Next chapter...
(Also! Please note the rating change... It's not for this chapter, but it does play a big part in chapter 11... then basically ALL of 12... I apologize in advance!)
Yeeeaahhh, so uh, sorry this took so long...?
I think that I thought I posted it already...
that and I just forgot...
Sorry for any and all mistakes!
Please enjoy!
John shot up when he heard a firm knock on the door. He rubbed his eyes as he carefully lifted Leo off his lap. He walked over to the door hesitantly. If it wasn't Sebastian's friend, what would he do? What it it was a robber or a murderer? He knew self defense but what if they had a gun? He hadn't brought his again…
"I really, really, need to quit forgetting it…" He stepped in front of the door and stared. Maybe the person would just go away. Another knock and John knew he wouldn't be so lucky.
"H-hello?" John called out.
"Hello. Sebastian said you needed someone to hang out with?" Came the muffled reply.
John breathed in. He had to open the door. It would be fine. He had Sherlock on speed dial… It would be okay.
"Can I come in?"
"O-oh, yeah…" John scrambled to the door. As he opened it, he saw a man. He was probably in his mid twenties… Perhaps a year or two older than Sherlock. He had dark hair and dark eyes. He wore what looked to be pajamas and was clearly amused by the sight of John.
That put him on edge, but he didn't know why. The man seemed harmless. He was shorter than Sebastian… maybe 5' 8", still taller than John himself, but not as imposing as Sherlock and Sebastian could be. His face was soft.
"Hello. I'm Richard Brook. You're John?"
"O-oh, um, yes, sir."
"Oh, come now, it's just us. No need to call me 'sir'. It makes me sound old."
John just nodded. Leo trotted over to John, sitting in front of him as if to protect him. John wasn't sure what to think of Mr. Brook. He seemed to be harmless, but John had a suspicion that wasn't quite right…
John picked Leo up so Mr. Brook could come in. "U-um, he said to give you th-this list." John handed him the four pages.
"Wow. I was expecting only a page… I'm sure this is loophole-free?" John nodded. "Impressive." He seemed pleased… John shuffled.
Mr. Brook sighed. "You don't have to be so nervous. I'm really not as threatening as you seem to think."
John shuffled his feet, not looking up, cradling Leo close. Leo, for his part, refused to take his eyes off Mr. Brook. John just wanted to break the silence.
"So, um, what do you do?"
"I dabble here and there, but if you were to search my name, I would be an actor." Mr. Brook looked up from the list. "Alright, he said to make you dinner. It's nearly seven. What would you like?"
"I-um…"
"How about breakfast for dinner?" John almost whimpered, but he held it. He used to make pancakes and eggs with Harry for their mother when she worked late. It was never good, but she always ate it, complementing how much better it had been. He hoped Mr. Brook didn't see it, but John had to take a steadying breath.
"U-um, that sounds great… " John bit his lip lightly. "C-can I help…?"
"If you want to."
John nodded.
"So, what do you want, Johnny?"
John stopped. His breathing harsher now. "U-um, just John if you don't mind… Johnny makes it sound like I'm little." That wasn't the real reason, but it sounded reasonable enough for a boy his age to say.
"Sorry, I've got a problem with pet names." Mr. Brook shrugged. "So, eggs, pancakes… toast?"
John nodded. Upset with himself for not being able to list anything. He knew it was inconvenient… and frustrating, but he was really trying. "That sounds good, sir." John cringed, he hadn't meant to let it slip, but he was focusing so hard on trying not to call Sherlock, he forgot.
John could see Mr. Brook profiling his every move, and John did not appreciate it. John had to spend the next few hours with this man… He couldn't read him. It was horribly unnerving. John was supposed to be good at this… But everything was wrong about this man. His face was soft and tired looking, his hair was a mess, but he kept patting it down, suggesting it was usually slicked back… He wore clothes for lazing about but kept pulling the cardigan tighter, suggesting close fitting clothes were more his style and he wasn't used to wearing what he was…
Everything about him was wrong… it was like he wanted John to think he wasn't a threat so he dressed down and made himself smaller. It was working, but John knew this trick. He'd used it and he'd seen Sherlock use it too. But at the same time it looked like he wanted John to catch him in his lie.
"John, it's rude to stare. If you want to ask a question, ask away."
"I-um, no… I just like that color…" John cringed at the cover up. He sat down, waiting for instructions. They didn't come, but John was ready to move. He noticed Mr. Brook moving around, but it didn't fully register. He moved so fluidly… he was so confident in his moves. John was confused and Leo refused to leave John's lap or take his eyes off Mr. Brook for even a fraction of a second.
