The odd day when it happened first, it was looked at completely in the wrong way. On a case, in the middle of an interview of a suspect.

The setting was quite familiar. They were in a suspect's house interviewing them. Of course, the suspect didn't know she was a suspect, she merely assumed they were asking after her mental health after the loss of her sister and going over the basic questions.

"We're here to talk about your sister, yes, but we're also here to talk to you – so that we can be sure you're okay," Sherlock said with a small, fake, reassuring smile and a glance at John.

John nodded and the woman sniffed and nodded as well.

And, with that, the questioning began. Sherlock asked many usual questions and took note of every single movement she made, ever infliction over every word she uttered. John stayed mostly quiet, letting Sherlock go on and on and stating his approval or put in a small word every time Sherlock turned to him for it.

It wasn't until they were almost done when John finally had a good question. It was asked very casually, as if he hadn't been waiting for the perfect instance to ask it. His question was a particularly interesting one that Sherlock has somehow not thought of. It caught Sherlock off guard and he spoke quietly before the suspect answered.

"Well done, John, really!" John blinked at him in pleased surprise. Sherlock didn't even realise the next words he said until they were already out of his mouth, eyes shining. "I love you."

John looked at him for a second before returning to listen to the suspect's answer. It caught her slightly off guard and she answered perfectly, confirming that she had, in fact, murdered her sister. She didn't realise this, though, and she would be quiet shocked later that day when the police showed up to drag her away.

Of course John thought Sherlock had said it for some genius reason. For some way to get this particular answer out of the suspect. Sherlock could see it in his face. He didn't bring it up, however, and so neither did Sherlock.