-:- Sherlock -:-
I stepped from the cab that brought John and I to Montague street, with my mate close behind me. I led him past the dingy building that I had lived in before we met, and to Raina's lovely little shop. It was a small two story building nestled between the larger, dirtier modern buildings on either side. Old script graced the faded sign, and vining plants crawled up the inside of the glass, completely obscuring the large front window.
We walked in, the small tinkling chimes above the door announcing our arrival. I grinned, as Salem, Raina's familiar, stalked up to us. I knew he didn't fully approve of Wolves, but she said that he likes me. I had yet to see proof. I greeted him with a soft, "Hello, Sale," to which he dismissively flicked his ears and wandered back to wherever he was napping. I took John's hand, and we ventured deeper into the shop, trying not to disturb the numerous plants obscuring the floor.
Raina wasn't exactly what you would expect from a 400 year old witch. She still appears to be in her early twenties, with a mop of curly red hair, and vibrantly green eyes. She wore skinny jeans and combat boots, and varied her band tees depending on her mood. Usually she was cheerful, with a smile for everyone, and today was no exception. She stepped out of the back room with a broad grin.
"Sherlock," she said, her eyes glowing a brighter green, as she read our auras. "You've been Claimed." She smiled, turning to John. "Thanks, he would have died, had he not found you." Raina twirled one of the bright red curls framing her face, and read my aura again. "Congrats, too. I can't wait to see what your cub looks like."
John smiled tenderly, and wrapped his arms around me. He kissed my shoulder, murmuring, "Me too." I was immensely glad John wanted to keep our child. I loved the little life growing in my womb so much already. I couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to our baby.
I grinned at him, kissing his cheek, and whispering, "Thank you, John." His eyes turned sad, as he told me it wasn't a thing I need to thank him for, it was his child. He loved it so much already.
I held him close, as Rai gave us a smile. She then pulled a wooden bowl carved with runes from underneath the counter, and I knew what she needed from me. I gave her my palm, wincing as she ran her bejeweled dagger across it, and let the trickle of blood fall into the bowl.
John looked confused as I pulled my hand back, licking my wound to help with the healing process. "Just pay attention to what she says," I muttered to him. Rai added several different herbs to the bowl, and passed a glowing moonstone over it. My blood began to sizzle, fizzing up, and turning brown. My friend studied the remains, then let out a deep sigh of relief. He looked at me and beamed.
"The Claim took, Sherlock. Your wolf hormones have finally stabilized. You'll be fine. And even if I didn't know from reading your aura, you are pregnant." John was almost - no he was crying happily, as he took me in his arms.
"You're going to live." He said, his voice thick with emotion.
"I'll live."
-:- John -:-
We stopped at the store on the way home, to get groceries, and things that we'd need for the full moon. I added a jar of marmalade to the basket, while Sherlock was browsing the coffee section, eventually settling on a Kona blend. We discussed our food preferences, and also what we actually could cook. Sherlock put ramen noodles in the cart, and I added ingredients for teriyaki. Cereal was a good option, and more eggs.
Finally we arrived at the meat section of the store. My mate put two large steaks in; with a sheepish grin he said, "She's a bit spoiled..." I laughed, and added a large package of chicken breasts. My wolf was never picky. Plus, if we save half, I can make chicken strips for a delicious dinner. Sherlock was so happy right now, as we bustled about in our domestic bliss. Any lingering trace of sadness could be attributed to the fifty-something business man who gave us a look as we kissed in the small section of Halloween decorations.
We went through the checkout line, getting a questioning look at the chicken and steak we had bought. I shrugged, not caring about what the human cashier thought. Sherlock was going to be fine, that's all I cared about.
"That'll be £75.27," she said, as she rang up the last item. Sherlock took out his bank card, and I grabbed the majority of the bags. He planted a swift kiss to my neck, and I blinked at the tiny shock I received as his mouth hit my Mark.
"That was strange." I muttered as we walked home, rubbing my neck with my shoulder. It tingled a little. He gave me a questioning look, as we walked past a group of teens. "When you kissed my Mark, I felt a little jolt... Not particularly painful, just unexpected." I wasn't going to let anyone or anything ruin this day.
Sherlock is going to live.
-:-
We made it home, only to find out that we had an intruder in our flat.
Mycroft.
He took a look at the Mark on Sherlock's neck, softly saying, "I do hope that you used protection, Brother Mine. You know Mummy, she'll be crying at the first hint of a grandchild."
Sherlock chuckled, putting the shopping on the table, and taking my bags as well. "We did, Myc. It failed." He quietly began to put away the groceries, and I saw Mycroft look at his brother with a small frown. "I'm sorry, Myc, but we're going to have our first child in nine months." He turned, giving him a slight grin, and tenderly caressing his stomach. His eyes were soft and warm, and he leaned on the refrigerator door.
Mycroft's eyes softened, as he smiled. "Congratulations, Sherl. I can't wait to be an uncle." He looked at me, and said, "I can tell that he is going to be fine, just by his mood. Thank you, John. For curing his wolf."
I nodded, and took a glance at the table, and the stack of papers on it. They weren't all that much, but I know that they're very important. They were the paperwork we needed to fill out in order to claim each other legally as mates. We would then get a version of a marriage license, and the same rights as a married human couple.
"I am glad that I have filed the papers as a breeding pair." He said, with an ironic edge.
"Thanks, Mycroft. Where do you work again?" I asked, which earned me a laugh.
"I work for the Government."
My mate laughed as well, quipping, "He means he is the Government, when he's not playing MI-6, or the Secret service, or the CIA on a freelance basis. Myc is a very powerful ally, John."
"I can tell." I said, and held out my hand. "I'm glad we're on the same side."
He shook it, replying, "As am I."