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

[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.

[deductives]

[Sherlock keeps a keen eye on John's reaction, with the same somewhat lost look on his face that seems to long for some sort of approval. When the tea seems to have been a success, Sherlock simply nods at first.]

Right. ...Thank you. For what you said.

[acclimatized]

Uh... no problem.

[ john gives him a lopsided smile and mumbles into his tea. ]

But if it's all the same to you, I'll just... shut up next time.

[deductives]

Hm.

[A twitch of a smile crosses Sherlock's face before he actually starts to read the newspaper.]

I'd tell you to shut up if I needed you to.

[acclimatized]

[ john finishes sipping in his tea and places the cup on the armrest. ]

Yeah, I know you would.