John was stunned as he stood behind the trees, watching as his best friend suddenly changed into a bloody dragon in front of him. John felt his legs shaking in front of him, as he leaned against a tree for support. He has never seen anything like that, and he would never be able to unsee it. When 'Sherlock' was no where in sight, John stepped out from the trees, looking lost and dazed.
"Sherlock.." John whispered to himself, he sat in the grass, staring up into the night.
John couldn't sleep that night, the kiss replaying in his mind. He felt his cheeks flush red, and soon he decided to get some fresh air. Pulling a wool brown coat over his shoulders, and slipping his black boots over his feet. The night was still, as though waiting for something. John had never been out in the night, usually sleeping away the night. Yet, the whole thing with Sherlock was keeping him awake.
John hadn't realized he was walking to the tower, until he heard Sherlock yelling out in horrible pain. John felt his feet move faster, jumping over roots and weaving between the trees. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Sherlock, or well it was Sherlock, for 5 seconds. He then grew to the size of the tower, changed into a deep crimson red color, sprouted wings, breathed out smoke, and had glowing gold eyes. John couldn't move, or didn't want to move, in fear of the beastly creature finding him.
When the dragon stretched its wings, and took off into the night, his spiked tail flowing in the wind, it left John unable think. And here he was now, sitting in the grass, doing nothing. He wanted to cry, he wanted to yell, but for what reason? John didn't know, he was too confused. His mind was racing with thoughts, replaying everything that happened.
"There was Sherlock," he said out loud," and then...there was a dragon. My best friend..is a dragon?" John's brain had finally processed everything, and it made him scared. His heart thumped loud in his chest, his breathing ragged. He was finally putting the pieces together, and he was scared. That's why Sherlock was in this tower, that's why he never left it...But when he changed, where did he go? What was the point of the tower, if he could just leave anyways? John began to get annoyed with his criticism. This was his best friend he was thinking about, the man he loved, the man who has told him about a world of isolation- no, a world of desolation.
John was pulling grass out from beside him, his thoughts finally clear. There were no villages nearby, nothing. Maybe that's why Sherlock was here, since there was hardly anything in this area. John's family farm was in the opposite direction the dragon had went, and was hidden underneath the trees which surrounded it. John hoped the dragon never flew over the farm, feeling a sense of guilt as he thought this.
He didn't know how long he sat there, until the sun had begun to rise over the horizon. John felt his breath catch in his throat. When would Sherlock be back? What if he saw John? John felt sadness come from deep within, as though it were eating its way to his heart. He finally had something to hold onto, someone he knew he could trust. Yet that person was a dragon. The word seemed to be singed into his brain. Dragon.
From out of nowhere, John saw a giant shadow cast itself over the tower. John spun, quickly getting up, grass and dirt falling out of his lap. John gaped at the top of the tower, the dragon standing tall on the gray stone. Its claws were grasping the sides of the tower, its head was facing towards the sunrise. John felt his legs began to move backwards, either to get a better look at it, or to make his way back to the trees for a hiding play. The dragon must've heard him, because it began to crawl down the tower, its golden eyes glaring right at John. He felt his heart stop, sweat sliding down his brow as the creature made its way down.
John could smell smoke as the dragon exhaled, his feet automatically stopping. John didn't know why he stopped, but he did. He stood there, waiting for the creature to get closer, waiting for his death.
The ground shook as the dragon reached the bottom of the tower, its large claws unsheathing from the tower as it touched the ground. John stared in fearful awe, the creature stopping 10 feet in front of him. John stood his ground as the dragon examined him, angling its head to look right at John.
"Well, well," John jumped as the dragon opened its mouth to speak, a deep growl of a voice breaking the silence," what do we have here?" The dragon asked, making John's brain race. "Who are you?" It asked slowly, the words like ice in John's ears.
"J-john Watson," he stammered out, his voice was small and shaky," Sherlock? Is...Is that you?" John asked, his brown eyes knitting in confusion.
"Ha!" The dragon laughed, making John jump again. The dragon moved his head side to side, golden eyes glowing, his sharp teeth catching John's full attention. "My name is not Sherlock...My name is Smaug." The dragon held his head up in pride, making John gaze in awe.
"Smaug…" John stated, shifting from one foot from another. "Are-are you going to kill me...Smaug?" John asked, his voice shaking a bit.
"Do you want me to?" The dragon asked back, his voice making John shiver. "Over the centuries, that is the only question anyone has ever asked me….people are very fascinated with death, aren't they?" Smaug looked to the sky, and John saw he was looking at the sun rising over the trees. The dragon quickly turned his gaze back to John, his golden gaze making John want to hide. "Tell me this, John Watson. Did my...'host', tell you about me?"
John shook his head and whispered a 'no'. Smaug chuckled, as though he knew all along.
