That first meeting in A Study In Pink from Sherlock's point of view.
Based on a Buddhist quote posted on Tumblr.
Sherlock heard footsteps approaching. The subtle squeak of cheap rubber soles on tiled flooring. Mike. And another, more uneven gait. Old leather worn soft by age, and the rubber ferrule of an NHS issued walking stick. Boring.
The paint chip on the microscope ceased to hold his attention.
'Green. Weatherproof paint. Unevenly applied by an amateur to prolong the life of old wood. Did the brother have access to a ladder? If so, was it green? Lestrade. Ahhh, phone. No signal. Usually a relief. No distractions. Need to call Lestrade. Mike has a phone. Ask Mike. Don't look up from the slide. Don't engage. Mike will take it as encouragement to babble his pointless small talk. Might try and introduce his friend. Wounded. Quick glance. Ahhh, Tanned. Doctor ... obvious. Military bearing. Wounded in action. Overseas. Army Doctor. Mike's brought him in. Ohhhhh, He suggested I get a flatmate. Mike believes in fate. Serendipity. Thinks he's helping me. Idiot. Like I need help? I work alone. Always have. For the best. Mike and his sentiment. Thinks I'm lonely. Coat expensive but old. Cheap shirt. New trousers, also cheap. Couldn't wear his old clothes, too much weight loss. PTSD. Depression. Possibly suicidal. Forgets about the limp sometimes. No obvious pain when standing. Psychosomatic then. Must be a real injury somewhere, but not the leg. No time for charity cases. Any flatmate would have to pull his weight. I can't carry an invalid. Too busy. No time for sentiment.'
Footsteps approach and a not unpleasant voice says "Here, use mine."
Sherlock glances up to take the proffered mobile. Blue eyes framed by laughter lines set in an open, tanned face, meet his own. There is strength and determination, patience and kindness in those eyes, almost buried by pain and despair. Resolution, a decision made, but also hope.
His mind calms, his pulse slows, and he feels balanced for the first time in so very long.
This strange sense of peace, the momentary pause in the tumult that is his mind, allows Sherlock those few precious moments to really see. He observes, assesses, and then does the unthinkable.
"Afghanistan or Iraq?"
The Buddhists say if you meet somebody and your heart pounds, your hands shake, your knees go weak, that's not the one. When you meet your 'soul mate' you'll feel calm. No anxiety, no agitation.
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