Sherlock would never admit it, but he loves the way John says his name.

"Sherlock."

No matter how he says it, there's always something about it that makes Sherlock smile.

The Holmes family is notorious for their long names; Sherlock and Mycroft being perfect examples. Sherlock had gone through school with all sorts of nicknames, most were innocent, although the occasional cruel one would rear its ugly head now and again, but he developed a thick skin and learned to ignore it.

When he'd met John Watson, he hadn't said it how everyone else seemed to. Usually full of malice, that freak, Sherlock Holmes. Bit of a weirdo if you ask me.

But not John, he'd spoken it with such curiosity that Sherlock couldn't help but be pulled in.

After living together for several months, Sherlock found himself cataloguing all of the ways John says his name and picking his favourites. The annoyed "Sherlock," was one he heard a lot, usually when he'd left body parts in the fridge. The nervous "Sherlock," the first time he'd cornered John and kissed him. The joyous shout when John and Lestrade had found Sherlock after being kidnapped and held for three days.

His favourite though was the quiet whisper just before John fell asleep, Sherlock smiling into John's skin and curling himself around the smaller man.