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“So you see, when William married into the Baskervilles - Watson are you even listening?” Sherlock explained, cutting himself off once he noticed John’s eyes drooping.
“Yep, just resting my eyes,” he responded.
“Alright then, if you say so.” Sherlock continued waffling on for a few minutes until John interrupted him by leaning over against his torso.
“Watson, what on earth are you doing?”
“‘m cold,” he grumbled, pressed against Sherlock’s chest.
“Cold? Really? Of the two of us you are much better at insulating heat.”
“It just, um, it helps me listen.”
“How strange. Can you not hear me from a meter away? You ought to get your hearing checked,” he suggested, though it seemed to him John having hearing loss would be unlikely as he showed none of the signs-
“Look,” John said, rudely interrupting his thoughts, “that adventure was a little bit rough, alright? And I have barely seen you for a week which is the longest we've been separated in two years. So I just…wanted some hugs.”
The man tilted his face up to Sherlock. He felt his stupid, beautiful hair through his shirt. He watched Sherlock’s expression with wide, blue eyes. They were drops of sky, concentrated into a pool Sherlock could spend hours observing.
“Oh,” was all the detective managed to say.
“Is that ok, Sherlock? I, I can move back if you want me to,” John offered, his eyebrows furrowing.
“It's fine, you don't need to move,” Sherlock answered, forcing himself to not get distracted by observing the man leaning on him.
“No, it's alright. I should’ve, I should have asked. I’ll be fine,” John responded, starting to sit up and move away. “Christ, John, you're a grown man,” he muttered, probably to himself. John often forgot how good Sherlock's hearing was. Sherlock would laugh, but he was suddenly hit with the absence of John's anchoring weight.
Sherlock reached out, taking hold of John’s shoulder. “Please stay.”
“I- are you sure? Because I can…”
“Yes, quite sure. I could also do with some hugs as it were.”
“Alright then.” John moved back to where he was, tucking himself into Sherlock’s chest.
“You do have to listen, though,” Sherlock stated, smiling. It was good to have John so close. It was safe.
“Yes, of course. I will be listening, I promise,” John swore.
Sherlock continued to explain the inheritance process of both houses until four minutes later he heard a soft snore.
“Watson? Are you asleep?” Sherlock demanded, “Mariana, is he asleep?”
Mariana glanced up from her phone and removed an earbud, then answered, “Oh yes, very much so.”
“He promised he would listen!” Sherlock huffed.
“Relax! You two look cute,” she replied.
“I am not cute,” Sherlock retorted.
“Mhm, we’ll see what Gwen thinks,” Mariana said, quickly taking a picture.
“You wouldn't.”
“You're right. I won't send it to Gwen. On the other hand, once John wakes up, I could send it to Stammo…” Mariana threatened, chuckling a little.
Sherlock shot her a glare as she gave him a big smile and put her earbud back in.
He turned to look back down at John. He briefly considered waking him, but decided swiftly against it. His doctor needed rest, and Sherlock needed his doctor.
Instead, he wrapped the arm which had been on his lap around John and turned to watch the window, smiling softly.