Author's Note:
Was on vacation for about two weeks but I am back home now!
John was only able to sleep for a few hours before waking up, face pressed against Sherlock's chest. That was absolutely fantastic, having that warmth around him and feeling protected. The sun wasn't even up yet and from the sound of silence in the room the kids were still asleep. There was a moment where he was still before stretching and placing a gentle kiss against Sherlock's cheek. "Hi," he murmured, his voice low from the lack of use.
Sherlock wasn't expecting John to wake so soon but it made him smile. He wrapped his arms around his husband. "Good morning. You should have slept more." He gave John a quick kiss on the head.
"Couldn't," John replied right away, blushing at the admission. Despite being able to finally fall asleep he couldn't stay asleep for too long. Part of him figured that his body was afraid of the nightmares, too, and he hated that aspect of himself. But he wasn't going to tell that to his husband because he didn't need to worry Sherlock. "Did you sleep at all?"
Sherlock frowned a bit. John didn't have to admit it, he had a feeling he knew the answer anyway. Should he bring it up? Probably not. "No, I didn't sleep. Not tired right now." He gave his husband another smile and kiss. "I love you."
Of course Sherlock knew. John bit his bottom lip and cleared his throat, looking up at his husband sheepishly. "It's the nightmares," he whispered softly, twisting his mouth a bit to the side as he tried to keep himself calm. "I just...I dunno, it's frustrating to not sleep even when I really want to. I want to sleep so bad."
Sherlock gave a slight nod. "That's understandable." He gave John a quick kiss on the lips. He wished there was something he could do, to help his husband sleep peacefully. "Do you think talking to you will help at all?"
"I love talking to you," John murmured after the kiss, pulling husband just a bit closer as he studied Sherlock the best he could in the dark. "Are we going to talk about my nightmares or hopefully about something far happier?" Maybe the kids, their marriage...anything. Staying awake with Sherlock would be fun enough, though. "How was the bathroom?" A cheeky question but entertaining enough.
Sherlock smiled. "I love talking to you too." The smile turned into smirk. "It was okay. Nothing compared to you." He lifted a hand to run through his husband's hair lightly. He was enjoying this moment with John. He always enjoyed moments like these the most.
"Clearly," John replied with a wink before his body relaxed at the feeling of Sherlock's fingers through his hair. That was the most heavenly feeling in the world and he loved every second of it. "Not as tight as my arse can be," he whispered hotly as he placed a gentle kiss against his husband's bare chest. "Certainly doesn't scream like I do."
"No one screams like you do." Sherlock smirked and continued to run his fingers through his husband. At least he had jerked off earlier so he didn't have to worry about getting another erection. He shifted a bit so he could kiss John on the lips.
John eagerly started to return the kiss, submitting himself to his husband so the man could control this one. At this point he had a feeling that neither of them could get an erection and he felt comfortable just snogging. So he pulled Sherlock a little tighter and opened his mouth happily. That all ended when he heard something at his feet and then felt a small body slowly crawling up his legs.
"Dada," Amy whispered with a sniff. "I hads a nightmare 'bouts Mummy and now I wants to sleep with you," she explained as she instantly curled herself up in John's arms and looked up at Sherlock owlishly. "Sorry to interrupts your love buts I's scared."
Sherlock returned the kiss but it quickly stopped when he heard little Sandi. Damn. He pulled away from John and looked down at their daughter. "Hey Baby Girl, come on up." He sat up a bit and patted the bed, with a small smile on his face.
John smiled softly when he glanced over at Sherlock, happy that they both knew the needed to control themselves since Amy was now with them. After a long pause he made sure Amy was comfortable in his arms before starting to gently rock her. "Do you want Papa to tell you a story?" His voice was a whisper to make sure that Thomas stayed fast asleep.
Amy let out a small yawn before gazing at Sherlock expectantly. "Yeah. I wants a Papa story," she replied softly, one hand wrapping thoughtlessly around one of John's fingers. "And I wants it to be about me and 'Mas and hows we has a kingsdom."
Sherlock gave a mock glare to John but smiled at little Sandi. "Okay Baby Girl." He needed to think for a moment. "Once upon a time, there was Knight named Thomas and a very beautiful Princess named Amy." He could do this. He'd made up stories on the spot before. "They lived happily in their kingdom until one day a dragon came and kidnapped Princess Amy. Knight Thomas of course went to rescue her. He traveled far and wide to find her, and he found his way to a cave. The Princess and the dragon were there. He couldn't beat the dragon so he had to outsmart it. He snuck in while the dragon was sleeping and was able to get the Princess out safely. Knight Thomas sealed the cave so the dragon wouldn't be able to kidnap the Princess again. They went back to their kingdom and lived happily ever after." Not his best story but hopefully it was enough to put Amy back to sleep.
