It's 2008 and a long time since they have first met - John Watson and Sherlock Holmes, and have been friends since then. The self proclaimed sociopath , the consulting detective Sherlock found a home in John while with Sherlock, John, the retired army doctor, never missed the battlefield . After the death of John's wife , he returned to Sherlock's flat and got invested in a life of occasional crime solving and mostly parenting the three year old -together with the detective. But they aren't lovers; lovers kiss, make out, say stuff like I-love-you and I love you too; they are just two men living a domestic life with a kid, so much happy and involved that they have not considered the option of seeing other people. But neither of them regrets it.

Mycroft Holmes , the eldest of the Holmes' siblings shows up one day

' Got a proposal' he says , still not welcomed in-bringing a file out of his coat 'for the both of you' he remarks.

'You are on Baker Street ' Sherlock rolls his eyes ' Of course, you have got things for the both of us - 'Carry on...'

'But of course! do invite yourself in- take a seat ' John's remarks from the kitchen 'Sherlock's got chairs enough to fit the whole government '

'Well that is highly ambitious of him' says Mycroft with a smug grin and gets inside ' Although… ' he stops and starts again ' it is no time to sit down when the world you know is - ' and stops again and gets lost somewhere in his thoughts leaving time enough for John to come out of the kitchen and exchange looks with the equally clueless Sherlock. ' is not what you think it is . World is changing Sherlock, and although it's unfair , but, you two - especially you two, can't escape it.'

'It is more likely you'll find us solving murders in the new world as well. So I will have to dismiss your case classifying it as "simply boring" ' Sherlock looks at the open door gesturing his wish for Mycroft's immediate return. Mycroft takes the opportunity to hand out the file to John.

The stress which was previously noted on Mycroft's face, has now started to show on his brother's - too much anticipation, has never been a good thing for Sherlock, Mycroft sighs and decides to make it quicker and have mercy on his little brother. ' What are your thoughts about aliens? '

'Aliens?' repeats John awaiting an answer. No one speaks. -for about a minute. The silence is finally broken by Sherlock.

' What about them ? '

'Wait, Aliens are real ? ' John questions Sherlock and only him.

' Mycroft is here. Speaking about aliens . I'll leave it upto your deductions '- to John and ' even if they are real, I don't care unless one of them has decided to go on a murder spree '- to Mycroft.

'No, we don't have killer aliens Sherlock. But we do have men. And gadgets- of science. Also, a

huge load of information unknown to the common world'

' So… someone is selling information and you want us to find that out. ' John states ' Well… ' he looks at Sherlock ' This could be good. Very very good . What do you say, Sherlock ? '

'Excellent' remarks Mycroft.

'Hmm?' John looks at Mycroft immediately after identifying the tone of sarcasm the Holmes brothers have inherited from god knows who.

'Excellent, how you have not opened the file I've given you- yet. Excellent patience John. Parenting is teaching you things? or keeping up with my brother is finally putting a toll on you?'

'Noone's looking at the file as long as I consider your case worthy of our time' declares Sherlock.

' Heard of the "Infinity stones" Sherlock? '

'The what? ' asks John.

Mycroft waits for Sherlock's answer. Mycroft clearly sees the distress on his brother's face under the mask of disinterest. It's evident that Sherlock won't speak up, so Mycroft finally accepts defeat and decides to go on "Our team of scientists have come to discover that within the next ten years,

the world's population is going to face something massive. What and how we don't know. What we do know is that, it's not because of some pandemic or a series of disasters, just one moment the earth is crowded , the other moment it's empty with half of its people gone '

Now Mycroft sees a spark in Sherlock's eyes. John on the other hand looks a little scared and yet he is the one to speak first 'So… you mean, you can see the future? '

Giving a sigh , Mycroft expresses ' No , we can't. We have scientific tools capable of detecting major changes in the future "details classified" - But that's not seeing the future- no. Interested parties have confirmed our theories of annihilation of half of the world and provided us with information new to the world as we know it - Information about the infinity stones '

'Tell me about that' Sherlock breaks his silence.

'Apparently there are many in the world- In single digit though, scattered - all over the universe. What power does each of them holds individually, is again information classified, but when put together, they can destroy life on a scale of hither to undreamt of '

' So your theory is , someone got hold of these stones and caused the annihilation and because they are spread all over the universe, it has to be … '

'Aliens , yes. ' smiles Mycroft. ' clever you '

' But you certainly aren't.How can "I" help? Or do you have a spaceship? Oh pack your bags John, I am taking you to the moon. '

' There is this person who has proved useful and has confirmed our hypothesis '

'And who's that?'

'The ancient one '

'Who he and why should I care ?'

'The ancient one told us that there are in fact a number of power hungry creatures outside earth who want to destroy or take over us. Some of them have been looking for the stones for a while. We have narrowed it down to one, but the name brother mine is…. '

"Classified ? " John crackles

' And how does this "Ancient one " of yours know things beyond ,you know like you prefer to say " the common world" ? '

'Oh the Ancient one is more magic. Oh yes Sherlock! The world is full of magic, miracles , demons and spirits'

' Aaaand that's the end of the conversation ' states Sherlock ' Thank you Mycroft for the fascinating story but I feel that I am too underqualified for it. But I know a guy who can be of your help . Might scare this confidential alien of yours by pulling " Sherlock shouts" a rabbit out of his hat !'

'Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcements and Logistics Department. In short the S.H.I.E.L.D. developed under the supervision of the ancient one. Consists of people capable of putting up a fight against anything unworldly. So see, this is not a joke Sherlock. There are people working everyday to face this annihilation, people getting trained, people giving lives. So if you think without you the world is on the losing sidd it isn't Sherlock. But when it happens, and if you don't join, I can't promise to keep the little family of your safe - I can't '

'Tell us everything' John interrupts immediately.

' We are not unprepared John. We can wage a war and win only if we have all the missing pieces.We have governments recruiting people from all over the world , regrouping them, training them to fight for earth. We have scientists working without a break playing with science to help us win , we have volunteers risking their lives for the trials and sanctums protecting us from the inter dimensional threats - '

'Inter- what?' John chuckles , ' you should join me and Sherlock parenting Rosie - Mycroft. Or write a blog. You are an excellent storyteller. '

'Sherlock knows I'm not lying '

' I know you are old and delusional and just wasting our time. Now, no Mycroft, I am not interested in your strange little case - I am not even interested in any further cases you are willing to bring us. So you might get your arse outta here and not show your fat face for the time being '

Mycroft gets up and before leaving looks at John ' they call him Doctor Strange - a title given to the man chosen by some eye. The sanctum believes that this Doctor Strange fellow can stop the annihilation.Do read the file John, there is a recommendation letter for you , from the CIA. A better alternative for an army doctor. '

' Get out ' ' A job offer from CIA? ' Sherlock and John express at the same time. John immediately catches the disappointment on Sherlock's face ' I mean so very lame ' he says in an attempt to change the mood, handing over the file to its actual owner. The mood doesn't change.

' Ofcourse if you do you'll join under a false name John. Farewell brother mine, though I believe we'll meet very soon '

' piss off '

Swinging his umbrella, Mycroft walks down the stairs and leaves the apartment soon after that.

' That was crazy ' John smiles to cheer Sherlock up. But sees Sherlock retreating to his room.

Next time , make an appointment. -SH

Does that make me a client ? - MH

That means, you aren't welcomed anymore. -SH

Mycroft's phone chimes again.

John Watson here . Probably just mail me those details.

Mycroft sighs and gets inside his car.

…………………………………...

It is a Sunday Morning. Sherlock is in his room with his experiments and John is out to pick Rosie up from the drawing school. An hour later they come back home , John runs to turn on the television ' Heard the news? '

Sherlock gets out of his room and takes Rosie to the kitchen, to wash her hands. ' What news? ' He

asks back, gently.

'The fight at Gulmira ? One with the iron suit ?'

' A military test-run, obviously . Why are we still talking- ancient history?'

' You are aware of Tony Stark, right?'

'No'

'How can you not know? It's all over the telly'

' … doesn't mean I have to care '

'It's him! The man in the iron suit. It's him. Tony Stark. Not a military test run. Just a man. '

' So he's built a flying suit. He is a scientist, he gets paid for it. Buy him flowers if you want but stop acting… I don't know… weird? '

' Don't you see it ? '

' Rosie, go give daddy a kissie before he gets completely insane ' the two share a laugh.

'That makes him the first superhero'

Sherlock's smile disappears. ' Go , freshen up , dear ' and when Rosie disappears Sherlock looks at John with disappointment ' It's Mycroft's doing isn't it? Filling your head with crap? '

'Is it really though? He told us that the world would change and here we are with our 'John turns to the news channel ' first superhero'

'I AM IRON-MAN' the voice fills the whole room.

Sherlock sighs ' Second '

'What?'

' Don't you know ? Didn't my brother tell you ? Haven't you ever read the comics? Uncle Robert used to bring me those every time he visited us. '

'You think I am insane ' John expresses sadly.

' No, I am telling you not to make people into heroes John. Back during the second world war , they made someone else their superhero, why? Because he saved a child from some gangster and then got cast in stage plays as the savior of the nation-what did the super hero do to save the world afterall ? - A dance off with Hitler? We threw it in the garbage , me and Mycroft everytime. Fascinating , how people change.Take a break. Get some-I don't know sex with a woman !? You are so invested in parenting nowadays , I believe you are losing your mind ' Sherlock tries to relax his tense muscles and gets back to preparing lunch.

'About that… I have decided to give Rosie up for adoption '

Sherlock drops whatever he was holding and looks at John with horror ' Sorry? '

John looks away ' We both are busy Sherlock , and our style of living - not a good choice for raising a kid. Mycroft has already agreed to this and made arrangements to meet with families interested. '

'No one is taking Rosie ' Sherlock shouts ' And what do you mean you have decided it ? Why do you think you have every right to do whatever the hell you want with my daughter ? Yes "My" daughter because I've equally participated in raising her and although you hate to admit it John but I have been more of a parent to her than you ever will be . So I matter. And what I decide for her matters as well. '

'It is for the best of her. Trust me. '

' Listen to me John ' the anger melts down into cries of plea ' I will leave my job , no more risking lives, no more fooling around. You may practice like you are doing right now and Molly can help me get a job at Bart's -teacher, lab assistant anything would do. We will make it the safest place for her. Mycroft is a complete idiot, he knows nothing, do not let him control you. Do you understand me? Do not let him take Rosie away from us? Okay? '

'I was unsure of his theories, you know I was, but the events at Gulmira . Also…..' he stops 'cleared my doubts. I plan on joining the CIA. '

'Rosie stays with me' is not a plea ' clear your head before it's too late ' and leaves the flat.

Leave him alone - SH

John knows what's best for him.- MH

I know what's best for him - SH

Or, are you just worried about yourself? -MH

Stay away from my family. -SH

The same night John welcomes a veteran couple inside the room upstairs where previously

Sherlock was helping Rosie color her animal book, one of whom is now looking blankly at his flat mate, the other one gets up to hug her father. 'And this is Rosie, Rosamund Watson. ' John smiles returning the hug.

' I am Amanda ' says the wife, ' a good friend of your father. This is my husband David. We were going out for Ice cream , would you like to come with us darling? '

'She isn't going anywhere' Sherlock looks at John with bloodshot red eyes, anger and disgust for John clearly showing

Treating Sherlock invisible and inaudible, John gives Rose the permission to go out with the couple.

'What are you ,deaf ? ' Sherlock shouts 'No one takes Rose '

'Rose, baby , go with them. Be a good girl. I'll take care of daddy , hmm ? '

'No ! ' Sherlock runs and blocks the door ' I said no one takes Rose'

'I don't want to go ' Rosie whispers

'See? ' Sherlock keeps blocking the exit

'Move , Sherlock !'

'Try me ! '

'I said move ' John shouts

'And I said , stay away from Mycroft and his minions'

John sighs, lowers his voice 'They are Mycroft's people.Yes! and that is exactly why I am relying on them ' In an attempt to try and make Sherlock understand his perspective John continues ' I want to talk to you.Alone. Let them take her for a while, so that we can have a proper conversation about it . In private'

You want to talk to me ? '

'Yes' whispers John

'Then ask them to leave.' Sherlock screams on top of his voice

'Sherlock ? '

'I will drop Rosie to Mrs. Hudson. Ask them to leave'

'Okay!Okay !' John takes deep breaths calming himself down 'Mr. and Mrs Jones, sorry for the inconvenience , I will be in touch '

'I understand , we loved your daughter ' Mrs.Jones smiles affectionately. Sherlock lets the couple go - drops Rosie downstairs under Mrs.Hudson's care and walks back up to his flat , not the room upstairs - to his flat and locks himself inside his own room. Because Sherlock knew John had invited him not for a conversation , but to manipulate Sherlock into thinking John is right. John has never been this way, the manipulating kind. He's not dealing with his best friend anymore , Sherlock knows it is Mycroft he is dealing with. And there is no winning against his brother.

You were right .He went insane - JW

You are being the grown up here John, there is nothing to be ashamed of - MH

You know that I hate you, right ?- SH

It is for the greater good - MH

Why are you doing this ? John's phone beeps

Because I want to protect my daughter. Come up.

