I am SO SO SO sorry this chapter has taken so long! Life decided it was more important. Stupid life, who gave you permission! School and work have been crazy but hopefully things will be a bit calmer for awhile (and Spring Break is just around the corner!). I am hoping to have the next chapter out within a week (it's written in my head just have to get it down on paper).
Also if you're interested in teasers/updates on my writing status check me out on tumblr: hollyglow dot tumblr dot com
Some important answers to important questions I have been asked:
1 - Why didn't we see the wedding? I decided to skim over the wedding in the previous chapter because this is all really back story. This is all nitty gritty to get to the really good stuff in the modern BBC era. Don't worry there will be a wedding, it will be fluffy and sappy, and it will get more time than this one did.
2 - Will we see Sherlock teaching John to use his powers? Not yet. As it mentions in the tags there is a major character death/rebirth going to happen and Sherlock's behavior is sort of tied to that. So you will, just not yet.
3 - JohnCroft or JohnLock? The plan (as far as the boys are telling me NOW) is to end up with JohnLock and Mystrade in the Modern Era. That said I know there is a lot more JohnCroft to be had in the time leading up to then, Mycroft is being particularly Alpha/Pack leader like, and Lestrade hasn't been entirely clear on his motives yet - so let's just see where they lead us, eh?
4 - MorMor - MorMor is not really a romantic couple in this case. It's a sire/fledgling bond and Moran is not really too thrilled with his fledglings plans and behaviors.
5 - Series 3 - So here's the thing. I enjoyed Series 3, I think it gave my little JohnLock brain a lot more material to work with and several more fears to consider but it will NOT be a part of this story with any relation to the way it occurred in canon. Just in case you haven't seen it I shall leave no spoilers here for you, but some events will be included (cases, villians, etc) but John/Mary will be temporary if at all and their canon story will not evolve the same here.
Anthea paced slowly back and forth outside the door to the bedroom that for the last week had served as the secret den of the two newly wedded Holmes men. Sherlock and John had barely been seen since they arrived in France. A fact which she knew was not uncommon for bonding but one that was beginning to grate on her nerves. She had been sent to protect them during their bonding state which should have reached completion four days previously, now she was simply bored. Having decided she had, had enough of their games she went to open the door when a loud moan from inside stalled her hand. She sighed in pure frustration and walked down to the end of the hall, settling back down on her chair. Inside the bedroom, in the failing light of the afternoon, Sherlock was enjoying himself as he tormented his still half asleep husband.
"Sherlock!" John shouted as Sherlock nipped at his neck and chest. He'd been completely asleep having a strange dream when he felt Sherlock press two well slicked fingers into him. Then Sherlock's lips had been on his own, kissing him until his head swam with arousal.
"Yes, my love?" Sherlock's voice was teasing as he worked his fingers deeper and deeper inside him.
"Oh God! You demon!" John pushed back down onto Sherlock's fingers, whimpering as he did. He was already overwhelmed by their arousal, it thrummed in his chest and through every level of their bond. "Take me!" He commanded. Sherlock smirked and kissed him until he couldn't think straight.
"So eager." He purred against John's lips as he slowly coated himself with oil and pushed his way into his lover.
There was no haste in this moment, only the two of them and all the ages of the world. The two of them were beginning to feel more like themselves, so haste was no longer necessary. The ethereal whispers of the bonding state giving way to the earthy mortal realm. Sherlock set a desperately slow, feverish pace; their mouths struggling to stay together as their breath grew ragged and heavy. Sherlock locked his hands with John's, pushing them up towards the head of the bed, using his own body to lift John's hips slightly and change how he was pushing inside him. John shouted in his mouth and groaned, desperate for the release Sherlock was denying him. Sherlock kept John pinned under him, building the fire inside their bodies steadily but slowly until hours after dark had completely fallen they finally crashed over the edge. John panted for breath, silence descending around them and their eyes locked and burning together. Both of them utterly boneless and wrecked from such a powerful release. Sherlock smoothed gentle kisses over John's face, eyes, and mouth apologizing for tormenting him but not really meaning it. Anthea gave them an hour to recover before loudly knocking on the door.
"I am terribly sorry to disturb you two," She shouted through the door, "However you have not fed in three days and there is someone here to see you."
"Someone here to see us?" Sherlock asked John, but John had tensed slightly. He closed his eyes and let his senses reach out, a small growl coming from his throat. "Do not growl like that unless you want me to claim you again." Sherlock growled himself, claiming John's mouth in another bruising kiss. John kissed him back deeply and they were in danger of slipping right back into their sexual contest before John's logic kicked in.
