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A Bit Better	By : VulpineBeesKnees Category: S through Z > Sherlock (BBC) > Sherlock (BBC) Views: 3330 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
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Chapter List
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When John woke up he was surprised to find Sherlock snaked around him, legs intertwined perfectly, his arms holding them fast back to chest. Not wanting to wake the detective John gently ran his hand over his arm, until their fingers were loosely intertwined.
He honestly hadn’t expected Sherlock to come to bed, not with how fixated he had been on his experiment the previous night. It was a cathartic thing, John understood that much at least. If Sherlock was trying to work through something difficult, something he couldn’t figure out, he’d put his mind to work on things he could work out. John hoped that the fact that he had come to bed meant they were through this rough patch.
Now the only problem John had left to deal with, at least for the moment, was his mother. He’d already decided the night before that he had to call her back, set things straight, and with Sherlock wrapped around him John felt horribly guilty for how he’d dealt with the situation. Sherlock had been right, John had demanded that he see his mother, but he wasn’t even willing to tell his family over the phone that they were together. Had Sherlock not stepped in when he did John couldn’t say that he would have come clean with his mother, and his gut twisted at the thought. He would have been furious had Sherlock done this to him.
Shifting away from Sherlock a bit John reached over him to grab his phone, dialing his mother as he slipped back into place beside Sherlock. It was after eight, so he had no fears of waking her. The phone rang once, twice, and then the familiar click of the phone being answered.
John breathed deeply before speaking, “Hello mum.”
“Well to what do we owe the honor John.” Her tone was less than pleased, however her voice softened a little once a sharp response came from somewhere beside her, “Your father is upset with how things ended yesterday.”
Behind John, the tinny voice of his mother filtered through Sherlock’s sleep, causing him to stir. His arms sought out the warmth of smaller man, pulling him to his chest, nose nuzzling the doctor’s throat as he blinked awake. He noticed John on the phone and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek before pressing his nose into sleep tousled hair and breathing deep. His fingers skimmed up a tanned chest as he settled in, curious as to who he was speaking with so early in the morning.
John’s hand quickly sought out Sherlock’s, holding on just in case he decided to take off once he realized who was on the phone. He needed Sherlock to hear this.
“So am I.” The short statement meant more than his mother could imagine, but he didn’t care to elaborate. Preparing himself for whatever reaction it would incite from his mother John barreled on, “I should have told you earlier... but that doesn’t change anything.” He hadn’t thought about what he was going to say when he’d picked up the phone, he knew he just had to set things right. “Sherlock... he’s very important to me.”
The detective’s fingers tightened on John’s. Oh no. He didn’t want to be here. This wasn’t conducive to the resolve he’d carefully put in place, but, the way the doctor gripped his fingers back made him stay. In the back of his mind he knew that he would always do what John needed, no matter how much he might want to do the contrary.
“But John... It’s just... it’s unnatural...” She was really fighting this hard, “I had such high hopes for you John, I was looking forward to grandchildren I could spoil. Surely you must understand where I’m coming from sweetheart.” Sherlock’s gut tightened at the mention of children again. In a way it strengthened his resolve, he’d have to let John go eventually so he could carry on with his life.
“I’m happy.” John said simply. He couldn’t deny that he’d imagined having a family, children perhaps, but he had to be reasonable. Even before him and Sherlock had happened John had just about given up any hope on having that picture. He was an invalided soldier with PTSD edging into his forties, the idea of a nuclear family had left his mind a long time ago.
Unnatural. He had to fight back his temper as the word echoed in his mind. Squeezing Sherlock’s hand reassuringly he chose his words carefully.
“Sherlock makes me happy... Surely you can understand where I’m coming from.” He couldn’t help the small smile that crept onto his face from throwing her words back in such a passive aggressive way.
“You’re just acting this way because he was gone for so long. John how can I accept this when I know how much he hurt you. Have you forgotten that he pretended to be dead for three years?” her tone was tight and clipped.
“If he hadn’t done that I’d be dead.” He snapped back at her before he could filter the words.
“Oh I’m sure he was exaggerating honey.” She said, “Who in their right mind would want to kill you?”
“Exaggerating?!” John let out a choked laugh as he scrambled to a sitting position still gripping Sherlock’s hand, his temper beginning to win out. “Psychopaths, murderers... Not as if it’d be the first time I was at the receiving end of a bullet. He has saved my life more times than I can count. Do you understand what he does?”
Sherlock sat up as well and slid behind him, wrapping his free arm around John’s waist, still leaving his fingers twined with John’s. He pressed his lips to the man’s shoulder trying to offer what little comfort he could. However, he knew this was something he simply had to let John do while silently offering to be there when he was needed.
“I understand he’s a giant fake.” she said with a sniff, “And I understand he sent you into a depression that lasted three years John. He made your life a hell on earth. How can you just let all of that slide? He lied to you, he’s even gotten you into more of a mess since he’s been back. I understand that you had to take a trip to the hospital shortly after he came back. Harry wouldn’t give me the details, she just told me you were alright, but John! Think about what you’re doing here! You’re riding in blind!”
