Chapter Text
John was sitting in his usual chair, with his usual book. He was so normal and predictable he wondered when Sherlock would leave him because he would eventually get bored of him. Sherlock was amazing and had a gift no other person on earth possessed and then there was John… plain old stupid John. sure he saved sherlock every now and then but nothing the great detective couldn't do himself.
John was good at one thing, taking care of sherlock at home. It became his calling. John made sure than sherlock ate at least some food, that he slept at least 4 hours each night and that Sherlock wouldn’t be triggered to relapse.
The last part is a bit ironic or even hypocritical of John because what you might not know about the oh-so-boring doctor John Watson is that he has his own addiction. John likes to slice up his own skin, mutilate his arm or thighs, bassically cut himself in any place that won’t be discovered.
John thought Sherlock would have found out the first second after they met but Sherlock didn’t. Sherlock had difficulties understanding actions driven by emotions and Sherlock would just assume something was wrong with the way john acted. It's been 2 years since they moved in 221 B Baker Street and Sherlock hasn't found out; yet.
“Joooooohhn” sherlock moaned like a little kid. “I’m bored, John. We haven't had any interesting cases lately. Not even a simple murder.” John shook his head. Sherlock Holmes the only person waiting for a murder to happen around the corner.
“Go do something productive for once, like I don't know, maybe get some groceries!” John mocked Sherlock. Sherlock scoffed at the idea “I wouldn't waste my precious time by doing something so trivial.” John sighed and looked down at his book again.
The day kept dragging on and on until sherlock exclaimed “Yes, finally a homicide, even better John a murder.” John looked up and saw Sherlock grabbing his coat and his iconic hat. “What are you waiting for? Let’s go.” John looked up at those blue eyes glistening with a spark of joy. “Okay, okay. Of Course.”
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Of Course brilliant Sherlock solved it, of course he had to tell miss Hudson everything and of course she didn't understand everything that well but did make them some tea.
“How did you know the boyfriend wouldn't have done it?” miss Hudson asked sherlock while sipping some of her tea. “Well it's quite obvious isn't it?” he paused and continued. “Lesstrange thought it would've been her boyfriend because of the scars and bruises on her wrist and thighs but when asked about their relationship the boyfriend made it quite clear she didn't want to be intimate with him.” miss Hudson nodded. “Which only left her father as a suspect and in the end the murderer.” John looked up at sherlock. “How were you so surtain than they were not intimate? The boy could have lied.” Sherlock laugh as if john missed something obvious. “Did you see the scar placement. Carefully planned out and hidden from places where the public eye could witness.” Johns face turned a shade whiter.
“Even an idiot could see that those were self-inflicted.” miss Hudson gasped. “That pretty little thing did that to herself. What a shame, shame.” she shook her head. Sherlock began talking again “I never really understood the people that self harmed. Why hurt yourself? It won't make you forget like alcohol does, neither does it distract you like drugs.”
john cleared his throat. “Patients of mine have spoken about self inflicted injuries before. Most times it's about controlling the pain you feel inside and some use it to punish themselves. There are even people who say that it's simply an addiction that helps them manage sadness, depression or grief.” he looked up at sherlock. “It's not that different from a drug addiction.” there fell a silence and John regretted speaking up. “Well boys it's about time to rest up, busy day tomorrow. Here sherlock take some biscuits. Goodnight.” and with that they were in the hallway, returning to their home.
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Sherlock laid in bed scrolling through ‘the signs that your family member is struggling with self harm’. Sherlock had never been partially interested in mental illnesses so he just erased it from his mind palace. “Sign 1. Your family member always wears long clothing even during warm weather.” Sherlock thought about it and he had never seen John without a jumper before. Maybe it was a coincidence. “Sign 2. Your family member has a history with mental illnesses like PTSD, Depression or Anxiety.” John has PTSD but Sherlock has never imagined it still affecting his daily life. “Sign 3. Your family has spoken about self harming and has either defended it or didn't give their opinion.” Sherlock closed the tab on his phone. This was enough for today. He was determined to keep a close eye on John.
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