"It is Lord Moran." John responded and Sherlock tensed anew. They reluctantly pulled themselves up out of bed. He watched John as he hesitantly moved around the room, seemingly quite concerned about their guest.
"We are on our way." Sherlock sighed and Anthea's footsteps could be heard heading away from the room.
They cleaned up and dressed, Sherlock enjoying how John was still so pleased by his new clothing and enjoying how well it framed his husbands' body. They shared another deep kiss before Sherlock opened the door to find Anthea waiting with two of their feeders. The two fed deeply, and though Sherlock sensed the rise of lust within his husband he also felt how John was beginning to control it. They both adjusted their clothing and prepared themselves to head down the stairs and face Lord Moran, who was pacing the length of the dining room, waiting for the two Holmes men to join him. He was crisply dressed in a dark red outfit that looked like it belonged to an age gone by. His dark brown hair and brown eyes flashed around the room as he felt the flutter of energy that signaled the two coming closer to him. He closed his eyes for a moment, his mind stalling as want of seeing John filled his chest. It had been many years since he'd had anything other than cold distance and fear from him. He hoped now that would be different. He forced himself to let those thoughts go as he heard their footfall in the hall. He looked up, his eyes easily attaching themselves to John and taking in how well he looked in his new vampiric state and noble dress. John's outfit was a dark blue, which brought out his eyes and the cut was perfect for his form. He looked more striking than Sebastian had ever seen him look. Sherlock saw Sebastian's lingering gaze and let out a soft, animalistic growl which only grew darker when he saw that John blushed. Sherlock wrapped his arm tightly around John's waist and Sebastian took the hint.
"Good evening, Lord Sherlock and Lord John. I do apologize for disturbing your celebrations," He added softly, he was going to continue but John cut him off.
"It is pleasant to see you, Lord Moran. To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?" John asked and bowed softly. Sebastian coughed gently, perhaps blushing. Sherlock's features tightened as John motioned for Sebastian to take a seat and took one himself.
"Sebastian will do well enough for you, little mender." He said softly, Sherlock's eyes darting back and forth between them. John blushed again. Which Sherlock did not like, he was confused and angry. He slipped his arms down over the chair, tightening them a bit on John's shoulders. Draping himself territorially around John.
"Very well then. Why are you here Sebastian?" John asked quietly.
"I was unable to speak with you during your wedding celebrations and thus was unable to convey some things to you that I wished to. Then I heard you were traveling so I was certain I would be unable to for some time. However when I arrived here last week to visit some of my kin I was happily informed that you were here also." He sank down into the chair across from John, surveying him. "I must say, John, this life suits you magnificently." He smiled motioning to John's form and Sherlock could see the Solvanar shield around Sebastian's neck. Sherlock tensed but John gently placed his hand on Sherlock's to try and calm him.
"And what did you wish to convey?" John asked in a curious voice, not fighting the blush that rose at Sebastian's insinuation.
"First and foremost my congratulations. You have chosen an apt mate who is as deserving of you as I think any could be. Secondly to swear an oath to you that I shall do all I can to prevent your happiness from being damaged. You and I have had a tenuous friendship at best over these last several years but I wish to see it strengthened. I know why you have maintained your distance and I truly accept fault for it. However I also have become aware that Moriarty intends to obtain your mate for his own. He has his sights narrowed on your husband and I swear to you now I shall do all I can to ensure that his actions do not bring you or him harm. I will do all I can to ensure that your safety is never compromised and your happiness remains." Sherlock was completely confused now, his face betraying him. Sebastian was rather surprised that John had obviously not told them their history but simply smiled as John flushed rather red.
"There is no need for all of this Sebastian. I have told..." John began but Sebastian cut him off, leaning slightly forward.
"No, I owe you more than I can ever repay, little mender. I owe you a grave debt, John. You still seem not to grasp that I would have lost my entire coven, my whole family. Thus far you have refused every method of repayment I have offered. And though I believe all means I have at my disposal are not enough to repay the debt owed to you, I believe I have finally found something you will accept. I have spent many a night wondering what I may offer you, that you may finally accept, and this is the solution. I am quite certain you will accept this offer." He slowly reached into his coat and slipped out a parchment envelope, sealed. He held it out to John, "Give this letter to your clan father, to Lord Mycroft. It is an offer of truce between our clans, guaranteed so long as you are safe. If you are well cared for than I shall offer my assistance in any situation he requires and guarantee I shall not myself nor allow any of my kin to harm a member of your family without retribution." His face darkened just a bit but softened as John reached out and timidly took the envelope, still blushing.
