Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It all started with a cup of tea.
Well actually it started way before that.
Sherlock and John had had a busy day, but no case. Just errands and exhaustion that with every knew one set another pound on Sherlock’s back.
Now usually Sherlock wouldn’t go on these errands, but John had old University buddies in town that really wanted to meet John’s new best friend.
So here we are.
Sherlock and John had just gotten home after going out to eat (it sounded like the entire population of the UK we’re chatting in that one place), and going to the pub. (Also surprisingly loud, why was everyone going out tonight?!)

By the time Sherlock and John got home it was after midnight, and all Sherlock desired was a cup of tea.

Sherlock went into the kitchen to make his tea, discovering that they only had one tea bag left.
“John, would it bother you if I used the last tea bag?”
“No mate, that’s fine with me!”
As Sherlock was walking to his chair, tea in hand, the power suddenly went off. Being plunged into darkness made Sherlock trip in surprise in his already frazzled state, breaking the mug and ruining the only tea.
Sherlock stood frozen.
“Sherlock?! Sherlock are you okay?” Sherlock heard the sounds of someone fumbling around in the back of his mind.
A flashlight shone in Sherlock’s face, he flinched.
“Found the flashlight,” John shouted.
Sherlock didn’t make a sarcastic quip back.
“Mate you alright?”
“The tea is gone.”
“Yeah sorry Mate, I’ll get more tomorrow.”
“I need it now! Why would you be so stupid as to not buy more when you saw it running out! Why would you do that?!”
John stumbled back shocked.
“I-I’m sorry,” John stammered.
“You don’t understand!” Sherlock started pacing, his whole body tense.
“You’ve ruined everything! Now everything is ruined.. how can I do anything else now?! I’m supposed to get my tea and sit in my chair!
I need to! Why’d this happen! I hate this place!”
Sherlock was wringing his hands now.
He stopped and grabbed his head, it was pounding, everything felt like it was pounding.. does that even make sense? He didn’t know, his thoughts were stuck on repeat, slowing down every second.
He screamed, not even proper words, just a broken sound.
“Hey.. let’s sit down, okay?” John walked towards the wall, being careful to aim the flashlight away from Sherlock.
“Why would I sit down! This needs to be fixed right now!” Sherlock glared.
John tried not to be hurt, he knew Sherlock didn’t mean to treat him this way. It was just too much for him.

“I know, but just sit for me okay?” John was already sat on the floor.
Sherlock reluctantly sat down, hard.
It was like something broke.
Sherlock immediately put his hands on his head, rocking back and forth. Then his hand went to his mouth biting down.
“Hey it’s not good for you to bite your hand, bite your jumper instead.”
Sherlock slowly listened.
“There you go. Mate it’s going to be okay, you’re not alone.” John set his hand on Sherlock’s shoulder. Sherlock seemed to relax a little, so John leaned closer. Sherlock flinched away.
John went back to just his hand on Sherlock’s shoulder in silence, still giving him space. He lost track of how long they sat like that, a few quiet cries escaping from Sherlock.

Later Sherlock leaned back against the wall.
“Want to talk about it?” John asked.
Sherlock signed yes but he couldn’t speak.
“Oh that’s okay, do you have your phone?”
Sherlock nodded and pulled out his phone, opening his text app.
“The day was just all too much. I was just desperately holding on to my routine of drinking tea and sitting in my chair. It felt like my only hope of things being okay.”
“I understand, I was feeling pretty out of it too.. I loved seeing my friends but it was so stressful. I’m so different than I was in Uni, I didn’t want them to be disappointed.”
“How could anyone ever be disappointed in who you are now, or ever? Though I didn’t know you then so I can’t really speak on that.”
John laughed.
“Fair enough.”
“I’m sorry for all the things I said, none of this was your fault, and I don’t hate it here. This is my safe place. I just hated how I was feeling. Thank you for being so understanding.”
“Of course, I should have noticed. I was just so absorbed in my own stressors. Next time if I don’t notice, and you can, just let me know how you’re feeling?”
“I will try my best. I didn’t even realize I was at meltdown point. I was so focused on just following my routine.”
“Totally fine! Tomorrow I’ll go get more tea so you can get back to routine. Would hot chocolate be fine for now?”
“Yes, thank you. Could I also possibly have a hug?”
“Of course! Get in here!”
John pulled him into a bear hug, the two of them staying there for a second.

