07

[3houseswatson]

I suppose I should be glad that, as tests and finals go, 6th year is kind of a breather year. The OWLs are behind you and the NEWTs are still looming on the horizon but otherwise not an immediate threat. I personally didn't think the OWLs were all that bad, even though my marks were just decent. Nothing to write home about, especially since the family wouldn't know what nocturnal birds have to do with tests anyway. Still, good luck to everyone who's got to square off against the big tests this year, especially if you're still trying to get your head sorted after the school's most recent bout with strangeness.

Ah yeah, about that, the odd mind and body stuff. The only thing I had to deal with was a body that was about 20 years older than it ought've been (and the same height I am now, of course). I remember the whole thing pretty clearly, but I think that's because my mind wasn't changed. So... for those of you who've been told that their brains were mixed up, do you remember anything about those days at all? Is it like you blacked out for a few days, or is it all a little fuzzy, or do you remember all of it clearly?

I ask because I'm sure I'm soon to have a certain conversation, and this'll give me some insight on where that talk will fall on a scale of "awkward" to "stupdendously awkward".

Comments

[Action]

[3houseswatson]

[The image of Mycroft trying desperately to get a frog from out the back of his shirt while Sherlock cackles overhead is entirely too much and John finds himself laughing so hard that he has to hold his sides.]

Oh God. That's too good. [He takes a few deep breathes, trying to reign in the giggles.] I'm a bit jealous, now. I only got to throw frogs at my sister the old fashioned way, no magic involved.

As for rugby, I might do. I'm out of practice, since the last time I played was the early bit of the summer before last, before... well, you know. But I wouldn't mind taking it up again.

[Action]

[3potionproblem]

[Sherlock chuckles with John. Impossible not to. John's laugh is lovely.]

If you do put in a game, I might be interested in watching how it's done. And we never did get in that boxing match. I suppose there's all sorts of sporting activities we could enjoy.

[Action]

[3houseswatson]

Sure, though whether or not you'd want to participate in the game after watching is another matter. Rugby's one of those sports where being compact and sturdy is an advantage. Between that and us punching each other in the name of gentlemanly sport, it'll be like having our own violent Olympics.

And if any of my mates find out we're dating and give us grief about how rugby and boxing aren't musical theatre at West End, I'll make sure to head-butt them in the solar plexus extra hard during a match.

[Action]

[3potionproblem]

[Sherlock quirks his left brow in surprise.]

You're surprisingly accepting of other people's knowledge of this. It's not that I thought you'd want us to carry on in secret but... well, if it turns out I'm more trouble than I'm worth in that capacity, you're not going to live down the fact you dated another male.

[Action]

[3houseswatson]

[John gives a little shrug.]

Well, I did say "if they find out". Though you're right, I'd rather not have us jump through hoops to keep it a secret no matter what.

And, well, if it doesn't work out between us and we do decide to just be friends, then... I don't know, I'll figure out something. [He fidgets slightly, feeling a bit of an uncomfortable knot in his stomach at the idea.] But going into something like this with that kind of thing in mind is just no good. Kind of gives the impression that it's doomed from the start, you know? Best to take this kind of thing a step at a time without big gloomy expectations, otherwise you're writing a self-fulfilling prophecy.

[Action]

[3potionproblem]

I'm just being realistic. Pessimism would be that you would want nothing to do with me ever again. Obviously impossible. You'd be far too bored and when you weren't bored you'd be worried I'd gone and put myself in harms way when you weren't looking. You're quite stuck with me one way or another. I like this way but I'm not going to work out the best location to settle down after our marriage either.

[He knows something John doesn't. Something that will likely cause an argument. Might make John not want to speak to him for a while. And as much as he will keep it a secret, he's not dumb enough to think it will always remain one.]

[Action]

[3houseswatson]

[John gives a snort at that.]

So long as we stick to that healthy middle ground between the two crazy zones of "doomed doomed it's all going to go to shit" and "what do you think of this wedding venue because too bad I've already booked it", then we're good. We haven't even been on an official first date yet; it's way, way, waaaaaaaay too early to be concerned with either of those options.

[Action]

[3potionproblem]

Fine. But no wedding anyway. You think I'd honestly go in for something so pointlessly traditional?

[He smiled at John.]

So what do I call you? My dating partner? My special friend? My beau?

[Action]

[3houseswatson]

No, you're definitely not the type. In the extremely unlikely event that you did want to get married, I expect I'd find out about it after waking up with a splitting headache, a ring on my finger, and an 8 hour gap in my memory. Possibly while tied to a tree in the middle of an empty field. Needless to say I'm not ready for anything like that yet, thanks.

I dunno. 'Dating partner' just sounds odd, 'special friend' makes it sound like I need a helmet, and 'beau' is... too French. What's wrong with something common like 'boyfriend'?

[Action]

[3potionproblem]

I applaud your creativity in expectations. It will be challenging to live up to.

Last time you said boyfriend was an elevation from dating status. I thought you wanted to go slow.

[Action]

[3houseswatson]

That's not a challenge! That's a worst case scenario.