"Sebastian," His voice cracked slightly but he firmed himself. "Moriarty will not rest." His voice betrayed his fear. Sherlock was surprised that John was afraid and his hold softened slightly on his shoulders.
"He is my fledgling, little mender, leave him to me." He ordered gently. "He was just as saved by your hand as the others, he owes you a debt he does not realize. I will do all I can to protect you." He smiled as John seemed to relax just a bit. "Lord Holmes," Sebastian said a bit more firmly as he looked up and their eyes met. Both of them tensing and glaring at the other. "You have acquired an exceedingly rare treasure in this little mender. I trust you shall never forget that or else I shall endeavor to see him removed from your side and placed beside someone more worthy." His voice was soft but held the growl of promise.
"I shall never forget. Nor should you forget that he is mine." Sherlock growled in response.
"For the moment." Sebastian said coyly as he stood. "Be well gentlemen, I am sure we shall meet again in England." He nodded curtly and swept from the room.
John took a slow shaking breath that hitched when Sherlock suddenly swept around and caged him in the chair. Sherlock's eyes burned into his, seeking answers to thousands of unanswered questions as his rage built and swirled in his eyes violently. Sherlock leaned forward and claimed John's mouth in a furious kiss, full of possessive passion. He straddled John in the chair, one hand finding its way into his hair and pulling his head back for better access. Sherlock forced his tongue into John's mouth, claiming him and not caring who might be near them to see. He kept kissing him, his aura pushing down on John's until John's entire body felt like it was no longer solid. Sherlock growled darkly against his mouth and clawed into his sides as he slid their bodies together and forced John to relent to him.
"You're mine." Sherlock's voice growled in John's body.
"Y-Yes, Sherlock. Only yours." John's voice was breathless as he panted and shook. Sherlock finally releasing him and pulling off of his lap. John shivered slightly as he pulled away and slowly lowered himself down into the chair across from John, taking Sebastian's abandoned seat.
"Well, that was certainly an interesting visit." He growled.
"Y-Yes it was." John muttered his head still swimming. "An alliance with another family... Does our family even make those?" John was fingering the envelope gently, absentmindedly. His body thrumming with desire for Sherlock.
"We have before, but those clans became a part of something larger and the alliances fall away. Our clan mother has long since gone to rest, so many alliances are not offered our way." He sighed.
"So she is alive but sleeping?" John asked but Sherlock knew he was deflecting the moment he had to confess to the question lingering before them.
"So, when are you going to tell me about this yet to be revealed history with the Moran family?" He demanded, crossing his legs and putting his hands together near his chin.
"Sherlock, Mycroft is going to demand this same story from me. Instead of repeating myself may we please simply enjoy the last portion of our time here? I shall explain it all when we return home, I swear it." John asked softly, clearly afraid.
"If we must, but you must tell me right this moment - do you wish to be with him?"
"Of course not!" John exclaimed, standing and moving over to pull Sherlock up. "You are my mate, Sherlock. You, no one else." He promised, kissing him.
They remained in Paris for only another week because Sherlock was far too determined to know what it was that John was hiding. In fact he denied John any physical comfort until they were preparing to return home, using their bond to get what he wanted. When they returned home to England early it surprised Mycroft. Mycroft was however pleased to see them and if he was truly honest especially pleased to see John, as he'd found he'd actually missed him.
"And so comes my brother and my little mender." He purred as they entered his study, but he looked up to survey them closely. Sherlock's face was dark and brooding. Mycroft knew it would be only a matter of time before he sank into one of his 'dark moods.' "You've come home early and directly to me upon your arrival which can only mean something of import has happened." He motioned for them to sit, which John did not do. Sherlock threw himself angrily down on the couch as John timidly handed him the letter. Mycroft looked up between the two of them as he saw the writing on the envelope.
"What a frightfully interesting trip we have had, my brother. Did you know that Lord Moran visited us in Paris?" Sherlock snapped, enjoying the darkness that fluttered over his brothers features. At least Mycroft would commiserate with him.
"Lord Moran?" Mycroft's tone was clearly incredulous.
"Oh yes, brother. He wishes to have a truce between our families." He snorted. Mycroft's brow furrowed further and he looked to John who was blushing and looking rather sheepish.
"A truce?" Mycroft's tone was clear.
"Yes, he called on us in Paris and asked me to deliver that to you." John said motioning to the letter. John was afraid, his voice shaking slightly. The anger of the two Holmes men was palpable.