John smiled as the story unfolded, eyes locked intently on Amy as she started to suck her thumb. Sherlock was a perfect storyteller for both of the kids and he would always be envious of how he could weave fantastic tales up on the spot. "How was that Amy?" He leaned against Sherlock with a soft smile, tilting his head up to place a quick kiss on the underside of his husband's jaw.
"Mmhmm," Amy replied around her thumb with a tired nod. Already her eyes were starting to shut, gazing up at her parents with nothing but love. Before long she curled herself easily against John's chest before falling back asleep.
Sherlock smirked at John. "So, it looks like I was amazing and perfect like usual." He really hadn't thought it was that good of a story but Amy had and so had his husband apparently. He smiled down at the their sleeping daughter and gave her kiss on the forehead.
Watching Sherlock and Amy interact, even if she was asleep, was one of the most amazing things he'd ever witnessed. John could do nothing more than smile at the little scene in front of him, resting his head against his husband's shoulder with a small yawn. "She's growing up," he murmured as her little face scrunched up momentarily in her sleep. "I don't want her to. Her or Thomas." The thought of them becoming adults was the scariest thing he could ever imagine.
Sherlock gave a small groan. "I don't even want to think about that. It's irrational and impossible, but I don't want them ever grow up. Maybe I am just being a selfish git, like usual." He gave a slight smirk to John. With a bit of maneuvering around little Sandi, he gave his husband a quick kiss on the lips.
Apparently they were both thinking the same thing. A soft grin tugged at John's lips and he returned the kiss before looking over at Thomas on the bed across from them. Still just as innocent while trying to find his way in the world. Hopefully the world wouldn't destroy him, make him hate everything. "I just want them to be happy when they grow up."
"Me too." Sherlock followed John's gaze over to Thomas. The boy had so much going for him and he hoped their son ended up doing whatever it was he wanted. Thomas still seemed pretty intent to be working for the Yard while being a consulting detective. It surprised him a bit, since their son had so many different interests.
At the rate their children were going he had a feeling that they would be doing whatever they put their minds to. Then again, didn't every parent think like that? John fancied himself a bit selfish when it came to the kids but that hardly mattered because it helped put them all where they were now. "I think we're doing a good job with them, too. They know right from wrong. I mean, even Thomas has taken a step forward and found a way to help get rid of his anger with that journal."
"We are doing an amazing and perfect job." Sherlock smirked a bit. "I'm glad he is writing about whatever. He doesn't really talk about things or if he does, he waits awhile to do it." Usually their son didn't even tell him. He always found out second hand from his husband.
"A very good idea over punching blokes from school in the face," John murmured as he glanced over at his husband. That was what he'd done when he was in school and growing up and his parents had hated every second of it. "I don't think that I would know what to tell him, really, y'know? What would I tell him to do when it came to with the bullies?"
Sherlock frowned and shrugged. "I got into fights a lot at school, usually on the losing end. I was short and scrawny for a long time and hit my growth spurt late in life. You'd think I'd have been better at fighting being on the receiving end of it so often at home..." He trailed off with a shrug. "I don't know John. If it wouldn't get him expelled, I'd just tell him to beat all of them up but I know that isn't 'setting a good example' or whatever."
"Yeah, don't tell him that," John whispered with a smile toward his husband. Laughing would wake their daughter up and that was the last thing they needed. She might not fall asleep a third time. "Writing in his journal is working. He's kind of talking to me, y'know? And that will be good enough for now." After a small shrug and let himself relax gently against Sherlock, letting out a soft sigh. "I think he'll be fine. Secondary school will get better for him, he'll grow into himself."
Sherlock smirked. "I know, I won't." He moved to give John another kiss and then he was quiet a thoughtful moment. "He's a bit like me when I was his age. I was...sensitive about a lot of things growing up. Eventually that changed and I became that man when we first met. I hope that doesn't happen to him..."
After the second kiss John smiled and gently shook his head. "As much as he tries to be like you I think he's his own person," he said softly. "Very much his own person. Look at him with Amy, look at him with other people. I love you so much but he's social skills are a bit more refined at the moment." A soft chuckle escaped from his chest and Amy squirmed in his arms but didn't wake up.
Sherlock sighed. John had misunderstood but he didn't want to seem to be condescending so he didn't bother trying to explain it again. Their talking might wake little Sandi so it was best not to say anything anyway. He put his hands under his head and stared up at the ceiling.
And there he went saying the wrong thing, apparently. After a long moment John stood up, easily laying Amy back down in her bed before moving back and pulling Sherlock against his chest. "Right then, what'd I say?" It was best to talk about these the moment they happened before they both thought about them too long and ended up yelling.