Not at the moment.

The world is going to get ugly, Sherl.

Okay.

Sherlock?

I said , Its okay.

Do you think I am very happy being the one taking this decision?

Fine.

Sherlock?

You've made your mind,John. There isn't much left to say.

Say "yes" to Mycroft. He is doing everything for the greater good.

Heard that.

Please open the door. We need this.

Separation?

A Conversation.

When are you leaving?

Friday.

So tonight, was a theatre? Just for me ? Consider me honored. Such a shame, I missed the climax.

John looks at the screen blankly, unknowing of what to reply, when his screen glows again.

So is it Friday or earlier ?

Thursday morning. - John informs.

Sherlock decides on not texting any further, not to answer any calls for the night, not to open the door for John to come inside. Rather he turns the lights off and goes to sleep.

John, who is still standing outside Sherlock's door, types and sends a few last messages hoping to get a reply.

You've got to understand Sherlock, I can't allow her to be in that half of the world which faces the annihilation. I can't do that. I want to stop it, end anything which is a threat to her. I know I have disappointed you. But if this is the only way to save her, the only choice I can

make, I'll have to take it , even though it hurts , the three of us.

Sherlock's phone beeps again, but it remains unseen for the night.

Please open the door.

I know you are hurt.

Joining Mycroft is good for you .

I hope you know that leaving you is painful for me too.

Sorry.

- All unseen.

Sherlock maintains a possible distance from the Watsons for the next couple of days, feeding himself lies like he was never a part of John's life, and everything has its own time and in a way preparing himself to lead a life without the people he'd once considered his family .

Hello, it's me again. You haven't replied to any of my texts , and no one knows where you are. You said you needed time. Today is Wednesday.You know, they are taking Rose tomorrow. Need some help convincing her.

How can I convince her when I am not convinced myself ? Sherlock types and deletes the message

Help yourself , he types and deletes it as well.

Not my problem . and deletes it again

You are the father . - SH , Sherlock texts thinking it best depicts his emotions.

John reads the text twice before replying

If you are using anger as your motivation , be it.

I believe I am saying the fact.- SH

You do not need a certificate Sherlock. She acknowledged you, as her father-before me . She chose you before me. And that's why I want you to understand the importance of this e back home. I need you.

I am busy. -SH

Aren't you gonna come back tonight as well ? Or before we leave ?

What's the point ? -SH

Seriously ? Are you seriously not coming ? Not even for Rose?

To say goodbye ? -SH

I know it's hard and I need you by my side.I can't do this alone.

Enjoy the CIA. - SH.

Sherlock. Please. Come back home.

Left a farewell gift for Rosie with Mrs.Hudson. Make sure you give her that before she leaves.

And for you , all I can say is good luck. Good luck John Hamish Watson. And one thing, just one thing darling, please ,you want to go to the CIA fair enough. But don't lie to me that it's entirely for Rosie's well being. And please don't text me back saying I am wrong cause I know I am not. So yes John, good luck and ...- his fingers stop . Instantly he realizes what he is about to do - he is about to type good bye and end a relationship which he needed the most He needed John Watson, he needs John Watson with every fiber of his body , needs John to be by his side for every road he takes , but here he is about to write the last two words to end this- the relationship he needed the most. Tears escaped before he could force them back inside, falling down his cheeks, his chin, his throat, blinking his eyes several times to stop the water from running, but in vain. They don't stop. The water is now blocking his nose and his windpipe. He coughs hard and with time his nose turns red with fever . With tears drying out and exhaustion

settling in, he feels empty. So empty that he looks up at the ceiling thinking how it all fell apart ? Tears come gushing out of his eyes all over again but this time he allows himself the time to feel his pain , to make him feel his vulnerability. To teach him the lesson Mycroft had taught him ages ago about "getting involved". He finally loses the remaining of his composure. He cries and cries curling in a ball wanting to get hugged, by someone, by John. But no one is here to hug him in the dirty rooms of Lienster's Apartment . No one is there to give him hope. After an hour or maybe even after that he finally holds himself ,wipes his tears , and types … goodbye -SH

Now that he is gone, would you like to hear what's in store for you ?-MH

Sherlock receives a text right after John's flight took off for the other part of the world

…………………………………...

After John's departure from his life, Sherlock had no other option than to turn up to Lestrade for new cases. Accepting Mycroft's offer wasn't a choice.Gladly, Lestrade wasn't one of Mycoft's minions and provided Sherlock with cases now and then. Sherlock was glad that his job was not taken from him, yet. He spent the days running the streets of London chasing clues. Maintained a low appetite.Barely at one place.

Nights were the hardest. Back when there was John and Rose, the days were John's department and the nights were Sherlock's. While John made breakfast, Sherlock made dinner. While John dropped off Rosie to school ,Sherlock picked her up. When John was in the house Sherlock was fighting murderers and when Sherlock was reading Rosie a bedtime story , John was doing night shifts and saving lives.

The only time John and Sherlock used to have a proper conversation was dinner time. Sherlock used to tell all about his days and John used to live them through Sherlock's eyes. They would laugh and talk the whole night until one of them needed to rest.

But after he left, Baker Street became nothing but empty, dark, huge. There was no laughing , nobody to tell his stories to. Nobody to blog about it. Sherlock's popularity was going downhill and so was his business.Very soon he realized that no one is turning up and all he was doing was solving cases from Lestrade.He doubted those would stop coming too . How long could he trust Lestrade , when John , his own john, gave up on him? Not long ,he said.

It is 2011 , that day of the year when John chose to leave Sherlock, three years ago.

'Another year gone' Sherlock whispers 'Three years without John Watson, who would have thought ?' Sherlock smiles looking at the mirror 'I am impressed, Sherlock Holmes! The way you've held yourself , I am proud of you ' he smiles again as if he was happy that he has not given up on himself completely, when London has forgotten her very own detective and his best friend had given a shite. Everyday he wonders if he would still be alive in Rosie's heart 'probably not ' he sighs . 'Do you care ? ' he asks 'No' he replies out loud ' a little ' he whispers silently.

Need you - MH

Sherlock had stopped talking to Mycroft after the whole fiasco, and never paid him a visit.The only time they would come face to face was the Christmas dinners, that too because this somewhat new Sherlock Holmes, craved for social meetings ,reason being his much admitted loneliness but Sherlock hardly considered talking to the man who was cruel enough to take that one thing from him he loved. Sherlock hates Mycroft.

This is important, call me. I'd have gone there myself if I were there. But since I am not, I'm sending you a case , I need you to keep an eye on someone. Mailed you the address and your tickets to Kathmandu - MH

People don't come to him now . All he sees is Lestrade's dull old face. He has been short on money for a long time to afford a trip out of London and getting out of Baker Street for sometime suddenly intrigues him very much. He decides on punching Mycroft's nose if this is about his crazy stuff and decides on accepting his offer for now.

Consider yourself dead if it is more of your lunatic fantasies - SH

Thank you . Look for the bald lady - MH

The place is called Khamar Taj. An isolated community in the Himalayas with people involved in either meditation or martial arts.While to normal human eyes , it is bright and colorful , darkness lingers.

' Hello I am Stephen, I have been sent here by Pangborn ,a student of yours!?' Sherlock says as was told.

' I am Baron Mordo. Pleased to meet you Stephen. Let me take you to our teacher'

'Sure' Sherlock looks for the bald lady , but all he sees is weirdos doing martial arts with ancient relics. 'Those relics look quite old '

'Oh they are, here this way '

'Thank you teacher' Sherlock enters the room acknowledging the old man meditating. Two attendants approach him immediately to help him take off his coat ' Oh okay that's a thing' and another attendant hands him a ceramic cup ' Hello,oh thank you ' to her. Sherlock focuses on the old man again ' Thank you teacher, for seeing me'

'You're very welcome ' says the attendant pouring the tea on his cup 'Thank you master Mordo , Thank you master Hamir' .

'Ah..You are..um' that's it ..there she is . The bald lady ' the teacher ?'

'Yes' replies the bald one

Sherlock takes a sip while the lady takes her seat 'Its... good tea ' Sherlock says

'Yes'

'Did you heal my friend Pangborn? ' speaking words from the script Mycroft had prepared.

'In a way '

'You helped him to walk again?'

'Yes'

'How did you correct a complete C7-C8 spinal cord injury?'

'Well, I didn't correct it. He couldn't walk. I convinced him that he could.'

'You're not suggesting it was psychosomatic right?'

'When a severed nerve is reattached is it the doctor who heals it back together or the body?'

'It's the cells'

'The cells are only programmed...to put themselves back together in very specific ways. What if I told you that your own body could be convinced to put itself back together in all sorts of ways?'

'You're talking about cellular regeneration. That's bleeding edge medical tech.Is that why you're working here? Without a governing medical board?Just how experimental is your treatment?'

'Quite.'

'So, you've figured out a way to reprogram nerve cells to self-heal?' Sherlock gets curious

'No, I know how to reorient the spirit to better heal the body'

'The spirit to heal the body?'

'That's right.'

'Oh good Lord, all these years! And one time just one time I put my trust on you brother and all you do is trick me ? Should have known. Should have known '

'You're a man looking at the world through a keyhole. You've spent your whole life trying to widen that keyhole...to see more, to know more. Now, on hearing that it can be widened...in ways you can't imagine...you reject the possibility.'

'No, I reject it because I do not believe in fairy tales...or the power of belief. There is no such thing as spirit! We are made of matter and nothing more.'

'You think too little of yourself'

Sherlock is now burning with rage 'Oh, you think you see through me, do you? Well, you don't. But I see through you!' before Sherlock could even finish he felt a terrible blow on his chest. In a moment he could see his body falling on the ground but he was floating in the air. It was unreal. His pupil dilated. He couldn't feel his heart or hands ,or legs , he felt like a feather . For the first time he was seeing himself completely , like an outsider , the whole body without the help of a mirror. He wondered if he was just being murdered , but that would mean he is a spirit now and those are real. The next moment he was back . Sherlock is now shaking and hyperventilating 'What did you just do to me ? '

'I pushed your astral form out of your physical form.' Replies the lady ' and I would be The Ancient one .Time to trust the odds Mr.Holmes.'

'Was it the tea ? Drugged isn't it '

'I can see your tea isn't finished yet. There is a lab inside , go and check it for yourself'

'I certainly will'

I think you both were right - SH , Sherlock types and texts them both on the little group John had made presumably someday before their big fight - never used.

Finally - MH

Glorious days ahead – JW.

Missed you –JW

SHERLOCK HAS LEFT THE CHAT.

Sentiment– MH

Guilty – JW

Take care of him – JW

How's the CIA ? – MH

Oh a mysterious hammer , no people or machine strong enough to lift it , supervising. Preparing a secured facility around it. In a way ridiculous – JW

Visited the spot myself, yesterday. Couldn't lift it. Came back with a completely shattered self esteem. –MH

Same – JW

How is the boyfriend? – MH

Ya , Well. No time to rest. Showed up last night with wine and flowers, and left me head over heels with his " techniques." – JW

I wonder how my brother would react – MH

I am not going to tell him until and unless he finds it out himself and neither are you – JW

Alright. Very happy for the both of you. – MH

Today is a good day and the world seems quite secured with your brother on board – JW

Yes – MH

Good day.- JW

You too - MH

……………………………………

.

Sherlock being an excellent learner learnt a lot of things within months , with or without the help of his masters. He read various books and practiced each and every spell. People said he was born for mystic arts, but he believed he did it all to get distracted from his past. He missed himself. Funny, but he missed Lestrade. He missed his logical life but he now knew that everything Mycroft had said was true which meant the news about the genocide might be true as well.

You might wanna give me a name now – SH

Not until we are completely sure of it – MH

With each year that passed, Sherlock and John faced different challenges in their own fields. Mycroft was right. The earth has indeed changed and Sherlock is glad that he had made the right choice , all thanks to Mycroft.

The earth had defenders like 'The Avengers' and the Sanctum Sanatoriums. Mycroft was right on some other matters too. He said they were living in the same era ,Doctor Strange resided . Sherlock bears that title now .One can only wear the Eye of Agamotto if he is worthy of being the master of mystic arts , Doctor Strange. The eye chose Sherlock and now he holds the second most important position in the sanctum after the ancient one.

Sherlock never really liked being acknowledged in some names other than his own , but big titles come with big responsibilities and was interested in learning more and more to prepare himself for the big battle . When he felt unworthy of the title , he reminded himself that he is Sherlock first and then some sorcerer and it is not impossible for magic to fail him , but his strategic mind would never do that.

With the magic of Doctor Strange and the wit of Sherlock Holmes , the man in a blue dress and a red cloak, the master of the NY sanctum and the protector of the 9 realms won his first interdimensional war which never made it to the popular media. But the win boosted his confidence. He wasn't lost between his two personalities anymore - the logic and the magic . He accepted the belief that he was given the title of Doctor Strange only because he was a perfect Sherlock Holmes.

The equation between Sherlock and John never got better. The last time Sherlock had texted John was the day Sherlock found out about the infinity stone he possessed. It was the time stone.

