Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself

[3houseswatson]

WHO: John Watson and Sherlock Holmes
TONE: Was meant to be friendly and fun... but now tinged with concern.
RATING: PG-13 for potential language
WHEN: Friday, November 30th, after dinner.
WHERE: The Dining Hall
WHAT: Sherlock suggested meeting up to play a friendly game of Wizard's Chess, which John agreed to. But thanks to a tense conversation with a certain Slytherin, John's got a bit more to think about than a simple chess game.
STATUS: Ongoing



[To say that John had a lot on his mind would be an understatement.

Originally, this was just going to be him and Sherlock meeting up so the Ravenclaw could obliterate him in a game of Wizard's Chess. John had no problems with the notion of imminent defeat on the chessboard; he always seemed to have a good time when he and Sherlock were together, putting aside moments of occasional awkwardness when they didn't quite see eye-to-eye on certain matters. He fully expected that as long as he was in Sherlock's company, he wouldn't mind losing.

But then he had words with Jim Moriarty and between that and what he'd gleaned from Sherlock about the situation, a bit of suspicion and worry seemed all too rational. He wasn't sure if he could convince Sherlock of anything, but he could damn well express his concern.

Now that dinner had been cleared away and the other students had gone off to do other things, the Dining Hall was mostly empty. John scanned the room, wondering if Sherlock had already arrived.]

Comments

[3houseswatson]

[Knight from A3 to B5.]

No competition? Bollocks to that. I can't say I'm too sure about your other roommates, but I know Tony likes you in his own weird way. Even if it does involve constant low-to-mid-level pranks and teasing.

And there's someone else. Who was he again? It's right on the tip of my tongue... oh, right, me.

[3potionproblem]

[Rook to Knight at B5]

Tony has much closer friends than I. We're friendly but mostly private. You... you're different. From anyone.

But I was speaking more on the fact that Jim has romantic inclinations towards me to which there are no others. He can dominate that portion of my attention without conflict.

[3houseswatson]

[Pawn to H3.]

I think I'm supposed to take that as a compliment, but I can't be sure. This conversation's giving me a bit of whiplash.

But I thought you weren't interested in that sort of thing at all.

[3potionproblem]

[Bishop to h5]

I'm not.

[3houseswatson]

[Bishop to G2.]

And you honestly expect a giant who's got no qualms stepping on an ant or two to get his way will be content to let you keep being disinterested in the long run?

[3potionproblem]

Even if I'm disinterested, I'm still his. I only cease to be his when I show interest in someone else.

[Pawn to e6]

It may sound like I'm defending him, John, but I'm not. When first I asked him why he kissed me he said 'because you are mine to be kissed'. I don't like that in the least. He is learning, though. And though it may be his mindset still, he doesn't act upon it.

I'm trying to change too. I owe him as much a chance as I would expect from others. Isn't that what you said?

[3houseswatson]

[Oh, of course those words would come back to haunt him. Of course.]

Sherlock... that's completely unhealthy! He can't just act like he owns you and do things you don't like to you because he thinks you're his for some damnable reason!

When I said you should be open-minded to that stuff, I thought it went without saying that I'd not need to add "... unless the other person is a creepy, controlling wanker" to the end of my sentence.

[Pawn to A3, completely as a frustrated afterthought.]

[3potionproblem]

[Pawn to c5]

I'm not an idiot, John. I am capable of and do in fact stand up for myself. I don't just let him do anything.

[3houseswatson]

[Pawn to C3.]

He knows you're not interested in relationship things, right?

[3potionproblem]

[Pawn to c4]

Yes, and in no uncertain words.

[He touches the scarf idly all the same.]

He doesn't want to force me to do anything. That wouldn't be fun for him, anyway. The fun is in making me change my mind.

[3houseswatson]

[Pawn to G4.]

I can't even begin to understand this situation you two are in, and I think I'm the better for it.

What happens if you do come across someone else you find interesting in a romantic way? And before you say anything, yes, I know that's a hypothetical on par with "what if a meteor hit us right this very second".

[3potionproblem]

[Sherlock took his time before sliding his Knight to pawn at g4.]

Worst case scenario would see that person in danger. Jim doesn't want to hurt me but he doesn't want to lose me either. As you said, it's unlikely to the point of being near impossible. Not really something to worry about.

[3houseswatson]

[John's pawn at H3 takes the knight at G4.]

So, what? You just let him cling pointlessly to you indefinitely?

[3potionproblem]

[Bishop to g4]

It's what he wants to do. I didn't ask him to do it. I don't really think I do much to encourage it. I'd say I'm far more discouraging than anything.

When we're no longer in school, we'll have distance and I can just... get away from it. For now, I take the good with the bad.

[3houseswatson]

[Rook to H4.]

I've only talked to him a few times, and already I'm convinced that a year and half seems way too long to put up with him. I know you keep saying he's got good points, but I certainly can't see them.

[3potionproblem]

Then for some reason he doesn't want you to see them. He's a master manipulator. I wonder why you're not included in the overall illusion.

[Queen to h4.]

Check.

[3houseswatson]

I don't think he likes me much at all. Gotta say that the sentiment is retur-

[He stares at the move Sherlock just made for a moment.]

Oh my God, that one's the Queen?

[Have a facepalm and the King to F1.]

[3potionproblem]

[Sherlock blinks at him in confusion before bursting out in quite a loud fit of giggles, trying to hide the wide smile on his face because wow, John. Wow. He tries to stop but he can't.]

John Watson, have you been protecting your Queen this whole time?

[3houseswatson]

... maybe.

[John tries to maintain a sour face, but finds it cracking into a smile as well.]

Shut up. It's noble to protect a lady. If the King can't watch his own arse, he's hardly deserving of the position.

[3potionproblem]

[That does absolutely nothing to cure the giggles. Sherlock has to turn away to keep his smile from breaking his face in two. No one makes him laugh like John does.]

I find it very fitting that you should find fault in the lack of chivalry on the chessboard.

[Queen to h2]

[3houseswatson]

[Even though it had been an amazing blunder on his part, John found that his pride wasn't hurt. After all, he knew he was no good at chess. Besides, Sherlock seemed to be enjoying himself, and from his tone, only a bit of it was completely at John's expense.]

Yeah, well, that and I think better when I'm on my feet, doing something other than trying to read minds in order to figure out where to put a bunch of little wooden bastards.

[Bishop to E4.]

[3potionproblem]

[pawn to bishop on e4]

We could go outside if you like. Not much to do, though. Do you fence or box or do any other sport that doesn't involve a team of poorly behaved young men?

[3houseswatson]

[Pawn to A4.]

Nah, thanks. It's getting to that time of year when you just don't know if Scotland's going to feel like dumping snow on you with no warning. Plus as fancy as chess by moonlight sounds, it wouldn't be all that easy to see. And obviously I need all the help I can get there, lest I start thinking... I dunno, that the knight's an actual horse.

You can use that dismissive tone all you like, I don't care. Rugby's the best and I won't hear otherwise. But no, I haven't really done any non-team sports. Boxing might be fun, though.

[3potionproblem]

[Bishop to h3.]

Check.

I box. I'd show you but you'd probably end up with a black eye, bruised ribs, and a slight concussion.

[3houseswatson]

[Knight to H3. And also a skeptical look from John.]

Oh, really? You box? That's... unexpected.