Morning came and John lifted his groggy head from the pillow. He'd slept soundly since yesterday afternoon, and it was the best sleep he'd had in years. Sherlock had stayed the whole night, sleeping on the floor at the foot of the bed. He'd spent half the evening just watching John sleep peacefully; it was mesmerising the way his breaths moved in and out gently, the way he would frown or smile, then lick his lips and roll over dreaming. Sherlock could have watched him sleep forever; it gave him a comfortable, safe feeling: one he'd never felt before.

Sherlock was asleep at the foot of the bed when John got up. John almost didn't see him and stumbled, then looked down at Sherlock's curled up form. The boy's curls quivered as he lifted his head; his eyes flickered and blinked to adjust to the light.

"Morning Sherlock." John said, smiling. Sherlock sat up, ruffled his curls and yawned.

"Morning."

John walked over to the wardrobe and pulled out a clean white shirt and uniform.

"You didn't need to stay last night."

Sherlock stood up and adjusted his blazer in an attempt to make it less creased."

"It's ok, I didn't mind."

There was an awkward silence while John changed his shirt and removed his trousers. He paused and looked over at Sherlock, who continued to stare at John.

"Um… Sherlock… I need to change my boxers… do you mind?"

Sherlock shook his head, flustered and turned away, muttering an apology. John changed quickly and told Sherlock when he was finished.

"John?"

"Yeah?" John replied, buttoning up his shirt.

"Do you have any spare underwear? It's just mine are dirty and we have to back to school…"

Sherlock's face was so sincere. John giggled. Sherlock felt a warm feeling in his chest as John's face spread into a grin, he couldn't help but smile with him. Between chuckles, John managed to speak.

"Yeah, I've got a spare pair. They may be a little big for your skinny body!"

Sherlock smiled.

"Thanks."

He was glad he'd managed to get a smile out of John. The boys continued to get ready for school, then had jam on toast for breakfast. Sherlock helped John clean his bloodied knuckles and strap tape round his little finger which was swollen. Then they headed off for the 10 minute walk to school. The air was crisp and there was a slight breeze, neither spoke but their hands brushed each others more than once, giving both a warm and safe feeling.

When they reached school, they were immediately met by Mr Sholto, who directed them to the headmaster's office. They walked into the room and John looked down at the ground when he saw Anderson sat in there, his face bruised and swollen. Sherlock sat to the side, whilst John had to sit beside Anderson opposite the headmaster at the desk. Anderson's eyes bored into John's skull, but John kept his focus on the floor, swallowing to relieve his dry throat. The headmaster was a large, bald man. He stood up and paced behind his desk.

"I've been hearing about what happened yesterday. I think we ought to start from the very beginning and ascertain what happened."

Anderson looked at the headmaster confused.

"What does 'ascertain' mean sir?"

Sherlock snorted and covered his mouth quickly; Anderson looked over and glared, as did the headmaster, his eyebrows crinkled in a frown.

"Something funny Mr Holmes?"

Sherlock looked up with an innocent face.

"No sir."

The headmaster looked away.
"Good. 'Ascertain' means to discover, or 'find out' what happened. We'll start with your account of events then Anderson."

The bruised faced boy sat up in the chair and began.

"Well, I was just in the canteen with my friends when John walked over. He started saying things about my mum so I tried to turn to walk away but he grabbed my arm and started hitting me. I heard about what happened to his dad so I didn't want to hit back, but he just carried on."

John looked up at Anderson, disgust written on his face. Sherlock had clenched his fists and was staring through narrow eyes at the boy. The headmaster nodded and wrote down some notes, then turned to John.

"Watson? Your account please."

John clenched and unclenched his fists and spoke calmly. He knew better than to argue with Anderson in front of the headmaster.

"Well Sir, you heard what happened to… my dad… um, well I was in a pretty bad place and I went into the canteen to find Sherlock when Anderson and his mates blocked the isle. He started saying stuff about me being gay and he said now that my dad's dead, he can't teach me how to be tough. I guess my anger got the better of me, I couldn't stop myself from hitting him Sir, I could only think of my dad… and…"

John had silent tears rolling down his cheeks, he swallowed and continued.

"…I could see me dad, there in front of me. I wasn't thinking straight. I'm really sorry…"

The headmaster finished making notes.

"So, you admit starting the fight Watson?"

John nodded.

"Yes Sir, but…"

The headmaster interrupted.

"No buts… we never use violence to resolve things. You should know that. Mr Sholto told me what he saw, he did say that you seemed to be seeing something different when you were shouting and resisting. I have no way of knowing what was said in that initial exchange, both of you say that the other said something to provoke a reaction…"

John spoke.

"Sir, I wouldn't have hit him had I not had good reason."

"Don't interrupt me Watson. I'll speak to you in a minute. Anderson, you can go. Well done for not retaliating."