Sherlock wanted to ask John whether he wanted Sherlock to watch the future or change any specific past, which John declined immediately warning Sherlock not to mess with the fabric of time. Not only was it John who had warned him , before the death of the very wise ancient one, she reminded Sherlock of the same. Sherlock decided to listen to them until and unless things turn ugly.

What's the point of having a time stone if we don't play with time ? -SH

Now it's not the time - JW

When we defeat Mycroft's alien, we will take back Rosie , right ? - SH

No messing with time , if my words mean anything. - JW

That was the last conversation they had.

With time he let his Strange rule over his Sherlock making new allies and enemies. And years later when one day he and his librarian friend Wong were about to have their morning meal, a long lost avenger showed up in their place and informed them about the arrival of the long awaited enemy .

'Thanos is coming ' said the avenger.

'Who?' his inner Sherlock woke up.

It's time - SH

Just remember why we left our lives behind - JW

Into battle then - SH , and he took off.

'You might wanna put that stone down doctor ' shouted Tony Stark

' I might wanna use it ' replied Doctor strange

Earth was visited by the neighbors for the second time now , and this time it is to collect then Infinity stones ,one of the holders being Doctor Strange. He was soon abducted by the aliens but was saved by a couple of avengers.Soon Sherlock was standing on another planet. It was a trick.It was what he wanted ,to take the fight away from the earth , far away from Rose and John. He used the time stone before coming to this fight to see the future and every scenario involved massive death of people. Out of 50 million future possibilities ,there were only 100 messy scenarios where they could win against Thanos staying on earth he saw. 'too less' he decided . He took the flight to the other planet, with an intention of narrowing it down , but got extremely scared realising the truth.

'Hey Strange ? You are back mate? what was that ? '

'I was forward in time, watching all the possible outcomes of the coming conflict ' Sherlock's heart was racing

'Well! how many did you see ?'

'Fourteen million six hundred and five'

'How many did we win ? '

He stopped. Fear overshadowed his entire face. It was all his fault. Sherlock's fault.

'One' said Strange.

...

Strange takes his all to turn the fight to that one possible direction where both Rose and John are

safe and alive. Clearly his only motive being, saving the Watsons. Thanos gets all the six stones and snaps . Half of the population starts turning into dust 'there was no other way' Sherlock says and sees every inch of his body turning into dust, vanishing in the air

…………………………………...

Everything is red.The sky , the river , the fog , the mud 'Where am I ? ' asks the slender man in a black over coat and curly hair .

'Don't you know ? ' a voice of a certain man comes from behind.

Sherlock turns towards the source of the voice and looks with terror ' John ? '

'If it isn't your mind palace , what is it ? ' John starts walking towards the endless red.

'where are you going ?' asks Sherlock

'To find a way, Where are we ? '

'I don't know , I was supposed to die. '

'No you were supposed to save us '

'I saved you.I chose the genocide because that was the only time I save you both and you two are together. '

'No, Us! Sherlock. You were supposed to save the three of us. You failed. You killed yourself. '

'There was no way to save us all. But if I am dead, what are you doing here ? Why are you not on Earth ? Did I do it wrong ? Have I killed you too ? John ? Talk to me.. John have I just killed half of the population and yet failed to save you ? '

John keeps on walking and after a moment or two Sherlock sees his best friend standing in front of a red door.

'But. It - it wasn't there.It wasn't there .' Sherlock's exclaims in utter horror.

John unlocks the door and opens it

A teenage girl with an unforgettable face comes inside.

'Rose? ' his voice chokes..

'You never came to see me ' Rose replies.

'No,this is not real. I am dead and you both are alive , together. This will end 'he consoles himself ' This will end '

'Don't you see we are all together now.'

'Who are you ? '

'I am Rose. I am dead. For real ' says the girl

'No ! No. No! ' he shouts

'And so are they ' Rose looks at the door and an ocean of people starts coming one by one.

'Who are they ? Who are they ? What is this ? ' He can feel his pulse beating in his ears,blocking out all other sound except the breath that is raggedly moving in and out of his mouth at regular, gasping intervals. Within seconds the endless red disappears and Sherlock can see it replaced by men with dead eyes marching towards him. 'You killed us all ' John leading the crew ' All on you Sherlock ' Sherlock can feel the sensation of his palpitating heart, forcing ripples of it's throbbing blood directly to his temples standing there, paralyzed, and feeling his once-agile legs crumpling beneath him.He whimpers and his legs collapse underneath him.He falls on the cold ground shaking violently when all those countless men surrounds him,giving him no air to breathe ' You killed us all ' everyone keeps on repeating it like a mantra 'You killed me daddy ' says Rose over and over again . 'You failed us all ' John says once and Sherlock loses his breath and closes his eyes.

'Welcome to your personal hell' a voice fills the room. Sherlock finds himself standing on the centre of the previous red room.

'Show yourself ' Sherlock commands

'Oooh,you don't rule here my friend , I do ' a man in a grey suit and a vintage watch comes walking in 'Hi.Jim here. Jim from IT ? ' he smirks

'Recognized your voice '

'I am honored.' says Jim

' So this is hell and you are the devil ? '

'The first thing I did was outcast Lucifer and take his kingdom '

'Atta-boy '

'So hell huh? I thought you were more heaven kind. But oh! what is all these crowd about?There is hardly any space to breathe'

'John? Rose ?'

'No they aren't here.'Sherlock relaxes for the first time.'but what was that I saw then ? '

'Guilt , hell works in that way I am afraid. You keep on reliving your worst guilt . No place to escape.You are lucky I dragged you out or you would still have been there suffocating on your own guilt for eternity.'

'How did you get out then ? '

'Oh simple isn't it ? I had no guilt '

'You are the king , help us get out '

'You are dead ! '

'But you hate crowds.'

'That I do , yeah. You are clever Sherlock, very clever .Looking for an ally in your worst possible enemy . Yeah ! Sherlock I can help you. I can send them right now to your precious earth, but that would just be the evil ones , the hell-worthies. But then again if you are in hell I wonder half of population is also here '

' Anything else ?'

' I can teleport your soul inside the soul stone .It's an infinity stone ...'

'I know '

'Oh ! , how ?'

'That's a long story '

'Well once you are in the soul stone all you have to do is a deal with the devil'

'The devil ? '

'Oh where do you think Lucifer is now ? '

'What deal?'

' Oh I don't know , Lucy decides '

'Teleport me then '

' Tell me you love me ,first.'

'I don't '

'My Kingdom Sherlock. You can't escape this place without saying it.'

'I love you ' Sherlock whispers

'Louder '

'I love you ' Sherlock follows the order

'Louder' Jim yells 'Louder, louder ,louder , louder , louder'

'I love you ' Sherlock screams. And within a moment , Sherlock finds himself in a room filled with

gold smog.

…………………………………...

'I was expecting you' a man with a burnt red face appears out of nowhere.

'You are the devil' Sherlock states.

'No. I am Lucifer.And I am not the devil. Your human literature made me a villain. But I am the

punisher. I punish the bad. '

' nished.' scoffs Sherlock 'excuse me ? '

'Nothing. Just a simple deduction. '

'A deduction ? '

'Hell is not yours I believe. So you don't punish the bad , you used to punish .And you miss it'

'Oh , is that the part where you say you will help me take my throne back and in return I will

have to give those lives back , that you and that monster Titan took so brutally ? '

'I was trying to save my family. ' Sherlock looks down

'But that was wrong. First you played with time and then you decided something on your own without anyone's consent. What was that? A revenge ? '

'Why would I take revenge on the whole world?'

'Oh not the world. I was talking about John . '

'John ? he is alive , I saved him '

'Oh yes you did save him so that he lives his entire life full of regret and guilt '

'No' Sherlock exclaims.

'Because he took away from you,your right to decide about your relationship , about your being together , about your daughter you took away from him his decision to save you . Don't lie to me ,I

feed on your guilt '

'What do you want ?'

'To kill that Titan '

'You want to kill Thanos ? '

'Yes'

'Then why don't you go and kill him yourself ? '

'Again. I am the punisher. Not a killer. But you definitely are ' Sherlock looks away. 'And that's guilt again . Love it when someone is that much guilty. I could feed on your guilt for eternity. But that's not why I brought you here'

'You brought me here ?' Sherlock frowns ' I thought it was Moriarty '

'Jim thinks he is the ruler of his own mind.But every decision you take that is evil, is for me ,every wrong you do is governed by my hunger for your guilt.Keeps me immortal. But you were right I want my throne back. The Hell. But you can't defeat Jim because he is strong . He is stronger than I could ever be. I feed on people's guilt but I am guilty of it.'

'But Moriarty is not guilty of anything.That's why you lost your battle against him because he is proud of what he is , he has no guilt . He is more evil than the devil himself.'

'Yes.'

'And that's why you want Thanos here. Because he too is like Jim. A mass murderer with no guilt. You want to make Thanos your ally. But he won't be on your side if he sees you killing him , that's why you want me to kill him.'

'Clever you '

'So... It was all a plot .The genocide. It was all your doing . '

'Just boosted up his idea of it . Guilty ! but what is a devil without his kingdom ? I will return all the lives that you and Thanos took'

'No it was you ' Sherlock yells Lucifer smiles ' No,it was you. ..You on the other hand will kill Thanos.'

' How ? He is way stronger than me and my entire team '

'Then I'll make you the strongest .But that too depends on you.'

'How? '

'I will give you a chance to stand against Thanos , I will make you the strongest and give you back all the lives you took , but you will have to let me feed on you first. '

' Feed on me ? ' his voice trembles with fear

'Don't be scared. Feed on your guilt, idiot. Well actually. Be scared ' Smirks the devil

A feeling of dread creeped up from the pit of his stomach.'What do you want me to do ' he asks

'Go on , tell me your deepest and darkest desires . Do the thing you want so bad but you are so scared of. Visit your darkest corners and tell me what' is your darkest truth. Your biggest regret.Tell yourself the truth that you kept hidden from yourself for this long. Don't lie. Be honest '

Fear cripples him, freezing every muscle of his body. Lucifer keeps waking in circles around Sherlock ' Tell me. You know what it is . Tell me '

'I don't have a secret.'

'Lie. I am aware of all your darkest desires, your little secrets Sherlock. I reside in your darkest

places. Now tell me , tell me the thing I want to hear. Tell me your darkest truth and be guilty for admitting it. Tell me and save everybody. Tell me your darkest truth. Tell me . ' The beast is helding Sherlock captive ,his heart begins to hammer against his chest- his entire life flashing before his eyes- every muscle in his body screaming for him to flee, but yet his legs are frozen.

'Tell me ' Lucifer says again 'Tell me' he yells.

'I love John Watson ' Sherlock confesses 'And ? ' Lucifer tilts his head

'And I want him ' Sherlock stops.

'I am not done listening '

' I- I want him , to love me back' Sherlock tries to calm the panic

'Not there yet ' Sherlock realizes that there is no turning back now .The devil knows everything and there is no other way than confessing it all.

'I-I ...I want to punish him. Punish him for all the heart he has caused me. I want to beat him , take him , fuck him till he begs for forgiveness - rip his lips apart till he kisses me back and keep torturing him till he surrenders to me .'

Lucifer smiles. Guilt and shame makes Sherlock stand there with eyes closed, breathing heavily for hours- In and out-In and out before screaming his frustration and finally collapsing.

…………………………………...

Strange finds himself back on Titan , and as promised he was made the

strongest. It takes a lot less time than he had assumed to defeat the mad titan and recover the lost lives and losing the power given by Lucifer. This means two things- that the threat is finally over and that he can finally get back to earth and approach John and Rosie to come back to him or just to at least confess his love for him whatever be the consequence. With Strange's powers Sherlock creates a portal back to Earth .He visits his sanctum- takes a quick bath and prepares himself for the big confession. There is nothing left in his heart after letting all his darkest desires out in front of Lucifer and though he will always be guilty for deep down wanting to punish John , he figures his guilt can somewhat heal if he confesses it all to John and involve him - maybe in a consensual proper kiss? or probably something else if he allows but given his 'no homo' attitude Sherlock

highly doubts the latter but he really wants to tell John his feelings and he decides to do that today .

'So the coat or the cloak?'

'Given those white streaks on your hair , the cloak would go better . But again it depends on the kind of battle. ' Wong replies ' So the coat then . When you kiss him don't forget to use it properly , he would be pleased to be inside Sherlock Holmes' coat. But the cloak again could wrap you two up and you two could have sex in air . '

' I believe the coat would do wonders. Don't think we are going to have sex. It's my fault I fell for a straight man , but well , I hope a kiss won't do much harm ' Sherlock smiles

'Ooh. You should definitely try some tricks wizard . Probably astral sex. Definitely astral sex'

'The what ? ' Sherlock smiles

'Astral sex ! It's when both of you are in your astral forms and you make love in your astral bodies .The astral sex connects two raw souls '

'Aah ! Literally ! ' Sherlock laughs .He takes his coat out 'Into battle then ' he whispers

'and also , you could try the astro-human kinds , it's when one of you is in your human form and the other one is in ...'

'okay hush now ! '

'...the astral form. It would give some real pleasures to the human half.'

'we are only kissing Wong. And shut up with those astro-human things.'

'Don't lie. You are intimidated by it.'