Sherlock smiled and turned to press his face against his husband's chest. "I just...I was just like Thomas but eventually I just walled everyone out and changed completely but you...you helped me change back. I don't want him to become like that. It is a lonely, hard life John."
Oh. For a while John was silent, dropping his head to place a soft kiss into his husband's unruly curls. "We're raising him different, though. We're not your Dad, we're encouraging him to do so much." It was a bit easier to see where Sherlock was coming from now and he hated it so much. "I promise that he will be just fine." Because he didn't want Thomas to have to find somebody to chance his life. "But I'm glad I could help you."
Sherlock smiled again and kept his face pressed into John's chest. "I love you. Thank you." He lifted his head to give his husband another kiss on the lips, this one a little longer than the previous ones. He wasn't trying to start anything, he just wanted John to know how much he meant to him.
That kiss was more sweet than anything and all John could do was return it with a small smile, pulling away to press his nose gently against his husband's cheek. After a moment he chuckled and ran a hand through the man's hair. "You're fantastic," he whispered with a bright grin. "And I love you so much." He always would, he knew, because how could he not? Sherlock had saved his life. "And thank you."
Sherlock placed his head back on John's chest, one hand gently stroking it and the other moved up to run through his husband's hair. "Your welcome Love. We are good for each other." The hand on John's chest still and draped it over so he could give his husband a slight hug.
"Good for each other?" John raised an eyebrow as he returned the hug, chuckling just a bit. "I think you mean perfect for each other, Sherlock." After a long pause he held his husband close, rocking them just a bit without a second thought. "I love you," he whispered with a soft grin. All he wanted to do was stay in bed as long as possible and never leave. America could wait.
Sherlock smirked. "Amazing and perfect for each other. I love you too." He snuggled a little closer to John, his fingers still running through his husband's hair. He wandered how long this moment last. Having children made it difficult to snuggle and snog for long periods of time. It wasn't an imposition really, he just wished they could spend more time together sometimes.
This moment was lasting quite a while and John took it all in, smiling softly as he pressed his nose into his husband's hair. After a pause he inhaled softly and then chuckled. "I love you," he whispered with a smile as his hand went up and down the man's back. It was so relaxing to simply lay in bed with Sherlock and he never wanted it to end. As of right now they definitely had a bit of time. "And when we get our own room I will definitely take advantage of your body."
Sherlock smiled again. "I love you too." He tilted his head so he could kiss John on the lips again. A smirk twitched his lips. "If I let you." A bigger smirk. "If anything, I will be taking advantage of you." He kissed his husband again, their lips lingering together this time.
Talk like that was making John wish they had the room at that very moment. When the longer kiss ended he couldn't help but shrug, clearly willing to do anything to make his husband happy. "I would gladly let you take advantage of me," he murmured with a wink. "Most of the time you're absolutely fantastic when you top." More often than not these days Sherlock was the one who topped and on occasion he got to do that but it was clear the he had slowly become the submissive one in their sex life.
Sherlock smirked. "I know you would because I never hear you complaining." His fingers continued their trail through John's short hair. "But...maybe I'll let you take charge." He leaned in to whisper in his husband's ear. "Because you know what? I like it when you do. It does a wondrous job of turning me on." It wasn't something he had ever really told John, but he suspected his husband already knew it anyway.
A soft hum escaped from John's chest as he studied Sherlock, a smirk on his lips. "Does it?" He whispered as he gave a gentle tug to his husband's hair, raising an eyebrow curiously. "I would make love to you, thrust into you nice and slow," he whispered as he dropped his head and gently nipped at the tip of Sherlock's ear. "Have your wrists pinned above your head. You'll love it."
Christ. That sounded wonderful. Sherlock didn't want to have to wait, but he was going to have. He couldn't help the small whimper of desire that escaped his lips. "I'd like that," he murmured back. At least he had enough self control not to writhe his hips into his husband, besides the panging need for it at the moment.
"I know you would," John whispered with a grin as he glanced over at the clock between the two beds. They still had quite a bit of time and it looked like neither of them would be sleeping but attempting to do anything in the bathroom wouldn't be as romantic. God, he needed to learn how to control his bloody mouth. "Few more days, love," he whispered softly.
Few more days. Right. They didn't have the option of dropping the children off with anyone while on holiday. Sherlock snuggled in closer to John, since it was the only thing they could really do right now. His fingers skimmed through his husband's hair still, scratching every and now and then.
Every little scratch against his scalp earned Sherlock a soft hiss from John's mouth and he couldn't do anything more than hold his husband. This was more than they got to do at home which, to him, was rather ironic considering their children were in the same room at the moment. "I love you," he whispered as he pulled the man a bit closer.