"A letter to us, from Lord Moran?" Mycroft looked utterly annoyed, believing the two of them were playing some sort of cruel trick on him. When neither of them seemed to cave he sighed and looked over the envelope. He unsealed the letter and read aloud: "Lord Mycroft, I am sending this letter to you in the only hands I can trust," Mycroft quirked an eyebrow as John flushed a bit, John looked pointedly away from Sherlock which served only to anger him more. "I am seeking a truce between our clans in the name of John Hamish Holmes nee Montiere. Well as you know him Watson, but we both know that is not his birthright. I seek this in his name as he is dear both to my coven and to myself and we wish to ensure that the health of the family who has his protection as their goal is protected and his happiness is maintained for the whole of the world. This will likely be of some confusion to you as you may not know all of his history, however I owe him a debt greater that I shall ever be able to repay without making a move such as this. I do hope that finally he accepts this as a step towards repaying the insurmountable debt I owe him. Lord Mycroft, our families have had little quarrel over the course of your life amongst our kind. However, there has been much tension between our families since our arrival in the courts in England. I wish to seek end to that tension. The safety of the mender John, his mate, and his family are now a priority for me and as such I hope you will send a favorable response to this letter with haste. I congratulate you on acquiring such an excellent fledgling whose loyalty will forever be unwavering, and more so for his addition to your own family line. With all my gratitude, Lord Sebastian Moran." Mycroft finished and looked directly at John as he dropped the letter on his desk.
"Well... That sounds agreeable enough..." John said softly, now very red and staring out the window.
"Agreeable indeed, my little mender. This begs a host of questions that need satisfaction, John." Mycroft stood and swept over to him, almost pressing their bodies together and forcing John's gaze to lock with his. He trembled slightly.
"I demanded answers from him in Paris however, he absolutely refused until we were home. Claiming he did not want to repeat himself to you." Sherlock spat, pouting. "So brother, tell your fledgling to tell us the truth, since my weight as his husband meant nothing." Sherlock demanded, clearly sulking as he sank back on the couch.
"Sherlock do not be such a child, John was right to wait." He purred, softening his eyes slightly as he gazed down into John's face. John flushed slightly and found his breath hitched in his chest. "I am the authority in this coven and had he told you directly you might have flown off into a rage. Here we may all calmly deal with this together. So little mender, what history is there between you and Lord Sebastian Moran?" Mycroft demanded and stepped back from John. John felt himself compelled to tell the story and slowly moved over to sink down on the couch across from Sherlock. Mycroft sank down on the couch next to his brother, both of them across from John. They both leaned forward, mimicking each other by putting their hands together against their chins. Both of them burning their attention into John.
"When my uncle first discovered I lived he journeyed from the mortal city, Summer, that forms the port city for Solvanar, to our home to find me. He secured the right from my parents to take me back to Summer and introduce me to the matriarch of my Solvanar line as well as the history and power my birthright bestowed upon me. Within the first few months of arriving there a young vampire who was a hunter for his clan stumbled into the inn where we were staying on the verge of death. He was likely not going to survive the night. No one in the inn was willing to help him, though I did not know at the time that this was due to him being part of the large joint clan run by the Rowan Solvanar and containing members of the other fallen families. All I knew was a man was suffering and no one was helping him. It infuriated me." He sighed and looked down, flushing slightly. "I knew nothing of this history at the time and convinced the man secretly to come to my room. A foolish move for one so young as I was and a mortal no less, however I had recently begun my vampiric studies and considered myself adept to help him. Especially owing to the fact I had healed so many of your kin during my years with the Watson family."
"A mender to be sure." Mycroft purred.
"So you asked a sick vampire to your room..." Sherlock said condescendingly, he was clearly not enjoying the way Mycroft was giving John credit for stupidity.
"Yes. I surveyed him and concluded he was poisoned, likely by drinking of someone who had ingested one of any number of herbs that are harmless for mortals but can be fatal to vampires. I happened to have in my possession several ingredients I believed counteracted the poison effects of the family of herbs I believed he ingested so I prepared a potion and administered it to him." He looked embarrassed and flushed as both men raised an eyebrow. "I... I also allowed him to drink of me in order to regain some strength. Which was outlawed in the city of Summer. I cared for him for a full two days in secret, telling my uncle I was ill and did not wish to leave my room. Within those two days the hunter made a complete recovery. However during his time with me he told me of his family and their ancestral home a bit further north along the coast and informed me that many of his kin had fallen ill from similar symptoms. He asked and then pleaded with me for permission to recommend me to his patriarch so I could be sought to assist in healing their kin. At this point I knew I must defer to my uncle, who was quite angry upon discovery of what I had been doing. He refused my recommendation to the hunter's patriarch but the vampire was not to be stopped. He slipped out of the inn sometime the following day and disappeared." John sighed, crossing his hands in his lap and finally showing some nervousness as the two brothers continued to stare at him.
