summary: Lestrade finds out just who Victor Trevor is to the two boys. And the consequences of Victor's fight with Anderson.
A Study of the Aftermath
When Lestrade walks into the Baker Street flat one sunny afternoon, it is with the intention of dragging Sherlock down to the Yard to catch up on the paperwork he needs to process for the case. He had been texting the detective for the past week without success. Not that he usually gets a reply from Sherlock, but John will usually herd him down there by now. Since that hadn't happened this time, Lestrade is going to have to do it himself.
But when he walks in, he has to pause to take in the scene before him. All three of the men are home right now. John is sitting at the desk, typing on his laptop. Victor and Sherlock are on the couch. Sleeping. Together. They are wrapped around each other, limbs entwined. The phrase 'puppy pile' comes to mind. Only with two grown men instead. Both are breathing peacefully.
It takes a couple of minutes for his brain to catch up and fully appreciate the fact that he is witnessing Sherlock cuddled up to someone. Someone who isn't John, even. Said man is calmly typing, like nothing is unusual about the situation. As if his boyfriend isn't wrapped in another man's arms. Well, if he doesn't care, that's his right, but...
Still.
The whole situation is just bizarre. Which is saying something, because this is Sherlock. But the man so rarely shows physical affection. Even with John, the most he has ever seen are hugs and, once, a quick kiss on the forehead. Nothing else. It's one of the reasons it took the Met so long to realize they were together. Sherlock just isn't very affectionate.
Or at least that is what everyone assumed. Apparently is it that he is simply not affectionate in public. Because the evidence to the contrary is right in front of him. And it makes sense. Sherlock isn't one to flaunt anything other than his genius around. Certainly not his private life.
But this highlights one very important question. Just who the hell is Victor Trevor? He has been with Sherlock to a couple of more crime scenes after that first one where he blew up on Anderson. And hadn't that been interesting. Everyone has been walking on eggshells when they see him since then. You can cut the tension with a knife.
The only thing he knows about the man is what he shouted at Anderson. And that hadn't painted a very happy picture. Having to kill his Father in self-defense and than running away from the situation. Christ it sounds like a right mess. He got out of it that they are friends, but he didn't pick up how close they were. Closer than he thought, obviously.
John then notices him and motions for him to keep quiet. He gets up and walks into the kitchen. Lestrade follows.
"Hey Greg. Here for the paperwork?"
"Yeah. I get that he doesn't like doing it, but I need it for this case. It needs to be processed."
John sighs. "Sorry about that. You might want to bring it here instead. You'll have better luck."
"Oh?"
"Sherlock is boycotting the Yard. Not the cases, obviously, but anything else he refuses to have anything to do with. Haven't you noticed yet?"
"I know he refused to look at some evidence at the Yard, but I had thought that was just Sherlock being Sherlock. He didn't need it to solve the case, so I didn't think much of it. I should have?"
"Yeah, that's part of his boycott."
"Damn. I assume it's because of the fight Victor got into with Anderson?"
"Both Anderson and Sally actually."
"What the hell did Sally do?"
"The same thing as Anderson. Only she wasn't stupid enough to pick a fight with him in front of everyone. But it still didn't make a good impression."
Lestrade sighs. "Great, just what we need, more drama."
"Greg," John crosses his arms. "You seem to be under the impression that this is some small problem. It isn't. Victor threatened to bring Mycroft in-"
"Oh damn it."
"-and I plan on backing him up if needed."
Lestrade looks surprised. "You are?"
"Yes, I am. I never brought Mycroft in because I know how Sherlock feels about him meddling in his life. But I don't care anymore. I am tired of those two constantly insulting Sherlock. For one thing, it's bullying, flat out. There is no justification to it. Sherlock only retaliates when they start it. And even if he didn't, two wrongs don't make a right. For another, it is unprofessional. Sherlock is a civilian. Very much so. If they did this to anyone else, you know what would have happened. But because it is Sherlock, nothing is done."
"I know, but-"
"But Sherlock is just so universally hated that it makes it easier to justify?" John asks sweetly.
"Now John."