'No , I am not. '

'Aren't you imagining John in that way right now ? '

'Shut up . '

'Your astral form on top of John's bare body with legs stretched up and you are slowly pushing yourself inside while he moans and begs for more '

The whole experience with Lucifer appears right in front of his eyes.'Now stop it'

'Then you insert it harder and harder while he ..'

'Stop it right there ! ' He shouts. ' Stop it ' releasing a deep breath.

'I was just having fun, Strange. Please don't mind '

'No. No . Sorry. I know you were... ' Sherlock starts taking the coat off 'Probably not the best decision. The confession . No. No. Foolish ! '

'No . No Strange. It's not foolish .Its the best decision you have ever made. I am a fool . I gave you cold feet. Please , look at me . You have got to go there and tell John about your feelings .'

'No . It's -it's better this way. I won't show myself. I will disappear. He won't have to deal with my dark side. No. It's better. Me , being Doctor Strange and not any dark bastard. That's - that's better.'

'No. No Strange . You are Sherlock Holmes. And no one can change that. Not even you. And everyone has a dark side. And that is why we all search for that one person who can act as our daylight . It's ok to be afraid and you can go on with your mystical life if he rejects you but let John

decide for himself, hmm? Please would you give John that chance ? '

'What if he is not John anymore and more of an Everett ? '

'Are you more of a Strange ? '

'No' Sherlock sighs sadly.

'Then he is the same old John Watson .Put that coat on and where is your scarf ? '

'Don't know ! '

'So what? You are Doctor Strange , do some tricks and get that scarf '

' Right '

'And probably a rose , and some protection , though you won't be needing it if you are going for the astral one '

Sherlock smiles 'Just a kiss. A consensual romantic kiss with John Watson and I would be smiling for the rest of my life ' and he opens a portal

……………………………………

Sherlock opens a portal to John's place .He lives in an apartment in NY . This is the first time in all these years he is actually visiting John and not just texting.Despite of being the master of

Mystic arts he never thought of invading John's life and spying on him , though Sherlock gave occasional visits to Rose , he never showed up on her birthdays or Christmas or new years just to avoid direct contacts with John. But his love for him never changed and it is time to see John again, after this long and tell him that he loves him (?) 'Crazy ' Sherlock says. He is excited, nervous, and sweaty.It is an odd feeling. He is anxious, restless yet overwhelmed- remembering all the words he chose that best described all his feelings and preparing himself for the

big moment before actually ringing the bell.He gets nervous again right after ringing the bell.

John opens the door , older than before but pretty beautiful.'John' Sherlock's mind starts messing . The lines on John's forehead - his old dry lips - his deep blue eyes. Looking into which Sherlock immediately sees the fantastic future they can spend together.

'You did it ! ' John smiles. It was a wonderful feeling , hearing John's voice after this long . It is wonderful seeing his affectionate smile again . The smile is the same. John is the same. Sherlock smiles.

'You saved everyone. That! was fantastic'

Not only did Sherlock's cheeks turn pink but the ears which were hidden among those messy curls of his hair, turned as rosy as his face. ' Can I come in ? ' Sherlock manages to speak, afterall.

' Yes of course '

'Did you mourn ? '

'I knew you would come back.'

'How? '

'You made a promise '

Sherlock and John comes inside John's mansion.Sherlock was standing right behind John , when John turns right back 'No'

'What?' Sherlock's blush fades away

'Whatever you are here to say , it's a no. '

'But you haven't heard anything yet '

'Yes because I know'

'I am not here to discuss Rosie . I - ' Sherlock's voice getting colder with each word

'Yes I know. I know exactly why you are here.And it's a no.'

' I am here to say that...'

'I am in a relationship' John states and after receiving no reply from the other end ' and it's a man 'he clarifies.

Standing in the same room as John's had never been this hard. He had always felt like a beaten dog in front of John , but today he doesn't even feel the pain. He just feels the need to go home 'Ya. Okay' he manages and opens a portal and disappears

The portal closes at his old flat , 221B Baker Street. The old interiors, just the same as he had left years ago. The same old mirror , the same old chairs , the curtains - the smell - what?

'Sherlock ? ' voice of a certain man comes from behind

'Oh God ! ' Sherlock remarks without even seeing the person.

'What's wrong ? Your voice sounds heavy.' the man starts walking towards Sherlock 'thought you were on an experiment' the man is finally in front of Sherlock 'What is this ? Is it make up ? Why are you dressed as an old man ?Is it for a case ?' John looks surprised

'I love you ' Sherlock says softly and leans forward to kiss John's forehead.

…………………………………...

'Bullshit!'

'Quite clearly you are still under the influence of Sherlock and so I definitely not expect you to trust me any sooner -'

'Now come on , Sherlock ,you are Sherlock and what is this ? Some fantasy to back you up what you did a few minutes back ? '

'What ? '

'Really ? '

'I don't understand '

'The kiss Sherlock ? '

'Oh ! It was just kiss on your forehead , I don't see any harm '

'I mean ,seriously ? Who are you kidding ? Now remove those makeup'

'I know you have your own principles John and that kiss was just an emotional outburst a-a friendly kiss. And to my defense, you have a boyfriend in the future.'

'Who ? you ? ' John snorts.

'Oh God ! ' Sherlock remarks ' Of course it's me '

'Oh.Kay ! , have you taken something?'

'No !No ! No! John , it's not drugs talking,it's me . Oh god I've been so disgusted by you this whole time , but never for once did I think that it was me causing it all.Damn it '

'What are you talking about ? And seriously Sherlock ,wash your face'

'No John ! It's not a make up, it's my real face. I am older now ,I just time traveled '

'Heard that the first time you said it and again Sherlock it's bullshit '

'You don't trust me . Do you ? '

'Of course not ! '

'Sherlock is downstairs , give him a check '

'I am not going anywhere , you are Sherlock , and is this just because earlier this day I showed interest in your brother's nonsense ? '

'He showed up already ?'

'Today ! yes ! And you know that'

'I still don't understand how have I done it ' Sherlock whispers to himself

'Louder please ! Don't deprive me of your extraordinary stories '

'Listen to me , I don't want you to do this either , but John you gotta go downstairs and verify it for yourself '

'No ! I am going to bed and not listening to a junkie '

'Hmmm !'

'what ? '

'You are afraid , you are afraid because you know I am right . And you are afraid If I am actually

right , you might have to leave Sherlock and join CIA'

'No, you are doing this just to torture me , punish me cause I showed interest to Mycroft's proposal and now you are just enjoying '

'Trust me , I am enjoying it . I am enjoying talking to you. The real perfect John Watson. My John Watson. And I don't remember when was the last time I was this happy . '

'Last night ? When we went for Ice Cream ? The three of us ? '

'The "three of us" is gonna end soon John . Now that I am here I now know why '

'Fine ! Do you want me to go downstairs ? I will , I will ! but if any of this turned out to be just a drug addled joke of yours, I am gonna kick your arse and you are gonna regret it '

'But If I am right. Then you will have to listen to me '

'Dickhead! ' John runs downstairs expecting to find an empty room , just to open the door and see a man slender and younger than the man he had just left upstairs .

'Seen a ghost ?' aks slender man

After a moment of silence ' what Mycroft said earlier , its ...'John stops.

'It's bullshit. Though I clearly know you have asked Mycroft for details because that's just you , but you are not gonna join some CIA , point taken ?'

'I'm not gonna leave you ' John smiles 'you coming upstairs tonight ? '

'No. Busy. Got some real case based on real people '

'I am gonna go now, then . Gotta sleep ! '

'Hmm' Sherlock gets back to his experiment.

'Sherlock ? '

'Yes?'

'What if it's all true ? '

'Then we deal with it together, as Sherlock and John and protect our daughter '

'Promise?'

'I do '

John shuts the door with a heavy heart . John goes upstairs only to see a man wearing a blue dress and a red cloak with a face of his best friend floating and meditating in the air .

'Get out ' John shouts

'What ! No ! See I have done it again , I time traveled and got my cloak.Though I am still trying to figure out how I did it. Never knew it was possible. It's impossible but here I am, doing it'

'Get out ! ' John yells again.

'Okay I know you are scared but that's how it is now and trust me it's for the best. In my time zone we have defeated Thanos and saved each and everyone and that would not have been possible if we had stayed together'

'I am not leaving Sherlock.I don't know who you are , I don't know what this is . But that man sitting downstairs is the only person I care and love and I am not gonna leave him alone. And we will protect our daughter together like we always have and you can go to your time zone and are definitely not welcomed here'

'I don't understand ' Sherlock expresses ' In my dimension , Everett and Strange are together , but here you are rejecting me . Why is that? '

'I don't know who they are and I don't understand why you are still here '

'So you are gonna stay with Sherlock ? '

'Yes . My Sherlock.'

'Oh' Sherlock sighs, voice lower than ever 'I should go then '

'Better ' John exclaims.

Sherlock starts waving his hands in the air in order to open a portal. Sherlock's eyes are drowned in tears - fingers shaking- failing to create the portal..

John can't avoid and not see the distress 'Listen, I trust you. But I've got to protect him'

'I am glad he has your back , I wasn't that privileged. Ask him to join the sanctum , you join the CIA , convince each other. Don't lose contact and be together. I was a detective once and I too had disbelief but it's not possible for Sherlock and John to stop what's up there. Protect him. Probably tell him you love him. Maybe he is just too scared to confess his love. Maybe because he doesn't know how you feel just like he doesn't know the world is beyond some scientific explanations. I am gonna go then. Have a great life with Sherlock.Ya ! Bye ! '

This man who bears the face of Sherlock, the voice of Sherlock, who is definitely Sherlock, is sad and John can't try and ignore that. After all it is the same face , the same voice , and no doubt the same man and he realizes he doesn't want that man to leave being this hurt 'You

saved Rose ? '

Sherlock ignores eye contact, 'In my timeline , yes'

'And how have you time traveled exactly ? '

'I don't know.I should probably go' Sherlock starts opening a portal again

'Wait. You are not going now'

'I don't understand! You asked me to leave '

'Ya that was before you got all sad '

'You don't have to protect me as well' Sherlock smiles ' I am sad , yes ! But glad as well that you chose Sherlock over me , because John staying away from you is the worst. I have been through that and I am glad Sherlock won't have to'

'I will never leave him '

'Sometimes, can I come here to see Rosie? In my world we were parted within a year after you know today. I won't go near her. Won't show myself .Please? '

'Okay!'John says.

'Thank you ! I have to go now. I am a sorcerer, I can do magic.. Also hell is real and so as Lucifer ' Strange opens that portal and finally drifts away.

'How was the date ? ' Wong asks immediately after seeing Strange back on his room

'Got rejected' Strange replies 'Twice'

……………………………………

Sherlock is on his own timeline, sitting in the library, keeping himself distracted from his own truth- that in one world Strange got Everett and in the other one Sherlock got John and that he is here sitting idle with none.And yet he didn't go back to John, or knock on Everett's door after the last time- telling himself fat lies like - it's all fine and I am fine.

'So you save the world and disappear huh?'Tony comes in startling the sorcerer.

'Well ...good that you are alive '

'Yes, the last time I saw you, you were dead'

'Well am not now'

'Yes..it's a wonder how you came back!?'

'You would be surprised to know how many times I have actually done that.'

'You talking about Dormammu ?'

'The Reichenbach 'whispers Sherlock

'The...what?'

'Nothing. How do you know about Dormammu ?'

'Guilty' Wong raised his hands

'So Mr.Stark ,reason for the sudden visit? ' Strange enquired

'The wedding'

'Oh!'

'You both are invited , you and Mr.Wong '

'Wong will be attending for sure ' Strange smiles

'And so will Doctor Strange' Wong smiles back

'I don't do parties , am sorry ' Strange replies immediately.

'Hey.. What is wrong with you?'Stark enquires' The time we were together in space you were an arrogant jerk but now you seem a little off. Are you all right ?'

'Of course I am alright, I am completely fine. It's just that I don't like socializing. That's all'

'This one time, just for me, you will'

'I don't know'

'Mr.Wong , I will be expecting both of you '

-The Wedding

'Congratulations on your wedding 'Strange and Wong gives his best wishes to the happy couple

'Hey, glad to have you bud! ' Stark greets them back with a hug 'Where's my magical Island?'

'Oh we are setting it up for the night'

'Sounds fun, enjoy yourself and feel free to do some tricks'

'Right!' Sherlock gives a straight face and a forced smile

'I bet you are bored already ' Wong whispers

'I feel like an outsider.Tell me Wong when can I 'Sherlock stops speaking .Suddenly , he could feel no air, no man, no noise. Someone is saying something but it doesn't register his thick brain which is now captivated by an unexpected sight.A beautiful one . John Watsron walking down the stairs with wine and a smile so divine Sherlock loses track of how long he held himself from blinking his eyes.

'You should go and talk ' Wong says in a note higher than usual.

Sherlock comes back to reality ' No ! I wasn't , I wasn't seeing him...'

'I never said you were checking him out ' Wong smirks

'I wasn't. And moreover look at him... tuxedos and bow ties. He is not John , he is Everett. My John is more of a Jumper kind of guy !'

