John hesitated at the door. He didn't know whether to knock or go right in. Wow had it really been so long that his old home had become alien? The atmosphere felt oppressive, Mrs Hudson greeted him cheerfully as if nothing was wrong, she prattled on but John wasn't listening, the apartment was surprisingly quiet

"Is Sherlock not in?" John asked. Mrs Hudson frowned

"he's been awfully quiet of late" She remarked. John walked up the stairs and found Sherlock sitting in his chair, hands poised in a prayer like stance and his body slumped with long legs stretching across the floor. He was still wearing his pyjamas and robe, his eyes deep set and brows furrowed showing an increasing amount of stress lines. For such a young age, Hamish could definitely understand an adults complex emotions.

"Sherlock?" John cleared his throat. Sherlock did not stir until John sat in his seat which still remained opposite to Sherlock's

"Ah, John" his voice was deeper and slower "everything alright?"

"Yes, yes everything's fine. Hamish has a school play today but was adamant I came to see you because of a nightmare" John conversed

"You came to see me because of a... nightmare?" Sherlock's normal sarcastic tone emerged, although not entirely

"Yes well, he wanted to make sure you were okay- his dreams were not kind to the 'lonely man'" John commented

"Well as you can see I'm perfectly fine- in fact you rudely interupted my deep thought process- I almost had a complete case solved" John nodded. He still hated how closed off Sherlock was. John sat in his chair staring out of the window as Sherlock sunk back into his mind palace, it felt wrong. He could feel Sherlock's loneliness, he remembered the same feeling when he returned from war...

"Listen, Sherlock. Me and Mary are inviting a few friends over for a meal- you're more than welcome to come"

"Me? At a social event full of idiots?" Sherlock wrinkled his nose

"For Hamish then, his personality really shines through with you... Uncle Sherly" John poked fun at Hamish's nickname. Sherlock scowled, shaking his head as John chuckled "nothing has changed"

"Hasn't it?" Sherlock asked. John was caught of guard by the sadness in Sherlock's voice.

John returned home and reassured Hamish that Sherlock was completely fine- a certified jerk. He was so tempted to say asshole, but it was Hamish. John went upstairs to Mary who saw he was vaguely troubled

"John?"

"I've invited Sherlock to our dinner party- it's horribly depressing in that flat now"

"Oh..." Mary replied "...but he is alright?"

"Well he's still an asshole" John shrugged "Mrs Hudson said he's been more quiet of late, she thinks he's on drugs again"

"But he wouldn't- not after Hamish saw him"

"I don't know Mary, maybe. That's why I've invited him over, maybe being surrounded by 'idiots' and Hamish is what he needs"

"Hamish does have a special spot for Sherlock-"

"And Sherlock has a spot for Hamish too"

"- I hope Hamish and Sherlock can fix each others worries" Mary sighed

"Well he did for me" John smiled before Hamish burst into the room

"Is Uncle Sherly coming over!?" He exclaimed

"He is" John laughed as his boys face brightened

"We can play detectives with the guests instead of my toys!" Hamish giggled.