Title: Apologies
Characters: Sherlock, John
Rating: K
Word Count: 400 (four drabbles)
Warnings/Spoilers: Mild canon spoilers, S1 and 2. Yet another EMPT-esque reunion scene, ish.
Summary: Sherlock Holmes does not believe in apologising.
Apologies have never been Sherlock's métier. Strike that, the very word has never been a part of his not-unimpressive vocabulary. Any action he takes is fully intentional and with premeditated thought, for thought rules supreme in and over the palace of the mind. He does not apologise for his actions or words, for he does not believe they merit apologies. Apologies, by very definition, signify regret and a given understanding to change such behavior in the future; he has no intention of saying either, and so he does not apologise.
There have been a few, scant few, exceptions, of course.
He had blackmailed Mycroft into deleting the ASBO from John's profile soon after they'd wrapped up Sebastian's case. Not because he regretted leaving John to hold the bag and attract trouble with the authorities, but simply because he wanted to show John that yes, he was more than just a colleague, thank you very much, and while he did not know precisely how to go about being a Friend he knew that doing Good Things for one's friends was at least a given step.
John had thanked him, a little suspiciously, but they both knew it was not an apology.
The morning after returning from Baskerville, he made coffee for his (only) friend. Not an apology, for they both knew he would repeat his offense. Not with lights and sirens (because he'd forgotten John's PTSD), but he'd still perform experiments.
He offered the coffee to John, and waited.
John hesitated. Sherlock did not blame him, would not blame him for hurling the coffee in his face or refusing it.
And yet, John took it. Reached out, accepted, thanked him, and drank, without looking suspiciously into it and without analysing its taste.
But they both knew it was not an apology.
Apologies have never been Sherlock's métier. Any action he takes is with premeditated thought, for thought rules supreme in the palace of the mind. Apologies signify regret and a given understanding to change such behavior in future; he has no intention of saying either, and so he does not apologise.
"I liked you better when you didn't believe in heroes," John half-sobs, as they cling desperately to each other amid a group of shocked Scotland Yarders, still slack-jawed at his resurrection explanation.
"I'm sorry," he offers feebly, and they giggle - for they both know it is not an apology.