John yawns and puts his empty cup of coffee down on the table beside him. He looks at Sherlock, still unconscious and very pale. John can't resist the urge to reach out with his hand to stroke Sherlock's, which lies so very still on top of the light blue sheets. He should have acted quicker. Why didn't he think to call an ambulance straight away? A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. The door opened and a nurse walked in, followed by Mycroft.
"I'll leave you two alone" the nurse says, before leaving the room. Mycroft is staring at Sherlock, no expression on his face.
"What happened, John?"
John coughs.
"He… I wish I knew. All Sherlock told me was that he was attacked by a man. In the flat! And I was in my bedroom, not hearing a thing while Sherlock was..."
John suddenly stops talking, fearing his voice is about to break. He sighs. He must be more upset than he had realized. Mycroft turns and glares at John.
"You were there? And you didn't help him!"
John jumps a little at the unexpected outburst.
"I-I only knew something was going on when.. Sherlock was outside my bedroom, and by then it was too.. late." John's voice is shaking slightly, and he struggles to control his emotions. Mycroft walks over to Sherlock and takes his hand.
"Is he ok?
"He will be." John swallows, letting out a dry laughter at the sight of Sherlock's hand in Mycroft's.
"He will kill you if he wakes up and sees that."
Mycroft looks down and carefully takes his hand off Sherlock's
"He'll never know"
John regrets his words.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean... I mean, I think it's good.. showing him some affection once in a while. The normal kind, I mean. Not the creepy, big-brother-sees-you kind of affection. Not that he would appreciate it any more, but… still."
Mycroft continues glaring at John, hoping to make the man uncomfortable. John is used to the dramatic ways of the Holmes brothers by now, so he doesn't shift under Mycroft's glare. However, he still feels guilty.
"I'm sorry, I really am."
Mycroft shakes his head and looks back down at Sherlock.
John feels Sherlock gently squeeze his hand. He thinks to himself: How long has he been awake? What did he hear? Is he ok…
He is brought out of his thoughts by Mycroft.
"I'd better be off." Mycroft rushes out of the room, closing the door gently behind him. John focuses on Sherlock.
"How are you feeling?"
Sherlock opens his eyes.
"Tired." John nods
"And.. how long have you been awake?"
"A few minutes.. I guess"
"What did you hear?"
Sherlock closes his eyes and says nothing. John is quiet for a moment, trying to think of what to say next.
"Do you remember what happened?"
Sherlock sighs and shakes his head.
"No. I really don't"
"You.. said that you were attacked in the flat, but I don't understand.. II was just a few feet away from the living room, how could I not have heard anything?"
"I don't know, John. I wasn't in there with you, was I!"
John looks away.
"No, sorry I just thought.. were you really in the flat? You know you can tell me if you weren't, right?"
"Of course I was in the flat, where else would I have been?"
John feels his face grow warm. He really should stop trying to deduce things, he just gets it wrong all the time.
"I'm sorry. Of course I believe you, I'm just looking for a reason why.. why I didn't hear you… I guess I just feel guilty. I'm sorry."
Sherlock sighs and turns his head away from John.
"I-I think your brother already has all his people investigating, but I will call Lestrade too. Is that okay? He'll probably come here to question you."
Sherlock is silent for a moment, before replying in an almost childish voice.
"I don't care."
"Right." John sighs and pulls out his phone. When he has finished the phone call, he is silent for a while, before speaking again.
"Lestrade will come here in the morning, so you should probably get some more sleep."
"I don't want to sleep"
"Fine, then I'll text Mycroft that you're awake. Shall I?"
"Threatening me with Mycroft? So bloody typical! What makes you think I care?"
John shifts in his chair and leans forward, taking on a more serious tone.
"Sherlock, why are you acting like this? What's going on?"
"Nothing's going on, John! Just leave me alone!"
"Y-you are in hospital! You were attacked by a stranger, he nearly killed you!" John gets up from the chair, shakily. "How can you expect me to just forget about that? I want to know what happened!
"What makes you think I'm gonna tell you?" Sherlock turns and looks straight into John's eyes.
"I'm your friend" John answers, without even thinking. Sherlock shakes his head and turns back around. John gets a foul taste in his mouth.
"Sherlock…"
"What.." Sherlock replies in a bitter tone.
"N-never mind" John replies in a quiet voice. He picks up his jacket and leaves the room, glancing back at Sherlock before he closes the door. As John is leaving, he pulls out his phone and texts Mycroft:
Your brother is awake.