Sherlock Holmes arguing with Detective Inspector Lestrade is not an uncommon sight or sound in the Homicide department of Scotland Yard. The other employees there from Sergeants to secretaries, are fairly used to it by now. And today is no different as the two men yell at each other over how to finish up the serial killer case. Lestrade is determined to have his people and his people only capture the killer, while Sherlock wants to be let in on it since he was the one who discovered who the killer was.
Pretty much business as usual, then.
At least until the elevator doors open to let out another person, this one looking only slightly bruised and a little tired. Short blonde hair hits atop a slightly more tanned face, and below that are still slightly dirty desert fatigues. The man can't help a slight smile as he hears the arguing, glancing around with a slight nod to various people before he stops in the middle of the office.
"Sherlock Holmes!" Barks the older man in a familiar, slightly scolding tone, yet still using his Captain's voice, one that he's gotten used to using again in the last five months.
Silence is deafening after that simple explanation, most of the employees having stopped their work to stare at the soldier. While it wasn't formal yet, most people were starting to assume that he was just not coming back, it seemed like the logical assumption at the time, and yet there he is - the soldier, the doctor.
Back straightening almost immediately upon hearing that tone, which is so familiar to him, Sherlock doesn't turn around at first, afraid that this might be his imagination. The shocked look on Lestrade's face and the silence make him think that this might just be real though. Slowly, Sherlock turns from where he was standing close to Lestrade's desk, and he steps over to the door in careful, measured steps, to stare at the soldier he sees, finally letting out a breath that he didn't even realize he was holding.
"John." The detective breathes out, staring still, afraid to blink in case this is a dream or some sort of hallucination. He sees the serious expression on his doctor's face but he doesn't care, and before he knows it his feet are bringing him over to the other men in strides that start out slow, and quickly pick up pace until he is in front of his John. Quickly, he puts his arms around the shorter man and pulls him into a tight, clinging hug, lowering his head to press it against the older man's neck. "John.." he breathes again, taking in a few deep breaths. "You came back." He whispers softly.
"Of course I came back, you daft bugger. I would have called you, but SOMEONE took my phone and laptop." John accuses with a little shake of his head, but he puts his arms around the slim body of his detective, glad to be home and glad to be back in the arms of the man he loves. Carefully, he puts one hand on Sherlock's shoulder and pushes it back a little, enough that he can lay his calloused hand against the soft cheek of his detective. The rest of the world has already faded away and he could care less about how many people are staring at him. It's been five months since he saw this man, and all that time he's been thinking about his touch, his smell, and of course those perfect lips. Sliding one hand into the taller man's hair, he suddenly pulls him in for a demanding, claiming kiss.
The applause that starts around them and a few whistles and catcalls are ignored by both men as they continue the kiss for a few long moments before Sherlock pulls back from it. "I'm sorry." he whispers to his doctor, but doesn't release him even an inch, afraid that if he does this will be another one of his dreams.
"It's alright, love.. I'm here now." John soothes, knowing what the younger man must have gone through with that brilliant mind of his. Glancing around Sherlock, the soldier smiles for the first time since exiting the elevator as he looks at Lestrade. "Good to see you, Greg." He greets cordially as if nothing happened, as if he was never gone in the first place or declared MIA. "If you don't mind, I'm going to take Sherlock home now, hope you weren't in the middle of any big case or anything, because he's going to be under house arrest for a few days." He says with a look of anticipation on his face.
Surprised at how casual he can be despite the questions that he wants to ask, Lestrade just nods a little. "Of course." He says as he waves his hand a little. "Just finished a case, actually. Take him home, the idiot needs some rest. Good to see you, John." He says with a nod of his head and a slight smile.
Even though everyone is conspiring against him at the moment, Sherlock can't bring himself to care because he has his John back. And he's in one piece, not hurt or seemingly overly traumatized in any way. Still, he has to give a token grumbling even if he continues to hold John and nuzzle against his hair a little. More affectionate than he has ever been in public, but then again, that was when he saw John every day, almost all day.
Nodding a little to Lestrade, John pulls back a little to look up at Sherlock. "Come on, love. Let's go home, hm?" He says with a little smile, pulling out of Sherlock's arms but taking his hand, leading him quietly toward the elevator. They manage to end up in one alone, and no sooner do the doors close than John pushes Sherlock back against the wall and ravages his mouth again, hand buried in those curls he's thought about touching again for the last five months.
Sherlock grunts as his back hits the wall, but he returns the kiss, hands around John to hold him close as he eagerly returns the kiss, finally pulling away to take a shuddering breath. "John.. John.. my John, where did you go? They said you were gone, it's been a month and a half, and you didn't contact me.." he says quietly, trying to control his breathing and not send himself into a panic attack as he looks at the man in front of him, trying to memorize his face again.
Giving Sherlock a few more soft kisses, John smiles a little. "We were under fire, we got information from one of the attackers that the person we were after was going to be executed, we had to leave, didn't have time to pack up. But after we rescued him, we came back. But my phone and laptop were gone, so I couldn't call you, and most of the other equipment was destroyed. It took us a while to get back to a base, then we had to be debriefed and brought back here. I came to find you as soon as we landed." He says quietly, stroking the younger man's cheek. "Bloody hell, have I missed you. I'm so sorry I didn't get a chance to call.." He says, giving him a lingering kiss again, this one more gentle.
Nodding a little, accepting the quick explanation, Sherlock grabs John's hand firmly before they head out of the elevator and out to the street where they can get a cab and head back to Baker Street, though he keeps John close in the cab. "It was very hard, John.." He admits softly, putting his chin down on John's shoulder.
Smiling a little at Sherlock, John nods quietly as he puts an arm around the younger man's waist, giving him a little squeeze. "I know, Sherlock.." He says quietly, then glances at him. "You've been eating better at least, you look healthier than the last time we talked.." He says quietly as he watches him, the arm around him giving his waist a little squeeze.
"I didn't want you to be upset when you came back if I hadn't been eating.." Sherlock explains, sounding a little sleepy as he nestles close to the older man. "I knew.. you had to come back. You promised." He says quietly, with a surprisingly childlike confidence in the other man.
Nodding a little, kissing the top of Sherlock's head before starting to stroke a hand through his curls slowly in a soothing way that he knows the detective likes, he settles back comfortably in the cab, knowing that it will take a bit for them to get back to Baker Street. Finally, he tilts his head a little and whispers into Sherlock's hair.
"Of course, Sherlock. I will always come back to you. I love you."
Yay, finally back together again! But Sherlock will still need more cuddles and private time with John before everything is settled, and he will get it, don't worry! I am back on the fluff train for the most part, just some emotional wounds that need to be soothed, that's all. I hope not too many of you want to kill me after this little angst detour.
Hope you're still enjoying this!
Comments/Reviews welcome!