"So you have a history of healing vampires before you even truly began your studies." Mycroft said thoughtfully.
"Yes. I have been able to heal at least some wounds of your kind since I was a child. I first discovered it when I happened upon Anthea in our apple orchard when I was approximately five." John replied softly.
"How did you come to Lord Moran's knowing?" Sherlock growled intently, his face dark.
"Through the hunter of course. A week later the hunter returned to the city with three guards and Lord Moran in tow. Lord Moran had himself seen the evidence of the hunter's story of his healing by looking to his blood memory. He had come to Summer straight away as he himself was quite ill. He beseeched me for my assistance, promising me all manner of rewards if I would accept his offer. He offered the type of rewards that made my young mind hazy with desire. However before satisfactory arrangements could be made between Sebastian and my uncle the full affliction took him and he became gravely ill. I worked diligently to cure him, despite my uncle's continued protests and spent the better part of a week caring for him and sharing my blood with him." Sherlock growled darkly and jumped up, moving to pace through the room.
"He has had your blood?" Sherlock demanded.
"Yes, but only a little at a time." John said earnestly.
"He has no hold over your husband, Sherlock." Mycroft said reassuringly but Sherlock continued to brood as he paced. Mycroft motioned for John to continue.
"He descended very close to the edge of death but I was able to save him, after which he swore an oath to me that I would always be protected by him. Once his full strength returned he spent lavish amounts of money in order to acquire a bulk of the ingredients necessary to cure his family and outfitted me with new clothing, a weapon, books, and other items I needed to continue in my studies. He worked with me for a month to perfect brewing of the potion and once we had a sufficient store built up he planned his return home. However before he could settle the potential of my accompanying him with my uncle, one of his guards arrived to inform him that several of his clansmen, including his daughter, had taken gravely ill." John stood and moved close to Sherlock only to be met with a growl. He looked hurt but walked back over, joining Mycroft as he motioned for him to take a seat next to him.
"Naturally he asked you to accompany him?" Mycroft asked softly, carding his hand through John's hair.
" He begged me, actually. Begged me to accompany him to assist his family and the earnest desire in his heart for his family's health was what spurned me to agree. My uncle however resolutely denied my involvement and I was forced to betray him in order to stay honest with myself." John looked down, a bit embarrassed to admit that he had betrayed the trust of his uncle for a man he barely knew. The brothers however looked even more intrigued. "We enacted a plan and he smuggled me out of the inn the following night. When we arrived at his ancestral home on the shores of the sea to the north we found that over half of his kinsmen were gravely ill." John's voice wavered and Sherlock found his anger fading slightly as John remembered such a dark time. "I studied what I could of the mortals they fed from while working to heal over twenty of Sebastian's vampire kin. I slept little and was on the edge of sickness myself many times, however I forced myself forward using the token of my youth to my own favor. It took the better part of two months before I was able to identify what was making Sebastian's kin sick. The mortals that live in the area close to their home and those they keep for feeding use two particular herbs in their cooking that are poison to vampires. So every time one of his kin drank from a mortal from the local area they were ingesting this poison slowly over time, however it is not able to be removed from a vampire's body without assistance from other substances. Once I had identified the herb in question Sebastian was able to convince the mortal servants they kept to stop using it and to ensure it did not come into their home. With an untainted food supply secured for his family Sebastian was able to finally find peace and within half a year his entire family was cured and healthier than before. While his family was finishing their recovery he informed me of a lot of the history of his family and the area surrounding where they live. He informed me that another smaller coven had inhabited the area with them for a hundred years, however they had all contracted some illness and died twenty years before I arrived at his home. He was convinced as am I, that his family would have followed the same path had I not intervened. It was then he began to offer me rewards for my assistance and began his campaign to ensure I did not leave their home." John sighed softly as Mycroft continued running his hands through John's hair to soothe him.
"So even as a child you worked with potions and poisons of our blood?" Mycroft asked softly, surprise and awe in his voice.
"Yes. It has been a passion since I can remember. " He mused softly, looking down. Sherlock turned to watch them, anger and jealousy still pooling in his chest.
"So your Uncle obviously found you." Sherlock said grumpily.