John felt as if he was physically shaking in anger. A low hum buzzing through his ears, the warmth and stability of Sherlock’s body pressed against his own being the only thing anchoring him to the moment.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about. If you had any idea what he’s done, the lives he’s saved... ” His voice had grown low and dark, “I was calling to set things right, give you a chance to meet him, but I meant what I said yesterday. If you’re going to believe every sodding piece of shit the media cooks up you aren’t going to see either of us. I’m not going to subject him to that, and I’m not going to listen to it. If you want to listen to reason I’d be happy to set the record straight, but if not I think we’re done.” By the end of his quick spoken declaration John was no longer shaking. He was staring darkly at the corner of the room, leaning back into Sherlock.
Sherlock was pressing quiet but searing kisses against John’s throat. Yesterday's conversation was slowly falling into place. ‘Don’t worry, I wouldn’t want to bring him to meet you anyways!’ Sherlock let out a soft sigh, a mix between relief and understanding. That hadn’t been John being ashamed, he’d been trying to protect him. He wanted to take this anger away, but that was illogical. His fingers curled around the smaller man’s ribs pulling him tight against his chest as his long legs came up, easily framing him with long limbs.
The line was silent for a long time, but finally after many murmurs from the other side, she finally spoke, “He really makes you happy?” She asked incredulously, “Tell me the last thing he’s done to make you happy and I’ll agree to listen.” She sounded like she was beginning to give in thanks to his father’s insistence.
John knew what she wanted to hear, and it wasn’t their companionable silence, or the warmth he’d felt when he’d woken up wrapped in his arms. She wanted gestures, grand and romantic.
“We went to his family's estate last weekend,” John’s voice had immediately softened as the memory played out on his minds eye. “We went horseback riding, explored the grounds, and when afternoon rolled around...” a blush was creeping up his neck, a smile pulling at the corner of his lips. “he uhm... He lead me out to a lake on the edge of the property. He’d set up a whole picnic lunch. Wine, cheese, the whole bit.” He was sure it sounded flowery and wasn’t giving her a proper picture of their relationship, but it wasn’t a lie and it was what she needed to hear to accept them.
“It’s not what you’re used to... but it doesn’t mean we care for each other any less than an ordinary couple.” They’d beat death together. Even considering Sherlock’s limited understanding of emotions John was fairly certain they actually cared about each other quite a bit more than traditional couples, straight or otherwise.
“Oh John...” her voice was awed as she created the picture in her mind. “Oh alright. John, if he makes you happy I suppose I can’t complain...” She sounded like she was smiling just a little. “And if it will get you to come see us for once I will meet him. Oh, do come down to see us? The weather is supposed to beautiful in a few weekends for the flower show! They’ve acknowledged my roses this year! Your father and I are entering the red and yellow ones. Oh do say you and... Sherlock will come to the flower show.”
Sherlock gave a small grunt behind him. He knew he would go if John asked him to. There was no question.
John was slightly taken aback by the sudden change of heart, but all the same he was thankful for it. Visiting during the flower show didn’t exactly appeal to John, except for the fact that it would give his mother something else to focus on, other than him and Sherlock.
“Uhh, yeah. I mean I’ll need to check our work schedules,” he knew they could both get out of any work they did have, but they needed to at least talk it over before he agreed, “but if everything works out.. Yes, that would be lovely.”
No longer on the defense John relaxed quickly. “I don’t want there to be any question though mum. He is not a fake.” This had always bothered him the most, even before Sherlock’s disappearance. He had done more for the city of London than most of the yard, only rivaled by a few officers but there were still things Sherlock could manage that London’s best could not. John didn’t understand why after all of that people so easily accepted the lies.
Sherlock squeezed softly as her reply came over the phone line.
“Whatever you say dear… Oh John it will be so good to see you again. I love you sweetheart. I may not agree with your decisions, but I do love you.” Her smile was fairly evident now in her voice, “We’re just about to have breakfast, and I’m sure you you’re own things going on so I’ll let you go. Goodbye sweetheart.”
“Love you too mum. Pass along my best to dad. Ta.”
Ending the call and tossing his phone to the end of the bed John fully leaned back into Sherlock, letting his eyes fall closed as he let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. Not bothering to open his eyes John nuzzled back into the lanky body as he spoke.
“Well that went much better than it could have.” His voice was more chipper than it had been in days and he relaxed his hold on Sherlock’s hand, their fingers loosely intertwined once again. After a moment his brows furrowed in thought before asking, “You okay with this? We don’t have to go, I just wanted... I had to fix it.”
Sherlock was quiet for a long time as he traced lazy circles on John’s thigh with his free hand. His voice was soft as he spoke.
“Would it make you happy for me to go?’ His lips resumed the warm kisses he’d been placing over John’s neck, crossing up to his cheek, “All you need do is ask John. You know I’ll go.”

His tone was gentle and he wrapped both arms around his waist, pulling the doctor’s arm with his and curling their bodies together.