"It's my favorite." That was true… but that didn't mean he liked that particular article of clothing. "I figured we wouldn't be going anywhere so why wear anything but sleepwear. I hope you'll forgive me for my state of undress."
John nodded, remembering, begrudgingly, that he was stuck in these clothes until tomorrow. He didn't want to… they smelled like drugs and sweat thanks to Sherlock's hoodie… but he didn't have any to change into. He hoped Mr. Brook wouldn't assume things about him or Sherlock… He supposed it wasn't a very good first impression. He shook his head minutely, why did he care? Why did he want to impress this man that he couldn't read? It should be frightening, not thrilling… Oh, no. John thought. I'm addicted to danger. Maybe drugs would have been better.
Mr. Brook's voice shattered his thoughts.
"You may not have wanted to ask me anything at that moment, but I have some questions for you. Just to get the conversation rolling."
John nodded. "As long as it doesn't break the rules…" John knew there was a rule about not being allowed to force answers out of one another, mostly to protect John, but it had to be fair.
"Ah, you're no fun. Rules are there to be broken."
John scooted back in the chair a little. He didn't like the dark look Mr. Brook gave him when he said that.
"But perhaps another night. I only have very boring questions for you tonight, I'm afraid."
"U-um,okay…" John refused to be disappointed. Boring was good. Boring was safe.
"What do you think of Sebastian?"
"Well, you can't tell him… But I'd say he's my best friend… Aside from Sherlock, of course… He's very nice… nicer than anybody in whatever work he does should be… I'm sorry, that doesn't make very much sense… I'm not very good with words…"
Mr. Brook seemed to pick apart these words as John said them it could be taken as interest, but John felt it was more of a… what was the word… John had learned it in class… coercion he thought… with pressure. John was relaxing slightly… but not because he felt better.
"He is what I consider my only friend. I can assure you he is not nice to anyone besides you or myself." Mr. Brook laughed for a moment before adding, "Scratch that, anyone besides you."
"Th-that can be right…" John thought back to Mycroft and Sherlock… he hadn't been nice to them, but that wasn't a good comparison… he was distant from the students and teachers at school… but he wasn't actively mean…
"Sorry, Johnny, you're special." Mr. Brook grinned.
It was slightly twisted, John refused to look for a deeper meaning in it.
"How is school going?" John thought he saw something akin to eagerness flash in Mr. Brook's face… but he couldn't read this man well, so he refused to acknowledge it.
"It's going well. We have these pen pals in our English class… I don't know what to think of mine… but it's my favorite assignment in all my time I've been at school."
Mr. Brook smiled like he was pleased with the answer. "I wish we could have had pen pals in our school… Talking to a criminal being not just allowed but encouraged? My, how times have changed."
John didn't miss how Mr. Brook somehow knew they were prisoners… But he chalked it up to Sebastian just chatting about his school job.
"Now I have a question…"
"Shoot."
"Just how old are you?" John blushed a little. "That came out so much harsher than I expected… I didn't mean it like that. I-" Mr. Brook held up a hand, chuckling a little.
"I understand. Don't get your pants in a bunch. I am twenty six as of last month." John had been right. Only two years older than Sherlock.
Great. Now he was thinking about Sherlock again. He wanted so badly to check on him, but he knew Sherlock said only to text him while on a case if he needed something and call if it was an emergency.
"Wow. I thought you were younger…" John said politely. He had finally gotten his words to work with him. He didn't stutter as much. John thanked whoever was listening for that. As long as Mr. Brook asked questions that weren't too personal, John could get through it… probably.
"Oh, how flattering." Mr. Brook smiled. "How old are you?"
"Thirteen as of a few months ago…"
"Any friends at school?"
"U-Um…" John scolded himself for not being able to answer the question straight. "Not really… all people who can be considered my friends are older. Mr. Lestrade, Sebastian, Sherlock, Mrs. Hudson… I think even Mrs. Hooper could be considered a friend… But I guess it's not the same…"
"If you like, I could be your friend."
John hesitated… Mr. Brook seemed trustworthy… But John had a feeling the man in front of him wasn't really named Mr. Brook… John was confused. That didn't make sense… But he had a hunch.
He wished Sherlock was here. He would know what to make of this man…
John was weary about this man… But he was charming and likable. As long as John kept an eye on him, he didn't see why not. John grinned. "Okay… I think we'll be good friends."