"Yes. Yes however he did not find me of his own intention. I later learned that the morning after my disappearance my uncle created a search party to try to find me. They were unsuccessful and unable to find a trail so they gave me up as kidnapped. A bounty was issued for Lord Moran as well as for my safe return. As the months drug on my uncle lost faith that I would be found and was attempting to resolve how to approach the matriarch, my grandmother, about the situation when he received a letter from Sebastian informing him what I had done. He beseeched my uncle for permission to claim me as his next fledgling, to raise and care for me. My uncle denied him, knowing that as an Oaken Solvanar our families were bitter enemies and having my blood in his line would complicate the tentative truce between the twelve families beyond the point of war. Unfortunately Sebastian was not pleased with that response as he had grown fond of me and wished to claim me as his mate. My uncle arrived a few weeks later to recover me but Sebastian drug his visit out in an attempt to keep me. It was only when I personally asked to be allowed to consider the decision myself until I came of age that he relented and let me free. I met Moriarty shortly after that and I believe Moriarty overheard part of my conversation with my grandmother where she explained I was a mender and informed me of bits of what my life would hold."
"You have met the matriarch of your clan?" Mycroft asked.
"Yes, she is my grandmother. She has met me twice so far."
"What did Moriarty do with the information he gleaned from that conversation?" Sherlock interjected.
"I believe he took it back to Sebastian and informed him that it was my destiny to eventually become a vampire. Moriarty wanted Sebastian's favor and apparently it was that information that garnered it. He was already of age and Sebastian took him as a fledgling. I returned home and shortly thereafter met Sherlock and began the history you have already seen and heard. Sebastian has tried several times to convince me to become his, going to great lengths to try and garner favor for the match from my family. My father and mother pushed for the union for a time however my uncle was so against it I was easily able to say no. However when the Solanar learned of my choice to become Sherlock's mate I lost the protection of my family and was left to the digression of my adoptive family. I was saved only by the Duke and what I now believe was Mycroft's advisement to him." Mycroft did not hide his smirk.
"He wishes you to be his and has for some time now." Mycroft said softly, leaning back and sighing. "I could not allow that to pass, knowing as I did that my brother believed you to be his mate." Mycroft tilted his head.
"He said in Paris that he would not destroy my happiness." John defended him, flushing slightly.
"Before he threatened me." Sherlock growled. "Just like you do brother." John looked to Sherlock and shivered slightly as he felt Sherlock's anger and jealousy beginning to pool in his own chest.
"Well I suppose there are several of us who have John's safety as our priority." Mycroft stood and paced towards the window, looking out over the weakly lit afternoon. "John what do you think of this truce?"
"I believe Sebastian is trying to repay me by protecting my family since I saved his. I believe he will honor it and he will do his best to control Moriarty."
"I quite agree. We shall accept this treaty." Sherlock growled and stood stalking from the room, leaving the two alone. Mycroft smiled as John stood and moved closer to him, a pained and worried look on his face. "He is worried for you, my little one."
"Yes, he fears losing me." John whispered, his eyes caught in Mycroft's gaze.
"I have missed you. I have grown far too attached to someone who is not mine." He smirked as John blushed.
"I missed you as well, however I was well attended to." He smiled. Mycroft leaned down and claimed his mouth in a powerful kiss, grinning as John whimpered softly.
"Renew your promise to me," He whispered, barely a breaths space between their mouths. "Promise me if anything should happen with Sherlock you will always come home to me." He demanded.
"Always." John promised as Mycroft kissed him again. Mycroft kissed him for a long moment before pulling back and waving that he should go. Enjoying the rumpled look of John's hair and clothes.
"We shall talk later, go attend to your overly emotional husband." He smirked as John simply turned and wandered dreamily out of the room.
Sherlock and John were not seen for three days following their return home. Mycroft was content to ignore their absence until he began to feel a strange sort of worried feeling filling his mind when he paused to think about his fledgling. He sent Anthea to them but she was turned away repeatedly.
"Sherlock? John?" Anthea's voice rang out. It had been four days since they had met with Mycroft.
"We are fine." John said in a shaking voice full of fear.
They were not fine. Two nights after returning to England Sherlock had informed John he could not sleep and settled himself onto the couch in their room. Then he'd gone still. John had tried everything he could think of to make Sherlock move or speak but nothing worked. Panic was overwhelming him and he was certain that he had done something wrong to upset Sherlock and now Sherlock was going to starve himself because of it. He tried splashing water on him, poking and prodding, trying to pull him off the couch, trying to kiss him and stroke him, nothing worked. When he tried drinking from Sherlock and received not a single motion from him, he resolved himself to try something more desperate. The most desperate thing he could think of, he would try to mind link with him. He knew as mates they shared a bond between their minds as well as their magic but Sherlock had not trained him on how to use it yet. John was desperately worried about Sherlock and ready to do whatever he could to ensure his mate was well so he resolved to search their mind link even though it was dangerous. He closed his eyes and focused until he felt Sherlock's aura where it contacted his own. He followed the path until he felt Sherlock's physical form and was able to find a link to his mind. As he focused he found himself inside a large multi-roomed space, Sherlock's mind palace. It was wide and echoing as he shouted for Sherlock. The force of his voice echoed and reverberated against the walls of the palace until he was forcibly removed from Sherlock's mind and his attention came crashing back down into his body. The force of which made him ache all over as if he had taken ill. He collapsed into a heap in the bed and barely had the strength to curl up under the blankets, pleading for Sherlock to do anything other than stay as still as a statue.
