'No, no, no. Not now.'
John's mind was frantic as Sherlock approached him. They'd tried the talking-it-out thing when he first came back. It ended in tears and a black eye.
After months of ignoring texts and calls from Sherlock, he may have to force himself back into a partnership with the man. Could he?
"John." Sherlock repeated more firmly, placing his hand on his shoulder.
"Yes, Sherlock what is it?" John said turning to face him.
He tried to look him in the eye but couldn't. Instead he continued to shuffle the papers he held. The worse part about it was he knew what Sherlock was doing. Reading him, deducing his thoughts based on every gesture and breath he took.
Sherlock looked him full in the face his hands behind his back, straight-forward, as usual. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, unsure of where to start what would be a difficult conversation.
"I believe we should start with the victim's families, and their history, education and all of that. See what connected them."
John let out a short laugh. He wasn't even going to try again. All of this was his fault and he wasn't even going to attempt another apology.
"Yeah, let's do that," John said, finally meeting Sherlock's eyes.
He turned his back and left the room, leaving Sherlock standing there, looking at his back, a face filled with regret.
He realized he'd said the wrong thing even as the words left his mouth. But anything else would have made the situation uncomfortable for the both of them. The last thing either of them needed was for emotions run high.
Not after what happened last time.