"Greg, I understand how he can be difficult. And I know you do what you can, but it isn't enough. One day those two are going to cause more trouble than we can easily get out of. What happens if, one day, a superior listens to their accusations? What then? Your hands are going to be tied and the investigation will be huge. Do you have any idea what that will do to him? Not just his reputation, but to the man himself? It will be disastrous. He needs those cases like he needs air."
"I know, I do. But 'like air'? Don't you think that is a little dramatic?"
"Not when you are the one dealing with him. I'm not just talking about shooting the walls or driving everyone crazy or a number of the things he has done. I am talking about the migraines he gets from useless information overload. The days when it is too much and he can't even bare to leave the bed. The days when the only thing he can hear is the noise in his head. It isn't pretty. I've been dealing with it, even before we got together. I am the one who deals with the fallout of you cutting him off from the Yard cases. I am the one who has to distract him, pull him out of his head, put him back together again. His brain is amazing, but it comes with a price. Boredom is no small thing when dealing with Sherlock. Not when it gets to that level."
"Christ, John, I had no idea."
"No you wouldn't. I shouldn't have told you this, but you need to know how serious this is. I have been trying for too long to get them to stop. If they aren't smart enough to listen to me or Victor, it is time they face the consequences."
Lestrade rubs the bridge of his nose. "Alright. Give me one more chance before you call in His Majesty?"
John shrugs. "You can try, but I can guarantee he already knows."
"Right. Thanks. Any idea what will end this boycott? He can't avoid the Yard forever."
"He can try. You know he will. Right now it depends on Victor. He was extremely upset as well as insulted. And Sherlock is feeling very protective of him right now. Try talking it out with him before you say anything to Sherlock. Better yet, get some results and then tell Victor. That should help."
"Right," he pauses, "Is that why?" he motions to the couch.
John follows his motion and smiles softly. "Yeah. Cute, isn't it?"
Lestrade snorts. "That's not a word I thought I would have ever associate with Sherlock."
John smirks. "But you agree." It's not a question.
"Yes, I agree, just don't tell him that."
"No, that isn't a good idea," he laughs softly, "only Victor and I can get away with that."
"So what is going on with him exactly? They seem... close."
"You mean that they look like two puppies sleeping together? It's a good way to describe those two. Victor was his best mate before and it looks like he is going to be again."
"And you are alright with this?"
"Why shouldn't I be? Victor isn't a threat to our relationship and Sherlock needs more people in his life. If some couch cuddles come with that friend, I am fine with it. Plus Sherlock is extremely tactile. You would never know it, but he is like a cat in that regard. And Victor is just as bad. The best solution is to let those two have at it. They made sure I know that I am welcome anytime. Although that's usually when it moves to the bed. Three grown men on that couch isn't a good idea."
"Found out the hard way?" Lestrade teases.
"Yes," is John's dry reply.
"So he just comes by and steals your boyfriend for a cuddle?"
"No, mainly because he is living with us."
"He moved in with you?"
John nods. "He came back from India and needed a place to live. Sherlock refused to let him leave and I have no problem with it. We get along surprisingly well. The only person I clicked with like that is Sherlock."
"Should I expect an addition to the relationship?"
"No. Or not our romantic one, he isn't interested in that. But I can already hear the jokes. Especially if they keep this up. Which they probably will."
"You aren't feeling a bit jealous or possessive? I seem to recall one instance where-"
"Yeah, yeah, I know. Let's not talk about it. That was hardly my finest moment. Not that that bloke didn't deserve it after what he tried to pull, but still. You promised not to bring it up again," he accuses.
Lestrade holds up his hands. "Sorry, but it is a good example."
"No, I'm not jealous. He makes Sherlock happy, I like him and he has to be trustworthy if he had been friends with Sherlock for so long. Plus," he motions to the couch. "How could I deny that cuteness," he teases.
"Right. Well I'll leave you to it. I have some work to do. I'll be back with the paperwork tomorrow."
"Alright. Ta Greg."
"Ta." He walks out of the flat.
" 'M not cute," Sherlock protests from the couch.
John laughs.
The headache part is part my head canon and part inspired by that one scene in RDJ Sherlock Holmes movie right before Holmes meets Mary.