True, but there aren't many terms for that weird area between deciding to date and being an official 'thing'. At least not many that don't sound odd in one way or another. You could just, y'know, call me by my name.

[Action]

[3potionproblem]

I bet I can prove that wrong.

I suppose you're right. John works but if Tony asks me what you are, I'm not so certain 'My John' is entirely appropriate.

[Action]

[3houseswatson]

[John gives him a long look at that, chewing a bit on his lower lip. Finally, he takes a deep breath.] No. Nope, I can do it it. I can resist taking that bet.

Agh, Tony. Well, we'll just... improvise, I guess, if he asks. It's not very likely, but there'd be some kind of wonderful justice if he were the last person in school to find out about this.

[Action]

[3potionproblem]

Tony might already know, unfortunately. Apparently I have a tell. Apparently I get rather giddy when interacting with you. Can't imagine why.

[Sherlock unfolds his legs and leans closer to John, smirking rather smugly.]

I fully intend to earn the title of boyfriend, though.

[Action]

[3houseswatson]

I got really lucky as roommates are concerned. They tell me to quit giggling and writing in the journal late at night sometimes, but they never pry like Tony does.

[John grins, relieved that Sherlock is loosening up a little. He leans over a bit more and bumps Sherlock cheekily with his shoulder.]

Odds are definitely in your favor there, yeah.

[Action]

[3potionproblem]

Lucky you indeed with your age appropriate roommates.

[Sherlock leans over and kisses John's cheek. Some form of romantic physicality was certainly required to set things apart from the way they had been.]

[Action]

[3houseswatson]

Everyone keeps to their own beds and there's never once been a case of shenanigans. You get a good night's sleep when you know there's no precocious twits who've skipped grades about.

But at least it's impossible to get bored in your dorm.

[John flushes a little at the kiss, feeling his stomach do a little flip. But it's a pleasant sensation and, to show Sherlock his appreciation, he moves closer until they're pressed side-to-side.]

[Action]

[3potionproblem]

Impossible to get things done as well. Bruce won't hand over complete control of the room to me. It's a room full of ego just waiting to explode. The founders were idiots.

[Sherlock likes John being right there and relaxes his weight against him slightly.]

[Action]

[3houseswatson]

Meanwhile I've stumbled across people in my house having the most stupidly polite arguments over who gets to hold the door open for the other. Maybe segregating by temperament wasn't the best idea.

[He raises a skeptical eyebrow.] And what, exactly, would you do if you did get complete control of the room?

[Even if Sherlock is a bit bony, the warmth from his body is nice. John relaxes a bit more against Sherlock as well.]

[Action]

[3potionproblem]

Just the segregation would be bad enough but then banning us from the other rooms? Sneaking in does add an interesting element but Bruce and Tony sleep in the same bed every night and Tony's fifteen. Not that I mean to impugn Burce's honor but there are various loop holes to the logic used in keeping only certain students from seeing each other at night.

Were I in charge of my own room at least, though, then I could get much more done. The problem with geniuses is that so often they are complete idiots. No more tattling on me, no more threats of retaliation, and no bed sharing among roommates.

[Sherlock is fairly certain he will be quite comfortable pursuing this relationship with John. It's just.... nice. On so many levels.]

[Action]

[3houseswatson]

[John shifts a bit in order to give Sherlock a curious look while still leaning against him.]

I didn't really think of it like that. You'd think the founders of a magic school would think to enchant the castle so there's always a room for each individual student. But then, they probably thought that the whole roommate thing 'builds character'. And if we're defining 'character' as 'a profound sense of shame and paranoia when it comes to... taking care of certain things', then I suppose I see it.

[He shrugs.]

Still, I knew about Tony's habit of commandeering beds, but sharing with Bruce every night does sound a bit much.

[Action]

[3potionproblem]

To be fair, Tony's bed is currently covered in engine parts. Ravenclaw lacks suitable surface area for extracurricular experiments and projects.

[Sherlock raises his left brow.]

Shame and paranoia? What exactly are you doing in your room?

[Action]

[3houseswatson]

... of course that's what he'd use his bed for instead of actually sleeping in it. Would any of that even work here? I know electricity is out, but can't say I know for sure about engines.

[John's cheeks burn a bright red and, though still leaning against Sherlock, he resolutely avoids eye contact.]

Being very quiet with the shades down. Surely I don't need to say anything more for the super sleuth to figure it out.

[Action]

[3potionproblem]

Trains have engines. True, he is working on a car engine, but there are plenty of parts which are not electronic, simply mechanic. How he plans to transport it back is a mystery, though.

[Sherlock cocks his head, looking down at him.]

Surely I don't need to inform you most of your roommates are probably doing so as well. Anyway, you can hide the act but not generally the smell. I imagine the house elves look at unpaired socks with mixed feelings of disgust and resignation.

[Action]

[3houseswatson]

[John's face contorts into a series of disgusted expressions, each looking more repulsed than the last as the mental image just refuses to leave.]

God, Sherlock! Didn't need to think about any of that, thanks! I've always thought it was tough enough for the elves as is, but when you put it that way... Jesus.