"I am far too in love with a very extraordinary man," Watson said, his voice hushed, "to pay enough attention to any woman long enough to fall in love." That was a strange thing for him to admit; how it had been that he could fall in love so thoroughly with a man when he was so attracted to women was a mystery to him. Now that it had happened, though, it was hard to face the idea of purposely trying to break away from it. He was too much a romantic for that, no matter his mixed feelings.

He ran his hand through Holmes's hair, smiling, his touch soft and gentle. "If she attempts any sort of deeper acquaintance," he murmured, "you have my promise that I shan't encourage her. I never intended to."