trashchildren | For Joan

Ted does notice, but mostly because of Joan's smile fading. He wonders if he should ask, but he feels like the significance of that sentence was intentionally kept vague. If Sherlock wanted to elaborate, he could choose to do so himself.

He puts down his crutches and carefully sits down, then makes sure Joan safely sits down as well, before he starts unpacking food.

The memory of Mycroft is still difficult for them both, so Joan doesn't comment on it. Maybe at some point she'll tell Ted more about what happened. Of course it involved her own kidnapping, which Joan hasn't shared with Ted because she doesn't want to either trigger his trauma or make him think he needs to prioritize her experience.

Getting down on the ground is surprisingly difficult due to the lingering weakness in her muscles. Between Sherlock and Ted, though, she manages to get into a good position. Sherlock then sits as well, on the other side of the blanket from the two of them, giving them some space.

At least Joan can lean against him if she gets tired. Or just lie down, for that matter. It's a beautiful day out, there's people chatting and laughing. Makes him feel more connected to the world. And grateful that they're both still in it.

He opens a box of strawberries and eats one, then closes his eyes for a moment and just takes a deep breath of fresh air. He smiles and then leans over and kisses Joan's shoulder happily. Sherlock will just have to deal with a little bit of cuteness from them.

Joan smiles at the kiss on her shoulder, turning her head to press a kiss to his forehead in return. She's in full agreement that Sherlock will just have to deal.

She takes a strawberry from the box and eats it, closing her eyes as well with a sigh. It's a really good strawberry.

Sherlock doesn't react to the cuteness. Instead he lies down on his back, his hands beneath his head, his legs crossed at the ankles, just lounging.

It's kind of nice to see Sherlock relaxing as well. Though Ted's sure he's mentally still going over the Rupert case. Hopefully Joan isn't though.

He scoots a bit closer behind/next to her, draping an arm around Joan's waist and leaning gently against her. "I love being in the park," he says softly, looking around them. "Just... people enjoying their day, taking some time to relax or to play. Even if you're sad in the park, on a day like this, at least it's a better place to be sad than being stuck inside."

Joan leans against him, letting him support her. She can't help but wonder if his words are alluding to the twinge of sadness that she and Sherlock had shared at the memory of Sherlock's brother and Joan's erstwhile lover.

"Remind me to tell you about Mycroft," she says softly.

Ted frowns softly. Mycroft is a special enough name that he remembers exactly who that is - Sherlock's brother, who Joan dated for a while. So was he the former tenant? He doesn't know why else she would bring it up.

"Okay.." he answers softly. He does wonder why that's sad, but he can probably guess the gist, and why they shouldn't talk about it right now, especially in front of Sherlock.

He sits there in silence for a bit, just people-watching. There's a couple kids kicking a soccer ball around, and Ted smiles, gesturing towards them to draw Joan's attention to them.

Joan looks over and smiles, watching the kids play around and have fun. There's joy in watching, but also a twinge of wistfulness, wondering what it would be like if those kids were theirs.

"Future footballers?"

The thought had occurred to Ted too. The idea of taking their kids to the park to play. It's something part of him is already longing for. Which is one of the reasons he knows Joan is right for him. It's so easy to imagine their future. Even among all the struggles.

"Heck yeah," Ted agrees. "At what level remains to be seen, but..." he adds with a chuckle.

And then there's a different kind of wistful longing. He misses Henry. He hugs Joan a little tighter for a second.

Joan can imagine it too, the two of them sitting together, hand in hand, watching their own children play. Joan has seriously considered becoming a mother for some time now, but this might be the first time she's so clearly envisioned the children the two of them would have together. And it's wonderful. She longs for it, and all it represents: Joan and Ted not only sharing their lives, but welcoming children into the embrace of the love they have for each other.

She can guess what that tightened embrace signifies. She knows Ted misses Henry, especially since the last couple days have been so difficult and he hasn't had the chance to Facetime with his son like he usually does.

