Thank you all for letting me know you like this story and look forward to reading more of it! It helps the Muse!
Howard Watson was worried. In the two weeks since John's grand wedding, news of a disturbing nature had reached his ears via some 'well-meaning' sources.
His son-in-law Sherlock Holmes was apparently held to be a bit eccentric by the more polite and downright sociopathic by others. He was unsociable, rude and there were rumours that he indulged in strange experiments involving dead bodies and body parts. That was the reason why he had been unmarried even at the age of six and twenty and despite having such a good family name. He had also rejected most of the eligible suits brought to him leaving the Omegas in tears in most cases.
Howard Watson was shrewd enough to dismiss most of these reports as arising out of jealousy but they had put some nagging fears in his mind that would not be assuaged till he saw John with his own eyes. Lydia Watson had already had a round of hysterics when a couple of her cronies had let slip that Sherlock was a man given over to occult and unnatural practices and could read minds. She cried for her 'poor boy' and berated her husband for marrying him off for a title.
And so it turned out that Howard and Lydia Watson decided to show up in 221B Baker Street on the day Sherlock and John returned to London.
On reaching his new home, John had been greeted warmly by Mrs. Hudson who was a sweet old lady intent on making Sherlock and him comfortable. She also appeared to be one of the few people Sherlock cared for and his interactions with her clearly reflected his deep affection. Sherlock proudly showed John around the large house and John fell in love with its cosy, homely feel. It was a bit run down and cluttered with Sherlock's books, his experiments and other odds and ends but John found that he liked that just fine. He had a separate bedroom to himself once more but he secretly hoped he wouldn't have to sleep alone too much.
Ever since their bonding, Sherlock and John's scents had become much stronger and imbued with the other's aroma proclaiming to the world that they were bonded. John also felt like he could sense Sherlock – his moods, his presence – much better now and he wondered whether the same had happened to Sherlock. However, despite their passionate bonding, Sherlock and he continued to treat each other more as good friends than bondmates. They might touch each other a bit more and smell each other unconsciously but their conversation remained restricted to friendly banter and discussions about cases. Sherlock was not a demonstrative man and he was quite happy that bonding had not changed the comfort level he had established with John. John was still trying to work out the dynamics of a relationship which had essentially been thrust upon them and content to let things sort themselves out.
John was thinking of this as he looked in the mirror after his bath, lightly touching the bruises Sherlock had made on his body. His valet had been of course trained to be discreet and did not utter a word as he helped John. But John had still been conscious and worn high collared coats and cravats at his throat and ruffles on his wrist on their journey. Now he was just putting on his shirt when Mrs. Hudson announced that his parents had come to visit and were waiting in the sitting room. John was filled with a sudden gladness realizing how much he missed his home and his father. He threw on a dressing gown and rushed down to where his parents awaited him.
"Father!" John cried and ran to embrace him as the old man turned towards him. "Mama", he said affectionately hugging his mother in turn.
"Johnny! Let me look at you my boy!" his father boomed out, "How are you son?"
"Oh, I am fine Father! I have just got back from Paris today you know and I am so happy to see you both. I have missed you", John said simply with a smile on his face.
His parents had been looking carefully at him and now they turned to exchange a glance with one another.
His father cleared his throat and spoke meaningfully, "So you are happy John? Sherlock is treating you well?"
"Yes of course Father", John answered readily before he realized his father was looking at his bruises. He blushed deeply and turned away wishing he had dressed fully before rushing in. Now his parents could see the bondbite and the other bruises on his neck and lips. John took a deep breath and turned back to his father, thinking philosophically that it hardly mattered now if his parents or anyone else saw the bondbite. "Sherlock is treating me very well. We had a wonderful time in Paris."
"Oh John!" his mother rushed in misinterpreting John's heightened colour, his awkwardness and the marks on him. "Has he been unkind to you? I can see you have bonded with him and clearly it has been as I feared! Don't worry my boy, Father will talk to him. He will not be allowed to treat you this way!"
Before John could say anything, a familiar baritone broke in, "Who will not be allowed to treat John in what way?" Sherlock had entered the room and was now stood looking at them quizzically. "Good afternoon Mr. Watson…Madam", he said making a deep bow before Lydia who looked utterly nonplussed. "I have just been out riding for a bit. We just got back from Paris today, as John must have told you", Sherlock said going to stand near John.
"Err…yes, yes I was just telling them that. Why don't I ring for some tea", said John trying to diffuse the tension in the room which he felt sure Sherlock had picked up on.
"Yes, Mr. Holmes", Howard Watson said in tight voice, completely ignoring John. "I was just asking John if he was doing well and if he was happy. He appears to be a little…battered…by his trip to Paris."
Sherlock stood still, his face wiped clean of any emotion. "We are bonded now, sir, as you can no doubt observe. It is my duty to take care of him and I assure you that I am fully capable of doing the same", he said coldly.
