A Study in Text Chapter 3, a sherlock fanfic

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 1:03 AM

Are you awake

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 1:04 AM

If you are pretend youre not

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 1:06 AM

Ive been thinking a lot about things

About you

And i think you might have been right

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 1:10 AM

Have you slept with that man yet

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 1:11 AM

I cant stand the thought of him touching you

Running his hands all over you

Like he could even begin to deserve you

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 1:14 AM

Does anybody deserve you

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 1:17 AM

Wish i did

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 1:24 AM

Is there any way to wipe out a particular phone's sent messages?

TEXT FROM: MYCROFT HOLMES

SENT: 1:25 AM

Ah, so those texts were to you. I thought they might be.

One of my cameras spotted him hunched over his phone in his usual pub.

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 1:25 AM

Can you do it or not?

TEXT FROM: MYCROFT HOLMES

SENT: 1:26 AM

The best I can do is completely wipe his phone's memory.

That will delete his message history, contacts, et cetera.

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 1:27 AM

Fine, that will do.

TEXT FROM: MYCROFT HOLMES

SENT: 1:27 AM

Is this what you really want, Sherlock?

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 1:29 AM

I don't want John having a panic attack when he discovers he's revealed his lust for me via drunken text message.

TEXT FROM: MYCROFT HOLMES

SENT: 1:30 AM

I wasn't asking about John.

What do you want, Sherlock?

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 1:31 AM

You know the answer to that.

TEXT FROM: MYCROFT HOLMES

SENT: 1:35 AM

Done.

I have a lovely little case you can work on to pay me back.

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 1:36 AM

Fine. Send me the files.

TEXT FROM: MYCROFT HOLMES

SENT: 1:37 AM

No protesting?

Just what is it about this doctor that afflicts you so?

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 1:38 AM

If I knew that, I would tell you.

TEXT FROM: MYCROFT HOLMES

SENT: 1:38 AM

No, you wouldn't.

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 12:04 PM

Sherlock?

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 12:06 PM

Yes?

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 12:06 PM

Oh thank god its really you this time

I got pissed last night, must have dropped my phone and lost the memory

I texted six other people before I could remember your number

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 12:07 PM

Seventh time's the charm, then.

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 12:12 PM

Have you confirmed the existence of Lancaster's tattoo yet?

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 12:13 PM

If by that you mean have I slept with him, no.

Turns out Mycroft has a man in the Oxford police.

He was able to present enough evidence to warrant a strip search.

I'm headed there now.

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 12:14 PM

That's good

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 12:16 PM

About the progress, I mean.

When can I expect you back?

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 12:17 PM

Not terribly late.

Around seven, if all goes well.

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 12:17 PM

Good, we can go out for a bite

Unless by some miracle youve been maintaining a proper diet over the last few days

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 12:18 PM

Eating regularly is as unnecessary as it is annoying.

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 12:19 PM

Even so you left the pantry empty

Its been ages since ive had real food

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 12:20 PM

Nonsense, John.

There's a new can of soup in the cupboard.

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 12:21 PM

Apparently no one taught you the difference between new and unopened

That soup expired before world war two

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 12:22 PM

Point taken. See you at seven.

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 12:22 PM

God i can't wait

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 12:25 PM

For the food, I mean.

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 6:14 PM

Case closed.

I'll be home shortly.

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 6:18 PM

What happened?

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 6:19 PM

Standard procedure.

I was able to confirm his connection to various criminal aliases using the tattoo and witness testimony.

He confessed to the murder of his wife within minutes.

Honestly, most criminals have no idea how to properly commit a crime.

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 6:20 PM

You might want to avoid saying that around the yard

How are you getting home?

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 6:21 PM

Cab.

The ride is proving to be hideously dull, especially since the cabby has decided to ignore me.

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 6:23 PM

Did he start ignoring you because you told him his wife was cheating on him

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 6:24 PM

Of course not.

Why would I say that when it's perfectly obvious that he's the one doing the cheating?

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 6:25 PM

Most people don't enjoy having their own misdeeds tossed back in their face

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 6:26 PM

And it's that exact kind of dishonesty with oneself that contributes so heavily to the failure of the human race.

