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.
otala: True. She doesn't know his side of the story. What she knows is what Sherlock's told her about John and how much Sherlock cares about him. What she wrongfully assumes is that the two of them had already talked about what happened and that Sherlock explained why he did what he did and what he'd been doing since John last saw him. Her reaction is a combination of as Sherlock said 'being accustomed to a highly dangerous environment'; the fact she was currently being overprotective due to a high level of stress, lack of sleep and Sherlock being the only person she's attached to at the moment and could break the moment John says something that cuts deep enough. Of course, while she may not like John what matters more to her is whether or not Sherlock is happy.
Chapter 3
After Sherlock had successfully stopped the bomb and got John to forgive him it seemed that everyone had turned up at the flat. Lestrade, John, Mary, Molly and her fiance and of course, Meliora. Making John think he'd be unable to stop a bomb had been Meliora's idea really. Although, to tell the truth, if it came down to clipping wires the bomb would've most certainly gone off. So it hadn't really been a lie. Anyone could flip a switch after all. Still, he'd gone with the idea for multiple reasons. Meliora agreeing to try to be nicer to John if he scared John being one of them. And he did want John to forgive him. He'd been so relieved to hear it that he'd become hysterical at the expression on the man's face for truly believing they were about to die. The metaphorical hole he felt became just a bit smaller knowing John was no longer angry at him. And for once he didn't complain about all the people in the flat.
John was surprised to see Meliora get on with Lestrade and Molly and despite seeming uncomfortable around Mary, was even nice to her. He watched as the creature avoided interacting with Molly's boyfriend though she did whisper things to Sherlock while staring at the man in amusement. He was surprised to see Sherlock smiling and chuckling to whatever Meliora was whispering. It hurt to see how little Sherlock had missed him. How replaceable he was. And why wouldn't he be replaced? Surely someone like Meliora, a non-human, was vastly more interesting than him? He was surprised the creature hadn't went with Sherlock after the bomb. Surely Sherlock would eventually stop letting him come around since the humanoid creature didn't like him. Even now, when Sherlock wasn't looking, she'd occasionally shoot him a glare. At least he hadn't received any verbal threats.
John was testing Meliora's patience. The human was clearly an idiot. And he was going to pay for this. No matter what Sherlock said she was going to punish that moron. One way or another. Public humiliation at his own wedding sounded good, if she could plan it without Sherlock finding out and stopping her. She'd prefer to maim as that would surely drive her point home but the dragon would be hurt if she did that. As he was her pack she wouldn't. But dammit she'd warned the idiot what would happen if he hurt Sherlock again and being the oblivious human that he was, John didn't seem to even realize what he'd done when he asked Sherlock to be his best man. To stand there, right up front to witness his marriage to Mary. In addition to that, Meliora had to be a bridesmaid. Because there was no way she was allowing her pack-mate to suffer through this by himself. She just prayed the dresses wouldn't be pink. If they were, well, John would suffer that much more. As she opened the door to the room she shared with Sherlock she locked down her anger and fury. It broke her heart to see the dragon lying there because it was such a common sight now since Sherlock had agreed to be best man. He even refused to take a case on the pretense of helping out with the wedding. Not that it was a lie because despite her opinion on the matter Sherlock was helping John and Mary with the wedding. Or at least was present for a lot of it. She was kneeling beside the bed, chin resting on the edge. "Dray," she called softly. It was the nickname she'd given him upon discovering his dragon status although she saved it for moments when she needed to reach the man.
His eyes fluttered open.
"I brought food," she continued in her soft tone, slowly moving the plate of take-away Chinese food into his line of vision.
There was no sign that he even heard her.
Green eyes narrowed. "Eat," she demanded with a growl.
His eyes moved to the food.
"Eat! Now!" She repeated more fiercely.
Sherlock slowly sat up and took the plate and fork when it was handed to him. He didn't taste the food. It didn't matter. Nothing did. Except John's happiness and the fact he wasn't it.
Meliora watched him, occasionally snapping at him when it looked like he was going to stop eating. She made sure he finished most of it before she hummed in satisfaction that he'd be good for the week. Luckily dragons didn't need to eat very often. Trying to force him to eat every day would've indeed been a great challenge. And thank god he wasn't human. Three times a day would've driven her to the point of insanity.
John walked up the stairs, surprised to hear a violin playing. He only now realized he hadn't heard it since before Sherlock faked his death. When he opened the door, he was even more shocked to find it wasn't Sherlock playing though it was most certainly the man's violin.
The wolf murmured the last of the lyrics of the music she played (AN: Sleepsong by Bastille) so only Sherlock could hear them.
Oh you go to sleep on your own,
And you wake each day with your thoughts
And it scares you being alone,
It's a last resort...
"You're not alone Dray," she murmured, not wanting John to hear.
He glanced up from his spot on the couch, the hint of a smile on his lips despite the sadness in his eyes.
She watched his walls go up before he looked at John.
"John," he said as a way of greeting.
John was staring at the violin. "You let her touch your violin." Not only touch it but actually use it.
Meliora rolled her eyes. She gently placed the instrument beside Sherlock's chair before sitting down. "Only because I know the proper way to make strings sing," she said with the hint of a smirk. "Not that I'm limited to just using my fingers. I also have an oral talent. Not that knowing how to blow something really required much talent." She almost laughed at the expression on the human's face.
Sherlock raised a brow at her while John's jaw tensed slightly.
Did she seriously just imply..?
"Wouldn't you agree Sherlock?" She looked at him with a smile.
"You do have an unusual talent," he admitted. He'd never met someone who could instinctively play almost anything they picked up without any lessons.
The human blinked, hearing the man complimenting her. His hands tightened into fists before he realized he was upset. Then he relaxed. Why was he upset? He should be happy Sherlock found someone. Yet, even thinking about it seemed to turn his stomach.
The wolf chuckled. Oh dense and oblivious John. The man couldn't even admit to himself how he truly felt for Sherlock. Quite sad considering Mary could see how Sherlock felt. Then again, anyone with eyes could see what her pack-mate felt for John. In the time she'd gotten to know Mary she wondered if the woman was aware of how John felt. If she was she didn't seem at all concerned about it. She'd have to muse on that later though as the woman in question had arrived. Inwardly, she groaned. More wedding plans. She glanced over at Sherlock and wondered if she could convince him to help stop this sham of a wedding. No. The dragon spoiled John and would continue to spoil the man despite the pain it brought him. No, Sherlock wouldn't help. Perhaps though, there was someone else who would.
If anyone can find a violin cover of sleepsong PLEASE let me know. I've had no luck thus far but I thought it would sound brilliant.