'Aaah... It's a wedding!? '

'I don't know I don't care. Can we go now ?'

'Not before saying hello to John Watson '

' Why do I have to say hello first? '

'Because its very obvious that he hasn't noticed us yet'

'Oh so everyone can see a short CIA shit and I am so hard to locate ? '

'You are gonna go there and say hello.Just think it in a way that you are showing him that everything is fine and nothing matters and you are alright without him.. hmm?'

'That! I can do - '

……..

'Hi'

'Thought you were gonna leave the party without even saying hi , that's an improvement ' John smiles

'So you knew I was here ?'

'I knew you were looking at me ' John looks right into Sherlock's eyes ' What do you think of the tux '

'Don't were red again'

'Not good ?'

'A bit not'

Sherlock genuinely smiles for the first time that night having that something from the beautiful past revisit his mind palace. John smiles as well. 'been a long time ' John speaks softly

'Want to take some time off and go back to Baker Street ?'

'When was the last time you actually visited Baker Street ? '

'Two months!'

'I mean in your own timeline.This timeline'

'Oh um ! Years ago '

'Baker street is not there anymore .Hudson sold it out ages ago and settled out of town, so no 221B for us anymore'

Sherlock falls silent

'I am sorry Sherlock'

'No one ever tells me anything '

'We knew it was gonna hurt you, but on the contrary you can visit baker street anytime you want

you know?'

Sherlock nods.

'So I don't want to interfere but how is it between you and John ?' John asks

'Seems like the John I was meant to be with was more committed to his Sherlock than mine ever was ' Sherlock raises his eyebrow

'So he said No ?'

'Shocking isn't it ? I wonder why you never did that for me !?'

'I wonder why you like to think that way ! '

'I knew this was a mistake, I should never have come here . I am leaving . Bye '

'I wonder why you never said to me that you loved me '

'Go and ask your Sherlock, then why ask me ? '

'Because you owe it to me . Not him. He never fell in love with me ,you did.'John shouts '

Because Sherlock Holmes will keep on time jumping and treating John Watson as a replacement to his unrequited love and then keep on victimizing himself making John Watson the villain when he is just not' John lowers his voice 'Because we will never get the men we truly deserve but we will love those men because they are the same you and me . And it's completely messed up and you did that. I wonder what would have happened if you had never time jumped. But now that you have Sherlock , you have got to go and get the John Watson you are meant to be with and promise me to never leave him. Maybe he is routing for you now but doesn't know how to contact. Because you guys know right we don't have your powers!?

After a prolonged silence ' So you're telling me that there is a chance that I might actually

convince John to be with me ?'

'I actually told you a lot more than that. But if that was the only thing you could deduce, then yes. Yes. Second times are the best.'John sighs

'I understood everything you said but I don't mean to pry on your personal life' Sherlock waits for a reply but John remains silent ' So, you and Strange broke up ?'

'Never showed up . It's been a month'

'I can check if you want '

'No you can't.You can only meddle with these two dimensions , yours and your previous ones '

'That's not true ' Sherlock snorts

'Have you ever tried ? '

'No . But let's do it now ! '

'Do you really want me to drop by his place ? Now? When I am finally with you? You really don't - Ask your heart '

'What are you doing ? flirting with me ? When you are clearly in love with ... !'

John smiles 'Ya? tell me ! ? '

'Fine' Sherlock gives up '. It's complicated. I give you points for that.But you flirting with me here would mean John in my dimension flirting with another Sherlock that would mean cheating me and if I come back from wherever Strange is now and if you fall in love with me now that would mean I would be left brokenhearted in the future again .I don't want to do that with myself. I know what I am saying doesn't make sense.But that version of John has shown me passion for his Sherlock Holmes and If I am going to start a new life with him I don't want you to flirt with me.'

'You fucker, it wasn't flirting. Last time we met you said you loved me but I had to interfere

because If I hadn't you would never have time jumped.I never got my chance to tell you how much I loved you. And I remember someone telling me to confess my love because maybe the other person is too scared to admit his feelings .'

'You said no.' Sherlock's eyes sparked with joy.

'Of course I said no . I let him go when he came to me first. But couldn't help myself falling in

love with him .Because it's basically the same.Loving any version of you . You are the same. When I look at you I don't see someone else.I don't see someone who is not my boyfriend.When I look at Strange I don't see someone with whom I have not spent the half of my life with ,lived all the glorious days solving murders . I see it all in both of you.For me . You two are just the same.'

'So you like threesomes then ? ' not a very good choice of words to change the topic of discussion Sherlock tries anyway.

'You little virgin , go and lose it first and then we will talk sex '

'So let's..' Sherlock says before realizing.

'I don't want to be left heartbroken when I come back from wherever Strange is now ' John mocks ' who said that..? Oh! it was you.'

'See... you care'

'Yes! And also, wooing me is easier for you. I want to give you a hard time . '

'So it's gonna be hard with him ? '

'Yes..' John comes closer and whispers in Sherlock's ears ' You are gonna be really really hard' and in that very moment Sherlock realizes how very true John is 'But , Sherlock do you want to know something that John would really love ?'

'What ?'

John whispers again ' The astro-human sex and the catch is, its you who would actually prefer to play the human . Yes! I know few of your fucking tricks wizard. Oh! Look at you all red and adorable . How I missed messing with my best friend. You know, what can calm you down now? '

'uh-sex ?'

'No. A dance.'

'a what? '

'We have had sex a lot of times. Me and the other Sherlock.And I don't want to take away from

John the moment he teaches you how to do stuff. Hilarious. Sorry- but really, I always go to

these parties , see people dancing all happy and romantic , but despite having a boyfriend I can never get up and hold his arms and have a dance.'

'You keep on saying boyfriend.Why no marriage?'

'It's not legally possible is it?'

'So no aisle nor a groom for me ? wow ! '

'So are we dancing?'

'If it's the only thing you have not done with him...'

'Competing with your own self. What are you an idiot ? '

'Dancing would mean making it official here , though there will be nothing between us because

you are going to or I will be with different versions of me and you ?'

'Technically.So dance ?'

'And no sex ? '

'Sherlock, you have talked sex for the second time now.I am gonna tell you all your kinks and after this dance you are going to do something about John.Okay ?'

'You mean .. Do John ? '

'Sadly, I am just good old Everett '

'Idiot'

'Pretty much'

'Dance ? '

'Dance.'

…………………………………...

'Somebody said, deep down you wanted to see me.' A portal opens in the rooms of Baker Street.

'Oh Thank God! Tell me nothing happens if I don't separate my ways with

Sherlock. Tell me there is some way out of it. Tell me we save Rosie. Tell me'

'I don't know . I don't know what happens if you do exactly opposite to the arrangement that is

made to defeat Thanos. Maybe we will defeat Thanos, because the one controlling it will mend his ways to do that.To some extent I can promise you, that Thanos will be defeated in your timeline if not by the hands of you and Sherlock but someone else. But is defeating Thanos , the most important thing? To us? I can't promise you Rosie's life if Sherlock and you stay together'

'You can just go and show yourself to him'

'I can. But I won't.'

'why not ?'

'Because staying together for the rest of your life is beautiful John, but being together is only

possible if you let him go'

'I can't. I can't let him go. I love him.'

'Yes but can you say it out loud ? Can you say it to him ? '

'How can I ? We are friends. And I don't have any physical needs from him , It's just the emotions. '

'John ! Think a room immaculately white, you holding him tight , head resting on his chest and as the music moves you move with it. No talking , just the feeling of being held by the person you love, not caring about anyone- just two people in each other's arms listening to their own heartbeats , uniting after a long time, confessing for the first time , not through words but through dance. Just dance . I can promise you that moment with him John , if you join me now.'

John was already on tears realizing how much he wanted that, realizing that this would never be

possible with his Sherlock at this moment , that this would mean he will have to leave Sherlock not only because he wants their relation to grow to that level but most importantly, because it's best for their daughter ,realizing it's time to accept the grand plan and leave Sherlock and be with a strange man who acts and walks like the man he love.

'John ! I know it's hard ! but the world needs Sherlock to be Strange. There are greater threats than Thanos which I have handled, which only he could handle because of his brilliant mind.And if you want to know about what Sherlock would feel about this arrangement -he would be disgusted for the most of his life but not the whole of it. When the right time comes he will be the one loving and encouraging the arrangement, because he will have his John Watson. And I know you don't like me a lot. But I am the same person , the same Sherlock Holmes. You will understand it, that we are no different. And it's just a matter of time. Join me and I promise you a better world. I promise you a dance with the Sherlock you truly love.

Starting it all over again

' I don't like this place ' John is annoyed and frustrated

'But look at here,you have got giant windows ' Strange walks towards the window waving his

hands and pointing at the beautiful decors of the room 'that vase – extraordinary , that um lamp isn't it so - grand ? ' Strange takes his mobile out , suddenly feeling the softness of the bed ' The bed is so soft' he remarks and clicks a photo of John.

'What are you doing? ' John grits his teeth

'um-sitting ? '

'No ! Why are you taking my pictures?'

'It's your first day in New York, a picture is mandatory isn't it!?' Strange raises his hands

gesturing a toast ' to a new beginning ' and smiles.

John comes closer to the strange man sitting on his bed 'I am here to save my daughter. New

beginning my fucking arse ' John yells

Sherlock's heart stops for a moment.,John continues ' You think it's funny ? You think I care about the fucking window , a fucking lamp ? You think I am okay leaving my whole life behind , leaving my daughter, my Sherlock all alone and settling with a strange man claiming to be the love of my life ? Now listen to me , you can never be the man I love. It will always be him. Sherlock

Holmes , with whom I have lived half of my life not you. And for God sakes , get up from my fucking bed , it's not yours to sit.'

Sherlock gets up , legs shaking ' I –um –ah –sorry . I'll leave , um. That's- that's a spell I

made for you to contact me' He takes a paper out of his pocket 'if you ever need to. I'll come if I

am available ' he moves towards the table and puts the paper on top of it . 'ah-well-Bye ! 'he quickly opens a portal and fades away.

I miss you. Sherlock's phone chimed

What for? – SH

Because we are miles away.

Busy – SH John reads the text and shuts his eyes close 'I miss you Sherlock Holmes '

……………………

Back in the library of the sanctum sanctorum Sherlock is sitting on his chair reading a very old

journal of Ancient one about the threats of the world of nightmares when he hears a thump in the door.He looks back to check .'Wow!' he mocks and focuses back on his book

'Had a bit of disagreement with the little one ?' Everet smiles and comes inside.

'Oh! You both had it too , I assume then.' Sherlock remarks vaguely while still being mostly focused on his book.

'You are angry!' John takes his seat next to Sherlock 'With me or the other man ? '

Sherlock shuts his book and looks at John 'You lied! You said you don't compare the two of us.. But you do. If you still love me , why can't you just say it?'

'I love you' John shrugs

'Wow ! ' Sherlock rolls his eyes in frustration and opens the book again.

'What ? You told me to say I love you - I did. Then what ? '

Sherlock chooses not to reply

'What are you reading?' John tries again

'Stuff !'

'Don't you shut on me Sherlock, I am your best friend'

'I don't want your friendship John. Neither do I want to be a complete stranger. I want to be with you. I want to feel your love. I want to get settled with you. I have had it enough. Is Strange back yet ? If not why don't we just elope ? I don't want to start over with the other one. He doesn't like me. And he is right,not to love me . He loves the man who he has been with, who has been his best friend. Same here with me. I love you. And he is a stranger. He might be a perfect John with his old fashioned jumpers but you will always be the one who never considered me to be a freak or something strange. Just come with me , let's get far away . Get married. Get Rosie. Please.'

'I can't meddle with the grand arrangement '

'Those are my words'

'Yes! Words which make complete sense.'

'Don't visit me now and then. This is not a place to meet '

'Remember! when you promised the other John , a dance with his Sherlock , did you promise a

banter afterwards?'

'Right ! care for all the versions of John. That's my motto!' Sherlock flips the page

'Tell me about caring all the versions of the person you love ' John smiles affectionately 'give him time he will love you'

'I am not the one begging for it this time'

'atleast, visit him , when he contacts '

'If !'

John smiles 'He will, you know. At this moment in the other timeline I have already texted you

for the hundredth time , and all you occasionally replied was ,Busy, with your initials attached to it at end like you do it when you think you are too very unimportant to people to have saved your

number, which is everyone but me , but you will put that bloody SH anyway to show your anger ,

won't you? Did that even last time you texted before Thanos. Moron.'

'Why haven't you contacted him yet ? You think he is dead ?' Sherlock's eyes were now sanning John's every movement.

'No -not dead ofcourse .Um-No! No' John smiles. ' may be just busy you know ! '

'I know that he would have contacted you no matter what , if I were alive, knowing how much you worry.. If he is not replying he is dead ' Sherlock states it in a way like his own death means nothing.

'He is not dead' John grits ' He will come back. If you don't want me to come to you , say it on my face. Don't wish the death of the person I love.'

