Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Sherlock always knew that something was wrong with him, even though Mummy insisted he was being 'dramatic'. But to him, everything felt... Too much. He would get easily upset if plans were changed suddenly or his routine and little rituals he had were disrupted and every social interaction was exhausting, but everyone just told him he was 'overreacting'. Well, except Mycroft, but he was called dramatic too. So Sherlock had learned to bottle everything up, because he had learned that asking for help meant getting in trouble.

And now he was here, lying on his couch, staring at the ceiling. He didn't know what to do. Specially now that John was gone. So he just stayed horizontal until something happened.

That's when he heard a knock at the door.

"Sherlock, dear, are you there?"

It was Mrs. Hudson.

"No..."

Sherlock whined, rolling onto his side. But Mrs. Hudson entered anyway.

"Sherlock, are you okay? You haven't gone out in two weeks now."

Sherlock mumbled something about being tired. And it wasn't entirely false. Social interactions were tiresome.

"Well, I just wanted to check on you. Here, I brought some cookies."

Mrs. Hudson placed a plate of cookies on the coffee table.

"I'm not hungry..."

Sherlock mumbled. But after Mrs. Hudson left, he rolled over and took a cookie.

***

John was picking up Rosy from her daycare when his phone rang.

"Hello?"

"John, I think you should check on Sherlock more often."

It was Mrs. Hudson.

"Why?"

"I think he might be depressed. He hasn't left 221b in two weeks, John. Two weeks!"

John frowned.

"... Alright. I'll go check on him as soon as possible."

John hung up the phone and put it in his pocket, mumbling to himself.

"You better not be using drugs, Sherlock..."

Chapter Text

John's parents weren't exactly the best parents. They were extremely religious and strict. So you could imagine how panicked John felt when he started suspecting that he was gay. When he met Mary, everything changed, but now that she was gone... John was starting to think he was gay, or possibly bisexual. Right now, he was standing in front of the flat he used to share with Sherlock while Mrs. Hudson cooed over Rosy.

"Sherlock? Are you there?"

Sherlock, who had gotten his blanket from his room and was trying to nap, didn't respond. Maybe if he ignored John long enough, he'll go away and he could finally get some rest after weeks of being unable to sleep properly.

"Sherlock I swear to god if you don't answer me I'm gonna break the bloody door-"

"If you break the door I won't be paying for a new one. And the door is unlocked."

John entered the flat, seeing the disheveled state of the flat and Sherlock. It wasn't like both weren't always disheveled, but not to this level.

"Sherlock... Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, John. Leave me alone."

"No, you're not. You look terrible. Have you eaten anything? Or slept at all?"

"Why did you ask me if I was fine if you were going to say that I'm not in the first place?"

Silence.

"... That's... Actually a pretty good argument... But that doesn't matter right now. What matters is that you're not okay."

"And? What am I supposed to do? There's been no recent murders or crimes that needs my help to be solved."

"I don't know! Go outside or something!"

Sherlock sighed.

"Interacting with people is exhausting, John. It's boring and unproductive."

"More than staying home all day?"

"Yes. Absolutely. I'd rather spend my time alone than have to talk to anyone."

That caught John a little off guard.

"Why?"

Sherlock sighed heavily.

"Because for the most part, I either get so overwhelmed by everything that I have to disassociate, or I feel like everyone knows a big inside joke except me, and it just makes everything so damn difficult!"

John was really surprised now. He never thought Sherlock was feeling that way...

"Sherlock?"

"Yes?"

"Do you... Want a hug?"

John half expected Sherlock to laugh at his suggestion, but he instead looked at John like he offered to do a huge favor.

Before John could react, Sherlock pulled John down onto the couch with him, hugging him tightly.

John stiffened at first, then slowly relaxed, running his hand through Sherlock's dark curls as he listened to his friend(ahem situationship ahem)'s breathing even out, indicating that he had fallen asleep. Now that he thought about it, he was kinda tired himself. A nap would be nice. "Just a quick nap..." He told himself...

***

An hour passed, and Mrs. Hudson was getting a little concerned since John hadn't came back, so she and Rosy went to check on them, finding them asleep and cuddling on the couch. Mrs. Hudson squealed in happiness quietly so she wouldn't wake the sleeping (hopefully future) couple up, taking a picture with her phone.