"One dish is not sufficient," Sherlock said, frowning at the steaks. "I need more than that." He switched his gaze to John, looking expectant.

Bree smiled and started relaxing herself. They hadn't had as much bonding time recently, so this was really kind of nice.

"Sherlock, I need a bit more time to prepare for such things," John pointed out. "How about I cook this tonight so you can watch, and tomorrow we can do some shopping for more to cook?"

Charlotte sighed softly and leaned a bit closer to Bree. She wasn't pleased with having to share her partner with someone else, but for the moment, things were good.

Sherlock grumbled but nodded after a moment. That would be okay. He wasn't seeing Charlotte again for a few more days at least, so he had time.

Bree took her time brushing out Charlotte's hair. She did order in food for them, though, getting one dish that she knew Charlotte particularly liked.

John sighed a bit. Good. That would give him time to figure out how to handle Sherlock in his apparent courtship mode. Once he was sure Sherlock was distracted by the food, he texted Bree.

I think Sherlock fancies Charlotte. Apparently, he's been thinking about courtship.

Uh oh. That could be interesting. Bree shook her head a bit. Charlotte and I are having a quiet night in, she's been feeling a little left out recently. Maybe knowing Sherlock is interested will help?

I'm not sure. John glanced at Sherlock, who seemed to be attempting to make toast without the toaster. Although apparently courtship involves cooking for the potential mate.

Feeding and providing for, that makes sense, Bree texted back. We'll have to see what else he comes up with.

Perhaps we should let him court her somewhere away from the city, John suggested, still watching Sherlock.

"Be careful with that," he cautioned the dragon as Sherlock breathed a bit of flame onto the slightly-charred bread. "You'll catch the kitchen on fire."

Before he burns down my flat, he added to Bree.

Bree snickered a bit. Yeah, that's a good idea, we like our flats standing. It wasn't a bad idea, though, going out to the country with the dragons for a while.

At least in his cave, he can breathe fire on toast all he likes and I won't have to worry about it. John rolled his eyes and went to try to stop his dragon from attempting any more toast.

Bree snickered at that, shaking her head. Only a dragon would try that.

But she did start checking her calendar to see what the next month or so looked like.

John tried to supervise more of Sherlock's cooking adventures over the next several days. None of them turned out all that well, but it was clear the dragon was trying.

"Sherlock, perhaps you should try a different strategy," he said, clearing away the latest failed attempt. "Perhaps a gift to indicate your interest, instead?"

"There is nothing I could get her she could not obtain on her own," Sherlock said. "She already has her own hoard, she does not require any more shiny things, nor would one convey interest, necessarily."

"It's the sentiment that matters, Sherlock," John said patiently. "It doesn't matter if she already has a hoard, it's the gesture that counts."

Sherlock shrugged. "I don't know what I'd get her, then," he said, starting to pace. "What would you get a woman you're interested in, John?"

"I suppose it would depend on the woman," John replied as he watched Sherlock pace. At least the dragon wasn't steaming yet. "What would impress a dragon? If you were on your own, and you found another partnerless dragon to court, how would you go about impressing her enough to allow you to court her?"

Sherlock shrugged, thinking it over. "I would prove that I can hunt and provide for her and any possible little ones, I might show her my hoard, I would bring her gifts. Different gifts mean different things. Food is obvious, of course. Trinkets to catch her interest." He shrugged again.

"A trinket might work, then," John suggested. "While you work on perfecting your cooking skills."

"It's a start," Sherlock agreed grudgingly after a few moments. "I will start looking for something suitable."

John nodded.

"Alright," he said. "Will we need to take a trip out to the country?"

Sherlock considered and then nodded. "Yes. I don't have anything good enough here." He threw himself on the couch to consider what to give Charlotte.

John nodded.

"Alright," he said. "Let me know when so I can be ready to leave." Now that Sherlock wasn't pacing anymore, John relaxed enough to settle in himself.

Sherlock nodded and went back to his contemplating. It would take at least a day to figure out what he wanted to look for, and then another few days to get everything ready to give to her. If he was going to go through with this.

While Sherlock was contemplating, John texted Bree again.

If Sherlock were to give Charlotte some sort of trinket, what might she like?

From him? Something reminiscent of her scale color, which is coppery by the way. She also likes gemstones, moreso than most other kinds of sparklies. Bree grinned. He finally getting into gear?