*waves* hello folks! I had a headache on Friday, so I though I posted this, but apparently I hadn't as I realized half hour ago when I took a look at AO3/FF. Oops. Anyways, I hope everyone enjoys!
Sherlock's POV
He's full of nervous energy as the plane touches down in the London airport they are flying into. It's been almost four months since he was in London. While he ended up enjoying his time in Florida and having fun with the case he inadvertently found, even enjoyed making a new friend. It's still surprising concept after so long not having friends and now he has several, including the psychopath he's currently travelling with.
—I'd suggest calming down, but I don't think it would do any good.— Jim remarks causally in ASL.
He blinks, focusing on his fellow genius for a moment. —You're happy to be back too.—
Shrugging, the psychopath comments, —As happy as I ever am. It's not exactly one of the emotions I excel with. Satisfied would be a better name for it. Field work is boring.—
He chuckles, not bothering to point out that Jim probably could have turned whatever it was down.
—Do you miss Jasper?— he asks curiously.
Tipping his head, the dark eyed agent seems to consider it for a long moment before replying. —Yes. Someone needs to make sure he eats and offer an ear when the idiots are idiots.—
—Along with offering to destroy them? — he queries with a snicker.
—Psychopathic best friends aren't inclined to being nice when dealing with idiots.— Jim retorts with a smirk.
His chuckle turns into a full laughter, and he keeps laughing until it's time to disembark from the plane. This trip has definitely been interesting in ways he hadn't expected. He's happy he went.
-o-O-o-
Mycroft's POV
He's happy that his brother will be home today. He even made it a point to take the day off so he will be able to visit with Sherlock for a bit. So he is surprised when he gets a text message just before the plane is to land from Jasper.
=My flat in Bloomsbury in one hour, dress comfortably, it's a bit of a welcome back party.=
He snorts, shaking his head and deciding that must be why Sherlock said he didn't need a ride. Well then, what can he whip up or buy that's worth eating to take as part of the 'welcome home' party? While his cousin didn't say it was a potluck or anything of that nature, it's only right that he provides something since part of this is for his brother. He was originally going to ask if Sherlock wants to eat at his favorite restaurant.
Actually, he smirks, quickly dialing the number and hitting send, he'll pick up his brother's favorite take out.
-o-O-o-
John's POV
He hums as he finishes making the fresh bread that he's taking over to Jasper's for the welcome home dinner. He's already got the cheese and meat tray made up. Between him and James, they have figured out a complete menu. Of course the spy is doing a lot more cooking than him, and he's pretty sure that most of it is to impress a certain hacker but he's staying out of that mess. Those three need to seriously figure out how to talk to each other. Not like it's going to happen any time soon.
Shaking his head, he smiles ruefully, he can understand the problem however. Even if he thinks it's silly. He has his own emotional dilemma to deal with: what to do about the fact he is attracted to Sherlock who was just recently his patient? They should sit down and talk about it, but it's not something he is going to bring up any time soon. Nope, not happening. That's one topic he'll let Sherlock start with. That way he doesn't feel like he is pressuring his friend.
-o-O-o-
Alec's POV
He frowns in concentration as he tries to figure out what to take over to Jasper's place for dinner tonight. They'll be heading over in the next few minutes so James can do a bunch of cooking since Jasper can't cook and neither can Mycroft to his knowledge. Which makes him wonder if it's a genetic disposition or something, it also makes him wonder if Sherlock can cook.
"Jas has everything for me to cook at the flat. Apparently he sent a minion shopping." James comments as the slightly smaller man fits himself behind him and nibbles on his ear.
Grinning, he leans back into his partner and lover, replying, "I still don't know what to bring. I feel like should be bringing something."
"Whiskey, vodka, tequila, rum, schnapps gin," each suggestion is punctuated by a nip or kiss along the column of his throat.
"None of that now," he murmurs straightening and stepping away. "Jasper's waiting on us."
Sighing, his long time lover agrees, "True. Let's go."
His eyes fall on the cupboard where Q's teas are at for the rare occasions the hacker ends up over here, and he grins. There's that box of new tea he picked up while in India last month, he hasn't had a chance to take that to the hacker yet. This would be a perfect time to do so, and maybe that one he picked up while in Japan that he's been saving for a special occasion. Perfect.
-o-O-o-
Jim's POV
He's looking forward to relaxing in an environment he doesn't have to concern himself with the security of. They better not have anything for him to do in the next week because he plans on relaxing at home or Jasper's place.
He smirks when he spots Sebastian as they exit the plane waiting for them.
"Our rides here," he murmurs, not sure Sherlock will actually hear him.
"'Basitan isn't it?" the teen asks curiously.
"Technically Sebastian, but I call him 'Bastian more often than not." He replies with a shrug.
"Do we need to get our bags?" Sherlock queries with a glance towards baggage claim.
"Nope," he answers, popping the 'p' sound. "There's a minion doing that. Don't worry, the minions are smart enough not to try going in them."
Nodding, his at one time charge doesn't say anything else.
The trip to the car is quiet, as is the trip to Jasper's flat, which is slightly surprising. There are times that Sherlock gets talking, and it's almost like the younger man is trying to make up for all the times he had no one to talk to. At other times, Sherlock stays quiet, and it's like he's afraid to speak. Thankfully, that seems to becoming less and less common.
He's considered paying Victor and John's parents visits, but his partner has forbade him from doing that. He's also been told no using the networks to do it either. Jasper even went as far as to tell Sebastian no too. Spoilsport.
