So, this is an impulse story. I had absolutely no plans, no plot for it. I just sat down and wrote. I wanted to write a story with Victor Trevor in it, so I did. If this seems like a pointless ball of hurt/comfort/fluff, that's why. Because it is.
And yes, yes the title is extremely corny. Thank you for noticing. I couldn't think of anything better.
A Study in Reunions
John comes home to find a man sitting in his chair, reading a book. He stops, not expecting the intrusion since Mrs Hudson hadn't said anything. And she usually didn't let clients wait in the flat for them. But then again, she probably thought it was alright. She is an excellent judge of character.
"Oh hello," the man says, looking up, "John Watson I presume?" He smiles, somewhat nervously. He has shaggy chocolate hair and warm brown eyes. His skin was tan, obviously not something a person is going to get in London. If John had to describe him, he would call him cute or even almost adorable, not handsome or any of the other more appropriate terms.
"Yes, that would be me. I assume you are waiting on Sherlock?"
"Oh, ummm, yes."
"Can I get you anything? A cup of tea perhaps? Something to calm the nerves before Sherlock bursts through the doors. He shouldn't be long. I warn you though, he's been in a right mood lately. Don't be surprised if he's a bit... well, rude." John tells him. He has taken it upon himself to warn the clients before hand if he could. Especially if Sherlock hadn't had a case in a week or two. Which he hadn't.
The man gives a quick laugh. "Isn't that normal for him?"
John laughs in return. "Yes, but he's been worse than usual lately."
"Oh dear, must be bad then."
"You have no idea."
"Probably only somewhat. I keep up with your blog – it's quite good, by the way – but I imagine that is only the tip of the iceberg, so to speak."
"Something like that." He hands him the mug. "Here you go." He sits down in Sherlock's chair. "Mr–"
"Oh, I'm sorry, how rude of me. I'm Victor Trevor. Pleasure to meet you."
"Mr Trevor then."
"No. Just Victor please. Mr Trevor reminds me a little too much of my Father." A dark look flashes over his face before disappearing again. "Sherlock doesn't have anything on then?"
John wonders at the seemingly familiarity the man uses. Most people use Mr Holmes before Sherlock corrects them. He hopes this isn't another person from Sherlock's past. He already has enough of an introduction when he met Sebastian. Prick. "No, fortunately for you. Although unfortunately for the rest of us. Frankly I hope you have something interesting or the next case will be the mysterious murder of Sherlock Holmes. The mystery will be who gets to him first," John grins.
Victor laughs. "I am sure it less humorous to those who have to put up with it, but I must say from my point of view, it sounds very entertaining."
And the seals it. "You know him, don't you?"
"I–"
Sherlock picks that moment to walk through the door. "John are the–" He stops when he sees Victor.
"Hello Mr Holmes," he says, foregoing the familiarity he had moments before. "I was wondering if you might help me."
Sherlock stares at the man intently. "And just what are you hoping for?" he asks instead of deducing.
Victor smiles, both sheepishly and very nervously. "I was hoping if you might know where my best friend is? I seem to have lost him quite some time ago. Years ago in fact."
Sherlock opens his mouth to reply.
"Of course," he continues quickly, "it was my own fault. A family tragedy happen and I ran when I should have stayed. I left him to fend for himself when I promised I would always be there for him. I wouldn't blame him if he never wanted to see me again. But I would like the chance to apologize. It was... well, an extremely dick move on my part. I would say I was young and stupid, but well, that's not really an excuse, is it? Not when it took me this long to return. I would also ask if you could find my head, but I finally managed to pull it out of my arse myself."
Sherlock continues to stare, not even blinking.
Victor fidgets. "So yes, that. I fully understand if you can't help me. I know how busy you are with other cases and with Doctor Watson. I've read all of your cases and think it's great that you invented your own profession with your deduction skills. They always were something. But, yes. If you can't, I will hold nothing against you." He falls silent then, returning the detective's stare.
After a few more moments Victor nods and stands. "Right. I'll be going then. It was nice meeting you Doctor Watson. I'll see–"
"Vic."
That soft word from Sherlock is enough to freeze the other man. "Lock?" he returns, just as softly.
"Don't..." He walks over to stand in front of him. "Don't go. Not again."
All of the tension in Victor's shoulders dissolves. "No, not again," he agrees.
Sherlock finally makes a definite move then, pulling him into a tight hug. "Never again," he whispers into the shorter man's shoulder.
Victor gives a choked laugh. "Good to have you back Lock."
"Yes."
They stand there for a long moment, hugging each other like they will never let go again while John watches them. Victor Trevor. The name still doesn't mean anything to John. But that's not a surprise. Sherlock talks about his past so rarely it would be more surprising if John did know the name. At least this one acts less like a prick than 'Seb'. John still regrets not punching that wanker when he had the chance.