Suddenly the door bust open.
“I just got back from being out with one of the neighbors and realized the power is out on the whole street!” Mariana ran in.
“Hey Mariana! Yeah it’s been like that for a bit.”
They both noticed Sherlock was covering his ears and lowered their voices.
“Why are you two sitting in the floor?”
John turned to Sherlock, silently asking permission to share. Sherlock nodded, his hands coming off his ears a tad.
“Sherlock and I had a long day and Sherlock had a bit of a meltdown.”
“Oh Sherlock! I’m so sorry, would you like a hug?”
Sherlock nodded.
Mariana gave Sherlock a hug, pulling John in too.

“Well I don’t know about you two but I can never sleep when the power is out.” John said once the hug was over.
“I feel the same.”
“Same,” Sherlock signed.
“Well that’s settled then, let’s all have hot chocolate.”
Mariana laughed and helped the both of them up.

The night ended with the three of them sitting in a circle on the floor, flashlights in the middle, drinking hot chocolate and catching up about each other’s days until the lights came back on.

Chapter Text

Sherlock was on one of his usual blood hunts. Stalking through the forest for deer, or anything better he could find.
He saw a flash of eyes, then the tell tale tail of a rabbit.
“I suppose I could do with rabbit tonight, maybe make a stew.”
Just as Sherlock was about to lunge toward the unfortunate rabbit, a howl sounded through the air.
“Well that’s quite intriguing.”
Sherlock promptly left the rabbit behind, his hunger for blood being forgotten in place of a new mystery.

Creeping around slowly Sherlock followed the sounds of the creature, using his night vision to scope out any clues.

Sherlock happened upon the ripped remains of a shirt, then a few feet away some pants.

“Curious, quite curious indeed.”

A swift rustling sounded behind him. Before he could react he was thrown to the ground by a large force.
A large wolf like creature was on top of him, claws starting to dig in quickly to his flesh.
Sherlock was eerily calm, as his flesh was ripped then rapidly healed back together. Seeming not to notice the pain but for a wince here or there, the thrill of the discovery consuming his mind.
“Ah a werewolf! There aren’t that many of you around, quite the evening I’m having. But I’d request sir that you remove yourself from on top of me.”
The wolf stopped, tilting his head. Seemingly curious about this strange man who doesn’t seem bothered.
“There we go. May we exist in peace?”
The wolf slowly moved aside, still on edge.
“Don’t worry friend, I’ll find you some food. You can trust me. I understand the hunger.”

So that’s what Sherlock did, he hunted, with some help from the werewolf, finding deer for them both on this fine night.
Sherlock sat by the wolf’s side till morning, taking in information, and unbeknownst to him, making a friend.

When morning rose Sherlock awoke to find a man sitting in the woods, spare change of clothes already on.
“Good you’re up,” the man spoke.

“Good to see you back in your human form.”

“Do you have a problem with my wolf?”

“Oh no I do not, as you have probably realized I myself am not human. At least not anymore. I find no problem in any form you take. Just intrigued.”

There was a long pause from the man.

“All right then, thank you for your help. That was one of the better full moons I’ve had.”

“Glad to be of service.”

“I’m John Watson, you must be a decent person, even for a vampire, since my wolf was calm with you. He’s a good judge of character.”

“Sherlock Holmes, and why thank you. I like to think so, but I’m not too sure if that’s true. Do you often have bad moons?”

“Yes, it helps to have someone with me, but I have not found anyone too accepting of my particular…. ailment.”

“Well maybe we can come to an agreement. I am an intellectual of sorts, and have passed my many years collecting much knowledge. But I do not believe there are many personal accounts with werewolves because of the nature of your condition. Perhaps I could study you, in an appropriate way of course. In return I be your companion on nights like these.”

“Well that’s quite the offer. I would have to think about it….. but I suppose that would be alright. I live out here, so you know where to find me.”

“You live out here?”
Sherlock had a pondering look on his face.

“I have been recently in need of a flat mate, would you be interested? I’m sure we could come to a fair price. You wouldn’t have to worry about endangering me. I am immortal.”

“I- I- thank you. I don’t know what to say. We just met….thank you.”

“Indeed. I believe this will be the start of a fine partnership.”

“Yeah maybe you’re right.”