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 6:27 PM

People need to hide from themselves sometimes, sherlock

It may be the only thing keeping them sane

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 6:28 PM

Sometimes it causes misunderstandings as well.

These misunderstandings lead to crimes and tragedies.

There would be considerably less crime if people would just learn to be honest with each other.

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 6:30 PM

And more hurt feelings too

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 6:14 PM

That's exactly what I've never understood.

This "hide feelings to spare feelings" thing.

It never made any sense to me until you, John.

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 6:14 PM

What

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 6:15 PM

Sorry.

What do you mean?

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 6:16 PM

I've always just told people exactly what I'm thinking.

It's never bothered me if someone gets offended because I've pointed out their flaws or reminded them of something they'd rather forget.

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 6:17 PM

Similarly, I can tell when people are being dishonest.

It's so easy to read people, to use their feelings to my advantage.

I've never had any problem doing it before.

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 6:18 PM

I suppose that means you can read me, too.

Bloody hell.

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 6:19 PM

That's the thing, John.

I CAN read you. I SEE you.

I see how you look at me and yet I can't bring myself to act.

I've never cared how anyone would react to being analyzed until you.

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 6:20 PM

Why am I hesitant when I can see everything so clearly?

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 6:25 PM

I hope I've got this figured right, otherwise this will be very embarrassing.

From what I've gathered, you've deduced that I fancy you.

You want to act on it, but because I haven't said anything, you won't because you think I might be unprepared.

God I hope I'm right.

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 6:27 PM

And how would you react if I said you were correct?

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 6:28 PM

That depends on how you would react if I were to snog you senseless the moment you walk in the door.

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 6:28 PM

I think that could be arranged.

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 6:31 PM

;)

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 6:32 PM

John, we've discussed this before.

Can't you be a little more personable?

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 6:33 PM

Sometimes you only need a face to express how you're feeling

And besides, i thought all people were idiots

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 6:34 PM

Most of them are.

You, however, are my personal idiot, which puts you a step above the rest, I suppose.

You can always attempt to learn through osmosis.

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 6:36 PM

:) :) :)

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 6:37 PM

Come home soon

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 9:43 AM

You didn't buy any milk.

I'm disappointed, John.

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 9:45 AM

Usually the morning after you wake up next to a person and not a phone

Where are you

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 9:46 AM

Downstairs.

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 9:47 AM

And you decide to text instead of talk

Why am i even surprised

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 9:48 AM

Talking would require going back upstairs.

Besides, I have to keep an eye on the spleens.

If they cool too much I won't get accurate results.

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 9:48 AM

What spleens

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 9:49 AM

Never mind

I'll be in the shower

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 10:07 AM

Out

Have i gone mad or do I smell bacon and eggs

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 10:08 AM

I thought you'd prefer it to the smell of rotting turtle carcass.

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 10:08 AM

I hope you washed your hands after touching the spleen

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 10:09 AM

Of course I did. Do you take me for a barbarian?

And currently the spleens are safely defrosting in the fridge.

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 10:11 AM

That's where the eggs are too

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 10:11 AM

They're in separate containers, of course.

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 10:16 AM

Now theres something burning

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 10:18 AM

Why would they put a setting on the toaster that produces black toast?

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 10:19 AM

Haha maybe skip the toast then

Thanks for breakfast

Be down as soon as i dress

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 10:20 AM

You can pay me back by unpacking my suitcase.

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 10:20 AM

Fat chance of that happening

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 10:29 AM

The socks go in drawer on the top left.

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 10:30 AM

I hate you

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 10:30 AM

I do believe last night provides evidence to the contrary.

Now come downstairs before your bacon turns to ice.

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 10:31 AM

Okay let me just finish up here

TEXT FROM: JOHN WATSON

SENT: 10:34 AM

Thanks for the snow globe

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 10:34 AM

.,d88b,.,d88b,
.88888888888
..'Y8888888Y'
…..'Y88888Y'
…........'Y'

TEXT FROM: SHERLOCK HOLMES

SENT: 10:35 AM

What have you done to me, John Watson?