Hey guys, Izzy here. I'm now back in China again… :(. I might be a bit busy now that my summer time's over so updates might be a bit late. Maybe I might change the updates to every Wednesday. OH, and thanks for all those reviews and favorites!
Sherlock came back half an hour later, carrying three plastic bags all filled with something John knew wasn't milk.
"Where's the milk?" He asked.
Sherlock lifted up his other hand revealing a gallon of milk.
Oh, okay. "So…what's in the other bags?" He asked.
A wicked grin appeared on Sherlock's face. John mentally slapped himself in the face. Probably baking soda, explosives, magnesium… If he's lucky he might even find frozen fingers.
"Whatever, forget I asked," he muttered.
Sherlock strolled to the kitchen counter and dropped his plastic bags and milk. Then, he walked to his sofa chair in two strides and plopped down in it.
Tired? He thought to himself. Maybe he wants some tea.
"Tea?" John prompted.
Sherlock nodded.
"Black with three sugars?"
Another nod.
John shuffled to the kitchen to get the tea ready. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Sherlock bringing his knees up in a defensive motion. He watched as Sherlock gradually lowered his forehead on his knees. He hugged his legs even closer to his body, as if he was trying to disappear.
"Uh…Sherlock you okay?"
Sherlock nodded.
"Um…okay then," he went back to boiling the water. Sherlock still crouched there hugging his legs.
Soon, John had a steaming cup of tea in each of his hands as he made his way back into the living room. He sat the cup on the table next to Sherlock then settled in his own seat.
Sherlock looked up and stared at the steaming cup. John prodded him on with his eyes. Sherlock took the cup of tea. Then he went back to crouching, warm cup held in his pale hands.
None of them made a sound for a long time.
Just pure… silence.
Sherlock seemed unable stand the silence because soon, he pulled out his phone and began furiously typing. John watched him with inquisitiveness.
In seconds, his phone dinged. He drew out his phone and looked at the screen.
You should go home. You have a family, I'm fine alone. -SH
John looked up hoping his face was showing the most confused and mystified expression. "But-can you, the doctor said…" he trailed off at Sherlock's trademark eye roll. He began typing again.
John's phone dinged once more.
I'm 39 years old and you have a family to take care of. Go to your family. There's nothing for you to do here. I'll be fine. -SH
"You sure?" He asked staring at Sherlock dead in the eye. Sherlock rolled his trademark eye roll again and nodded.
John adjusted his position then rubbed his face with his hands.
Should he do it? The doctor said it's best for Sherlock to have as much company as he can but Sherlock is…well, Sherlock. He managed two years on his own and John was pretty sure he can handle a few hours by himself. Besides, Mycroft's meeting him today and he can always come tomorrow to check on him. And Mrs. Hudson's always downstairs in case something happens and Mycroft always have security cameras all around the flat.
John still went out on cases with him after he got married but… things were getting packed up, especially when Mary's pregnant. And after Moran's comeback to avenge Moriarty's death, the odds weren't always in their favor.
Moran's still out there and Sherlock's security isn't probably the best however, it isn't the worst. His brother's still the British government. Perhaps he should go back home. Sherlock has enough people looking after him so he should be fine. Plus Mary needs help once his baby's born. Help with cooking, cleaning, and he also needs to spend more time with his family.
Sherlock will be fine. He is 39 years old and he can look after himself. All he's lacking is just his voice. But other than that Sherlock will be fine.
Sherlock. Will. Be. Fine.
He will be fine.
Fine.
So John decided to leave. To go home. But not before checking on his flatemate's food supply, health, whether he's taking his proper medications and so on. Sherlock seemed like he was dying in the end but John didn't care. He doesn't want anything to happen to Sherlock. Not after he already lost his voice. He stayed till it was around five then he made for the door, ready to join his family for dinner.
"Oh, and Sherlock," he yelled from the stairs. "Mycroft's visiting, not sure when, but he's going to visit you sometime today."
He paused.
"Be good!" He added, "and don't start a battle with him I still want the flat intact when I come back tomorrow,"
He heard books being thrown on the floor above. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a book flew from second floor and fell down onto the staircase landing on the floor with a large 'thump'. John clomped up the stairs to examine it.
"British Sign Language Concise Dictionary," he read aloud. "Gee, thanks Sherlock,"
His phone dinged. "What now…" he muttered under his breath as he searched for his phone.
Read and learn sign language. Can't type forever. -SH
"Okay, fine!" He yelled. He climbed back down the stairs again. "Take care of yourself!" He didn't wait for Sherlock's reply.
In the end, John asked Mrs. Hudson to look after him, and always check where he's going if he's going outside. Mrs. Hudson happily obliged.
"Oh, and call me if anything happens," he said.
"Of course dear," she replied.
And so John left.
GUEST R: I have taken your idea into consideration! I don't want some random character not in Sherlock to be his voice and I think it's gonna be quite cool if Anderson becomes Sherlock's translator. But I can always change it! WILL BE IN NEXT CHAPTER.
I'm not sure with lip reading because it's quite hard and rare, (takes 1-2 years to master it) so only Mycroft can understand him fully.