"I know, I love you too." Sherlock kept his head nestled in John's chest, finding it rather comfortable. "When we get back home, we should have Mrs. Hudson watch the kids. Just so we can snuggle and snog all day. Nothing sexual..." A smirk. "...unless you wanted to. I just think it would be nice to lay in your arms all day." They had done that once, on their honeymoon and it had been rather wonderful.
That sounded like an absolutely fantastic idea to John and he agreed with a soft hum, his eyes slipping shut as he continued to get more comfortable. "If something sexual happens then it just does, yes?" A soft smile tugged at his lips as his breathing started to even out. "I think that I'm going to fall asleep, Sherlock," he murmured. Not long after that his body relaxed completely and he fell asleep.
Good. Sherlock had been trying to get John to fall back asleep. His husband needed it, especially with how stressed John had been yesterday. Hopefully today would be better for his husband. His fingers continued to stroke John's head, hoping it would keep his husband asleep for a few hours and hopefully nightmare free.
As morning rolled around John continued to sleep but Amy woke up with ease, looking up at her parents with a soft smile. She glanced toward Thomas before sliding off the bed and slowly making her way toward the bathroom. Once she returned, still dragging her teddy bear behind her, she just stared up at Sherlock. Instead of talking she simply rubbed her stomach to show him that she was hungry.
Sherlock smiled as he watched little Sandi. He didn't want to leave the comfort of John's body but he needed to feed their daughter. He slowly and carefully disentangled himself his husband, hoping the other man wouldn't wake up from him leaving the bed. He picked up Amy and walked to the small kitchen nook the suite offered. Empty. Right. Room service would work though. He found a menu and skimmed through breakfast selection. "Do you want eggs and bacon or just some cereal Baby Girl?" He had decided to buy food for them all, since he had a pretty good idea what everyone ate. Maybe he would eat too.
As they made their way toward the kitchen suite Amy kept her eyes locked intently on John just to make sure that he didn't wake up. Once she was sure that her Dada was going to keep sleeping she looked up at Sherlock. After a long pause she pointed to a simple bowl of Cheerios that caught her attention. "I wants that, Papa," she whispered with a smile. "And some tea, please." Her voice was extremely quiet and it was clear she was still waking up. "Sorry you had to leaves Dada."
Cheerios. That was one of the cereals John allowed the children to eat, he was pretty sure anyway. Sherlock smirked a bit at little Sandi. "It is fine Baby Girl. Papa needed to get up anyway. I was just being lazy." He picked the phone and ordered quietly, since the phone was located in between the beds on a night stand. He moved them to the couch silently. He turned on the telly, the sound low, and found a station that had some cartoons on. He wasn't sure which one it was, as he barely kept track of them except for the ones the children particularly liked and watched a lot.
Thomas groaned as he woke up. He had heard Daddy on the phone ordering food. He wanted to be ready for the day before breakfast arrived, so he got some new clothes and went to the bathroom to get washed up.
The moment Amy heard Thomas moving she smiled, wiggling a bit in Sherlock's lap and grinning up at her Papa. "'Mas is awake, too," she whispered happily as she sat back against his chest. "Now we can lets Dada sleep and then eat breaksfast," she said. After a long moment she was focused intently on the television, the cartoons instantly capturing her attention.
Sherlock only half paid attention the telly and when he heard the knock at the door, he placed little Sandi on the couch gently, got up and went to the door. He tipped the person had delivered their food and then began setting up breakfast for the family at the table.
Thomas was showered and in new clothes by the time there was a knock at the door. The food smelled delicious and he went over to help Daddy get things ready.
Amy watched everything in front of her before standing up and wandering over to both of them. "Morning 'Mas," she said with a grin as she watched all the food get handed out. The moment she saw the tea she grabbed the small cup and took an eager drink from it. The moment she tasted it she let out a happy squeal. "I likes it."
Sherlock looked over to John. Still sleeping. Should he wake his husband up? No. He would just save some breakfast for his husband. He had bought a three egg, ham and cheese omelet for them share and toast. Raisin toast and tea for himself and white toast and coffee for John. He made sure the children had all their food before he began eating himself.
Thomas ate his scrambled eggs with cheese happily. His feet picked up their usual excited kicking as he took a drink of his apple juice. He was trying to be quiet since Dad was still sleeping.
"Food?" That was the first word out of John's mouth as he sat up, rubbing at his eyes as he yawned and stretched. Right away he knew that he could smell eggs and grinned happily at his husband. "You're wonderful."
When Amy got her Cheerios she plopped down to sit at the coffee table in front of the couch so they could watch cartoons. Cereal was a sloppy ordeal for her but it was clear that she didn't care in the slightest, milk dripping down her chin as she tried to focus more on the television. Thomas wasn't talking so she kept to herself, occasionally glancing around at everybody before she heard John let out a small groan.