"I don't want Mycroft visiting me. Don't let him in."
"I won't. I promise. Anything more?"
"Make sure London's still standing when I get back." I say with a sad smile.
"It'll be waiting for you."
Sherlock POV
John leaves me for a second, without telling me why and sneaks off into his room. There's too much going around inside my head that there's no room to think about what he's up to so i just stand there, impatiently waiting for whatever is so important that he just had to get. I manage to take a longing stare at my chemistry equipment, our chairs and my skull before he interrupts me.
"Hold your hand out."
I do as he says and he places the item that was balled up into his fists into my palm. The coldness of it is almost enough to make me shiver but then my heart warms when I realize what it is. It's John's dog tag. He's never shown me this before, I may have seen it from a distance a few times but I've never had it this close up. I look up at John in confusion, why is he showing me this?
"I want you to keep it. Keep it safe."
I shake my head, "John, I don't deserve this. Something so special."
John's face is stern, he's decided that I'm keeping it, there's no point trying to argue and at this point i don't want to.
"I want you to have it. Let it be a reminder to you that you belong somewhere, that I'm here waiting when you're ready to come back. Let it remind you that you have a purpose, a reason to come home."
I exasperate, no-one has ever given me something so... meaningful.
"Thank you, John." I say, sliding it into my pocket.
He nods.
John get a text message and looks up at me sadly.
"Time to go, Sherlock."
I put on my scarf and open the door.
I go straight toward Miss Hudson's door. I knock twice. Please let her be in, I need to say goodbye. The locks unlock and i feel myself letting out a breath I didn't know I had been holding. She opens the door with a cheery smile which dials down when she sees us faces.
"Sherlock?" She mumbles.
"I'm afraid, I've come to say goodbye. Mycroft's sending me back to Primrose." We share a knowing look.
"That boy... I swear. There's nothing some brotherly affection and a therapist couldn't fix. When I was younger-"
"I need to go, Mrs Hudson."
She bites her lip.
"You think he needs to go?" She directs at John.
"Yes." He says certainly.
"Well then, I guess it's settled. Do you have time for a cuppa?"
I can't stay here any longer. It's just giving me more excuses not to leave but how can I let her down again? I can't say no to this woman, thankfully I don't have to.
"I'm sorry, but Mycroft isn't waiting around."
She sighs and tears form in her eyes, "Give me a hug, then."
I reach down and hug her small frame while she pats me on the back.
"Look after John for me." I whisper in her ear.
She nods and pulls away.
A few tears fall from her face and I force myself not to cry with her. I step away towards the stairs.
"Don't you escape again. You almost gave me a heart attack last time." She shouts seriously with a sad smile
I laugh and shake my head.
"I won't."
"Goodbye, Sherlock!" She calls from her door.
"Goodbye Miss Hudson." I declare when reaching the last step.
"What did she mean you ran away?" John questions astonished.
"We prefer the term escaped. John, seriously, you know me. I could get out of anywhere if i wanted to. Primrose isn't actually that challenging, if you time it right, fake a few injuries."
John's eyes are wide and disbelieving so i stop talking.
"I'm not going to this time."
John raises an eyebrow, "Promise. Me."
"I promise."
I open the door and I see Mycroft waiting outside. He's a little smug but I try not let it bother me. Ultimately, I have chosen to go. I could've ran at any point. In fact, i probably could right now. But I'm not. This is my choice, not his.