Howard Watson let the matter rest, feeling that he had dropped enough of a warning. He also rather thought that John had been looking happy so probably there was no real reason to worry. In any case, he had more important things to discuss. "I am sure…I am sure! I had also hoped, sir that the time has come to introduce my son into Polite Society. It is part of my agreement with your brother – my son is to receive all the privileges due to a man of distinction", he said insensitively. John winced but Sherlock said in that same cool voice, "Of course, Mr. Watson. My brother has spoken to me about this and we plan to present John to the Prince Regent at a ball being held the next week."
"If there is anything you need…for his clothes and such do let me know. I will have some things sent over in any case, John. And maybe some new decorations for this house as well. It could use some brighter wallpaper and curtains. And maybe one of those newfangled baths for John…" Howard Watson said musingly oblivious to the increasingly thunderous look on Sherlock's face.
"I thank you for your kind offer, sir", Sherlock bit out, "but I do think that I will be able to provide for my Omega. Your assistance in…restoring Sherrinford Castle is much appreciated but I hope that I will be able to manage on my own now. And that John will come to me if he needs anything." John turned to look at Sherlock reading the anger coming off him and seeing his face tighten. Sherlock would not turn to look at him. "And now if you will excuse me sir, I have an appointment at my club", saying this, he bowed stiffly and left the room.
John was bewildered and conscious that they had done something wrong. He said quickly, "Father, I…I have to speak to Sherlock. Please don't mind but I will visit you and mother tomorrow. You are staying at the Abercrombie Street house, yes?" He nodded and walked away at a fast clip leaving a taken aback Howard Watson staring after him.
John found Sherlock pulling on his gloves near the door. His eyes flashed fire and he was clearly very angry. John ran up to him and said tentatively, "Sherlock…? I'm sorry…are you…?" Sherlock glowered at him and then said roughly, "Library. Now!" Sherlock marched towards the library and John struggled to keep pace with Sherlock's long stride, having to run a little after him. Once the door closed behind them, Sherlock struggled against his feelings of hurt and anger. He had really thought that John was different, he liked John. And he had thought John liked him too. But it seemed he had been foolish to assume that. He had been guilty of sentiment. And sentiment had no place in a marriage of convenience. He took a deep breath and turned to John.
"I had not realized you were so unhappy with me John. My apologies for the inconvenience I have caused you with my… attentions during your Heat. Henceforth, I will endeavour to stay as far from you as possible so that your family has no cause for complaining that their dowry has not been well invested", Sherlock said to John his eyes blazing and his back rigid. "I would also request you to let me know if there is anything you need. My resources may seem limited but I will make every effort to ensure that you have every comfort you could desire. I am your Alpha and I will take care of you."
"What?" John cried out stunned. "No, what are you saying? I am…I am not…I am not unhappy with you Sherlock and your attentions are not…unwelcome. I have not spoken a word against you to my parents. They just saw me and assumed… it's all just a misunderstanding! I love this house and I love…I am happy being your Omega! Please believe me!" John implored grabbing Sherlock's arm. The distress in his voice was all too palpable for Sherlock and looking into John's glistening eyes, his anger slowly began to cool.
"So you don't want me to stay away?"
"No Sherlock! How could I ever want that? I am your Omega remember? Yours! I would have explained if either of you Alphas had cared to listen to me", John said fretfully. "My father is…just a little too protective about me. It is only his misplaced love and concern for me which has prompted him to say what he did. And if you don't want it, we don't have to accept any favours from him!" He felt uncomfortably close to tears and was trying his best to compose himself.
Sherlock came closer to him, drawn to comfort his Omega by the bond between them. John breathed a little deeper drawing in his Alpha's scent and looked up trying to read his face. Sherlock pressed even closer against him, crowding into his space, till John felt the big table against the back of his legs and gripped it with both hands to keep from falling. Sherlock's hypnotic eyes seemed to look into his soul and for a moment he could only hear the sound of their breathing. Then Sherlock dipped his head and captured John's mouth in a deep kiss slowly opening up John's mouth, sucking, nibbling and playing with his tongue. He whispered 'Mine' against his mate's mouth and ran his long fingers lightly down his shoulders and arms. He fingers tightened over John's wrists as he licked the bondbite, eliciting a moan from the Omega. When they parted, John was breathless and Sherlock looked smugly satisfied. He had noted John's dilated pupils and elevated pulse.
"I'm sorry, John. I didn't mean to upset you", Sherlock said, now feeling more calm, as he stepped away from him. "Your father has every right to be concerned about your wellbeing. I just don't like to feel beholden to anyone if I can help it."
"I...I understand", John said doing up his robe which had come untied. He was feeling more than a little aroused by the mind-blowing kiss. "I'll…I'll speak to Father and sort this out. And what's all this about me being presented to the Court?"
"Hmm... yes we'll need to prepare for that" Sherlock said, already distracted. "And I have a new case John. Stolen treasures from the Orient. Interested?"
"Always", John said looking up with a broad grin.