Anthea called on them again when another five days had passed, knocking and looking concerned when she received no answer. She gently opened the door and noted Sherlock on the couch. She stepped into the room tentatively and heard a small whimper from the bed. She tried to pull the blankets aside and when she did panic crossed every line of her face. She gently tried to get John out of the bed but he kept shying away from her until he was firmly in the middle of the bed. He sobbed muttered deliriously and she caught a bit of his words. Something about Sherlock being hurt. She hurried from the room, running as best she could for Mycroft's study. Mycroft was sitting at his desk looking over the short reply from Sebastian when Anthea burst into the room.
"Lord Mycroft," She said suddenly and his attention snapped up. "Has anyone informed our mender regarding Sherlock's dark moods?" There was panic in her eyes and Mycroft stood swiftly, stepping towards her.
"I should have expected Sherlock would have informed him, himself. Why?" He demanded darkly.
"He is very ill." She barely breathed, her own concern evident in her tone. "No one has seen either of them leave the room since they last were with you. They have not fed and John looks as if he has not moved from the bed in days. He is icy to the touch and paler than ever."
"And Sherlock?" He demanded even as he moved out of the study.
"On the couch in one of his brooding positions. He looked to have been there for some time. He responds to no one. I am afraid John is lost in between, he seems to have tried to mind link with Sherlock." She forced out in a breathless voice.
"Oh... Oh no." Mycroft's voice wavered as he broke out into a run towards their bedroom. "Sherlock has not trained him in his powers yet. That was a dangerous thing for him to try." He exclaimed as they reached the room. He threw the door open wide, eliciting a small whimper from somewhere within the blankets on the bed as the light barreled in the room. "Anthea take one of the mortals to my room and prepare her blood my usual way. Quickly." He commanded and she moved swiftly out of the room. "John?" He called softly, stepping towards the bed.
A small lump directly in the middle of the bed quivered as Mycroft spoke, he moved softly towards the bed not wanting to startle the ill fledgling curled under the blankets and muttering. Sherlock was lying completely naked, on the couch in the room with his fingers pressed together under his chin. His eyes were closed and his breath was very slow. Mycroft growled darkly as he looked Sherlock over, wondering how Sherlock could have forgotten to tell John about this. To warn the man who loved him about his ability to become comatose for an undetermined amount of time without responding to external stimuli. Mycroft gently worked through the tangle of blankets to find the shivering mender hidden within them. John was pale as stone, his skin almost blue. He shivered as Mycroft pulled him into his arms and cradled him against his chest. His mouth moving but no words coming out.
"Come on my little one," Mycroft said soothingly. "You are okay, you are with me." He promised as he carried John out of the room without bothering to close the door. His entire being focused on the shivering vampire in his arms.
"Sher... Sher...Lock." He forced out, through shivers.
"He is not hurt my little one. He is fine. Oh I am so very sorry, my John." He purred, cradling him gently as he moved quickly towards his room. Anthea was waiting for him when they arrived and she helped settled John down into Mycroft's bed. "Anthea, ensure Sherlock is covered and place some blood wine near him for when he finally comes out of this brooding of his. That will be enough to get him down to feed. John will remain with me until Sherlock has proven he deserves his husband again. Please bring him some clothing from his room and leave it outside the door."
"Yes, Lord Mycroft." Anthea said softly, her brow still furrowed with worry. She hurried from the room.
"Come on now my little one," Mycroft said tenderly, pulling John into his arms and offering him the blood in a glass.
"Sher..." John mumbled.
"Hush little one." Mycroft pressed gentle kisses to John's head, forehead, eyes, and temples. He slowly tilted the glass until some of the liquid slipped into John's mouth. The taste seem to revive him some and he took the glass in his shaking hand as he tried to drink it quickly. Mycroft restricted him from doing so, metering out the blood as John drank and some color returned to him. "Easy love, easy." He commanded, refilling the glass and giving it to John. Three glasses of blood later John seemed to stop shivering and the blue color had faded from his face. He looked up at Mycroft with fearful eyes, but Mycroft simply cupped his cheek.
"Sherlock will not move." He whimpered, panic in his voice.