"Of course he didn't. Maybe he was afraid he would be left alone again, making me his only company." Smaug took one huge step to John, who nearly turned tail, but decided that would be a bad idea. "I must tell you this, John Watson. Over the years, as I lay in slumber within this being. I have noticed, that no one has tried to separate us...I have seen the world, I have killed those who have stood against me, bathing in the blood of war. Yet, as I am now trapped, I know of a world of loneliness...of a world of nothing. Yet, no one...Has bothered to look for any way of seperating us.." His voice was low, and a bit on edge.
"Is there a way to cure both of you? To separate you?" John asked quickly, making Smaug chuckle again.
"No, there is not. If he or I were to die, the other shall perish also. We are connected, we live and breathe together, and one day...we shall die together." Smaug glanced once more to the rising sun, its rays hitting the armor of his body. John gasped as he saw the scales shimmer like glass in the light, and soon the armour began to crack. It cracked and began falling apart, shedding away like water. When pieces of sharp scale hit the ground it shattered into water, making John stand there stunned. Smaug just stared at the sunrise, not moving, just waiting.
Finally, after the final scale had fallen, there was only Sherlock. Normal sized, no claws, no sharp teeth, no wings, and no tail. Just Sherlock, laying in the grass, naked. John didn't hesitate, he rushed to Sherlock's side, kneeling, turning him over on his back. John checked for a pulse, any injuries, anything. Nothing, he was perfectly fine, as though he didn't just revert from being a giant dragon.
"Sherlock," John whispered, running his hand over Sherlock's hair," Sherlock, love. Wake up." John kept repeating his name over and over, hoping for him to wake. After a few minutes Sherlock stirred, his eyes slowly opening. John saw a hint of gold in his eyes, making John shudder at the thought of Smaug.
"John?" Sherlock asked hoarsely, his baritone voice back to normal. His eyes were full of confusion, fear, and most of all guilt. Sherlock sat up, and John shrugged off his coat, covering up Sherlock with it.
"It's okay, i'm here." he cooed, helping Sherlock up," i'm here…" John wasn't sure why he was saying that. maybe to convince himself not to leave right then and there, or for the sake of Sherlock.
Somehow they made it back in the tower, up the never ending steps, and through the secret door. The entire time Sherlock was leaning against John, no words were spoken between the two, the silence becoming unbearable. When they had finally got settled, Sherlock getting some clothes on, and John making a cup of tea for the both of them, Sherlock decided he should talk to John.
"So, I am assuming you…saw." He began, making John laugh in sarcasm. As they sat across from each other, the tension rose in the room.
"Oh yes, I saw Sherlock." John licked his lips, Sherlock's gaze lowering down to them.
"I suppose you want to talk about it then?" Sherlock gazed back up to John's eyes, making John's smile drop a bit.
"Yes. I would actually, I mean.." John sighed out, scooting a bit closer to Sherlock," You turned into a bloody dragon! That...That is a huge secret to keep from me…" John saw Sherlock begin to analyze the situation, his hands coming together under his chin as though he were praying.
"John..It's not really an easy subject to talk about. Would you have like me to say, on the first day we met, 'Oh before you come up and have a cup of tea, fair warning I turn into a dragon.'" Sherlock's deep voice dripped with sarcasm, making John huff out a breath of air.
"Well it would've been nice! I mean, for Christ's sake! I have fallen in love with a man who won't tell me anything! It's as though I pull teeth, just for you to give me some honesty.." John felt like yelling, but he knew it would just make things worse.
"John," Sherlock began, his voice a bit tense," I may be many things, but I am no liar. I have been honest in this relationship…" He stopped himself, realising what he just said.
John scoffed, " Yes, absolutely truthful aren't you?" He licked his lips, Sherlock gazing at them again.
"John…" Sherlock sat up, and leaned forward towards John. "I need you to understand...When I become that thing-"
"Smaug." John cut in, making Sherlock chuckle darkly.
"Yes. When I become...Smaug. I can't control myself. I-I can't do anything, I can only watch...as he kills." John went cold. He never expected Smaug actually killed people, he actually hadn't thought about it. Sherlock wasn't looking at John anymore, and John noticed Sherlock's hands were shaking a bit. John moved closer to Sherlock, placing his hand on his knee.
"You don't need to explain further.." He whispered, trying to soothe Sherlock.
"I-I am sorry John. I didn't mean to hide this from you..I just didn't want to be alone again." Sherlock was staring into John's eyes, giving John all his raw emotion. It made John feel happy and sad at the same time, and he didn't know why.
"I promise you Sherlock, that I will never leave you alone. I will always be here for you...For you, and your fire breath…" Sherlock smiled, and added some comment about how that somehow offends him, which sent them both laughing like idiots. After they calmed down, they somehow ended up staring into each others eyes. No words were spoken, only the tender touching on arms of legs.
"John, I want to spend the day with you...In my bedroom," Sherlock was blushing, making John smile.
"I see, love. I understand." He said softly. John got up, slipping his hand into Sherlock's, leading him upstairs into the dark bedroom.