The Curious case of John Watson
Chp 7
Should have had this up sooner, I know, sorry!
Sherlock ran up the stairs two at a time careful to avoid younger John's shoes. He had gone to visit John at the hospital and the younger had decided he'd rather stay and help Mrs. Hudson bake. Sherlock had a feeling the child still had difficulties being around his older self, he seemed uncomfortable in the room still. Obviously the two of them had finished the cookies as the smell filled 221b. As he walked into the flat it only grew stronger and he could see the two of them residing in the kitchen. Mrs. Hudson was cleaning up the dishes and John appeared to be icing his last cookie. He was almost done by the looks of it, as he had his tongue stuck out in concentration and was scraping the last remnants of icing out of the container. Clearly he had put himself into the assignment whole-heartedly as he had bits of the frosting smeared on is fore arms and face. Despite his sleeves being rolled up he had still managed to make a mess of his shirt while Mrs. Hudson made it out relatively unscathed. Sherlock removed his coat and scarf placing them carelessly on the sofa. The soft thud they produced caused both Mrs. Hudson and John to become aware of his presence and turn to face him. Their faces lit up, but John was certainly more excited, which of course brought a smile to Sherlock's face.
"Sherlock, how good to see you back! We're just finishing up here; John made you a bit of a surprise."
Mrs. Hudson informed him with one of her loving smiles; she turned back around to finish wiping up but seemed to have most of her attention directed at John. Sherlock walked over to the kitchen table where John was scrambling to finish his cookie, he hurriedly threw a handful of sprinkles at the thing before deciding that he was done.
"I made this for you!"
He said brimming with pride and enthusiasm. Sherlock came closer to observe the pastry which appeared to be a large misshapen heart with far too much pink frosting on it, Sherlock's name had also been spelled out with chocolate chips and the entire thing was covered with the handful of red sprinkles John had just thrown at it. Sherlock let a large smile take hold of his face and couldn't help but take his hand and ruffle little John's hair. Mrs. Hudson finished what she was doing and headed towards the door, before she left though she turned to speak.
"There's a lot of love in that cookie Sherlock, best not let it go to waste."
She then winked and proceeded down the stairs. Sherlock stared at the entrance way for a moment then back down at John who had one of the deepest blushes on his face. Before Sherlock could say anything Mrs. Hudson was calling back up the stairs.
"John, love, please do keep your shoes off the stairs, we wouldn't want anyone to trip now, would we?"
With that there was a quite click of her door and Sherlock couldn't help but grin at the pure domesticity of it. He turned back to John, but his blush was now replaced with a grey hue. He now seemed almost sick, as if in the past few moments he'd grown very ill. Sherlock stooped down and pressed the palm of his hand to the child's forehead, he didn't feel feverish. He began to panic, was John fading? Would he come back? Did this mean his body was in danger? When he left the hospital everything seemed fine!
"John, John, are you ok? What's wrong?"
John's eyes were probably only a fraction wider than Sherlock's at this point as he stared blankly at the detective's face. Sherlock now pressed his palm to John's cheek, and searched the child's large blue eyes for some sort of clue as to what was wrong.
"John, what is it? I can't help if I don't have any data."
At that John finally met the tall man's gaze and tried to give a smile but failed half way through. His bottom lip began to tremble and he took a large step backwards.
"I-I'm sorry, I know the rules, I was just so excited when we got back from the store…I didn't mean to leave them there…I should no better, I know…I just-"
John started to cry with the vigor and breathlessness that only a young child seems to have to power to. He took in several large and shaky breaths in an attempt to calm himself. Sherlock approached in hopes of trying to comfort the child. Did he really think it was such a horrible thing to leave his shoes on the steps? At Sherlock's advancement John shuffles backwards.
"No here, I'll get it. I'm sorry, I-here."
He takes his trembling hands and begins undoing his belt buckle, then pulls it free. Upon freeing his belt he offered it over to Sherlock, shaking almost violently now. Sherlock took hold of the belt and looked down at the child with confusion. He left his shoes on the stairs…so he looses his belt? What sort of ritual is this?
"Why…John, why did you take off your belt?"
He shifted awkwardly and couldn't meet the detective's gaze, then rubbed his right arm nervously as he tried to search for his voice.
"Wo-would you rather use yours? My dad normally uses mine cuz he doesn't want his dirty, ya know, cuz sometimes it bleeds a bit…I'm really sorry Sherlock, I really am, I like you a lot I didn't mean to break the rules! I've been trying real hard to be good, honest! I even organized your books!"
He pointed a shaky finger towards the books on the table that seemed to be organized by their colors. Sherlock nearly gasped in realization. The child intended him to…hit him with it? He was expecting a beating for leaving shoes out on the stairs? It hardly seemed reasonable, such a harsh punishment for a harmless case of forgetfulness. Sherlock dropped the belt to the floor as if it were poisoned. He had suspected John's father of negligence, but now it was a fact, one that made him want to vomit. As a child Sherlock had blown up entire rooms at their family's estate and been given nothing more than a new nanny! He edged closer to John and placed his hand hesitantly on the child's head.
"John, I would never do such a thing to you, you must know that."
The child looked up at him with confused disbelief. He didn't seem to quite understand what Sherlock was saying.
"I…I'm not supposed to leave my shoes on the stairs though…it's dangerous…"
He was certainly as a loss for words. Sherlock rested on his knees in front of the child and placed a hand on each of his tiny shoulders.
"John, I would never do anything that hurt you. Never. No matter what you did, I couldn't. It's impossible."
John seemed to calm down a bit and stopped shaking so violently. He looked into Sherlock's eyes with a lack of understanding that made Sherlock's heart want to weep.
"W-why?"
"Because, John, when you love someone it becomes your whole purpose to make sure they are never hurt, or in pain. Because of that it is impossible to hurt them yourself, do you understand?"
Sherlock had said it before he even had time to process what he was saying. He had just admitted to John that he loved him. Granted it was little John, but there was no telling whether or not John would remember when he woke up. He would have reeled back in shock and horror if it weren't for the large and goofy smile that replaced John's tears.
"You love me?"
"Y-yes John. I do, very much."
With that the small child wrapped his arms around Sherlock and gripped tightly, as if to never let go. Sherlock found himself hugging back as well.
"I love you too."
Sorry it took so long to get this up guys, I'll try and get the next one up quicker, maybe even post 2 tomorrow. I've got a few exams this week though so tomorrow might be my last update for a bit.
