The Dragon's Companion

Disclaimer:

I do not own BBC Sherlock.

Note:

Basically there are people who are creatures. They can look human but can make certain animal features of theirs appear/disappear at will to blend in with ordinary humans. There's prejudice between humans and creatures so they generally hide what they are.

Chapter 2

Her growl grew louder, fangs flashing and eyes glowing slightly with anger.

Sherlock could see her nails growing into claws as John stood there, petrified. "Meliora," he called her.

Green eyes snapped toward him, "You told me you took care of it!"

"I told you it wouldn't happen again and it won't," he reminded her.

John took a step back, "Sher-" He froze as Sherlock motioned for him not to move.

"Don't fucking talk to him!" She snarled. "You hurt him! I know you hurt him!" The wolf took two steps forward, "He may have tried to wash it off but I could still smell you on him! I could smell the blood and the pain!"

Sherlock took slow steps toward her, "Mel-"

"He smells like smoke." She looked at Sherlock. "Why does he smell like-?" A horrified expression came over her. "This is John?!" And the worst of it was as she glanced back at her pack-mate she knew how Sherlock felt about the man so she knew the dragon wouldn't allow her to kill the human. The black-haired wolf completely ignored John as she went up to the dragon. "Let's leave London. We don't have to stay here," she almost begged. "We were doing fine before-"

"Running and fighting are not the solutions to every problem." He felt uneasy at the look of betrayal on her face. In a softer tone he stated, "I'm not rejecting you."

John was watching them, surprised by Sherlock's caring expression and shocked when he saw the man lean his head against the humanoid creature.

"I'm not rejecting the pack," he whispered so John couldn't hear. "John is my pack-mate too."

"But-"

"Sometimes pack-mates physically lash out when they're upset," he reminded her.

She pouted, not able to deny that. "Fine," she said begrudgingly. "But there's no way I'm letting him be your Alpha."

Sherlock offered her a small smile. "Isn't that your position?"

The wolf couldn't help but smile back.

John felt something twist in his stomach at that smile being directed at her. It stung to see that smile disappear as Sherlock glanced up at him after the creature spun around to stand beside the consulting detective.

"You're off the hook for now," she barked while pointing at him, "but you hurt Sherlock like that again and I'll make your life a living hell." Meliora walked over to him and gave a brief snarl at his face before walking over to the couch and jumping at an angle so she landed on her back.

The only human in the room saw her close her eyes but he very much doubted she was going to sleep. "What the bloody hell was that all about?" He whispered, not wanting to disturb her, "I thought she was going to attack me."

Sherlock walked over to lazily sit in his chair. "Most likely she would have almost killed you if you had been anyone else."

"And you would've let her?!" He whispered harshly.

His blue eyes glanced over at him, expression calm and almost indifferent. He almost pointed out how whispering was pointless because Meliora could hear everything perfectly fine but decided against it. It would only make John uncomfortable. Instead he simply pinned the doctor with his gaze. Not in any effort to intimidate him but to make him understand. "She's accustomed to a highly dangerous environment. She'll calm down eventually."

John scoffed, "Of course. Where else would you meet anyone? Did you two have fun while you were pretending to be dead?"

Sherlock frowned slightly, "That was hardly about having fun."

"Wasn't it?"

The dragon was hurt but refused to show it. "I told you I had no choice-"

"Bullocks Sherlock! You had a choice; you just didn't care enough to consider anyone else!"

Meliora opened her eyes. She could almost taste the blood from the invisible wound this lowly human had inflicted. "Leave," she sternly commanded.

The human turned around, eyes wide as if he'd forgotten about her presence. Without another word, he made his way out the door and slammed it closed behind him.

"Meli-"

"Does he always treat you like that?" She asked with a frown as she sat up to face Sherlock.

"I told you he's upset."

The wolf snorted, "Upset? What does he have to be upset about? You're the one who-" She stopped at the look he shot her. Right. They weren't going to talk about that then. She sighed, "I thought you said he wasn't an idiot. Surely he already -"

"He doesn't and he won't." His tone warned his companion how serious he was as his expression hardened.

"But if he-"

"Would you tell?"

She raised a brow at him. "I've told you."

"I was there." He pointed out.

Her expression dropped, "Not for all of it Sherlock."

His expression softened. "I think we know I'm different from the general population Meliora."

She gave him a wry smile, "I didn't know that particular characteristic at the time." She was, of course, referring to how despite how difficult it was to get close to a dragon and no matter how unfeeling they could appear to be, the species cared on a much deeper level than most. You could say that a dragon was a life-long friend unless deeply betrayed. They felt betrayal on a level that pretty much guaranteed depression and suicidal tendencies. Some dragons went mad from being betrayed. But at the same time, once they had a companion, they truly accepted who that person was and were compassionate, caring and understanding although not all dragons necessarily showed this. Which was why the trait was so unknown.

Neither of them spoke for a moment.

"Can we go to bed now?"

Sherlock sighed in resignation.

"Just for a couple hours. I know you've got that case you're in the middle of."

They started walking to Sherlock's bedroom.

"So where did you disappear to last night?" The consulting detective asked.

"Well, while you were saving John I saw this..."

John didn't hear the rest as they'd traveled too far from the door. What was Sherlock hiding now? Well, besides the fact that he was closer to that creature than he thought Sherlock was capable of being with anyone. Why would they sleep together unless they were sleeping together? He didn't notice the frown on his own face as he quietly made his way down the stairs.

Meliora knew that hurting John by faking his death had inflicted a wound on Sherlock as much as a betrayal would and although it thankfully hadn't caused suicidal tendencies there was still the depression. Sherlock hid it well but she knew it was there. And with John being such an ass to him, she knew that hole inside of him was growing. She clung to his dress shirt with one hand while rubbing her forehead against his chest. 'I'm here Sherlock,' she tried to silently express to him. 'I promise I won't let you drown.'

He rested his chin against the top of her head and wrapped an arm around her. They didn't talk about it but he knew she was aware of his condition and while he was unlikely to ever say it, he was thankful to have her here with him.