The new bout of adoration made John’s stomach flutter momentarily. He had been so sure that something between them was ruined, but neatly wrapped against Sherlock and feeling his lips on his neck and cheek made it impossible to think they would ever face a problem they couldn’t work through.
“Setting things right would make me happy. They accepted Harry, begrudgingly, but they did. So yes. Sherlock will you go to see my parents with me?” He twisted in Sherlock’s grasp a bit so he could see his face, “First sign of trouble we’ll leave, and I’ll try and get Harry to go too.”
John was beginning to speak a bit faster than normal, already nervous about his family meeting Sherlock under the new pretences.
Sherlock nodded, pressing a chaste kiss to his lips. "I will stay as long as you need me to. You know I give no thought to what people think of me. It's you that I worry will get the brunt of the negativity." He frowned, his brows knitting together.
"I don't want to cause issues between you and your family, but if Harry can arrange to visit along with us, that would be agreeable. It would be nice to have someone that is supportive. However, it appears to only be your mother you were fighting with. How does your father feel about it?" He nuzzled his cheek against John's affectionately.

.

John hummed softly, pleased by the affections, before forming a response. “He’s not like my mum. I mean I doubt he’s thrilled over it, but he’ll listen to reason. The fact that he was trying to calm down my mother says a lot... I think you’ll like him actually, I took after him quite a bit”
“Apparently not as much as you think.” Sherlock said with a small chuckle, “You have obviously inherited her hot headed temper. You are just as impossible when you’re angry.”
“Well other than that,” John grumbled, he wasn’t particularly proud of his short fuse, which had only gotten worse since Afghanistan. “Besides I’m not nearly as bad. You should’ve seen her when we were kids...” He shook his head laughing at the memory. “It doesn’t take much to set her off.”
“It doesn’t take much to set you off either.” Sherlock’s voice was suggestive as he nibbled on John’s ear. Both hands slid up his chest, drawing John’s hands with him, “But it’s very convenient to distract you that way.” The detective used his weight to roll them both over, pressing his growing erection into the swell of the smaller man’s arse.
….
With all of their issues seemingly behind them the pair fell into a sense of normality, or as normal as life was at 221b Baker Street. It took one quick phone call to ensure Harry would be coming with them to visit his parents, making it explicitly clear that she was to be a buffer. She didn’t seem to mind at all, in fact John was fairly certain his dad had probably already talked to her.
Two days later, John had been getting ready for a shift at the clinic when Lestrade barged in, standing in the doorway of their sitting room.
“Mrs. Hudson, she let me up. Is Sherlock in?” Lestrade was a bit out of breath, as if he’d hurried over to find Sherlock. John knew the look, the desperate look that clearly said he had a case, something they couldn’t quite work out.
“Yeah, come on in, I’ll grab him.” John set down the tea he’d been finishing to pull Sherlock from their room.
The day before John had come home to find the entire sitting room floor covered in photographs. They had been in between cases, so of course Sherlock had picked up a cold case that had managed to elude him before. John had not taken too well to the murder scene being recreated in photographs across the living room floor and after a slightly heated discussion the scene had been relocated to the bedroom. At least there John didn’t have to worry about the bloody images giving Mrs. Hudson a heart attack.
“Lestrade’s here, I think he has a case.” John said as he popped his head around the door jamb, only surprised to find one corner of the room completely plastered with photographs. “I’m just about to head to the clinic, but I can call Sarah if you want me to stick around...”
"That is unnecessary." He said obviously still upset over having to relocate,"Your pocket book has gotten a bit empty lately. You should go ahead, besides, what excuse will you tell Sarah this time?"
John hesitated for a moment, he still worried when Sherlock took cases on his own given his habit to take off on his own in his frenzy to solve the case, but they hadn’t had quite as many cases as of late and he really didn’t want to call out on Sarah again. So with a short nod, his lips quirked to the side he conceded. “Fine, just be careful. And if you’re gonna go chasing after any psychopaths... Don’t.”
Leaving Sherlock to work his way out of the maze of photographs John made his way back out into the sitting room. Slipping on his coat as he spoke to the DI, now wondering about the room listlessly.
“He’ll be right out, if he runs off after any criminals give me a call. Don’t need him trying to kill himself.” He smiled fondly as he shook his head. He stopped in the doorway looking back at Lestrade curiously, “So how’d things go with Mycroft and your kids?”
Greg smiled widely, "Oh it went great, the kids love him." His smile widened conspiratorially, "My youngest calls him Papa Croft. He hates it but she does it out of love. You should see them when he finally gives in and reads them all bedtime stories, even Tori cuddles up and listens. I couldn't have imagined how well they'd all get along."
Just then Sherlock came bustling out of the room, his leather bomber in place of the sweeping wool coat. "Shouldn't you be on your way to work John?" He asked, lightly shoving him towards the door. John let out a disgruntled huff as he was all but pushed out the door. Still, it was nice to have things back to normal.
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A Bit Better