Sherlock stood up, incredulous.

"He couldn't retaliate! He started it! This is ridiculous!"

The headmaster took a step to the side of the desk.

"Mr Holmes, sit down please."

Sherlock shrugged the headmaster's hand off his shoulder.

"No! This is stupid! John wouldn't hit him for no reason. Anderson beat him up before and John didn't retaliate then! What punishment did he get for nearly hospitalising him? Exclusion for a week?! You can't let him get away with this!"

Sherlock shouted at the headmaster, who grabbed the boy's arm and led him out the door to sit outside.

"You will wait here and we will have a discussion about your behaviour later."

The headmaster slammed the door as Sherlock slumped in the seat.

Inside the office, Anderson was smirking at John. The headmaster returned, red faced and took a seat at the desk.

"Anderson, you may leave."

The boy stood up and walked out of the door, Sherlock had a hard time keeping his fists to himself as Anderson came out. He began to walk past but stopped and smiled and Sherlock.

"Couldn't protect your boyfriend then? Shame."

Sherlock tensed and stood up, his face in front of Anderson's.

"You're dead…"

At that moment, Mr Sholto walked around the corner and towards the boys.

"What's going on here?"

Sherlock spoke but kept eye contact on Anderson.

"You bullied my best friend, beat him up and you get no punishment. I'm going to kill you."

Sherlock grabbed a fistful of Anderson's shirt, his nose practically touching the other boy's. Mr Sholto stepped forward and pulled Sherlock off Anderson, grabbing both of his shoulders.

"Calm down lad. You won't resolve it like this."

The teacher sat Sherlock down on the chair and turned to Anderson.

"You, what did you say to the headmaster? Come in here with me."

Mr Sholto led Anderson back into the office and interrupted his rant at John.

"Headmaster. Apologies for the interruption. With respect, I believe there has been a misunderstanding with regards to what happened. You believe Watson to be the guilty party; I have just spoken with Mrs Hudson who says she overheard Anderson taunting John."

The teacher pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket and read.

"She said she heard Anderson say this: 'No-one to teach you how to be a proper man, gay boy.' Headmaster I believe Anderson brought the attack upon himself and that John was in no fit mental state to prevent his actions, considering… his father's death."

The headmaster had studied Mr Sholto's face during his speech and stood up from his seat.

"Are you questioning my judgement?"

Mr Sholto looked at John's innocent and questioning face.

"Yes I am."

The headmaster took a deep breath and dismissed Anderson and John to sit outside. The boys could hear muffled speaking. Anderson sat with a worried expression whilst John sat beside Sherlock, keeping the youngest Holmes from pummelling Anderson. After five minutes of tense silence, all three boys were called into the room and stood opposite the desk. Mr Sholto sat on the sofa to the side and the headmaster paced behind the desk.

"Mr Sholto has filled me in with all of the relevant information, including the police report about your father. He's also filled me in on the details of that night in the alleyway and Mrs Hudson's account of yesterday's incident. On reflection, Anderson you did speak to John to provoke a reaction but should not have been met with violence. Therefore, I will phone your parents but no further action will be taken."

Anderson frowned and was dismissed from the office. The headmaster turned to John.

"Watson. I apologise for overlooking your situation. Your actions yesterday were understandable, albeit in the wrong. I did not understand the full extent of what Anderson did before, and I was unaware of the events that led up to your father's death. Therefore, I will be referring you back to your counsellor and no disciplinary action will be taken."

John nodded and wiped a tear from his face. The headmaster turned to Sherlock.

"As for you Mr Holmes, on this occasion I will overlook your conduct today. You were protecting a friend. I would hope that nothing of this degree happens in the future. Both of you, off you go now."

Both boys left the office and began to walk down the corridor when Mr Sholto caught up and stopped them.

"John, lad. How are you holding up?"

"Not too bad. Thanks… for helping."

Mr Sholto smiled.

"No problem. Between you an me…" He leant in to whisper. "I've never like that Anderson kid."

John smiled as Mr Sholto patted him on the back, and then turned to Sherlock.

"Keep him out of trouble Mr Holmes."

Sherlock smiled.

"I'll do my best Sir."

Mr Sholto turned to go, looking back over his shoulder at John.

"You've got a good friend there John. Stay safe."

Mr Sholto walked off and out of sight. John turned to Sherlock and gave a shy smile.

"Thanks Sherlock. For sticking up for me."

Sherlock put his arm around John's shoulder and squeezed.

"That's what friends are for. Now I don't know about you, but I've got Drama."

John smiled.

"Me too."

Sherlock slipped his hand into John's, then pulled away as a warm and fuzzy feeling entered his stomach. John looked down at Sherlock's hand, and took it back. He looked up and smiled at Sherlock, his blue eyes glistening.

"Let's go."