A short fic on how Sherlock is introverted until John comes along.
Sherlock was an introvert. He had all the classic symptoms such as shutting out others, preferring to be alone, and all around generally not liking anyone.
That was until a injured army doctor limped into his life. If Mycroft had not made Sherlock look for a flatmate Sherlock would have lived alone his whole life. He never thought anyone would be able to prove to him that they weren't dull. But John had kept up with his cases and even gave valuable information from time to time.
Sherlock thought he would find it cumbersome to have to share his flat with another but he soon found that he and John had a perfect little ecosystem. John would normally sit in his chair with a book as Sherlock would flout about the living room going over case files, playing his violin, or doing any number of experiments. John would only ever interrupt his activities if he thought a particular experiment was a danger to the flat or Sherlock himself and also to make Sherlock eat.
Eating. Such a dull thing. But John always made him do it. Sherlock wouldn't even notice as John would give his plate the bigger helpings of take away or that he would shove a piece of toast into his hand in the morning when he was immersed in some case work. John actually cared enough to pester Sherlock until he agreed to eat or sleep.
That's another thing Sherlock never thought he would experience. Someone caring for his well being. Mycroft said he "cared" but he only bothered to do anything for Sherlock because it makes their mummy happy. Always a suck up. But John really cared. Sherlock could see it when his eyes would fill with concern when he didn't sleep for a few days or when he would put on more than three nicotine patches. John also protected him for criminals. Even on their first day of knowing each other John had killed for him. Sherlock would never admit it but he will always be grateful for what John does for him.
John had the most amazing way to break Sherlock from his moods. When it was in between cases and Sherlock was overcome with boredom John would give suggestions of things to do or would even play games with Sherlock. Sherlock loved it when John would take him for walks around the city. Even though he found it boring on any other occasion he actually enjoyed it when he had John to keep him company. Sherlock would never reveal what he was thinking to anyone unless it was vital for a case. But John somehow would coax the words out of him and help him through whatever was troubling him in the dark corners of his mind.
Sherlock had found that for the first time in his life he genuinely cares for another human being. He worries when John comes home late from the clinic and is exhausted. He panics when John is the first one to get to the criminal and has to fight them off. He even taught himself how to make tea the way John likes it so he can offer something soothing to the other man. Sherlock has never relied on another person so much in his whole life and never wants to let John go.
John would stumble down the stairs in the morning sleepy eyed and wrapped in a bathrobe mumbling random things until he would look up and smile that brilliant smile that would make his eyes crinkle. Sherlock would gladly give anything and everything so that he could see that everyday for the rest of his life.
John had broken into Sherlock's heart and had locked himself in for good.