Smiling, he tips his head back on the seat and just relaxes, considering what his carefully worded report will be in the morning to the old woman. He likes her better than he likes the idiot in charge of Five. Mostly because she's no-nonsense sort of personality and makes him think of napalm when she is angry.
-o-O-o-
James' POV
When they arrive at Q's flat, he is pleased to see that no one else is there yet. He likes the quiet times when it's just the three of them. He's not sure why sometimes, because he never feels like he can say the right thing when it comes to Jasper.
Giving a small shake of his head, he flashes an easy smile at the hacker, asking, "So, where's the food?"
"There's this thing called a kitchen," Jasper retorts, lips curving at the edges of a smirk. "You might have heard of them, as you know how to cook better than me."
Alec laughs long and hard at his side.
He shoves his fellow spy almost playfully, before heading towards the kitchen. Since this isn't the first time he has used Q's kitchen, he knows where everything he's going to need is at. As he sets to going through the supplies, he laughs at the fact there seems to be far more than is actually needed for this particular meal.
"Were you threatening the minion who did the shopping or something?" he calls out curiously.
"No, zhe wanted to make sure I had everything I would possibly need plus a little bit extra just in case. I am not sure if zhe was trying to earn brownie points or what. Particularly as zhe volunteered for the task of fetching it before I even had a chance to pick a minion." The hacker answers from the doorway where he's standing with an amused Alec.
He just laughs, finishing separating everything out for cooking.
"Sherlock and Jim will be here in just over an hour." Jasper remarks as he glances at his phone.
"I'll have it ready on time," he reassures the younger man with a warm smile. "Just watch."
"I have complete faith that you will," Q replies seriously.
That sends a thrill of warmth through him and he shares a quick look with Alec. Maybe things aren't as hopeless as they seem. Nah, he's just imagining things, there is no way that Jasper thinks of either of them as something more than friends.
-o-O-o-
Jasper's POV
He enjoys watching the way James and Alec move around his kitchen. He was summarily kicked out as the two of them get to work slicing and dicing and cooking. Well, Alec is slicing and dicing, James is cooking. Still, it's a sight he is definitely enjoying.
He turns towards the door, smirking when his best friend comes striding in like Jim owns the place. Not far behind is Sherlock and Sebastian discussing some game that both have played. Not something he'd be interested in then.
—Having a good time? — the psychopath queries with a quick flick of his fingers and a glance, using their version of sign rather than any standardized type the others would be able to easily understand.
—Immensely.— He answers, —You know me.—
Nodding, his best friend settles on one of the chairs, —Exactly. Try informing them. They're slow.—
He laughs, drawing the attention of the two spies in the kitchen but ignoring them, —No.—
"Tch," his friend grumbles, "Field work is bor-ring, too many people I'd like to introduce to Darwin."
He laughs harder, that is definitely something his best friend would think is a brilliant idea. Of course, they spent a lot of the time the two were in Florida speaking via the intercoms or via the laptops.
"So, Sherlock, how'd you like your first case not related to anything we do or the yard?" he asks the youngest person in the flat, deciding to change the topic.
"It was," there is a pause, as if the teenager is thinking about his answer, "good. I made sure that they had enough evidence to put the man to death."
"See, helping Darwin," Jim inserts with a snicker.
Sherlock chuckles as he ducks his dark head in what appears to be embarrassment according to expression. He doesn't know why the teen would be embarrassed.
"Darwin often needs help," Alec chimes in from the kitchen, "It's an excellent reason to blow everything up sometimes, just to make sure no one is missed."
"Exactly," Jim hums in agreement.
Sighing, he shakes his head, "Do you see what I have to deal with?" he asks almost playfully. He really does enjoy the banter.
Sherlock's chuckle becomes a full blown laugh, which makes him smile. Sebastian says nothing on the topic, the sniper just grins in amusement. Alec shrugs with a smirk curving his lips. James snorts, not bothering to comment as he keeps cooking.
"Please," Jim drawls, "you love it. You need someone in your life to boss around."
"I don't know if you noticed but I have plenty of people to boss around when I'm at work, you three are like herding cats." He retorts, heading towards his door when his phone chimes at him.
Heading downstairs, he waves merrily at John when he spots the doctor getting out of the car he sent to pick the blonde up. —Hi John. Come on up, I don't think you've been to this flat yet.—
—Good evening Jasper, how are you?— the smaller man queries as they turn towards the door, only to stop when Mycroft's car pulls up.
—I'm good, there's a herd of cats in my flat.— he replies with a grin.
"Mycroft," he greets his cousin as the taller man slides out of the car.
"Jasper," the politician responds smoothly, —Hello John.—
—Mycroft,— the doctor replies with a grin. —Ready for a flat full of cats?—
—Is that what we are calling them?— Mycroft queries almost haughtily, —It is an apt description I think.—
—Most definitely.— he agrees.
Without saying anything else, the three of them head inside where they find the sniper setting the table while his younger cousin is sprawled on the sofa and Jim is lounging in one of his armchairs lazily.
—Hi John!— Sherlock states as he practically jumps to his feet, a smile on his young face.
Glancing between the pair, he's quite sure there is something going on, or going to be going on here soon. His eyes have barely left them when they fall on his best friend who has that smirk that means he's going to be a little shit. It should make for an interesting night.
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So, there is exactly 3 chapters left in this story