Look what I found this morning (by which I mean afternoon, which is when I had breakfast), tucked behind the toaster. Sneaky bastard.
Greg tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep as he imagined what John might be doing now - sleeping, expression soft, curled warm under a duvet. Pyjamas? Naked. Who dreamed of anyone in pyjamas?
His hand slid downwards, reaching out...
And the noise of the vibrations were horribly loud in the silence. He jumped, grabbed his mobile and turned off the alarm as it buzzed in his hand. He sighed. Delivery was due, fresh cut stems from Holland, proud, succulent, fragrant. There was no way he could spend another ten minutes happily in his fantasy. He had work to do.
He just had to wait a few hours, and keep his fingers crossed that John would call...
As he moved around his kitchen he was hit by doubts. What if John was married? In a relationship? Plenty of people flirted. Not many did more. He sighed, turning the kettle on, slipping some toast into the toaster and turning to get a large pot of jam out of the cupboard.
Maybe he'd make up a special bouquet. Moonflower, Mallow, some lavender coloured roses, or yellow tulips if he could find some. Hell, Lime Blossom too, why not?
He wondered if John even knew there was a language of flowers...
For anyone else who's wondering the same thing, the answer is no. What?
Today was meant to be the first day of chores, but I'm putting it off. Got about half an hour of sleep and I don't trust my temper when I'm this tired. Maybe tomorrow. Come on, body. One full REM cycle, that's all I'm asking.
Greg tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep as he imagined what John might be doing now - sleeping, expression soft, curled warm under a duvet. Pyjamas? Naked. Who dreamed of anyone in pyjamas?
His hand slid downwards, reaching out...
And the noise of the vibrations were horribly loud in the silence. He jumped, grabbed his mobile and turned off the alarm as it buzzed in his hand. He sighed. Delivery was due, fresh cut stems from Holland, proud, succulent, fragrant. There was no way he could spend another ten minutes happily in his fantasy. He had work to do.
He just had to wait a few hours, and keep his fingers crossed that John would call...
As he moved around his kitchen he was hit by doubts. What if John was married? In a relationship? Plenty of people flirted. Not many did more. He sighed, turning the kettle on, slipping some toast into the toaster and turning to get a large pot of jam out of the cupboard.
Maybe he'd make up a special bouquet. Moonflower, Mallow, some lavender coloured roses, or yellow tulips if he could find some. Hell, Lime Blossom too, why not?
He wondered if John even knew there was a language of flowers...
For anyone else who's wondering the same thing, the answer is no. What?
Today was meant to be the first day of chores, but I'm putting it off. Got about half an hour of sleep and I don't trust my temper when I'm this tired. Maybe tomorrow. Come on, body. One full REM cycle, that's all I'm asking.
68 comments:
Yellow tulips? How sad...
Ahahah oh yes, Lime Blossom indeed.
John, there's a great Wikipedia entry on the subject if you want to look up the flowers. Their meaning is... Pretty much along the lines of what you'd expect for this story. Maybe a little less naughty than typical for Lestrade, though. ;)
*snerk*
Though I've got to ask: who puts toast /into/ a toaster?
And you give me grief for not eating.
I'm leaving in a minute, going to mine for clothes, then to you. I'll cook something quick so you can have an early night.
Bollocks. Not going to mine. Forgot I didn't have the bike. Are any of my shirts there cleanish?
As for Bryan...no, I'm sure it'll be fine. He's not going to kidnap me, he can't stand me.
And I doubt he'd be stupid enough to do anything else.
Yeah, there's that striped one and I think a white one too. If you bring the bloody one with you I'll look at it.
Greg! Don't you know better than to taunt Murphey in such a way? Ooh, you better post when you get there!
I've always loved the idea of flower language. You can say just about anything with flowers (though most flowers have multiple meanings) I read a novel some time ago that also had a fan language.
Right, thanks.
Itsmeektg - you've lost me. Post when I get where?
John, anything you particularly want for dinner?
Anything's good with me. There's chicken in the freezer if you want?
I'll see. Just want to do something quick.
I'll put the boys to bed, so you can get your head down.
Oh, the Mallow. So...romantic. More than romantic, really. John, you've got to look those up.
L - thanks, that's kind of you.
Mazarin - I have done now (thanks, X). That's quite a collection.
Not a problem.
And it would probably all make an ugly bouquet. John would just think he was a Crap florist, not a lovelorn one.
