Cold Obsidian Eyes

by johnsarmylady

London, after Moriarty's attempt to take over the country, is left in the hands of ruthless and power hungry gangs. Sherlock Holmes, scientist, found himself kidnapped, rescued, and dragged into the fight by a stranger and his unusual band of followers. But Sherlock has a secret that could spell death for all of them. An AU told in 221B format. Rated M for later themes.

44. Disappointment

"Why?"

"Like I said the cumulative effect…."

"Sherlock, I'm not stupid. Neither are you for that matter, so I'll ask again; why were you using?" John had tried to keep his voice even, but there was a thread of disappointment that his companion couldn't fail to pick up.

And he did. Immediately defensive, Sherlock shrugged forgetting again that the other man couldn't see him, and rubbed his hands over his face, mumbling as he did so.

"What?" John cocked his head slightly as if that would help him understand.

"I said I needed something, anything, to make me feel, help me to lose myself" Sherlock snarled, flinging himself out of his chair to pace up and down the living room. "You don't know what it's like, day in day out, with thoughts skittering around and around, no outlet for them, nothing to satisfy that need…."

"What need?" John stood up and reached out; grabbing the front of Sherlock's shirt more by luck than anything else, and he pulled the taller man up close.

"What need Sherlock? What need could possibly make you risk your life, risk that incredible scientific brain- oh yes, I know it's incredible, why else would your brother trust you to find the answers? So tell me, what need?"

"The need," Sherlock whispered. "To take away the boredom."