People will text

by lizzyleefree

These are little glimpses into John and Sherlock's friendship based around the texts they send each other. They vary between being funny, sad, angry, long, short, and many say the most by what's left unsaid. It's not really romance, but not just friendship either; it's just whatever John and Sherlock are. (Rating just for safety- mild language and possible drug/violence references)

3. The Gardens

Sherlock, did you have something to do with Samantha just breaking it off with me?

-JW

[Sherlock doesn't answer and John texts back an hour later]

I know you did, so there's no point in ignoring me.

-JW

[Another hour passes by]

Sherlock, Sherlock, Sherlock, Sherlock, Sherlock.

-JW

It was her choice to break up with you.

-SH

Really? Because she told me "Your boyfriend is way too protective over you."

-JW

She was too demanding. There were two crime scenes you didn't go with me to this week. The work is important, John.

-SH

So you lied to her to get her to break up with me?

-JW

Of course I didn't lie.

-SH

Then why did she assume I was your boyfriend?

-JW

Everyone assumes that.

-SH

JUST TELL ME WHAT YOU SAID TO HER.

-JW

I can tell you won't drop this, but I don't think you should know. You said being so blunt with people was not a kindness.

-SH

You can be blunt with me- I'm used to it.

-JW

She was a reporter, John. She was dating you to write a story about your blog. She was also sleeping with two other men.

-SH

I told her that if she didn't break up with you, then I would tell the men about each other, which was quite threatening since one of them is her employer.

-SH

Oh. I would ask how you know that, but I already know you're right.

-JW

Are you upset?

-SH

No, why would I be upset? I just have terrible luck with women.

-JW

Good. If that's resolved, meet me at Queen Mary's Gardens in an hour. There's a murder weapon hidden there.

-SH

That was sarcasm. Of course I'm upset.

-JW

It's her loss.

-SH

Thank you, Sherlock.

-JW

The Gardens- in one hour. I expect you'll be done moping by then?

-SH

[Much later that night, Sherlock and John sit in their flat. John is clicking away on his keyboard, but Sherlock notices that he pauses more than he usually does in his writing.

"I envy you sometimes, Sherlock," John said suddenly, "for being able to just be satisfied with your work. Dating is far too much trouble."

"Good work. You've finally realized what I did long before puberty."

"I mean, they're supposed to be work," John continued, even though Sherlock sighed grievously to indicate he was bored, "but they're not supposed to feel like they're more work than anything else. I want to be with someone who's worth the work because I can't imagine life without them."

Sherlock's eyes darted up to John as he lowered his violin, "I wasn't just satisfied with my work."

"What more do you want?"

"John, when I first met you, the closest thing I had to a friend was my brother, who I detest, and a skull. What do you think I wanted?"

"Hmm, well, ok," John said, shifting in his seat and looking at the floor. He knew Sherlock needed him, but was surprised to actually hear him admit it, "Is it true what Mycroft said? That you never had friends before?"

"You know how most people just tell me to 'piss off.' As perceptive as I am, I'm still not completely sure why you don't react the same way."

"Really?" John raised his eyebrows.

"No, not really, you're far too predictable," Sherlock launched into his very-quick-deducting voice, "You tolerate me because we both have a mutual need for the work and because you lack the motivation or knowledge to find any kind of excitement or purpose on your own; that's actually why you joined the military. You also have an alcoholic and sister, so you've been raised with tendency to mediate those who do not function in society normally; and that's why you became a doctor."

John laughed and stood up to go upstairs, "Piss off."]