"My little fledgling, my John..." Mycroft whispered softly, pressing kisses over his cheeks and forehead. "Sherlock is fine. It seems he did not warn you regarding his brooding behavior. My brother likes to solve puzzles and sometimes when he finds a puzzle he cannot easily solve he goes into his mind and tries to solve it there. He will not move or eat or respond to anything we say or do for quite some time. We must simply wait for him to come back to us."
"I tried... I tried everything." John said eagerly, feeling as if he failed.
"I know my little love." Mycroft tried to reassure him. John required gentleness and each time Mycroft provided it for him, Mycroft grew more surprised at the amount of tenderness he contained in his own heart. He cuddled John into him and held him close. "You even attempted to meet his mind, without first training to do so. That was very dangerous."
"I... I thought I had done something..." John whispered, looking down.
"What happened once you left me?"
"He yelled at me for awhile, told me I was wrong for keeping secrets from him. I told him that I had not wanted to, however I was instructed to by the matriarch of my clan. I am to withhold certain information until the moment comes that I must share it with you. I tried to explain to him that I did not want to withhold it from him..." He sighed and looked down. "He was very angry and I told him to use his anger. So for two days we made love in the most punishing way I have ever been touched. Then while we were lying there and I was drifting in and out of sleep he suddenly seemed inspired. He jumped up out of the bed and told me he had to think. He settled down on the couch and when I woke he refused to move."
"He is trying to plan for Moriarty's actions against the two of you." Mycroft sighed and smoothed John's hair back. "You must understand, Sherlock is not doing this to punish you little one. He is trying to save and protect you. He has not been diligent in your care, he has not taught you the ways of your powers or the ways of himself. I intend to punish him for that and see to it he does not do this to you again. However, if he sinks into one of these moods you may come to me for whatever you require." John sighed softly against him.
"He will be okay?"
"Yes, little one. He will be perfectly fine. The longest he has been in a dark mood has been ten days. I believe he will awaken in the next day or so and be confused as to where you are. Will you stay with me until that time?" Mycroft's mouth was on his instantly and John could find no will to say no.
Mycroft pushed John down on the bed, their mouths working furiously together. The blood lust came roaring into John's awareness as Mycroft's eager hands found their way over his naked form. Soft whimpers and moans broke free of John's control as Mycroft easily took dominance over him. He let his hands roam over John's body as he claimed his mouth in heated kisses, repaying every moment of distance he'd been made to suffer during his bonding period with Sherlock. John moaned and arched into his touch, desperate for more. Desperate to feel how their bond hummed in his body so very differently than his bond with Sherlock. He push his mouth back against his sire's, moaning his name as he worked. He needed this, he needed touch.
"I want to claim you again." Mycroft demanded, slipping his shirt off.
"Please... Please Mycroft." John groaned, his mind focused on every sensation Mycroft was giving him. Mycroft's hands paused, his fingers fluttering over John's erection. "OH!"
"Look at you," Mycroft groaned, now shifting out of his trousers. "So desperate for this... For me... Even though you and Sherlock have done little else aside from bond for months now." His tone was dark, demanding and dominating. A hint of jealousy rolling through his eyes and reverberating in John's body.
"This is different with you..." John protested but was cut off when Mycroft's mouth was on his again.
"Hush." He commanded and he kissed down John's body to take his erection in his mouth. John shouted and arched under his careful attention, his body trembling.
"Mycroft!" He hissed, his hands tentatively moving to touch Mycroft as he worked.
"Hands to your side, mender." Mycroft ordered and John easily complied. Mycroft took him deeply in his mouth, pressing his tongue against the underside of John's erection and sucking on him until he felt the moment John's body tried to give way to release. He stopped and John whimpered desperately. It sent a thrill through Mycroft. He kissed back up John's whimpering body until their erections slid together, moaning loudly as he felt John against his skin.
"Oh... Please, Mycroft!" John begged, clawing the bed.
"Touch me, John. My John." He ordered, pressing their mouths together as he rocked their hips together. Both of them shouting into the kiss. He kept rocking his hips forward at a slow pace until both of them trembled and shouted as they reached their orgasms. He kissed John over and over. "Sleep now, my little mender. Rest with me." He commanded and John's eyes fluttered closed. Mycroft's face darkened as he cleaned them up and settled into the bed next to John, his mind focused on how to best punish Sherlock for what he'd done. "Soon brother, you will see your folly."
Okay guys and gals here's the thing - the next few chapters are going to involve some major feels. But fear not I am a happy ending writer! So bear with my crazy school schedule and the feels and we'll all enjoy some good vampy times!
Comments always, always welcome!