Sherlock laughs hysterically 'All I hear is, You are not the person I love . You are not the

Sherlock I love . If you both have no interest on me , it's better to just fuck off you know. Let me

be . Don't come. '

'Don't give up on him. He will fall for you. '

'Hardly matters ! go now, I'm busy'

'Don't give up on me either.' John sighs

'I gave up on you long ago john. When every day I woke up alone in my flat , looked at the mirror and forced myself to live another day , I gave up on you each day every day. It's not something new - giving up on you , it's one of the things I am adjusted to. And about the other John , I will let him be . The way he wants . Away from the strange man. He doesn't need me anyway.' The same moment the time stone hanging on the neck of Strange flicks .John smiles .Sherlock looks at the stone and stares vacantly at John 'That's him calling.'

'yes' John replies

'What am I supposed to do ? Should I visit him ? What do you think?'

'Why do you think I am here for ? '

Sherlock looks at him in disbelief 'Christ ! and all this time I was thinking you came here for me !'

'Yes and also to convince you to go and see the man dimensions away

'

Sherlock laughs 'I judged you wrong , all your intentions are directed only on the well being of

your daughter. You give a damn to me or my feelings. All you want is the plan to work out

perfectly. I bet that's the sole reason you have ever undergone a sexual relationship with your

version of Sherlock , to do what is needed to save Rose. Never me, John. Never me.! You know

what ? It's good that he is dead, your Sherlock , he has gone through a lot of lies and plots and

façade all his life, more painfully while all those happened to him he knew he was being tricked

but all he had to do was participate, because what ? We are fools and also tools of John fucking Watsons. But good he is dead. Finally served his purpose , saving your daughter's life , he can now finally leave behind a life full of traitors and rest ' Sherlock sees the never ending stream of tears running down John's cheeks but that's what he wanted to see, pain in the eyes of John Watson , his John Watson, his doctor, his blogger, his best friend and his first love 'I'll go to him then , serve

my purpose. Any special trick to lure that arrogant bastard - since the entire relationship is a trickery from both sides as I presume it is going to be. So?'

Tears run down John's cheeks while looking at the man he loved the most in the world and listening to the harsh words coming out of that mouth. Taking all the moment he needs him take in all of Sherlock's emotions, all of his pain - and finally speaks 'Not

a trick Sherlock. Just go to him and all you have to do is go there and be his friend and then grow as you go. You don't have to trick him, just give him some time.'

'Whatever, I'll take your leave then. Duty calls ! Sherlock starts opening the portal again

''You know you are luckier than many. Many don't get their chance of starting it all over again!

Many, just wait'

'Maybe they just deserve to wait.' And Sherlock fades away.

……………………………………

'You called?' Sherlock's voice is low with no sign of interest.

'We lost him, can't find him anywhere. Mycroft's men ! Worthless Idiots ! lost his track . You

know where he is ! Tell me ! Quick ' no hello , how are you ,no proper greeting , not even a sorry , just orders 'Quick'

'Date?'

'July 6th. '

A sigh ' 2nd street to the Leinsters, 3rd house , 2nd floor '

In an instant John takes his phone out informing Mycroft his location. Not a thank you . 'Yes inform me after you find him out' and ends the call and looks at Strange, 'Thank you ' Finally ! 'we were so scared, couldn't find him for three days , Mycroft that idiot just informed me now , could have helped earlier. Is he fine?'

'Yeah.They found me on the third day' .

'Could you make a list of the places he will go in future , so that, you know, next time I don't have to bother you '

Wow! 'Sure . Anything else ?'

'No.That was why. Um ! It helped the spell. Thank you '

'Good.! ' Sherlock waits sometime for John to say something but realizing that they have nothing to talk to- 'I'll take my leave then '

'Yeah. Um-Bye '

'Bye ' Sherlock opens his portal 'I'll make that list .Bye.' and that's all. When Sherlock gets

back to the sanctum he finds it empty and without Everett-fucking- John Watson. Good !

…………..

The time stone sparks again that night.

……..

'am sorry, didn't mean to wake you up. Sorry to wake you up.'

'No. I wasn't' John doesn't want to know what Strange was doing. So he stops himself from sharing any details. ' What's wrong ? ' he asks instead. Duty call remember?

'Nothing . I mean they found him. Thought I should inform'

'Don't bother the next time '

'hmm. Ok. He used it again - is very sick. I need to see him. Now ! Will you help ?'

A sigh . Sherlock opens a portal to 221B. The younger Sherlock is pale, week and

sleeping.'you might not wanna risk touching him or waking him up' the older one states

'Will you please kindly shut up ? ' John moves towards his sick friend leaving the hurt one standing at the doorways. Sherlock stands there still, watching John plant a kiss on his best friend's temple. It was enough really standing there and watching. But he remains quiet as asked. John is sobbing and crying , taking in all his friend's pain and hurt. Running his fingers around the dark patches under his friend's eyes.

Sherlock's heart melts, while the drugged one shrugs and opens his eyes, still dizzy 'John ?' he says weakly 'Is that really you John ?'

'I am here. I am here with you.' John smiles , when tears fill his eyes.

'Don't - Don't - Please don't leave me again. Please. Stay.. please.. You won't live me again, will you ? ''

'No, no - I won't. I'll never leave you alone agan.. Never..'

'I-I want you to know - you are more than my - You are not just my - John, you are …'

'I know Sherl. I know '

'I am so alone . So so alone. I miss you so so much. And , Rosie.. Please don't leave me.' he begs and begs 'Please John. Please. Please come back to me, please don't leave me alone, John please, John please. I'll be good. We'll be good. I'll keep you safe- John please Oh please-John please - '

What's happening that moment is a shock to the man still standing. This is not a memory of his. He doesn't remember this night. He remembers Leinsters, he remembers Mycoft's men rescuing him from there , bringing him back to Baker Street. But he does not remember this exchange between him and his John Watson. Is this Watson changing the course of events? If so what happens next ? Or this is exactly what has happened in every reality and drugs just took away a memory so important with him?

'I won't leave you Sherlock ! Trust me and go to sleep. Hold my hand. I am here and I love you

so much , so very much Sherlock Holmes. I will get back to you. I promise you that. I will be with

you. Only You'

Both Sherlock smiles. One smiles in relief and the other one mocks his own pathetic life.

'Sleep. Because when you wake up, there will be a new game. A game where we will win. Us'

The one in the bed falls asleep. After that, John stands up, fixes his shirt and meets the eyes of the older one .

'I don't understand.'

'just open that bloody portal'

'You said, you will be with him -.'

'And now I'm leaving. Yeah ! '

'Why ? '

'Because he won't even remember tonight or will consider it to be a drug addled fantasy. Magic ! Now ! '

Sherlock's heart breaks again for all the versions of him. What a treacherous bastard John is.

'Will you please open the portal?'

'What matters to you the most? '

'To work this arrangement right'

'Fuck arrangement. If you want to stay with him, stay with him. We will get some other way to

save Rose.'

'And what if you fail?'

'When the snap happens, I could bring her to this dimension and thus the snap wouldn't effect

Rose.'

'Can you really do that? ' John's eyes lit up

'I can, but …'

'But what ?'

'why was it not done earlier!? Would you like to try ? A- a time jump ?'

'Yes. Do it now ! '

Sherlock opens the portal to initiate the jump after which, Sherlock finds himself inside the sanctum's library in the future while John finds himself in the same position as he was before the jump . In the sanctum, Sherlock searches for John and starts panicking when he finds no signs of him. He hurries to open the portal back to Baker Street and time jumps again. His face drops seeing John holding the sleeping Sherlock's hand 'Didn't work' Strange exclaims.

'It's time for goodbye then.'John gets up , Kisses Sherlock's forehead 'goodbye' and looks at

Strange 'Can we go back to my flat now ?'Sherlock nods and does accordingly.

In John's New York Apartment John stops any opportunity for further conversations by slamming the bedroom door from inside leaving Sherlock Holmes with a heavy heart out in the drawing. He takes out the list from his pocket, he was asked for , places it on top of the table and disappears.

…………………………………...

After months of no contact, the time stone flicks again. Back when either of the John had made no attempt to contact him , he secretly felt a sense of relief. But peace doesn't always stay - and now he has to make himself present to attend to his might's every single wish to get a door slam afterwards.

'What? ' Sherlock finds himself sitting in John's car next to the driver's seat already

captured by John.

'I have been sitting here for more than a decade now.' John's frustrated and exhausted.

Sherlock looks around to see themselves in the middle of a never ending traffic.

'Care to help?'

Sherlock pitties the man next to him but mostly he pities himself for getting used for his powers but helps anyway.

' where to ?'

My office. I have a meeting in five minutes'

Avoiding people's attention with a spell, Sherlock teleports the car just a block away from John's office - and then comes out of the car. 'Go then , you got s a meeting'

'Yeah ! Thank you so very much ! Gotta go. Bye ' and, John leaves in no minute.

'Bye ' Sherlock says to himself and sighs.

An hour later the stone flicks again. Although Sherlock hates it, he goes nonetheless.

'Three wishes. That's all you get' Sherlock forces a smile despite being utterly and completely disappointed.

John forces a smile as well ' I know. Sorry , I have been an arse. Thank you for the drive and everything '

Sherlock frowns 'Realization? Really? Strange for an arsehole like you , isn't it ? '

'I am sorry , I have never been pleasant to you. Only called you when I needed you and despite all your help all I did was to insult you and hurt you. Sorry '

Sherlock's jaw drops '. You called me to apologize ' and recompose himself to sound unaffected 'Must be difficult work for a moron!?'

Moments pass where there is nothing but quietness . Both at loss of words like all the time it had been with this John and Sherlock. The silence lingers for some moment more.

' I should take my leave then ' Sherlock finally breaks the silence , when John doesn't respond , he starts opening a portal again and just before fading away but John interrupts. 'Coffee ? '

Sherlock stops ' Coffee.'

……………………………………

.

John is in the kitchen making coffee for both of them while Sherlock stands clueless of what to do next 'Black ? Two sugars ?' John peeks through the kitchen 'Make yourself comfortable!'

'Yeah.-ok. '

'So?'

'Two sugars. Yeah !'

'Really, you can sit down now ! ' John smiles and comes back in with the coffee. Sherlock waits for John and settles after him. 'Nothing changed though, the choices! '

'A lot of things changed' Sherlock relaxes his back in the chair and closes his eyes.

'Not sleeping much? '

'A bit busy with… stuff .' Sherlock relaxes himself a bit more

'You should really sleep for a while . You look tired. Here , your coffee ' and he hands over the cup. 'Not that coffee would help , but still, maybe afterwards'

'I don't think that's an option. The more I stay here , the more I lose time for reading. I've to completely prepare myself for the worse' Sherlock takes a sip not expressing the fact that he is completely dying inside just by the smell of the coffee John has made for him- after so long, all the lost memories rushing back to him - each sip being equally painful and wonderful

'What worse? '

Sherlock opens his eyes to focus on the present again. Focus on a John who he doesn't know but he loves and he hates and he wants to punch and wants to kiss the same ''If I say you anything about my my weird world , you'd laugh at my face '

'Haven't had a good laugh in a while ' John forces a smile

Sherlock nods, gently ' The Nightmare kings'

'The Nightmare kings? ' John repeats

'I know it sounds crazy , but those are very much real . '

'So what do they do in your crazy world ? '

'Feed on your worst nightmares'

The room goes quiet again..

'I miss talking to Sherlock' John expresses

'I miss it with John ' Sherlock sighs

'Those were quite the days. The whole night , we just talked and talked about your cases… '

'Your nurses'

'your brilliant deductions'

'your miserable surgeries'

'your day long exciting adventures'

'your day long exhausting appointments'

'Lestrade being as ever clueless'

'Mycroft being a worthless idiot '

'The thrill of your chase'

'The blood pumping through your veins'

'Rosie….'

'Rosie…..'

The room falls silent again.

'I miss Rosie' John says

'Has been years for me ' Sherlock groans and puts his cup down.

Guilt shadows John's very face 'I have been such a jerk to you from the beginning. I forgot you both were the

same. I won't ever hurt you again.'

'Glad to hear that.' Sherlock leans back further , closing his eyes again, releasing a long held breath 'Is it just because you want your Sherlock not to get hurt in his future by the other John ? '

'To be fairly honest , Yes. ' John nods. 'But I am a human being , I can't keep on pretending all my life. I will be fair to my feelings for you ,so that it will be fair and pure to my Sherlock. I don't think I ever pretended with you. When I was angry, I kicked you out. When I was in desperate

need, I called you. When I needed a friend I asked you for a coffee.'

Sherlock falls quiet with the loss of words.

'Sher…. Um…Sherl..? John hesitated

Sherlock still closing his eyes 'Strange '

'Sorry!'

'It's ok. '

'I'll do better.'

Sherlock hesitates but he can feel his back giving up 'can you -if you don't mind that is- give me

some medicine, my back is aching- tremendously.'

John gets up in an instant 'I will get them right now. Wait.'

John gets back to find the room empty 'Sherl…..?' Strange ? ' John calls for him and after seconds of searching, John finally finds Sherlock standing inside the store room looking at Rosie's things 'Sherlock?' Sherlock looks at John with watery bloodshot eyes . John realizes for the first time in a long time how much this man has suffered. How much this man needs a hand to hold , a chest to cry.

