"Good morning, Sherlock!" Mrs. Hudson chirped cheerily from the stove, where she was currently the subject of Fegus' leg-clinging habit. However, the elderly landlady didn't seem the least bit fazed with the new handicap... and maybe was enjoying it to some degree. Her own children were close to forty now, and her grandchildren she didn't see too often due to travel distances. Her flight left in three hours, though, Sherlock knew. She'd have a mundane but happy Christmas among her family.
"Morning." Sherlock replied simply, taking the nearest available chair and flopping down on it with a slight huff. This was why he rarely slept. Deep, long sleep made him too slow and too lazy to do much whenever he woke. Such an obvious contrast to all the merry and bubbling people in the room who couldn't possibly wait to see what such a prominent holiday would entail.
Arthur was being uncharacteristically hyper today, and he hadn't even had any sugar yet. John's five year old son was wiggling in his seat and going off about peppermint...poisons too, apparently. It was odd to see that such a quiet man's son would be obsessed with spies and detective things so openly, that much Sherlock would admit, especially if said child was barely five... John's pointed look towards the drowsy detective said it all. You're such a bad influence.
Sherlock just held back a chuckle and simply gave a innocent smile in return. I have no idea what you're talking about~!
"Here you go dearies, a fresh cuppa while the food cooks!" Mrs. Hudson's gentle voice broke the small expression battle between the grown men, and hushed Arthur's babbling to a slightly horrified Astra. The tea cups and saucers were out in front of them all surprisingly quickly. "And Arthur dear I hate to disrupt but the morning meal is not the time to speak of cyanide."
"Thank you Grannie!" Arthur chirped along side Astra, though the dirty blonde was giving the landlady a bright grin for her troubles. "I'll not say another word about it." He's crossing his fingers. Sherlock noticed, smirking lightly. That kid was predictable yet destructive... he liked that. Mrs. Hudson, however, seemed to buy the five year old's play at innocence and smiled, patting his head. The moment Mrs. Hudson turned back to the stove Arthur was muttering about chemicals. Typical morning.
"Thank you Mrs. H." John added, giving his son a small scolding look which told Sherlock that the ex-army doctor had noticed his son's behind-his-back gesture as well. "You didn't have to make us breakfast, don't you have to visit your family?" The landlady simply smiled as she turned her head to look back at the strange, raggedy gathering and glanced down at the cheerful little bugger that refused to let go of her leg.
"Well of course, I'll have to leave soon to catch it. But you all are my kids too. Especially you young man." She replied genuinely with a light smile, then a small false scolding look at Sherlock. The detective laughed it off, standing quickly to hug the elderly woman.
"Oh, you know that wall had it coming!" He stated cheerily, doing a little twirl as he sat back in his seat. "What would you do without my antics to keep you occupied?" That had struck a nerve, unfortunately. Mrs. Hudson and John went ridged, and although the younger kids didn't seem to notice anything Astra gave him a surprised stare. After a moment in the tense silence, Sherlock took a slow sip of his tea. Of course they'd never forget that incident... "I...forgive me." He simply stated, staring at John as the blonde slowly came out of his shell-shocked state.
"It's fine." The doctor replied quickly, gulping down most of his cup in order to keep himself silent. "You already know the answer, just don't bring it up again." Mrs. Hudson made a silent nod and Sherlock grunted in agreement. Luckily the tense air was quickly lifted by Astra quickly standing and removing her little brother from Mrs. Hudson's sore legs. The giggling and maniacal laughter seemed to clear the air, and for that Sherlock was immensely grateful.