For Joan

[theodorelasso]

Continued from here.

(warnings: sexytimes. also, panic attacks, brutal violence, attempted murder, discussion of suicide and actual murder... )

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[formersurgeon]

Joan feels him stirring and smiles, turning her head to press a kiss into his hair.

"You okay?" she says softly.

[theodorelasso]

Ted looks over at her with sleepy eyes, and nods at the question, smiling at the kiss.

He yawns, pushing himself up, then looks over at Sherlock to see how he's enjoying the movie.

[formersurgeon]

Sherlock is definitely engrossed in the movie, leaning forward slightly in his chair, appreciating it as a work of art and enjoying the complexities of the mythology it references and the metaphors for modern life, capitalism, and environmentalism.

Joan glances at Sherlock too, and smiles.

[theodorelasso]

Ted smiles at seeing Sherlock's attentive enjoyment, and waggles his eyebrows slightly at Joan.

He doesn't intend to disturb him, so he just gives Joan's hand a squeeze and focuses on the movie. Thankfully he's seen it before, so he's not totally lost.

[formersurgeon]

Joan grins at that waggle, then settles against him again and squeezes his hand. It's nice how comfortable this is, the three of them watching a movie together, just quietly sharing the experience. There are so many wonderful things Ted has brought into her life. This is one she didn't expect, but deeply appreciates.

She sighs happily and focuses on the movie.

[theodorelasso]

They might have to start having movie nights. Ted honestly had no idea if Sherlock would even enjoy sitting around watching a movie, so this is encouraging.

He does tear up a little near the end, when Chihiro and Haku fly back. The swelling music is really effective, and he leans his head against Joan's.

[formersurgeon]

Joan's not one to cry at movies, but she is touched by that moment, and she leans her head against Ted's as well, her heart full of feelings.

Sherlock himself recognizes the power of the moment, even if he's not one to feel things in that way. He glances at Watson and Ted leaning on each other, then looks back at the movie, a hint of a smile on his lips.

[theodorelasso]

Ted will just have to make up for the both of them when it comes to crying at movies. Not that he usually turns into a sobbing mess, but he does very much let himself be invested in and moved by movies.

Once the movie ends and the credits starts to roll, Ted sits up and stretches with a satisfied noise. "I forgot how good that flick is."

[formersurgeon]

"It's really good," Joan agrees. She looks over at Sherlock. "What did you think?"

Sherlock straightens in his chair. "It is, in a word, exquisite. Miyazaki's commitment to the art form is exceptional, the story was multi-faceted, and the imaginary world of Japanese mythology was exceptionally rendered."

Joan grins and looks back to Ted. "He liked it," she translates teasingly.

[theodorelasso]

Ted grins brightly. "I can tell!" he answers happily. It's interesting too, cause Ted hasn't necessarily thought that deeply about it - or at least he doesn't have the knowledge base to analyze it all that thoroughly. So he's very interested in his perspective.

"We should do this more often," he suggests. "We can leave the rom-coms for just you and me," he adds to Joan with a slight smirk.

[formersurgeon]

She smiles and nudges him gently with her elbow.

"I would not object to an occasional film," Sherlock allows, which Joan knows is actually pretty huge. Sherlock dislikes claims on his time for social rituals he typically has little use for.

[theodorelasso]

"Alright!" Ted says excitedly. "How about you pick the next one then?" he suggests. He assumes if he can accommodate for no rom-coms, Sherlock won't pick something that'll horrify (or completely bore) Ted.

[formersurgeon]

"I'm fairly certain I can come up with something acceptable," Sherlock says dryly. He stands. "However, as I imagine you and Watson would appreciate free rein to be 'cutesy,' for the moment I will take my leave."

[theodorelasso]

Ted grins cheerfully at him. "I do appreciate it, thanks, Sherlock," he answers. He's sure Sherlock has stuff he wants to be doing as well.

Once he's gone, Ted turns immediately to Joan. "Alright, get ready," he warns, then wraps his arms around her and enthusiastically leans in, almost tipping her over a little as he playfully starts kissing her cheek.

[formersurgeon]

She laughs at the playful assault of kisses, turning to face him, wrap her arms around him, and give him a proper and enthusiastic kiss on the mouth.

"I love you," she murmurs against his lips before kissing him again.

[theodorelasso]

"You too," he answers in between kisses. Soon the playful enthusiasm becomes just comfortable and happy kissing, and eventually more snuggling than active kissing. She makes him so happy.

"How are you feeling?" he asks, mostly general interest rather than concern. "I know after a few days in the hospital bed, I started feeling pretty achy from just sitting still all the time."

[formersurgeon]

They settle into snuggling, just holding and nuzzling and affectionate touching. Joan smiles at the question as she lightly brushes her fingers against his chest.

"There's definitely some aching involved," she answers. "Walking felt good. I'm also thinking something like yoga might be helpful."

[theodorelasso]

"Oh yeah, definitely," Ted agrees. Some good stretching, and only as much physical exertion as she feels capable of. "Would you like a massage?" he offers.

[formersurgeon]

She smiles at the offer, the thought of him massaging her tense muscles tantalizing. "That would be so nice," she answers.

[theodorelasso]

Ted sits up immediately, excited to do so. "You want to lie down on your stomach so I can do it properly, or just sitting?"

[formersurgeon]

"I can lie down," she says, shifting to do so. It's still a bit hard for her to move around and position herself, but she manages to get on her stomach, her head pillowed on her hands.

[theodorelasso]

Ted is plenty patient, helping by moving pillows and covers as she shifts around.

"It's a benefit to working with massage therapists, you can get a lot of great tips," he says with a chuckle, moving around so he can massage her comfortably. He starts off relatively gentle, massaging various spots to find her stiff and sore spots.

[formersurgeon]

"Mmm," she hums softly. "That's nice." She's particularly tight in her shoulders, her neck, her lower back, and her legs from walking. "I know a little from med school, but not much. And it's been a long time."

[theodorelasso]

He's also just given a lot of massages over the past decade especially. Practice makes perfect. (Some of them with a slightly different goal in mind, though that's not his intention for now.)

"Mmm, yeah. Let me know where it feels good, if I should go harder or softer, all that sort of thing," he says, starting to work on her lower back.

[formersurgeon]

Joan has had plenty of that kind of massage, although she wouldn't object if he offered sometime later.

"Mmm," she responds. "A little harder right there..."