I don't know what mallow and lime blossom look like, but the rest seem nice enough together. I like moonflowers.
Just left, be with you in a bit.
Aww, that instalment of Greg The Forist was sweet and romantic. Filthy, obviously, but very sweet and romantic too :-)
Lestrade - I think itsmeektg meant that given that people worry about your safety and wellbeing, and given that you're meeting a bloke who thinks nothing of shoving you face-first into your front door, rifling through your belongings, verbally abusing you and demanding money, it might be reassuring if you could post an update or two confirming that you're safe and well (and not roofied, assaulted or anything else) when you meet Bryan.
Oh, got you. That's not until next week. And we're meeting in public.
A bit like internet dating, except I already know the bloke's a wanker, I don't have to waste the evening finding out.
But somehow I don't think pulling my phone out and tapping away on it, explaining I've got to keep my blog updated, would actually do me any favours.
Mycroft - dinner in five mins. Omlettes. Get yourself downstairs before Sherlock eats yours.
somehow I don't think pulling my phone out and tapping away on it, explaining I've got to keep my blog updated, would actually do me any favours.
Sure. But, you know... if one of you goes to the bar or to the loo, you might be able to drop a quick "Still OK" text to John. And if you did that, he might let other people (who also worry) know that you're OK. Maybe?
On a completely different subject, I wish someone were cooking my tea for me, but at least you've given me an idea what to have.
Yeah, I'm sure I can text John. I imagine he'll be waiting nearby with an entire SWAT team, and if I miss a check in by 5 seconds he'll probably have half of London evacuated, if I'm honest.
I wish someone were eating the dinner I cooked. That someone being Sherlock. He's refusing, because there's mushrooms in it. Which he can pick out, if he wants. Or he can starve and watch the dogs eat his, because I've got work to do.
Sherlock - he's letting you pick them out or starve, which is a step above my childhood which was eat them or starve (and don't leave the table to starve in comfort). So eat up son, it could be worse.
Good luck plowing through your work L. Maybe John can be working on another installment of the florist story as a reward for you (and us).
I think I'm going to sleep actually.
He ate some.
Everyone is now in their rooms, if not in bed, apart from me.
good, sleep is good. I'll try not to wake you when I'm done.
Will you be much longer?
DOn't know. Yes, a while. Depends on distractions and I've still got to do the washing up from dinner. Go to sleep.
I can do the washing up. Not sleeping anyway.
Well you won't be, messing about on the internet.
I'll do it, don't want the boys and dogs finding it all still here in the morning if they get up for breakfast.
Just turn the lights off and try.
yeah, fine, can't have that.
what?
sorry, never mind. going to sleep, as instructed.
I'm not instructing you! You're the one who's knackered.
yeah I bloody noticed, thanks. hard to miss, in fact.
What do you want me to do? I've got to finish working, I've fed the boys and put them to bed, and you won't bloody tell me what's bothering you, so what else do you want me to do??
I didn't ask you to come over so you could do the chores!
well you've barely said two words to me all evening
You were working. I didn't want to bother you.
i just didn't want to sleep alone, all right?
You're a silly sod. Why didn't you just say that? Because of the nightmares?
Two minutes, I've got to tidy this away or Sherlock will be knee-deep in crime scene pictures tomorrow morning.
And it's not 'giving in' to wake someone to talk about it.
Or so some Doctor told me. So either he was talking out of his arse and I should ignore him and stop talking about mine, or he should listen to his own advice.
Want tea, to talk over?
yeah. it's you, in afghanistan, shot. no amoutn of stitches are any help.
no, no tea
SOrry. I'm really fucking tired. Don't think I'm thinking straight.
Just making myself coffee. Be right there.
And it might be horrible, but...you know I'm never going to set foot in Afghanistan. And if you need to wake me up to make sure I'm still in one piece, just do it.
Sorry for snapping at you up there. I'm just...it doesn't matter. On my way up.
It matters to me. I know you haven't had the greatest day either, with Bryan calling and all and I know I haven't been much use.
*hugs you both*
Anon w/out a name is very smart and quite correct in the translation of KtG-speak. We're all ready to bring the fury of the internet upon Bryan's head if you need us to, just say the word.
I suppose it was inevitable that you'd both end up having bad days at the same time eventually. Hopefully days like this will be few and far between.
In the meantime, hugs all around.
Why didn't you just say that?
it was bad enough asking you to come over when you didn't want to.
I always want to be here. Deep down.
Hard to make my mind agree with itself sometimes though.
