cut your hair," John said finally.

"And you did, for some reason," Sherlock replied.

John stared at Sherlock like he still didn't believe he was real.

"For God's sake, John," Sherlock rolled his eyes. And without a second thought, he hugged his best friend for the first time in years.

John was so happy.

"Jesus, I - wha - how've you been?" John broke out into a huge grin.

"I've been alright," said Sherlock, rolling his shoulders.

"I saw you in the papers," John shook his head. "This is absolutely mad."

"Yes, well-"

"Freak?"

A flat voice came from somewhere behind John, and he saw Sherlock's irises harden like crystallised seawater from the Bahamas. He turned to see-

"Freak? That you?" The soldier to whom the voice belonged jogged up to them, addressing Sherlock.

"Anderson," Sherlock nodded coldly.

"I'll be damned," Anderson laughed, clapping Sherlock's arm. Sherlock's jaw clenched, which did not go unnoticed by John. He shot Sherlock a questioning glance, but Anderson opened his mouth again.

"Sherl here used to go to the same university as me," Anderson clipped, looking Sherlock in the face.

"Don't excite yourself, they must have made a mistake with the IQ tests," Sherlock bit. "I'm impressed you were able to graduate."

"Hasn't changed a bit," Anderson smiled tightly. "Freak here used to do this thing, he could tell you your whole life story just from one look at you." He shook his head menacingly. "It was abnormal."

"Sorry," John interrupted, regarding Anderson with a cold look. "I've known him since you were in nappies, Private. Thank you for your insightful opinions on the intellect of a world famous detective."

Anderson's casual, arrogant demeanour melted into obedience as he straightened his stance and guided his gaze away from John. "Sorry, sir."

John turned to Sherlock, looking like he was about to say something. He must've changed his mind, because he addressed Anderson as he spoke.

"Anderson?"

"Yes, sir?"

"You're a good soldier, and you have my trust in the field." John ignored the skeptical look Sherlock threw at him out of the corner of his eye.

Anderson, however, flushed with pride. "Thank you, sir."

"Another word against Sherlock Holmes and I'll break your nose."

The private gulped. "Yes, sir."

"That's all. Dismissed."

John turned around, beckoning for Sherlock to keep walking with him.

Sherlock barely concealed his amused grin as his eyes gleamed with a little cruel satisfaction. He leaned in John's direction, speaking in hushed tones. "Remind me never to get on your bad side."

John and Sherlock hadn't been in contact for all this time, but as much as John had hated to leave his best friend, a tiny part of him was almost thankful that he had left when he did, because he knew he'd been starting to feel something stronger than a desire for friendship every time he and Sherlock would share a smile.

They shared a smile.

"It's..." - the absolute best thing to have happened to me since forever - "...really, really good to see you, Sherlock."

Sherlock clasped his hands behind his back, feigning nonchalance. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel the absence of your somewhat mundane verbal contributions to society."

"I missed you, too," John half laughed.

Sherlock smiled, but the smile faded into confusion as John winced when someone clapped his shoulder as they passed by.

John's hand drifted to his shoulder, his eyes guilty as they found Sherlock's.

"You got shot?"

"Er...yeah," John's eyes seemed to latch onto an invisible speck in the air about five metres to his right.

Sherlock tilted his head. "You alright?"

"Yeah."

"Mm," nods Sherlock.

Then, "Sure?"

"Yes, I'm fine!"

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"We haven't spoken in years, you're a world famous detective now, I'm a captain in the bloody army, and the first time I communicate with you I should tell you I got shot?"

Sherlock grimaced. "I worry about you." He shoved his hands in his pockets. "Idiot."

"Well, that's sweet," John laughed, but something in his tone indicated genuine affection for Sherlock's concern. He bumped his own shoulder against Sherlock's as they walked, smiling even wider when he gained a nudge in response.

"Seriously though, am I the first person to wish you?" Sherlock squinted at John in disbelief.

"Er, well...yeah," John says, scratching the back of his neck. "Mum's gone, and my dad..." They share a knowing look, "...and Harry's not really in the picture anymore."

"Friends...?" Sherlock wasn't a fan, but John couldn't possibly have been alone this whole time.

"Mate, I'm in the army," John said. "I can grab a pint with these fellows, but they're not the kind to, uh...get personal with."

"As much as a picnic your life sounds like," Sherlock says, hopping a single step and switching topics with a chuckle, "I was wondering, well, I did have something in mind for today."

"Oh?" John pauses and turns to see Sherlock's face. So familiar, so hopeful, so genuine. "And what's that?"

A smirk that had worked its way into John's idea of perfection made an appearance on Sherlock's face, yet again. "That's for me to know, and-"

"-for me to find out," John completed, quoting Sherlock from when they were children. How enchanted he'd been with the boy from across the street. Unruly curls that danced in a million directions, just like his sparkling mind, diamond eyes that held every secret John desired to know. A laugh that seemed to charge the air around them with its baritone thrum, resonating in John's chest as he laughed along.

John laughed with the same boy for the first time in nine years.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Oof

Im actually really digging this short story

Also idk wth is wrong with wattpad but something's messed up with the notifications, and now it doesn't issue notifications for my updates

I DUNNO WHY ;_;

ok peace hoomans

...and others

~A.M.