'My first wish Sherlock... and you, will say nothing and do as I say. Okay ? Take this medicine and go to my room. Sleep. '

Sherlock looks at John blankly,not being able to understand what's going on in his mind ' can't…. I have to go …'

'you will go, when I think you can go ' John grabs Sherlock's hand and gently takes him to his room ' Go sleep '

Realizing listening to John is much easier than arguing with him , Sherlock slowly gets up the bed. 'wake me up in a while please?'

'will do' John turns on the ac - grabs a blanket from the closet and flaps it open

and lands it softly on Sherlock. Sherlock keeps looking at John taking care of his

semi-conscious self. 'Sleep.'

'Am I your friend then?'

'No. You have always been more than that.' John looks at Sherlock's pale vacant face for a

moment and then leans down to kiss Sherlock's forehead.

Sherlock goes stiff ' but , I'm not….'

'You are not different from him. You are him.' John closed Sherlock's eyes with his hands 'You

are all of him'

Medicine and exhaustion takes Sherlock under ' I love you John… both of you' he whispers painfully.

John's eyes fill with tears and as he confesses he smiles 'I love you Sherlock ….both of you.'

Sherlock smiles and finally falls asleep.

.…………………………………...

Sherlock finds himself in the middle of nowhere. It is dark with no escape. 'John?...John?' Sherlock shouts , waves his hands for magic just to find out there wasn't any left in him 'John… ?' Sherlock walks and runs but there is no escape , not even a ray of light. 'John…..?' Sherlock cries out as loud as he could. 'Where am I? Let me go…'Sherlock screams ' Let me go- Let me go '. A cab appears out of nowhere. 'Where to ?' the cabby looks out.

Sherlock's heart skips a beat.

'You thought you'd have a happy life with your little pet while I lose my reign?' Jim, the cabby smiles and Sherlock feels with every fibre of his body - the hatred in the smile, choking him.

'I am in no mood to listen to your clever shits , so I' am kinda putting you on mute. But don't worry - cause I might miss your voice once in a while. '

Sherlock breathes heavily trying not to panic .Panic settles in nonetheless. He tries to speak and move but fails miserably.

'It's not gonna work dearie. Let me tell you what is happening with you at the moment. You are down there , sleeping , under a blanket - papa John is taking care of you. But in reality you are here - trapped with me -in one of your nightmares and let me tell you - you escape when I'll let you. Here you have no magic , here I pull your strings. And just like before - all you do is dance accordingly. Now onto the funny part - I will keep you here tonight , and have a little chat - John will probably think it's exhaustion that's keeping you under and will let you sleep. Considering that, I don't think it'll be much of a problem if I keep you here another day right? He'll still think you are just sick enough to get up. But on the third day - on the third day , he will lose his mind. He will call your brother, your friends , the whole of New York , to wake you up - but you'll still be here with me. On the fourth day they'll take you to the hospital and soon they'll think that you are in a coma. How long will they keep you alive ? A week? A month ? A year ? - Now that you have protected the world from annihilation - chances of them saving you is next to zero, really. - But if I actually keep you here all this time, what will happen to Lucifer's grand plan ? And don't think it

has happened this way my darling , in other realities - cause it hasn't. You know why because the other realities didn't have me, the me-me. And I'll make sure in this reality and for the coming realities, I rule, and you lose - first the battle a, then your daughter and John Hamish Watson. I can

just kill her today . Or, can make you kill her . Or can make you kill John to save her.

The very moment , the room filled with cracking noises of a whip -rhythmic , harsh and merciless stroking followed by painful screams. Of a man. A man he knows. The man he loves. Sherlock began to squirm in pain and fear or so he would have done if he weren't refrained from his basic bodily requirements like moving or talking. He stares at Jim demanding for mercy, begging for mercy.

Jim laughs 'Calm yourself , Sherlock. I know you want to whip him too, you will get your turn. But let me have my fun at least.'

And just like that they are now standing in a room not so dark anymore , where there is John, shirtless, bound and getting whipped by Sherlock !?.Sherlock finds himself standing in front of John and with a whip in his hand .Sherlock's eyes burn with fear but although Sherlock but despite his resistance his hand moves up in the air and falls down to land a harsh stroke on John's chest. John cries out loud in pain and Sherlock, who is nothing but a puppet in the hands of the devil, keeps whipping John over and over again . Tears don't escape his eyes, words don't escape his lips. Apologies form inside his head and shame crushes his very soul.

In John's eyes he sees the loss of trust for him, the betrayal he was feeling , the confusion, the hatred. But all Sherlock does is whip his beloved, make him bleed and die inside.

This goes on, for the entire day.

'Now can we just do something else, Sherly ? Something I heard you'd wanted to do it for a long time ? Can we just , can we just, can we just …. Fuck him till he surrenders? '

Stop please stop , Sherlock wants to say. Please don't make me do it . Jim understands , John doesn't.

' Or we can just ... not stop '

Every muscle inside him twitches with fear. His chest began to throb. The fire alarm starts ringing , he looks at the bleeding helpless John. This is unacceptable. Wake up wake up wake up.

The stage is set - curtain rises. And as John squirms and screams for mercy , the puppet drops

the whip, and starts losing his belt . The puppet cries inside but this doesn't do a thing to wet the dry eyes. The puppet smiles and wraps his belt around the rat's neck .The puppet takes out his tongue and licks all over the rat's face from its nose to its cheeks and finally ,its lips.The puppet

forces his teeth inside the rat's flesh tearing apart its lips like a beast. The puppet tastes the rat blood from his own lips and smiles. The puppet rubs his nose on the rat's neck, smelling in the rat's fear and submission. The puppet bites that neck. The puppet savours the blood and the sweat. The puppet frees the rat from his bonds , pushes him down and sits on top of his chest. The rat cries, asks for mercy like the million other times he did that day -the puppet unzips his pants.

No . No No No No No, I won't do this, don't make me do this, don't make me do this - Jim can hear, John cannot.

The puppet tilts his head to look at the rat's face - looks at the blood dripping from the rat's lips the scars he left on the rat's body - the tears he has caused. The puppet smiles again.

I don't want to do this. I don't want to do this .

But the puppet licks his lips anyway. The puppet pins the rat under his body, looks at him with hungry eyes and salivates.

Oh God please No….. , Jim hears , John doesn't.

The rat looks away in disgust.

And as the puppet moves his head down to unzip John's pants , Sherlock screams "No………..!!" and his eyes shot open.

He finds himself in a bright room. Not his. Who's then ? He breathes heavily.

' Bad dream was it? ' John smiles affectionately ' had to wake you up '

'John ' Sherlock pants and looks at his hands, not holding a whip anymore - sitting on top of a bed, John's bed , in John's room . 'John' he says again just to make sure he can talk . ' you are here , you are okay ' he consoles himself.

' Sherlock I am here I am ok. It's just a bad dream '

Sherlock's eyes fell on John's neck. A bite mark , fresh and red . Fear sucks Sherlock's very

throat. 'How did you get that?' Sherlock waves his fingers. ' That!'

'What? ' John looks at the mirror from the bed. 'Is don't see anything. Is there something on my face? '

'your…your neck '

'There is nothing Sherlock. You're just seeing things. It was just a bad dream.'

' A nightmare.' Sherlock rests his head on John's breathing heart and wraps him with his long weary arms. He looks up to see John's face . In his eyes - he doesn't see distrust anymore, he sees John. He smiles lovingly seeing that beautiful face and for a moment forgets that this is not the John Watson he had loved. And he looks at John's lips and then his eyes again asking for it.

John allows it.

The charity takes shape into a passionate kiss in no time only broken to ask questions like ' Are you sure ? ' and answers like ' yes absolutely ' and confessions like ' This is my first time ' and expressions like ' Then this is going to be real fun. '

.

Sherlock smiles . He turns off the lamp next to him , so that he won't have to see the mark on John's neck again that night.'

Second of the third

It is midnight. Doctor Watson the older, has called for Sherlock Holmes ,he was meant to be with,for the four hundredth time this month but the spell doesn't seem to work anymore.It is different from all the other times when John had called and Sherlock had arrived in no time, now Sherlock doesn't respond any more and John wishes to disagree to the possibility of him being dead. Because this scares John the most , the fear of not having Sherlock again. He has gone through it many times now. From he jumped off the roof , after Mary put a bullet in his chest, when he almost left London protecting John's family , after Mary died , after John had bitten Sherlock that he almost ended up dead , after John had left Sherlock for the sake of the universe , and now again. John is terrified of it.

One last try he decides, already knowing it was a lie , there won't be any last time. One last time for tonight - he corrects himself.

John starts chanting the spell and although he had said one last time , he keeps on chanting over and over again.

'You need to stop it 'a portal appears in front of John

John lifts his face up to see the source of the voice. But as soon as he meets his eyes, John feels overwhelmed with betrayal. He says nothing - blankly looking at his partner for answers.

'What do you want John?'

'Closure 'John finally speaks.

'I can't come anymore' Sherlock falls silent.

The room falls silent. Both looking down , trying to figure out the next words.

'I thought you were dead' John breaks the silence

'I know' Sherlock says sadly.

' Although now I think it was more comforting - thinking that you might be dead and spending my life waiting for you and loving you till death - than, this! Knowing that you are alive and I wasted my whole life on a selfish bastard like you. Why? Why come today? Why come at all when you know you don't want to come? '

'Because you were hurting yourself and I wanted you to stop.'

'What changed?'

'Us'

' Hmm - Are you going to tell me why?'

'No'

'Then, my second wish, Sherlock….never come back' to which Sherlock agrees and fades away, ending it all.

Are you sure ?

Yes absolutely.

This is my first time

Then this is going to be real fun.

In an alternate reality, things start all over again.

…………………………………...

The first morning light breaches the darkness of the room.John wakes up to the sight of his

sleeping boyfriend and smiles realizing what that meant.He keeps on looking at

that face, caressing Sherlock's.Unlike the last night , Sherlock is calm today and that hits somewhere deep inside John.

He turns the other side to get his phone from the table next to him.

Good Morning. He texts Sherlock, awaiting a reply and tries again getting no response from the other side . Today I woke up to the most beautiful sight. He types and sends and gets an immediate reply

What sight? - SH

I'll tell you when we will be together again.

So , never ? -SH

Good Day -SH

Don't text me this early ever again.-SH

Bye then, John sighs and puts the phone back and turns back to see Sherlock , his boyfriend again.

Sherlock is still asleep, disheveled hair, lips- a shade more pink than it has ever been.

John smiles and plants a soft kiss on those lips and Sherlock opens his weary eyes.

' Sorry . I stole our first good morning kiss from you' John smiles like the idiot in love.

It takes Sherlock a moment to remember the relevance of the previous night and the beauty of this

day and Sherlock smiles realizing the fact that he has woken up to John's kiss. 'So I deserve another one , don't you think?' Sherlock replies wearily.

'Lead me then' as John finishes saying this Sherlock plants a soft kiss on John's lips. 'good morning.' Sherlock smiles 'never thought this day was possible'

'Sherl…?'

'hmm…?'

'Today I woke up to the most beautiful sight'

Sherlock's heart twists the moment those words left John's mouth. All the emotions from his past, all the emptiness from those days come rushing back to him. The moments he had craved for John , just to be under his warm shelter - Rosie - everything appears right in front of his eyes. He fails to hold it within himself anymore and as the first tear breaks free, the tears that had been stored out for years come out . John pulls him closer to his chest and strokes his back to hug him, console him , just the way Sherlock wanted back in Leinster Apartment, or the innumerable times Sherlock felt lonely and close to accept death 'I was so lonely, I wanted to see you , be with you , but I was so angry, so hurt, you were so happy in your new life and I was miserable. I was so angry at you. But I loved you, and it hurts so much… John!! I never thought this was actually possible and I am so happy….But' he whispers as if it was a secret ' I am scared John, I am so scared, because we are just puppets and I don't know what comes next, I don't know how long I can be with you , but if I ever leave you at any point of time,

you please keep that in mind that I would never in my proper sense dare to leave you, leave

this, this good morning kisses , watching your beautiful face , talking to you and being

inside your arms for anything.

'I am not going to let anyone take you from me. Promise me , promise me you will come back here, everynight from wherever the hell you'd be , every night - dine with me, have wine with me. Because Sherlock, I love you so much I'd probably die if I have to live a single day without seeing you. This face. I miss him and I love you both and I can't lose you too. Promise me that you'll always come back!'

I hope that he does, Sherlock says to himself.

'promise me Sherlock'

'I do John, I promise'

…………………………………...

The same night Sherlock jumps again and drives his car to his best friend's apartment.He has to know if Strange has made it back to Everett. He needs to know his own future with John.He needs to make sure that Strange comes back from whatever the hell he is. But secretly he wishes to apologize to the John, who'll always be his first love. He parks the car, and comes out of it. Outside the door of his house , prepares himself to meet John again. His John. His John. Sherlock finally rings the doorbell. But no answer. Sherlock teleports him inside John's house but the apartment is empty without men or furniture.

Sherlock panics and immediately dials John's personal number.

THE NUMBER YOU ARE TRYING TO CALL DOES NOT EXIST.

Damnit! He rings Mycroft. ' where is John?'

' Which one? '

'Just shut up and tell me '

'Took an early retirement and left his apartment'

'And Strange?'