Joan turns her head and gently kisses his shoulder, in recognition and offering solace.

Ted smiles sadly, appreciating the comfort. He decides he's going to try to have a few hours with Henry tonight. It's not like Joan needs him to babysit her, especially now she's rapidly improving.

"You wanna try some of this food I spent forever making?" he asks playfully, trying to banish the sad wistfulness.

That sadness in his smile makes her heart ache for him. She reaches over to gently cup his cheek and kisses him tenderly.

"Yes please," she says with a smile when their lips part. She looks over at Sherlock. "Lunch?"

"If you insist," Sherlock says, getting up to sit cross-legged.

He feels so seen and looked after when she kisses him like that. To be treated so gently and kindly just fills his heart.

He smiles - less sadly - and pulls back to pick out sandwiches. He hands her a couple to choose from, and then pulls out one and tosses it to Sherlock. "Try this one, I want to hear what you think," he says to Sherlock. He is absolutely going to exploit those tastebuds of his.

She loves him so dearly. He's taken such good care of her, and she's more than happy to take care of him in return, whatever form that comes in.

Sherlock takes the sandwich and frowns faintly as he unwraps it, examining it, then taking a bite.

Joan looks at the sandwiches he's offering her. "What's in them?"

"That's a club sandwich, that's an egg salad, that's roast beef, that one's just vegetables," he says, pointing. He doesn't necessarily think they'll eat all of them now, especially since they have additional healthy snacks, but he wanted options and he'll happily eat the rest later. This is also why it took a while, cause he was making a bunch of different ones.

She considers for a moment, then chooses the roast beef. She takes a bite, chews, and nods with a hum. "Mmm! It's good!" she says, her mouth half full.

Sherlock chews his bite of sandwich. "What's in this one?" he asks.

Ted grabs the club for himself. "That's chicken salad, with uhh, celery, apple and pecans, but it's my first time trying a little bit of dried cranberries in there. How's it tasting?" he asks, curious to know the result. He did taste it himself while making it, and is somewhat undecided on the balance, but he likes the tartness.

"It works," Sherlock says. "Have you considered a bit of heat? Perhaps a touch of mustard? Or horseradish?"

Joan smiles as she takes another bite. Just like Sherlock to have a knack for something he usually scorns.

"Ooo, I'll try that!" Ted answers, happy for the feedback. He smiles a bit. "You know, I left horseradish off of Beard's sandwich once, cause I thought he was allergic. Turns out he's allergic to horses and radishes." He shrugs with amusement and takes a bite of his own sandwich, then nods with approval at it.

Joan laughs at that, smiling down at her sandwich. Sherlock gives Ted a lifted eyebrow but doesn't comment, choosing instead to take another bite of his sandwich.

"Do we have drinks?" Joan asks, looking at the basket.

"Mhm," Ted answers, nodding with his mouth full, and leans over to the basket, pulling out some bottles, offering her a choice between ice tea and juice. There's also plain (flat) water, though that's less interesting.

Joan takes a juice, and Sherlock takes a water.

"Are you okay with iced tea?" Joan asks between bites. "Is it just hot tea that you have such a strong aversion to?"

"Hot drinks should have a richness!" Ted answers immediately. "Cold drinks are just fine if they're a little bit bland, you know? But hot drinks - you got cocoa, a million kinds of coffee - including Irish - hot toddys, mulled wine, apple cider. Tea tastes like pigeon sweat. I don't get it!"

He's obviously very passionate about this, even if it's slightly for comedic effect.

Joan chuckles a little, sipping her juice. "I guess I can see that."

Sherlock scoffs and sips his water. "Typical American," he says wryly with a smirk. "Would you like to don Native American garb and toss some chests into the Boston harbor?"

He's obviously teasing, in his own way.

Ted does know Sherlock well enough to pick up on the teasing.

"Well no, I think the outfit would be cultural appropriation, but tossing tea into the ocean, sure," he quips right back, grinning cheerfully.

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