Doubts
"Oh, John! Brilliant, you're brilliant."
"Sure, right."
"Always just the right question, my conductor of light, have I ever said?"
"Mm, just the prism set to tune your brilliance to just the right angle."
"...John?"
"Nothing, nevermind me."
"Have I done something?"
"No, Sherlock. I'm just. Hfh."
"You've had a bad day."
"Deduced that have you?"
"Hm..."
"No, don't. Don't actually deduce me, please, Sherlock, just let me be miserable without you picking at my wounds like some - some carrion bird."
"...John?"
"Christ - Just, I'm going home. Sorry. I'm sorry. Get the case finished up. Tell me about it when you get back. I'll get myself sorted by then. You're doing fine, Sherlock. Go on."
"John."
"Hey, Sher. S'tea, there."
"You're feeling better?"
"I...No. But I've gotten myself back under control. I'm sorry, for lashing out earlier. You were doing fantastic. Tell me about the end of the case."
"Later. Tell me what's wrong."
"Sher - I don't want to talk about it."
"...You know I love you, right?"
"...What."
"You -...Er."
"You deduced it anyway."
"...Mm."
"...Alright then, go on."
"...Your most recent girlfriend has broken up with you in the past...week. You've not been texting anyone, again. You're worried you've passed your prime and nobody will ever actually love you. You'll grow old and - ah, but nevermind that. It's wrong, anyway. I love you."
"...Don't, Sherlock."
"...Ah?"
"Don't toy with me."
"I would never, John."
"Wouldn't you? Sherlock? Don't you? Every bloody day? Everything is a game to you, Sherlock. Your own death was a game to you. Why not my heart? I won't be your plaything, Sherlock Holmes. Don't you ever say that to me again."
"John."
"Just. Christ, Sherlock, I hoped even you would know not to -..."
"..."
"I can't be in this flat right now. I'm -"
"John."
"Let go of me, Sherlock."
"You think I'm lying to you. I'm sorry - genuinely sorry - I've inspired so little trust. But there are things the human body cannot fake. John. Physiological responses to the chemicals produced by certain emotions, you know just as well as I do, you're a doctor - a bloody brilliant one at that. Do you know the symptoms of love?"
"Hfh, 'symptoms'."
"It's a chemical reaction, John. Do you know them?"
"You've mentioned them before."
"They can be incredibly important in our work."
"Ours."
"Ours, John."
"...Yeah, I know the signs of love."
"And?"
"...Sher -..."
"Do you see?"
"..."
"John."
"I see you, Sherlock."
"My John. You will never be alone again. I swear to you. You will not grow old alone, you will not die alone."
"Hgh - Sherlock, shut up."
"I'll be here beside you until we're old and grey."
"Unless you keep being a spectacular idiot about taking backup with you into dangerous situations."
"Well."
"And letting me in on the plans."
"John."
"Sher, you can't make that promise to me."
"...I can promise to work toward being able to make that promise."
"...Alright, Sherlock. Alright. I'll hold you to it, understand?"
"I understand, John."
"...I love you too, Sher."