'Living with him , of course!... does that make you jealous'

'So, he came back ? '

'He always comes back '

Sherlock doesn't know how to feel about that information. Earlier he had thought he'd be relieved, he is , he is.

'Where is John now? I called him but the number is not working'

'oh , they had these plans of going to Sussex and have a proper honeymoon once you save your world from Thanos, seems like they have finally got the chance.My prior congratulations to you and John on the wedding by the way , am I supposed to buy you that cottage now or wait till you ask me in eight years ? In the end you two always end up together.'

That night, Sherlock time jumps again to see his boyfriend with wine and flowers " Eight years from now, and I promise you a marriage and a proper honeymoon.'

………………………………………...

It has been three years since Sherlock and John have consummated their inter-dimensional

relationship and they have been inseparable, mad in love and always routing for one another's arse.

In the past three years Sherlock faced a lot of universal threats, some he succeeded, some he failed , but one thing on which he never failed was the promise of visiting John every night.They'd laugh and talk, share their stories just like the old London days with addition to the

cuddling, kissing and sleeping together. They never told Rosie because, which Rosie to tell ? A

child who wouldn't understand the complexity of the matter or the teenager ? How to tell teenage Rosie that I am shagging your father but not technically your father because your actual father is shagging me but not technically me because the one who he is shagging is from another dimension just like the man I am shagging? What the actual fuck !? Let's not involve Rosie, they decided it years ago. And also let's not use the word shagging this much, in case they ever tell her - John had advised, Sherlock had agreed.

It is dinner time and Sherlock, like always appears out of thin air with wine and flowers.

'Flowers,for the army doctor' he says

' And that too , from doctor mystic arts !? What is this ? real life? Or , just fantasy ?'

Of course Sherlock joins, because why not? 'Stuck in a time loop , no escape from reality'

Now John accepts the challenge. 'Unzip your pants , and take that thing out - for me'

'I am just a good boy, I need your sympathy'

'because you're easy cum...easy go? little hard... ready for blow ?'

'Anywhere your thing goes , never fails to please me….Oh ! John...take me !!'

They both chuckle.

'yes sure sorcerer supreme ...but after dinner. Okay?'

'oh please finish the song ! I have so much more to give to the modern literature, ...please oh please…!?'

'No enough!..I am getting the dishes' John nods playfully and goes to the kitchen.But Sherlock

is in mood and doesn't stop ….He starts singing again but this time quite loudly.

'Mama….'

'Shut up !'

'I just Fucked a man' Sherlock continues singing, beautifully.

'Shut! Up!' John smiles.

'Pushed inside my thing - he just sucked...Pulled my trigger- now he is fucked'

'God!... stop Sherlock ?'

' Mama….shag had just begun , but now he is done and cumming on my bed' Sherlock bangs his head right and left, hands waving and drumming in air 'dhoosh-dhoosh-woosh-woosh-woosh woosh'

'What will you take to st - ?' John comes out of the kitchen and immediately falls in love with the dancing detective all over again..

''Mamaaaaa ...oooh ooh ooh oooooooooh ……' John almost runs to meet Sherlock's lips and kisses passionately not just to stop the madness but also because he couldn't resist that beautiful and magical mouth any more and they end up having the longest kiss they have ever had.

'Good ?' John release his hold

'Very good!' Sherlock licks his lips 'Dinner ? '

'Starving!'

…………………………………...

The dinner table is much quieter than before and John is getting uncomfortable with the

growing silence.

'Want to finish the song ?'

Silence ...Sherlock isn't eating, just looking down at the plate of food.He looks lost and worried and John doesn't like the vibe he is getting from the other man.

'Food is good. Maybe just put some on your mouth rather than just staring at it ?'

No reply.

' Sherlock ? Sherlock !?'

Nothing.

'Doctor Strange ? Mr.Holmes ?'

Nothing at all…

'oi..mad man...look at me !'

He doesn not.

John loses his calm at last , slaps his knee and gets up. He goes to the mad sorcerer and sits down by his side and rests his palm on Sherlock's lap. Sherlock gains back, his senses

'hmmm?'

'where were you ?' John asks softly.

'thinking'

'What were you thinking ? '

'Things are going to change, tomorrow.'

'Nothing will change Sherlock.'

'Sherlock will finally come to know the actual truth of the universe tomorrow , and in years you

two will be holding hands and dancing '

'Oh God, You never fail to amaze me. Competing with your own self. What are you an idiot?

Sherlock's mind immediately travels to that unit of his palace which he never opens. A room full of memories of his best friend, that John Watson who he had not seen in the last three years, because apparently - he is happy with Strange and is disinterested in seeing Sherlock.

Heard that Strange came back. Tell me about Sussex !

Who told you about Sussex? And why do you have my number?

Mycroft. Was he wrong to give me your number? Just wanted to know where Strange was all this time? Please do ask him , and tell me ?

I am not in Sussex anymore.

Where then ?

It is none of your concern ? Focus on your own relationship.

I want to meet you. Can I come over ? It won't take me long to go there, you know.

Be with your John Watson, Sherlock. I am not yours.

This hurt Sherlock a lot.

Text me when you need me John. I am all - yours? Sherlock wanted to say . He types - ears , instead.

Those were the last conversations they have had in three years. John never texted Sherlock and Sherlock confirmed that John was bloody living in Sussex, so believing that it had meant Sherlock is not needed in John's life anymore - Sherlock had moved on - or so he thought. He wonders all the time how the expression 'I love both of you' changed for John in this short passage of time.

'Sherlock ?'

'yes I am here..'

'nothing will ever change...I love you and I love him and it's the exact same for you. So let's enjoy what is being offered to us.okay ? We are lucky Sherlock.'

'Can I eat this sushi off you John? Say yes and show me how lucky I am .'Sherlock says with a straight face

'Yes Sherlock, you can have your dinner off me. Feeling that luck working for you again ?'

'uh...ha..Bedroom then. Lie flat straight, naked, on your back...I'll bring my dinner.'

…………………………………...

4 more years of a perfect relationship when one night Sherlock has this same nightmare he had

years ago. Jim Moriarty , dark infinite night, John screaming, getting whipped and abused by Sherlock.

Sherlock jumps out of sleep, waking John up .John's heart raced throbs with the sudden panic. 'What...Sherlock' and yet he consoles 'you are fine...just a bad dream'

Scanning the room for a moment , he looks at John's neck immediately, for bite marks. There

were none.Sherlock relaxes. No hallucination this time.good.Just a bloody nightmare.

But it kept on happening every night and also the night before the genocide….

'you might wanna put the stone down, doctor'

'I might wanna use it'

The drill starts again

Sherlock,the younger one loses the battle, Sherlock, the younger one wins the battle.Proposes John -gets rejected, time jumps to Baker Street - gets rejected again - goes back to his timeline to lock himself in his library.

Now Sherlock,the elder one, knows that time is ticking and soon he will have to leave John for

reasons he doesn't know. If this would have been a normal world he would already have taken the help of time stone , to foresee the future. But time and reality were not the same anymore for Sherlock and John. So no Intel. But he really needs to know. He is eighty percent sure that the reason Strange had left Everett was because of some business with the nightmare kings, But he needs to confirm this - get intel from Strange himself. So he decides to keep aside all the ego and directly appear at Everett's door and question Strange directly.

'I can't stay tonight after dinner.' Sherlock,who is sitting on the couch - says out loud for his voice to reach the kitchen.

'Why?' John asks coming out of the kitchen

'I have to know certain things.Things which are bothering me.I need answers'

'Okay if that's that important, then I won't stop you, but you will be making it up to me next time'

'With all my pleasure' Sherlock gives a broad smile. He waits for sometime before getting up and walks slowly to John , looks at his eyes ' I will get my answers tomorrow,let's

just cuddle and sleep tonight?'

'Much better, Mr.Holmes'

Sherlock kisses John's forehead 'Dinner?'

'Dinner!'

The nightmare was constant.

……………………………………

It's finally the night to see John Watson again, his best friend John Watson, who he hasn't met in almost eight years.He must have grown older , but age has always been a charmer for John Watson. So John must have gotten much more gorgeous.At least he hopes so.

Sherlock teleports himself outside John's cottage at Sussex.

Sherlock rings the bell.

Maybe he is not needed.Of course he is not needed. But he is here anyway, he is the one who

needed answers, so he will make Strange answer them, whether John likes it or not.

The door opens. Age has not been kind.John doesn't look bright anymore.The eyes have dark

patches, his body - pale, thin and malnourished. Sherlock, shocked to see such a sight, almost immediately yells 'What've you done to yourself ? Where is Strange? Invite me in'

You didn't come in eight years, why today ?' for the first time Sherlock notices John's trembling

feet and his struggle to even walk properly, or stand still.

' Are you ill? Where the hell is Strange?' Sherlock shouts

'He never came back.' John says it with a straight face

'what?' Sherlock asks fearfully .

'sit down..I can't stand for long'

'Do you know why?'

'He came back one day, and said he doesn't wanna see me again. God knows what I did wrong.'

John starts to cough.

'why didn't you stop him?'

'Instead, I asked for my second wish, I asked him to never come back. Seems like I'll never get to make a final wish' John coughs hard again.

'Where is your room. You look very sick' Sherlock comes closer and places the palm of his hand over John's temple to check for temperature.' No John..you are burning up. Let's get you up and go to the bedroom okay ? '

'Seems like a very good idea' he coughs hard and reaches for Sherlock's hand. And very slowly Sherlock walks John inside the bedroom - helps him lay on the bed, flaps open the blanket and wraps it around John and sits on the bed right next to him, massaging John's head '

'Thank you Doctor' John smiles.

'Have you consulted a real doctor?'

'We both are doctors here' John chuckles but coughs again.

Sherlock smiles watching whatever left of the sassy John Watson he had known and then frowns 'you have been hard on yourself '

' I tried not to, after he left… I tried to be fine.. I was, till - ' he stops

' Till what ? ' Sherlock enquires

'Nothing '

'John ? I need to know '

'It's nothing really '

'John tell me. It's important'

' Till one day I had this nightmare.'

'A nightmare ?'

'It was so real...so very real...it pained when I woke up'

'What nightmare John?' Something is staring on Sherlock's face.

'you , beating me up'

Silence fills the whole room which lasts for hours.

'It happens every night- for years now. Same nightmare, every night ' John starts again ' and every night I wake up, I feel the pain , I can touch the scars , I can see them, I can feel the blood loss, my body Sherlock is filled with whip marks.Marks that only I can see.Yes I've consulted doctors, but they thought I needed therapy more than healing.I took therapy Sherl.But it won't stop you from whipping me and fucking me everynight'

'Show me' Sherlock's voice is firm and determined.

He helps John to sit and remove his shirt.John is right, he is filled with scars, not that

It's the first time Sherlock has seen it, Sherlock knows the exact places to look, because he had done them , every night when he had his nightmares, he had whipped John - this John - His John.

'I did this to you. While I thought you were having a courtship with Strange, I felt betrayed. I was there , it was me doing it . My nightmares - every night - I did this to you. Me' Tears wells up in his eyes

'I know.' John cries.

Sherlock loses all his strength and falls on his feet to request for forgiveness . John smiles and helps him sit again. John rests his head on Sherlock's chest, and wraps Sherlock's arms around him. An odd thing happens after a while. John's fever disappears. Sherlock looks at John's face color rushing back - brighter than before.

'But I am not betraying you now , am I ?'

'What?'

'I am here, with you, and your fever has disappeared. I am here, with you and you look better - I am here and you are glowing. I am not there with John, and you! Look! Brighter'

'Sherl… don't'

'I betrayed you with him. I went into a relationship with him to punish you. I have been the treacherous bastard not you.' Sherlock starts panicking

'Do not do this to yourself Sherlock '

'I feathered kisses to the other man but I let the man I love suffer an endless torment'

'Sherlock..you were tricked'

'and I never called all these years ...all these years I held onto my ego and never for once visited you, agreed whatever shit I was made to believe , why ? because maybe subconsciously I knew I was doing this to you !?'

'No.No Sherlock. You knew nothing, you did nothing.All you did was to love each and every

version of me with the most passion, only for that part for God knows why you leave us- that bit is ridiculous.But apart from that, I knew everything I had with Strange was real. The love I got was real. It wasn't fake.It wasn't serving any dark purpose.And yes I am feeling much better, this is only

because you heal me better.You are the perfect lover Sherlock, but we are just puppets remember ?

Never doubt your love for any version of me ever again. Okay ?'

Sherlock listens to John with awe. It was like the old days, but the role reversed, amazing how John never fails to surprise him. This is a familiar feeling, a feeling last felt when Sherlock had a dance with the man he loves.

Sherlock smiles. He finally knows.

He is not in his sanctum anymore - Not in any apartment In New York- Not inside a cottage in Sussex, with his John, it is Baker Street all over again. He is home..

'I came here for an answer John, the same answer you were looking for - what happened to

Strange,I know the answer now'

John looks at him with awe ' What?'

'He granted someone special, a third wish' Sherlock smiles 'Make a wish John'

'Stay'

…………………………………...The End…………………………………...

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Into The Multiverse - Full