He takes another sip of his tea, content to let them have their moment. Sherlock has such few friends in his life. Especially ones that he will openly demonstrate affection for. As long as Victor doesn't try to move any farther than friends, John has no worry about the two them. But if he does... Yes, he can be a bit possessive sometimes. And Sherlock bloody well enjoys it too, the nutter.
Although from his speech, John wonders if he will have to have a word about hurting Sherlock again. Probably not though. Not from the way Victor seems to be clinging to his partner. This one seems to be a keeper. Good.
When they pull away, Victor sees John looking at them and blushes. "Sorry Doctor Watson, I didn't mean–"
"John please," he interrupts. "And it's fine. Just as long as you have no plans on snogging my partner, cuddle all you want. Gives this one someone else to bother."
Sherlock rolls his eyes. "Really John, I've never heard you complaining before."
John smiles much too fondly and inquires, "Oh really? Then you didn't hear me threatening to tie you down to the bed and leave you there this morning? Or the threat of strangulation last night? I was so sure you did. My mistake."
"Humph."
Victor laughs. "Don't worry John, I have no intentions of stealing him. Even if I did, I'd probably give him back by the end of the day."
Sherlock pulls away and goes to dramatically pout on the couch. "I am not that bad."
"Oh, you've become less of a handful, have you? Because I distinctly remember resorting to those same threats. Although I believe you would have had much less fun if I would have tied you to the bed than John does," he adds with a smirk.
"Humph," Sherlock repeats and turns over, away from them.
"Having fun love?" John can't help but ask.
Sherlock covers his head with the union jack pillow.
"That's a yes," Victor informs him with a smile.
John returns the smile, thoroughly enjoying himself. He always likes teasing the detective occasionally. Having someone join in, who cares for the man as well, makes it even more enjoyable. Not that he thinks everything is automatically prefect between those two. But it is well on the way. And Sherlock could use someone to fill the best mate slot since John moved up to partner.
Victor sighs. "I should leave now. It's about supper time and I don't want to overstay my welcome."
Sherlock abruptly sits up and stares at Victor. "You promised," he accuses.
"Lock, I'm just going back to my hotel for the night. I'll be back."
Sherlock looks at him analytically. "You arrived from India two days ago. You have no plans on returning. The hotel is obviously a temporary arrangement. In fact you are planning on staying in London. Perhaps opening a... cafe? No a bookstore and cafe. You will need the funds, which you obviously already have, a location and a flat. I happen to know a building nearby that would fit your needs. Furthermore, we have an empty bedroom upstairs that is no longer in use."
Victor stares and John shakes his head. At least he isn't as possessive as Sherlock. Man can be a bloody menace when he claims something or someone as his. And Victor is obviously back on the list.
"Also, don't listen to Mycroft. His opinion doesn't matter."
That startles a laugh out of the other man. "Lock when have I ever listened to Mycroft? Besides that first time I took that bribe to spy on you."
Sherlock grins. "Yes, the look on his face when you handed him that first report."
"And realized you wrote it yourself."
"And deduced what we spent his money on."
Victor has to hold his side from laughing so hard.
"Dare I ask?" John questions, looking between the two.
Both Sherlock and Victor smirk. "My first motorbike," Sherlock answers. "He always managed to restrict my funds enough to stop me before then. But since Victor technically bought it," Sherlock shrugs and attempts to look innocent, "I just happened to borrow it."
"All the time," Victor continues, also trying to look innocent, "Since you conveniently had your licenses for it. A mere coincidence."
John snorts. "Oh god, I can only imagine his face."
"Better yet, no need to imagine. I have pictures," Victor confesses.
John's snort turns into a laugh. "Oh my god, there are two of you now, aren't there."
"I rather think I'm the third now. I believe you took my place as second, from the sound of it. I'm good at reading between the lines when it comes to this one." He motions to the detective. Then he sighs. "That also means I know you're scared Lock. But I have no plans on disappearing again. And you can't just invite me to move in without talking to John about it first."
Sherlock gets up and hugs him. "Don't want you to go," he says into his hair.
John's heart gives a wrench at Sherlock's tone of voice. "Stay the night at least. We can talk about it tomorrow. I'm not completely against it. Especially since I know how possessive Sherlock can be sometimes. And how impulsive. Give it a week maybe."
"Really?"
"You make him happy. Really."
Victor gives him a smile. "Thank you."
John returns the smile. "Right. Food next. And you will be eating. You aren't on a case and you didn't eat yesterday."
"Angelo's?"
Victor nods.
"Sounds perfect," John answers, "let's go."