A/Note: Thanks RPbogal, RavonKnight and Amestrisay for folowing and favoriting this story so early on (!), and thanks deppfan16 and irishjedi4life for following it too.

Word of the day: Montage!

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2. A not so boring Summer

'All right, let's start with the basics. Let's go over proper ways to punch first.'

'A punch? How difficult could that be?'

'Down on the ground, Sherlock. I've warned you: if you want me to teach you, you follow my instructions. I won't tolerate back talk and you can loose the attitude. Anytime you do that, it's push-ups for you. But since this is your first day, I'll go easy on you. Ten push-ups.'

...

'To pack more force, here's how to punch. Don't pull your arm back, you only waste time and all it does is tell your opponent what you're going to do. This is a karate punch. Start with your fist by your waist, palm up, and as you straighten your arm rotate your fist and move it in a straight line. Hit with the knuckles of the first two fingers, forming a straight line of arm, wrist, fist. Once you're close to the target, do a final and quick twist of the fist while contracting all your muscles. It's the final contraction from your core that holds the power. Bruce Lee could hold a fist two inches from his opponents, but once he finished, they were flying backwards. Don't be upset if you don't get to that, though. He was extremely talented and gifted.'

'He did kung fu, not karate.'

'Twelve push ups, Sherlock.'

...

'Mr. Bart, do you know how to unlock doors?'

'Why Sherlock, are you planning on making a career out of cat burglary?'

'No, the boys locked me in a cleaning cupboard once and I had to wait until the cleaning crew came to let me out.'

'Well Sherlock, it just so happens that I do. As a boy I was fascinated with Houdini...'

...

'Could you modify two of my tools in this set to unlock doors? Sir.'

'I'm not sure how small they would need to be, but I can give it a try. I have some files in my basement that might work.'

...

'Sherlock! What did you do to our front door?'

'Why do you assume it's something I've done?'

'I doubt a burglar would have enough finesse to pick our lock. I'm telling father once he gets home.'

'Go eat some biscuits and leave me alone, Mycroft.'

...

'Sherlock, do you want me to schedule a haircut for you today?'

'Em, not today mummy. I'm going to Mr. Bart's.'

...

'Chin-ups, Sherlock! Run! Abs! Get your skinny arse up that wall!'

'And how am I supposed to do that?'

'Fifteen push ups for that, Sherlock. When I tell you to do something I fully expect you to do it. Now!'

'But you still have to teach me how!'

'Which I will, after your twenty push ups.'

...

'Sherlock?'

'Yes, mummy?'

'You're eating!'

'Yes? So?'

'I've never seen you eat like this!'

'I'm hungry, I eat. When I'm not hungry, I don't.'

'Oh, these classes are marvellous! Love, we need to keep Mr. Bart as his teacher.'

'Agreed, Dear!'

...

'How can I unlock and start cars without a key, Sir?'

'Why would you ever need to know that, Sherlock?'

'Emergencies?'

'Of what kind exactly?'

'Nothing sinister or unlawful, just curiosity.'

'Hm. Maybe later. Right now, ten chin ups!'

'Ach.'

'Ten more for each complaint, lad!'

...

'How would you fight against someone that had a weapon?'

'Depends on the weapon. If it's a gun, don't. But if your life is really in jeopardy...'

...

'Sherlock, your hair is a disaster, you need a haircut.'

'I have to go to Mr. Bart's, father. Not today.'

...

'The best defence is always to avoid, deflect and back away from arguments before they escalate. Keep in mind, a physical confrontation will only cause resentment and bring even more aggression from the others.'

Sherlock understood his reasoning but privately didn't think negotiation would ever be possible against those under developed excuses for brains.

...

'Look at me in the eyes, Sherlock. If you keep looking down at my hands and feet you might miss a high punch, until you feel it on your ear. Plus, by looking at me in the eye you might be able to read what I'm about to do. It takes time and a lot of practice, but it will be as if I were telegraphing my moves to you. If you're lucky and have the talent, it might only take you three years.'

...

'Sherlock, you seriously need a haircut.'

'And you seriously need to get back to your diet, Mycroft.'

...

'Again?'

'Muscle memory, Sherlock. Our goal is to make your body react instinctively. And stronger, with twenty five push ups.'

...

'Don't give me that embarrassed face, Sherlock. Do you or do you not want to learn how to fight on the ground? If the boys bring you down and sit on top of you, how are you going to get out of it? If you can manage to get me off of you, you'll be ready for them. Come on now! Kiss your embarrassment goodbye and straddle me.'

...

'How does one fight against multiple opponents at the same time? Sir.'

'Move around quickly Sherlock, non stop, to keep your opponents grouped, or better yet, in line. Avoid at all costs being surrounded. One or two strikes to disable one, then concentrate on the other. Make each strike count. Here's how we're going to train for that...'

...

'That's it, Sherlock, you've got it!'

Sherlock smiled, doubling up to catch his breath.

'Now let's try to cut that time down by ten seconds.'

Sherlock's smile faded.

...

'Sherlock, I'm proud of your progress this Summer. Do let me know if you ever apply what you've learned, I'd love to hear about it. I wish your father would allow us to continue with our training throughout the year.'

'I've asked him, but he wants me to concentrate on my studies. He did say we can continue next Summer.'

'I'll be looking forward to it.'

'As will I.'

...

For his part Sherlock was very pleased. First and foremost, he had achieved all his goals for the season. He was confident that he could handle Sebastian, even though he was a bigger and stronger fellow. He was much better prepared for anything the boys threw at him. But more than anything, there was a strong sense of personal accomplishment, that he had learned so much in such a short time.

The stronger he got everything became physically easier. He quickly learned that rope climbing was much harder than it looked, but was able to do it after a few weeks of push-ups. Thanks to all this, Sherlock had developed muscles he had never expected to have. He was still thin as a rail, but found out that he too, could be strong. He had grown, as noted by the length of his jeans. Undoubtedly, his exercising regimen helped with that too, in more ways than one. Every day of physical activities left him hungry and he actually ate ravenously once he got home. His fuel intake was finally adequate for his growing body.

Sherlock was slightly ashamed of the fact that he had also let his hair grow throughout the holiday. He had never thought of himself as vain. But he noticed how John had carded his fingers through Allan's black curls and had, unconsciously at first, stopped getting haircuts. His hair had curled up aggressively by the end of the Summer, so he got a trim to give it more shape and not look so obvious about trying to grow it. It did require a little more care than he'd like, but he felt it actually worked better with his face; the fringe helped in shortening its length.

His parents were a bit baffled about the change in his appearance (since when did he care about his hair or the way he looks?), but happy that he was eating properly now and hadn't complained - too much - about being bored this past Summer. They were enthusiastic about letting Sherlock train with Mr. Bart every Summer from now on. Mycroft merely smirked, as if he were privy to a secret. His knowing smile was annoying, as if he knew. There's nothing to be known.

Sherlock had surprised himself with his creative capacity, imagining numerous scenarios involving a certain - sometimes shirtless (and sometimes not just shirtless) - blond boy. This was also baffling and annoying. It's not like he expected anything different to happen. No, Sebastian and other idiots would pick on him, he would be called names, he would be bored at school, and that was it. John Watson may or may not be in a long distance relationship with Allan. Sitting side by side at Chemistry classes would be the most they would ever have in common. He had no illusions. There would be nothing new. Nothing would ever change. Yet...

For the first time in his life, he experienced chills in his stomach at the mere thought of the first day of school.

A/Note: Thought I'd show you instead of telling you. Please let me know how I did and review? Thanks!