When they arrive at Baker Street, Mrs. Hudson is already waiting at the door for them, ushering them inside. "Goodness, look at the two of you! So handsome." She says proudly, putting her hands on their backs to urge them toward her apartment. "Now, you two sit down, I'll make you a cuppa, and then you can tell me all about what kind of mischief you've gotten yourselves into." She says with another little smile. "Look at you, Sherlock.." She says as she puts her hand under his chin. "You are such a stunning child!" After a moment, she turns her attention to John, ruffling his hair a little. "And John, you're simply adorable." She says before she urges them toward the little table.
John just rolls his eyes a little, tugging on Sherlock's arm to lead him over to the table where he sits down, folding his hands in his lap. "We haven't been up to any mischief, Mrs. Hudson." He says a little defensively as he watches the woman move around the kitchen, having to fight his instincts to get up and help the elderly woman, since he doesn't think he'll be very helpful at the moment.
Tolerating the treatment of his person, Sherlock shows his affection by not snapping at the older woman and obediently sitting down, watching her closely to see what changes might have happened. "Don't look so worried, John. I'm sure Mrs. Hudson has had a welcome vacation from us these last few days." he says as he glances at John and sees the look on his face. "Clearly she's doing well without us to look after." He notes, though partly to plant the idea in Mrs. Hudson's head that they might not be around for a while since it's possible that they will be stuck that way for a little while which means they won't be able to visit Baker Street very often.
"Now don't you talk that way, Sherlock Holmes." Mrs. Hudson scolds as she brings tea back to the table along with some of their favorite biscuits. "You know I love you boys. I wouldn't mind if you came back to live here as you are. But I know, don't I. That wouldn't be a good idea for either of you. Wouldn't be safe, would it?" She asks as she pours them each a cup of tea and makes it just the way they like it, before she takes the last empty seat at the small table. "Have you made any progress finding out what exactly what did happen?" She asks as she looks between them.
With a small smirk, John takes his tea as he sips at it gently. "Mycroft's people are apparently working on it. In the meantime, I've been teaching Sherlock the joys of being a child again. Or maybe I should say the joys of being a child." he says as he grins over at Sherlock, then he leans toward Mrs. Hudson. "I even managed to get him into a mud fight." he says conspiratorially.
Sighing a little and shaking his head, Sherlock gives John a weak glare, slumping and sulking a little as he drinks his tea. "You're obsessed, John. You really should rethink your priorities at this point." He says simply as he watches his friend for a few moments, then he adds. "The part about the mud fight is true though. It was more mud wrestling, actually." he says thoughtfully as he snags a few biscuits and starts to nibble on them.
"That sounds lovely! Well, I imagine your brother wasn't too keen on that, Sherlock, but you boys should have a little fun. It does surprise me that Dr. Watson here was the one to start such a thing. It's amazing what a bit of youthful energy can do." Mrs. Hudson says affectionately as she looks at the two for a few moments. "Same as ever, bickering about the most trivial things! I'm glad to see you boys haven't changed all that much." She says quietly, a little amused. "I imagine you're here for more than just to talk to your dotty old landlady." She says with a little smirk. "Well, when you're finished upstairs, my back door is open, I'm sure you know the way to the alley, Sherlock." The elderly woman says with a small smile, a slightly impish look on her face as she looks at the two. "Now, if you excuse me, I am going to go watch some tellie, my shows are on." She says as she gets up, putting her hands on either side of John's face, kissing his forehead, then doing the same to Sherlock. "Oh, you boys, it's so good to see you. Do keep in touch." She says before she turns and goes to her sitting room, turning on her television rather loudly.
Allowing the kiss to his forehead and finishing his tea, Sherlock watches his landlady move off with a fond look, always having appreciated her and enjoyed her company. She's one of the very few people in his life that he truly love. "Come, John. Let us retrieve what we need and go out into the city." he says as he pops up from his chair, leading the way upstairs to their flat, looking around for a few moments. "I think Mycroft's agents actually cleaned." he mumbles as he pokes around to find what he wants.
Smirking in amusement and then nodding a little to Mrs. Hudson, John finishes his tea before he gets up and hurries after Sherlock, looking around the flat. "I think you're right. Blimey, but it's still a mess. We really need to get better about cleaning." he says with a shake of his head before he hurries upstairs, no longer able to take them two at a time, but he gets to his room and gets a duffel, putting his gun, the cleaning kit, and a few other things inside of it before he heads back downstairs. It's just a small duffel so it doesn't look odd for his 10 year old self to be carrying it, it just looks like more of an overnight bag.
"Did you get everything you need?" Sherlock asks without looking up from digging around in his desk drawer, grinning as he comes up with his kit of tools and he grabs his little moleskin book that he carries around everywhere with him, tucking it away in his pocket before he steps over to John, putting a few more of his trinkets that he wants to keep close in the duffel that John is carrying. "Hm. I haven't had a nicotine craving at all for the last few days. That's rather interesting." He says after he glances at the skull which was the secret hiding place that John last used for his emergency cigarettes.
Sighing a little when he realizes he once again is getting stuck carrying everything, John watches and listens to the detective, considering for a few moments. "So whatever happened to us changed us physically first. that is.. general age and size.. then it's started to get rid of the more serious damage.. your scars and nicotine addiction, and my wound.." he says as he touches his shoulder self-consciously for a moment, frowning briefly. "I hope it doesn't affect our minds."
Nodding a little, Sherlock frowns briefly before he looks more carefully at John. "Yes. We need to keep careful track of ourselves and each other, make sure that we are not reverting. More than embracing childhood, but truly forgetting things, recent things that have happened, or important things. If we start to suffer from any form of amnesia, we will have to put all our efforts into finding a cure for this thing. I do not want to lose my memories as well as live through my youth again." he says with some frustration, mostly that he's learned so much and all his experiences would be lost. Not something that he wants.
"Right. So today, let's do a little London exploring, see how things are different. It's an excellent way for you to get a view of how people treat children differently." John offers as he looks at Sherlock. "Through the eyes and mental acuity of an adult, of course. You could remain completely objective." It's a bit manipulative, and he does kind of know how to play Sherlock, but really he just wants to go out in London, and see things through a fresh pair of eyes. "And then tomorrow, we can worry more about the permanence of this." he offers as he looks at the brunette, checking his bag to make sure that he and Sherlock both have their wallets, and therefore have some money, before he starts to head for this door.
Knowing when he's been played but strangely not caring, Sherlock nods a little as he watches the doctor and follows him downstairs, grabbing his arm to lead the blonde out Mrs. Hudson's back door to the alley beyond and therefore avoid their driver who is still waiting out front. "That is an excellent idea, John. You know me too well."
Well, this is never going to end well. Thank you all for sticking with me as I try to work myself out of my writing slump, and fight through my oncoming cold. Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Reviews/Comments welcome!