To college.
- Please Review – I hope you enjoy this chapter – I'm not totally happy with it, but I'm liking where it may/may not be going ;) –
Since Sherlock and John had 'got together', life had been reasonably quiet… if anything related to Sherlock could really be considered 'quiet'.
To the outside world, Sherlock was asexual, unromantic and icy. To John, and, he supposed, Mycroft and Greg, he liked nothing better than snuggling and cuddling. For him it was like having a new big cardigan covered hot water bottle.
It was their last day at Holmes Manor, and Greg and Mycroft found all of the recent occurrences incredibly amusing.
When Sherlock wasn't tired, he would peel himself from John when they entered the room, and shout enough abuse to put off the hardiest of men. Sometimes John could calm him, usually resulting in a pout and 'fine, but Mycroft is an idiot'. However, when he was tired, he would attach more so to John, if it were humanly possible, stick a middle finger up at whomever had entered the room, and mumble 'piss off' before hiding his face in whatever was available – usually the crook of John's arm, or his chest.
The last day was difficult. In three weeks, John had fallen into a routine that was nice, comfortable. Almost 24 hours were spent by Sherlock's side, and he knew that would change when they returned to college. Sherlock had evidently sussed that out as well.
It's not as if he felt he needed John, but he couldn't imagine spending time without him. He didn't want to, so why should he?
He avoided John in the morning – mumbling something about an experiment and running out of the house before dawn broke.
John sighed when he woke up, ruffling his hair. He headed downstairs to the dining room, where Mycroft was sitting, reading a newspaper, and sipping a black coffee. 'Morning, John' he said, in a fake, cheerful voice.
'g'morning' John replied, yawning.
'It seems Sherlock doesn't think he is ready to adjust back to college life' Mycroft continued, not raising his eyes from his paper.
'He's surprisingly…clingy' John said, wincing at the obvious but awkward reveal of not-so-private information.
'Of course he is, he's been waiting 17 years for someone who would allow him to be clingy without judging. However, if you are not comfo-'
'I am' John interrupted, before he could finish. 'It's nice. I didn't think he would want…intimacy, but he's quite the opposite of what I expected.' At this point and before Mycroft could respond, they heard the front door open and slam shut, and someone plodding up the stairs.
'I'd better go and talk to him' John sighed, excusing himself, and leaving the room.
He slowly wandered towards Sherlock's room, composing himself.
'Sherlock?' John said, knocking on the bedroom door. He didn't wait for a response, instead opening it and walking in. 'hello' he tried, aiming it at the body that was hunched over the desk at the opposite side of the room. 'Mm' he got in response, which was the only implication that he had been heard.
John slowly edged towards Sherlock, trying to read his emotions.
'YES!' Sherlock cried, throwing his hands in the air, and leaping up. John looked at him in surprise, waiting for an explanation. He wasn't disappointed. 'Greg wants me to help with a murder case in his division at Scotland Yard, during college!'
John smiled at this, knowing it would be incredibly helpful for both parties. 'That's great. Maybe you could get a job there in a couple of years?'
'Of course not' Sherlock scoffed, rolling his eyes. 'I'm going to be a consulting detective – only one in the world – I invented the job'.
He looked so proud of himself, John couldn't help but envelope him in a tight hug. 'I won't even ask what that is at the moment' he chuckled, stroking the long black hair.
'I'm just glad you're happy'.
Sherlock pulled away, and looked straight into John's eyes. 'You know why Greg's doing this?' John shook his head. 'So I'm distracted when you're not with me at college'.
'Oh' John said, it seemed obvious now. 'You'll be fine' he replied, more of a suggestion than anything else.
'Come on, let's pack' he finished, pulling their empty suitcases into the room.
'Yes good idea' Sherlock replied, flinging himself onto the arm chair, and looking at John expectantly.
'You're fucking kidding' John said, shaking his head.
'Not happening, Sherlock' he said, and he heaved him out of the chair. 'Enjoy' he grinned, giving him a quick kiss, and leaving him on his own to pack.
Sherlock sighed, picked up the mountain of clothes that had been hurled into the corner of his room, and shoved them all into the small case, zipping it up,
'DONE!' he shouted, waiting for a response.
'HAVE A MEDAL!' John replied, chuckling.
They dragged their suitcases down the steep stairs, and into the car waiting for them. Sherlock said goodbye to Mycroft by shoving past him, 'always a pleasure, Myc'.
Shockingly, he ran up to Greg, almost preparing himself for a hug, but containing it all at the last moment 'goodbye, Lestrade, I will text you details soon'. He shook his hand, and then hopped into the car.
'Thank you for letting me into your home, Mycroft' John said, honestly incredibly grateful.
'My pleasure, John' he replied. 'You are always welcome'. – He seemed sincere, but one could never tell with the 'iceman'.
He gave Greg a quick hug and a thank you for his guidance and then he too jumped into the car.
'Jesus' was all Greg and Mycroft could say to the relatively friendly farewells.
was dramatically waving a sodden tissue out of one of the third floor windows, and the left car window was put down long enough for Sherlock and John to wave her goodbye.
'To college, Master Sherlock?' The driver asked, looking at the couple in the rear view mirror.
John and Sherlock glanced at each other simultaneously and nodded.
'To college' they both replied decisively.