sortinghat_rp | 04 [backdated to the early morning of the 19th]

Yeah, no, I think you'd get some pretty strong disagreements there if you tried that little hypothesis out.

And you can't be in your dorm... why, exactly?

I punched my roommate in the face. This roommate happens to be quite beloved by another roommate. Thought it best to give it time.

You... what? Who?

Does that really need answering, John? Surely even you can deduce that much.

[John rubs the lingering sleep from his eyes, wincing as he does so.]

Yeah, fair enough. What did Tony do, then?

You could put it that I was simply defending your honor.

[John squints and scowls, but his tired posture and bedhead hair undermine the effect.]

One day I'm going to throw that idiot into the lake.

Well, punching him certainly didn't help. Maybe a cold swim will. He seems quite adamant that I possess the unique ability to turn straight men queer. Must be my disarming good looks.

[He smirks. That was a joke.]

[John goes a bit pink at the ears.]

That again, huh?

[He flops back down. He doesn't want to think about the fact that sometimes - only sometimes, mind! Rarely, at that! Hardly ever, really! - Sherlock will say or do something brilliant which makes him feel... odd. Pleasantly odd. Quickly, he covers his face with a pillow; yeah, he really doesn't want to think about what any of that could mean.]

Well, he'll certainly have more ammunition if anyone sees you sneaking out of here. I've never been happier to have quiet roommates who keep to themselves.

Don't worry about me being seen. I'll just borrow one of your ties and walk out. Not much problem, that. Most people don't take much notice of me anyway.

[He leans against the bed's post again, watching him.]

[John scoffs from under his pillow. He lifts it a bit to peer at Sherlock.]

First, your torso is longer than mine. That tie would look short and ridiculous on you.

Second, of course people take notice of you. Hell, you're probably one of the most noticeable people in school.

You mean all this time they've all just been ignoring me?

Well... you do tend to make a rather strong and not always favourable first impression. Some people choose to ignore others based on things like that, I suppose.

Either way, I can leave without being noticed so don't worry about it. You can go back to sleep if you wish.

[John sits up and stretches.]

Too awake now, anyway. And tempting as it is to watch you try to get out of this one on your own, I'd best go with you. Another pair of eyes serving as look-out, and all that. Especially since I'm the one who's actually supposed to be here.

If you must. I'll wait for you to get dressed in that case.

[Not that he moves.]

[For a second John waits, but then he remembers that A) there's no way Sherlock can go outside the curtain without the risk of getting caught, and B) this is Sherlock, who cares not a whit for privacy anyway.

He gives a resigned sigh and begins to get dressed, starting by pulling off his night shirt. True, he'd changed clothes in front of Sherlock before, but these are much closer quarters than Sherlock's large bedroom in his family's manor. It's easier to be a bit self-conscious.]

Just a minute, then.

[Sherlock peeks out the curtains again to check for waking roommates.]

In your own time. But quite quickly. Better to make an escape while they're asleep.

[John finishes dressing, and heads to where Sherlock is lurking at the part in the curtains.]

Alright, done. Shove over and let me out first so I can make sure the coast is clear.

[Sherlock smirks and crawls back to let John have a turn. This is an excellent way to start the day.]

What were your plans for breakfast today?

[John peers out and then slips through the curtain. It doesn't take him long to figure out his roommates will pose no threat. He can still hear faint snoring coming from the beds.

He peeks back in the curtain, keeping his voice low.]

Yeah, they're still out for the count, so c'mon.

As for breakfast, my plans almost always begin and end at "get there in time and have it". Why, you have something in mind?

[Sherlock slides off his bed, straightening his clothes as once back on the ground.]

I thought I might join you. I usually skip the meal myself. Not much to do outside my room, though.

[John keeps the lead as they surreptitiously make their way to the common room. Maybe later he'll revel in being the leader for once, but right now he's focused on getting them away from the prying eyes of any potential whistle-blowers.]

Didn't your mum ever tell you breakfast is the most important meal of the day? Gives your brain energy and all. But sure, that sounds good to me.

[He peers back over his shoulder to pin Sherlock with a Look.]

We can have breakfast together every morning if it'll keep me from having to do this stunt every day.

It's not as though I'm planning on illegally moving into Hufflepuff House. This was just a temporary escape from Bruce and Tony.

And Mummy may have mentioned the bit about brain food but that hardly makes sense. Eating slows the brain down. All your physical processes are all tied up in digestion. I can't really risk that too often.

[He keeps close to John, watching him and his surroundings.]

Bruce too? Don't tell me you punched him as well.

See, all that fundamentally makes no sense to me. You insist digestion clogs up your thinking, but your brain needs energy from food to... [He gestures vaguely for a moment, trying to come up with a proper word. He gives up.]...be. See, look at that. That's me on no brain energy.

[He holds a hand back to stop Sherlock as they reach the common room. He takes a few steps forward into the incredibly cozy and homey room, which is only just beginning to light up as the first hints of dawn approach. When it checks out, he beckons Sherlock to follow.]

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