Making Progress: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back
June 26th, 2005
John's POV
While he spends most of dinner speaking with Jasper, and occasionally the other three, he pays close attention to Sherlock. He knows that having so many people in one small area might be a bit much for the young genius. Sure enough just after the main course of the meal, Sherlock's eyes start to get that spooked expression as if he is terrified of something just before they squeeze shut and his head ducks down.
-Go away,- he orders, not bothering to look at the other three to make sure they listen.
Jim and Jasper stand first, causing a slight vibration on the wooden floor, with Mycroft standing a moment later.
Out of the corner of his eye he can see how the elder brother pauses for a moment, hands lifting as if he is going to say something only to drop back down to his sides before Mycroft exits the room behind the two spies.
Turning his attention back to Sherlock, he starts reviewing how today has gone while he waits calmly for the younger man to be able to come back to himself. Today has been a success, he decides when he has finished going over stuff, a huge success. Two steps forward, one step back, still progress. Besides, healing takes time and energy. It's not been that long, and even with his intelligence, or maybe because of his intelligence, Sherlock has a higher chance of relapse into less healthy habits.
When the dark-haired genius finally opens his eyes, they are scared and hesitant. Fear and confusion seem to be the strongest of emotions in them.
He smiles warmly when Sherlock finally looks at him, asking, -Feel better?- without looking directly at his patient's face. No reason to make the younger man feel put on the spot to answer.
Several minutes pass between when he asks and when the black-haired genius slowly nods, a startled and relieved smile tugging at the corner of Sherlock's lips.
His smile widens, -That's good, really good.- Tipping his head to the side he studies the younger man before inquiring, -Do you know what overwhelmed you?-
A few more minutes pass as Sherlock thinks about the answer before shaking his head no. Worrying his lower lip, the younger man keeps thinking about it according to his expression.
-Too many whys.- the young genius eventually comments.
He nods in understanding. That can be a difficult question for anyone. For someone with as active as a mind as Sherlock has, that question is probably hell when he is not in a good headspace.
-Would you like to make a list of whys and I can ask them?- he offers kindly, knowing sometimes help like that is needed.
Again, Sherlock takes some time to think about the question before he nods slowly.
-Use some of my paper or go up to your room and use your own?- he asks as he pulls the small notepad out from earlier to offer the younger man.
The dark-haired genius takes the writing supplies and slowly starts writing.
For a while they sit there in companionable silence as Sherlock writes out his list of whys. He can tell by the way the younger man gets tenser that asking the questions is hard. Yet when the dark-haired genius sets the pen down and offers the notepad back, there is a hesitant expression of hope in Sherlock's vibrant eyes.
Accepting the paper, he reads over them, smiling at the fact Sherlock wrote who each of the whys are for next to them. That will make it easier. Actually, he will type these up and print them off so there will be room for writing notes as he asks the questions. Tonight would not be a good time to ask them, too much has already happened.
-If you think of any more whys. Go ahead and write them down to give me later.- He suggests with a smile. –These are all really good questions.-
Sherlock nods in agreement, relief evident in the way he relaxes slightly.
-Now shall we call the others back for dessert or consider this meal done?- he asks with a tilt of his head, watching the younger man.
Several minutes pass again before Sherlock tentatively smirks, -Dessert.-
-Perfect, I'll fetch them,- he replies, wondering what the smirk is about. He's sure he's about to find out.
There's a bit of an update to my updating schedule, it won't affect this story, but it affects the rest of them. Since reviews have dropped since I went on a regular schedule, I am going to switch back to updating as I get things done and have focus instead. However I also plan to try and complete each story, or as complete as I possibly can without feedback before I begin posting. Once I get the story ready, when it would have originally be updated on the schedule is when I will update it. I still won't be doing more than two stories any given day, disregarding tumblr prompts.
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