ninth entry ( text )

[acclimatized]

It's been a long time since I have had the chance to write up one of our cases and I might be a little rusty, but here it is: The Guilt Complex!

Hopefully it has everything the press neglected to mention when the story made the headlines. And it could be a distraction from this "daylight darkness" stuff that has been going on lately too. Blackheath has been all skittery when we go for a walk... and after reading about that cat, I don't really blame him. I can only hope those kids have learnt their lesson too.

Comments

[acclimatized]

Everyone gets sick.

[deductives]

Not with this.

[Not from emotions.]

[acclimatized]

It's nothing to be ashamed of. It shows you're human.

[deductives]

The native populace might be quick to disagree.

[acclimatized]

Since when do you listen to them?

[deductives]

[When he's trying to win an argument, of course. However, he knows it's pointless to get John to stop blogging, or even change the entries. So instead, he emerges from his room, wearing pajamas but looking like he hasn't slept at all.]

The dog can't even roll over properly.

[acclimatized]

[ john is sitting in his customary chair when sherlock sweeps into the room. he might edit the entry after finding out ragusa's CEO might actually be a woman later, but his mind is obviously on other things right now. squeezing his bottom lip, he stares at the screen and responds automatically. ]

He's getting there.

[deductives]

[Sherlock notices John's distraction immediately. He usually jumps emphatically to Blackheath's defense.]

An interesting comments section as always, I suppose.

[It's only half sarcasm.]

[acclimatized]

Hmmm? [ john murmurs, slowing tearing his eyes away from his laptop to look at his friend. his brow furrows slightly until he catches up. ] Oh. Uhhh yeah, it's sort of a mixed bag today. Probably should've added in a few more action scenes.

[deductives]

[Sherlock just sighs.]

You can't add "scenes" that didn't happen. You and Carrie picking up coffee would hardly make for a scintillating read, I'm sure.

[acclimatized]

I had that brush with the press outside of Skye. Not that my statement made the news or anything, but their expression was priceless.

[deductives]

[That earns an amused scoff from Sherlock, who flops onto the couch, as is customary.]

They've decided I'm the dangerous one, apparently. Strange, since I haven't toppled any cash points lately.

[acclimatized]

Yeah. Not that I'm complaining about it or anything, but how is that fair? When you threaten people, it makes headline news and when I actually break something, I'm lucky if it makes page five.

[deductives]

[Sherlock actually grins at that. Having a dangerous reputation could be helpful in his line of work, sometimes. At the very least, it kept the mundane cases away.]

It didn't involve a case. That and I look more threatening.

[acclimatized]

You really embrace that sociopath label sometimes, don't you?

[ john heaves a sigh. he's not really upset the little incident with the cashpoint didn't turn any heads. ]

[deductives]

[Sherlock's grin flattens a bit, and he reaches for the newspaper on the coffee table. He nearly topples off the couch doing so.]

The child psychologists were rather confident.

[acclimatized]

And my therapist thought I had post-traumatic stress disorder.

[ a roundabout way of saying he doesn't think he's a sociopath. ]

[deductives]

[Sherlock doesn't say anything. Technically, he was fairly certain John did suffer from PTSD, but his therapist clearly had no idea how to treat it properly. Her treatment would never have cured his limp.

As for being a sociopath, sometimes Sherlock just thinks it would be easier to be that way. To truly not care. But then he really would be the same as Moriarty, wouldn't he? He stares at the newspaper, not really reading it.

In spite of it all, John's concern reaches him. Beneath his steel layers, he appreciates it. With a sigh, he rises from the couch.]

Putting the kettle on.

[acclimatized]

[ it was easier to accept her diagnosis than go into intricate detail how he missed the war sometimes. despite what lurked outside after the sirens, the nightmares with were few and far between these days, and it had been a long time since john felt his leg seize up.

when sherlock fails to counter that remark and heads to the kitchen, john realizes his mistake – sherlock never boils the kettle or lets anyone have the last word. ]

I've upset you. I'm sorry.

[deductives]

[Sherlock has already set out two mugs on the counter and is filling the kettle with water by the time John speaks up. He frowns, setting the kettle on the stove.]

That's-- I'm not upset. It's fine.

[acclimatized]

... Right.

[ he rolls the word on his tongue with obvious uncertainty and turns back to his computer. ]

Of course you're not.

[deductives]

[Sherlock promptly sticks his head out of the kitchen, and holds up a mug for John to see. John's mug, as a matter of fact.]

Look, I'm making tea.

[He says it all rather pointedly. This seems to be some sort of code that will supposedly indicate just how fine he is.]

No sugar.

[acclimatized]

[ john does look up and offers a rather weak acknowledgment when he spots his mug. ]

Sooo you are.

[ after what happened the last time sherlock made him a drink, he reserves the right to feel just a tiny bit wary. ]

[deductives]

[Sherlock sighs in aggravation. He said no sugar. That and there was nothing to experiment at the moment. The water finally boils, and Sherlock hastily puts together the two mugs of tea. He's already sipping his own when he puts John's beside his computer without saying anything.]

[acclimatized]

Thanks.

[ wary as john is, his fingers curl around his mug fairly quickly. sherlock's made the effort to make tea (maybe he's still feeling unwell, a small voice suggests from the back of his mind) and john acknowledges his effort with a small, tentative sip. as promised, there's no sugar and a pleased note emits from the doctor. ]

Mm. That's nice.