Work Text:
How did they do that?
Sherlock tuned out the World Cup match John was watching and returned to his microscope. Chemistry, equations, predictable behavior — this was his domain. The near-telepathic way the football team moved as a coordinated unit? That was a foreign language.
***
During halftime, John crafted two sandwiches, carrying his own to the sofa and quietly placing Sherlock’s beside the microscope.
Translation: I care about you, but respect your Work enough not to interrupt.
But wait — how did Sherlock know that? John had never stated it. It was just one of the countless little moments in their dance together as partners.
Partners.
An intriguing notion… Maybe Sherlock would never understand World Cup-level team collaboration — but maybe flying solo all his life wasn’t the only alternative?
Partners.
He let the word roll around in his head as he reached for the sandwich. He still shuddered at the thought of those cheesy old “teamwork makes the dream work” posters… but maybe “teamwork” didn’t have to mean athletes moving in perfect synchronicity. Maybe it could just mean being in sync with one individual — feeling seen and understood and supported, rather than exhausted, by the steady presence of another person in his life.
Maybe “alone” had protected him thus far, but Sherlock was suddenly grateful it wasn’t what his life would always be.