Chapter Text
“John? Is everything okay?” Sherlock asked after John had been absent for a few days whilst his parents’ affairs were set in order and he was passed into the care of a social worker. John looked absolutely exhausted, as though he hadn’t slept for several days, and looked incredibly miserable. At the question, John whimpered, and Sherlock detected sadness on the boy, and kept him back at the end of tutor to talk to him in private.
“John?” he asked. John was looking at his feet, refusing to meet Sherlock’s gaze, which was unlike him. “Look at me, John” Sherlock growled, the dragon’s command washing over John, forcing him to look up sadly. Sherlock was surprised to see grief and great sadness in his face.
“What’s happened?” he asked urgently, concerned for his favourite student.
“Not really. My... my parents....” John whimpered and bit his lips, tears forming in his eyes. He gulped. “They’re dead”
Sherlock’s eyes widened as he processed this, trying to work out what to say next.
“What happened? Where are you staying? Why did you come in today?” he asked in quick succession and John flinched.
“The police came last night and told me they’d been killed in a car accident. I was taken to stay with some social worker, and I decided I would rather come into college than mope about all day. I think they’re going to put me up for adoption.
“John. Everything is going to be fine, do you understand me? If you ever want to talk at all today, come and find me. Come and find me later on if they let you out. You always know where to find me”
“I... I will, Sir. Thank you” John mumbled, quickly hurrying away. Sherlock leaned back in his chair and ran his fingers through his hair with a sigh, and idea forming in his head. He could adopt John. He would have to speak to social services and the school first, but they wouldn’t mind, surely. He would give John a loving home, and that was surely the most important part.
John was hunched by the wall, alone at lunchtime, and Sherlock, who was on duty, sighed quietly and walked towards him. John looked up at his teacher and tried for a small smile.
“Where are your friends, John?” Sherlock asked, and John shrugged.
“Playing football. I don’t mind, really. It gives me time to think”
“Hmm I suppose so. But it seems to give you time to think about the wrong things, the bad things that have happened recently. Walk with me” Sherlock murmured quietly, and John followed him as he continued his patrol duty.
“Um... why do I have to follow you?” John asked, slightly confused.
“Because it’s better for you than moping about by the wall. Plus I don’t mind the company”
“Oh... okay then Sir”
“So, John, how have you been finding sixth form?” Sherlock asked, and John shrugged again.
“Not too bad, I suppose”
Sherlock was about to say something else when he tripped over his shoelace, falling to the floor with a thud and a crack. People started laughing, and John had to fight back a smile.
“Are you alright Sir?” he asked as Sherlock picked himself up, brushing down his coat. John couldn’t help but notice that there was now a crack running through the concrete.
“I’m fine, John, perfectly fine, thank you for asking” Sherlock replied.
“I can see that. I think you hurt the ground more than you hurt yourself” John mumbled, and Sherlock glanced down, flinching at the sight of the crack.
“Hmm yes. Hazard of being indestructible, I’m afraid”
“It’s pretty cool though, being immortal, right?”
“Keep your voice down! And yeah, it’s not that bad”