"Well, to celebrate our new friendship, let's dig in." John jumped as a plate was set in front of him. There was no way they had talked long enough for the man to magic up some food… Time seemed to fly by… John hadn't even helped like he said he would… But it did smell heavenly. John made a promise that if this happened again, he would help.
He took a bite and almost melted. "This is amazing."
"There you go with that flattery again." The man smiled, picking up his own fork full.
John was mystified with how good it was. He didn't mean to, but it also added to the man's undeniable charisma.
John didn't regret being his friend very much. John could tell he was dangerous and, as much as he tried to stop it, he couldn't help but get giddy with excitement.
Boring may be safe, but dangerous was fun.
Jim had gotten his most benign persona. He wanted John. Wanted the boy to trust him completely. When he did, well, then he could have some fun. He had an experiment in mind and John was the perfect test subject. He schooled the grin he knew looked dangerous.
Sebastian had told him the kid was good at reading people… Jim intended to test that tonight.
He knocked, waited, then, knocked again. He heard the kid shuffle to the door but didn't open it. Jim grinned. Johnny was scared. It was so delicious, he wanted to scare him. He took a breath and knocked again.
"The meek response almost made him squeal. "H-hello?"
"Hello. Sebastian said you needed someone to hang out with?" Jim breathed out. He couldn't scare Johnny too bad or else he would never trust Jim. "Can I come in?"
"O-oh, yeah…" He could hear John scramble to the door. As he opened it, Jim saw a small boy with blonde hair. He was short and stocky, dark blue eyes shimmered with sleep. Jim was ecstatic the boy was meek. That would make it easier to manipulate him.
"Hello. I'm Richard Brook. You're John?"
"O-oh, um, yes, sir." Delicious. Jim thought. He almost shivered.
"Oh, come now, it's just us. No need to call me 'sir'. It makes me sound old."
John just nodded. A small kitten trotted over to John, sitting in front of him as if to protect the kid.
John picked Leo up to clear the way. "U-um, he said to give you th-this list." John handed him the four pages.
"Wow. I was expecting only a page… I'm sure this is loophole-free?" John nodded. "Impressive." Jim smiled. His pet wasn't taking any chances. These were very detailed, indeed. He saw John shuffling and sighed. Meek maybe manipulative, but it didn't make it any less annoying.
"You don't have to be so nervous. I'm really not as threatening as you seem to think."
John shuffled his feet, again. The cat wouldn't stop staring. While John was looking at his feet, Jim flashed his teeth for the cat to see. Then John looked up and Jim went back to looking at the itinerary, obviously he knew all of it.
"So, um, what do you do?"
Jim decided it would be fun to drop hints here and there. "I dabble here and there, but if you were to search my name, I would be an actor." He looked up. "Alright, he said to make you dinner. It's nearly seven. What would you like?" Jim knew the kid couldn't answer, but he wanted to make it seem like he had all the answers. It would make things easier.
"I-um…"
"How about breakfast for dinner?" Jim was close to learning at the memory he could see flit before John's eyes.
"U-um, that sounds great… " John bit his lip. "C-can I help…?"
"If you want to." Jim wouldn't let him, but he'd let the kid think he could.
"So, what do you want, Johnny?" He smiled to cover the smirk. He wanted to see how John would react to it.
John stopped. His breathing harsher now. "U-um, just John if you don't mind… Johnny makes it sound like I'm little." Delicious. Jim thought. That had been better than he hoped for.
"Sorry, I've got a problem with pet names." Jim faked an apology. "So, eggs, pancakes… toast?" He turned the oven on, letting it warm up.
John nodded. "That sounds good, sir." Jim wished he could purr. It was horribly distracting to be called 'sir' by this small child.
Jim could see the child's thoughts. Jim could see the apprehension. See the glorious confusion. Jim knew he was picking up on the clues. He almost jumped with joy. Johnny was proving to be very interesting.
"John, it's rude to stare. If you want to ask a question, ask away."
"I-um, no… I just like that color…" You can do better than that, Johnny-boy.
"It's my favorite." It was true. But he didn't wear these clothes unless he was Richard Brook for a while. He was in a suit or naked. He wished he could be in the latter right now. He didn't entertain that thought. John would catch on. The child was very perceptive. Jim did allow himself to shiver slightly, though.
"I figured we wouldn't be going anywhere so why wear anything but sleepwear. I hope you'll forgive me for my state of undress."
