GN:
Trying to get back into it.
Be kind.
"Neighborhood field trip?" Sherlock scoffs as he watches another group of people being brought in in handcuffs.
"Something like that. We've arrested 46 people so far." Lestrade crosses his arms. At Sherlock's lack of response Lestrade shakes his head. "They broke the law!" Sherlock shrugs.
"I seem to do that on at least a daily basis." When it comes to drugs, Sherlock never seems to be on the side of the law.
"It's different." Lestrade looks towards the group of teenagers who are getting put into the system. Sherlock doesn't respond, instead he walks over to the interrogation rooms.
"Oh he's not going to interview all of them, is he?" John looks up from the screen to see Jim watching him. Jim slightly tilts his head. "I don't know." John shifts and Jim can feel the thoughts rattle off his brain. See? Ordinary! Boring! Stupid!
"Because you're not looking." Jim stresses.
"I don't know what I'm looking for." John looks back to the screen.
"That's because you're boring." Jim shakes his head as he sings it, once more as John locks eyes with him.
"You could show me, you know. Instead of just making fun of me, you could actually do something." Jim tilts his head. John glances to the screen again to see Lestrade hasn't moved. Jim isn't responding at all.
"You seemed to be progressing so well." Jim suddenly voices and John understands what Jim wants: he wants John to demand it as if he were Moriarty. He knows that's what it's been leading to, but Jim wants to see his progress now.
"Well it's a bit boring if you don't." John says neutrally.
"You can ask better." Jim scolds in an even voice. John feels a need to beat this challenge rise.
"No, no I'm not asking. I'm telling you to show me." Jim turns his head slightly and John counters with his own head tilt. Jim lifts a finger and John stops him by lifting a hand. Jim smiles.
"Why?"
"Because you can;" John stands and Jim's eyes follow him, "because I can see from the way you stand that you want to." There is a spark of recognition in Jim's eyes. "The very reason you brought me here was for this." John is surprised at how calm his voice is. "Erase the preamble. It's nothingness." John smiles coolly, "It's boring." Jim steps closer and they lock eyes. "Show me what you brought me here to see."
"No." Jim grins and John feels his insides tighten. "Try again."
One more time. John returns Jim's stare and blinks. Jim is staring into John's eyes intensely. This is a tipping point of some sort and John has to come out on top.
Dr. Watson.
You suffer because you care
He needs a better argument
They are just pawns
Will caring about them help them?
And you are a little bit more
Shut it off
John's already been silent enough for it to be awkward but both of them are just staring at each other. It's another battle; getting John comfortable with being uncomfortable. He needs to be the same. No difference should be noticeable from a million dollar restaurant to a cheap eat out place. Nothing and no one should look out of place here. One more time. One more chance to prove his talent. John's face looks calm, his body is still. Jim moves a little closer, but John smiles as they begin to share a breath. Jim watches John's eyes look through him and wants to laugh, he wants to kiss him. This is perfect. It's working.
"You brought me here to rip the heart out of Sherlock." Jim could groan out from the pleasure he gets seeing himself mirrored in the good old soldier boy. Obviously this is just the second step, but it is progress. "What kind of weapon can I be if you don't sharpen me?" Jim determines it's best to step back this time.
"Good boy." He purrs as he steps back and John feels Jim leave like a weight off of his shoulders. He's half hard from the adrenaline and lets out a small breath as Jim walks past him to sit on the couch. He did it. He convinced Jim Moriarty to teach him how to observe the way he does.
John shouldn't feel accomplished. He should feel patronized and used, but John chooses not to focus on that but instead absorb all of the information Jim is willing to give him. Shut it off. Caring doesn't help. Knowledge will.