Glad you're sleeping. A bit restless, but it's better than nothing.
And I'm lying here in the dark trying to make my brain remember it's you pinning my arm to the bed, not anyone else.
It's never you i don't want to spend time with. It's the demons in my head.
I feel bad for the boys. I could feel myself losing my temper with Sherlock yesterday, and could see that Mycroft knew it.
What a fuck up.
I do love you.
Oh Greg and John *hugs* It doesn't matter that you're not perfect; no one is (and I imagine that Sherlock can easily run through anyone's patience on some days).
The point is that you love each other and love the boys. That's all anyone can really ask for.
I hope that by being together, the demons leave you both alone tonight. *hugs*
-A
L - you're not a duck up, and I love you too. You're so much better at this sort of thing than I am.
...My phone doesn't like me swearing apparently.
I'm really not better at it. You've been so strong for me recently. And the one day you've needed me I lost it.
I took the bike this morning. I hope you don't mind too much. I'll be careful. Hand doesn't hurt that much.
I'll see you tonight. Try to sleep some more.
I don't want you to argue.
We're not, Sherlock, not now.
But please, please be good to John today, and do what he asks you to, and help with the chores on the list you made. And give him lots of cuddles.
If you do, i'll tell you a new story tonight.
Mycroft and I aren't allowed to fight. So why can you and John?
You should go to your rooms until you calm down, like we have to.
Yeah, we probably should. But sometimes it's important to find out why the other person is upset. And the only way to do that is to ask.
Calming down first is always a good idea, though.
You're not even arguing about anything real - just dreams. It's stupid.
John makes my bad dreams better. He should make you make his better, then you could both be happy.
Some dreams are easier to fix than others, love. we're working on it.
You okay, John? Get any more sleep after I left?
I'm sorry to hear youve had a rough few days. John, I hope you had a better sleep last night, and weren't troubled by any nightmares. Lestrade, try not to beat yourself up too much about having been distracted with your own troubles. I'm sure that what matters to John, given his comments above, is that you were /there/.
Sherlock, I know it can be worrisome when the adults you care about are upset or arguing. But remember that they love you and each other. As Lestrade said above, you can help by being good for John today; I'm sure Lestrade could also do with a hug or two when he gets home.
Mycroft, the same is true for you on the hugs front! I hope your silence here so far is more lack of concern than latent worry.
L - a bit. It really helped having you there. Thanks.
Good.
Sorry for losing my rag.
That was some pretty restrained rag-losing. Don't worry about it, it was my fault anyway. I'll try to do better.
...It's weird having the whole fight written down where I can read it over.
Christ, it wasn't your fault. Don't say that.
And it wasn't a fight. Really. Argument, disagreement, stupid, yes. But not a fight.
How long before these stitches come out? It itches.
Depends how fast it heals. It'll heal faster if you let it rest when you can.
...Right, I've spent way too long staring at the comment box and I've no idea how to say anything I'm thinking. But thanks. I'm really really glad I met you.
Although you were both probably simmering for a while before then, the "fight" lasted about twenty minutes. And it was more snapping at each other than actually fighting. Both of you need to give yourselves a break.
Speaking as someone who's been married over 23 years, accept that sometimes your bad moods will coincide and you'll both be cranky at each other (and the boys). Then apologize, kiss and make up, and forget it. Dwelling just makes you both feel worse and starts a downward cycle which no one needs.
Then learn the lessons. (Danger, tell L when you need a cuddle. L, say something when you're feeling put upon.)
Sherlock, the worst thing possible would be if they never fought. People can't live together with no friction; it isn't possible. So, go get some serious cuddling in with John now, and more with Lestrade when he gets home. (Siblings don't fight. They drive their parents/caregivers crazy. Whole different thing.) Tell both of them (separately or together) about whatever your "cool" thing currently is.
Mycroft, you're probably old and mature enough to understand all of this intellectually. You may also be too old to want cuddles. But time spent in company might be a good thing for your own reassurance.
Yes, I'm lecturing. I'm having a crappy week and listening to you guys beat yourselves up because you're fallible human beings who had a bad minute isn't something I can let go. Life's too short to focus on the negatives. (Grump, grump, grump.)
Cranky - I didn't feel put upon. I felt helpless. So when John wouldn't tell me what was wrong - or why he even wanted me to be there so much - I just fell back to old habits and tried to do anything and everything to make things better. And it still didn't.
But it's all fine now, I understand why he didn't want to say anything.
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