"Have a good day, Mrs. Hudson," John said before closing the door and walking back to the sofa where a very guilty and about-to-get-extremely-yelled-at consulting detective sat.
"I had to do it, John!" Sherlock started but John raised a finger to him to be quiet. "Shh, I don't want to hear it. Listen to me first then we can talk about your 'reasonable excuse' for this" at this, Sherlock closed his mouth and nodded.
"Number 1, we are flatmates. Flatmates respect each other's privacy. Number 2," at this, Sherlock could tell how long the list would be and groaned. "John,-" "No, you listen."
"Number 2, we are friends. Friends do not just experiment on other friends without their permission."
"It would totally ruin the data if you knew about it." "SHERLOCK!" John yelled and Sherlock slouched on his seat.
"Fine, I'll listen to your side. Go."
Breathing deeply, Sherlock said, "I had to try it, John. The ad said it would work and they were getting worse!"
"Excuse me? What is this ad and what did it say? And who is they?"
"The ad! On the internet! Told me that one sleeps better with a 'bed mate'" he said with disgust. "Your nightmares were getting worse lately so I hypothesised that having a bed mate may lessen the occurrences."
"So that's why Mrs. Hudson was—" John said before something suddenly hit him. "Wait. The pillow. GOD, Sherlock. Don't tell me that was part of it too," he said, looking at him.
"It may have been…"
"DAYS? You've been at this experiment for days?! Why didn't you just text Lestrade for a case?"
"I'd still finish it.." Sherlock mumbled almost inaudibly.
"What was that?" John asked.
"I said, 'I'd still finish it.' The experiment, that is." He said while looking down.
"Why? Wasn't this just to 'occupy your mind' or something?"
"I don't like it when you have nightmares" Sherlock said.
John was surprised. He never actually thought that Sherlock cared. "What?"
"I don't like it when you have nightmares. Really, John. Is your hearing alright? I don't like it, of course. You get grumpy in the morning due to lack of sleep. And, more often than not, you don't return to bed after a particularly terrible one and just sit around on your laptop. Lack of sleep does ruin your mood. It rarely does anything to mine, but to yours, oh, you get very testy when you lack sleep. Also, when—" "Sherlock, stop." John said as he lifted a hand and tried to process everything that Sherlock had said.
Sherlock cared? Sherlock noticed? Of course, he notices, but he cared? The work is essential. The work was what he cared for. How did John fit into the picture?
John's face worried Sherlock. It was a mixture of confusion and surprise. "Oh no. I've said something wrong, haven't I? Something about social norms again. If you'd tell me, maybe I can rephrase—"
"You are.. amazing," John breathed out.
"What?" Sherlock said. This time, he was the confused one. Sherlock hated it. He didn't enjoy being confused.
"You're amazing. Brilliant. Magnificent—" Okay, John, stop. I don't get it. I really don't like this feeling. Explain."
"You were doing the experiment for me?" he asked, smiling up at the detective.
"Well.." Sherlock started and looked down. He was not blushing. No. Consulting detectives do not blush. Especially not because of a certain John Watson. "I wanted to know if it would help. If the results were positive, it would help you of course. If not, then it would be fine to try again…"
"What's the final result?" John asked.
"What? Oh, there isn't one,"
"Why not?"
"The previous test was compromised so, technically speaking, nothing worked. The heated pillows worked to an extent though. We could maybe acquire a large amount of pillow. Maybe surrounding you in them would work—"
"No. No, more pillows." John said with finality.
"Well, that leaves us to nothing working" Sherlock said, slightly disappointed that none of his tests worked out.
"One question. Why Mrs. Hudson?" John asked.
"Simple. She was the only one available."
"And you..?"
"M-me?" Sherlock said and slightly squeaked. "Well, I can't, of course, how can I record anything."
"Try"
"E-excuse me?" Sherlock said with wide eyes.
"Sleep with me" John said
"How is my presence going to help? And I hate sleeping. Just the thought of sleeping makes me bored."
"For me?" John asked in the nicest voice he could muster up.
God, how could Sherlock refuse those eyes. So innocent-looking and yet, they're haunted by the sights of war and blood every night. That funny feeling crept up in his stomach again. He really was getting ill.
"Okay," he mumbled, "but if this doesn't work, we can start trying other things. Mrs. Hudson did say that her herbal soothers do wonders."
"Oh god, what have I gotten myself into"
A/N: So sorry for the late upload again! Really didn't expect this term to start out so stressful.
To those who've watched and finished season 3: hugs to all of you! Especially after yesterday! Waiting time begins.
To those who haven't watched season 3: It was amazing! :)