John nodded. Jim could see him subtly smell himself. Jim hadn't missed the smell, but he wasn't going to say anything. Mostly because if he did, he knew he wouldn't be able to control himself. He wanted to wait until his plans were further along for… that. Jim had to start talking or risk pushing Johnny against the table and not letting him up.
"You may not have wanted to ask me anything at that moment, but I have some questions for you. Just to get the conversation rolling."
"As long as it doesn't break the rules…" Jim started with the eggs, leaving them to slowly cook. He made the batter for pancakes before John could register it.
"Ah, you're no fun. Rules are there to be broken." Another lear.
John scooted back in the chair a little. Jim took pride in it, turning to put some batter on the pan. Cooked to perfection. Of course.
"But perhaps another night. I only have very boring questions for you tonight, I'm afraid."
"U-um,okay…" Jim tried not to let his heart stutter at the way John looked confused by being disappointed.
"What do you think of Sebastian?" It was a leading question, but he also wanted to know all the naughty things his pet could be getting up to with Johnny.
"Well, you can't tell him… But I'd say he's my best friend… Aside from Sherlock, of course… He's very nice… nicer than anybody in whatever work he does should be… I'm sorry, that doesn't make very much sense… I'm not very good with words…" How sweet. Jim absorbed every word. He stored every facial feature and inflection of Johnny's voice. Johnny was slowly taking up his own filing cabinet. He was disappointed to realize his pet had been true to his word and hadn't even thought about touching the kid. Jim wasn't that put out, though. That meant more for him.
Jim could see the child waiting for him to say something. "He is what I consider my only friend. I can assure you he is not nice to anyone besides you or myself." He laughed, thinking back to when Sebastian had let Jim get punched while at a pub once. His pet had told him he was off the clock… Jim looked back on it and laughed, but in the moment, he was livid.
"Scratch that, anyone besides you."
"Th-that can be right…
"Sorry, Johnny, you're special." In more ways than one. He didn't notice his grin until John looked uncomfortable.
"How is school going?" Jim was dying to know if he was enthusiastic about him having a pen pal.
"It's going well. We have these pen pals in our English class… I don't know what to think of mine… but it's my favorite assignment in all my time I've been at school."
He was pleased with the answer. "I wish we could have had pen pals in our school… Talking to a criminal being not just allowed but encouraged? My, how times have changed."
Jim could see that John wasn't going to question how he knew they were prisoners, but the child hadn't missed it.
"Now I have a question…"
"Shoot."
"Just how old are you?" John blushed a little. "That came out so much harsher than I expected… I didn't mean it like that. I-"
"I understand. Don't get your pants in a bunch. I am twenty six as of last month." Lies were easy if they were the truth.
"Wow. I thought you were younger…" John said politely. He had finally gotten his words to work with him. He didn't stutter as much as he had been. Jim was glad. He was getting frustrated with him.
"Oh, how flattering. How old are you?" Toast was last. With jam for John.
"Thirteen as of a few months ago…" But Jim already knew that.
"Any friends at school?"
"U-Um…" Jim almost groaned. Back to the stuttering. How boring. "Not really… all people who can be considered my friends are older. Mr. Lestrade, Sebastian, Sherlock, Mrs. Hudson… I think even Mrs. Hooper could be considered a friend… But I guess it's not the same…" That's what he'd been waiting for. It was the perfect segway.
"If you like, I could be your friend."
John hesitated. Jim was almost giddy with how almost smart the boy was. Jim could see the exact moment John made up his mind.
John grinned. "Okay… I think we'll be good friends."
"Well, to celebrate our new friendship, let's dig in." John jumped as a plate was set in front of him."This is amazing."
"There you go with that flattery again." Jim grinned. He could have easily drugged or poisoned the food. Yet John didn't even seem to think about that. No wonder this child was constantly in trouble. The cat eyed him, on edge. Spiteful little creature. He would just have to get rid of it.
He could see that John didn't regret agreeing to be his friend. Could read that John knew he was dangerous and, as much as he tried to stop it, he couldn't help but get giddy with excitement.
Jim couldn't wait to play with John properly. He'd break him. Shatter him.
He would make the kid regret being born.
Johnny would be officially his.
Just a little while longer.
It would be so fun.
How was it? I know it was kinda short... Sorry about that
Next chapter has been written, but I think I'll wait a day or two until I post it... (probably lies... sorry...)
I'm sorry I'm a terrible person.
Thank you guest for reviewing! (It reminded me to update... love you!)
Xoxo,
~Miss Taken