trashchildren | For Joan

Ted definitely does miss them. And while he can't run around the field, he's getting well enough that he could return to his job just fine. As long as he was sure that Joan would be okay without him.

They make it back to the apartment, and this time Sherlock can just carry Joan all the way inside, then come back for the wheelchair, rather than have her get back into it for that short distance. It would be a bit harder for Ted to pull the wheelchair up the stairs after all. But soon enough they're all inside.

Sherlock takes Joan into the bedroom and sets her up in bed. When Ted comes in she's sitting up and leaning back against a couple pillows. She smiles at Ted as he comes in.

"That was fun," she says, referring to the picnic.

"It was real good, yeah," Ted agrees happily, taking off his sweater and going to climb into bed with her. "How are you feeling? Tired?"

"A little, yeah." She's not tired enough to collapse right then and there, but it's a good thing they came home before she hit that stage.

"You know," she says. "Tomorrow morning you guys won't have to watch me while I sleep anymore. I'm getting stronger. It might take another week to get to 100%, but I'll be able to take care of myself before then."

"Yeah, and then we can finally all three have naps at the same time, just all of us in a pile like preschool," he says with a grin. He's joking, but it will be good to not have to coordinate for someone to be awake at all times.

Now there's a mental image. Joan can totally see it, the three of them napping in the bed together, Joan in the middle and Ted and Sherlock on either side, Sherlock lying stiffly in contrast to Ted draped over Joan.

"I was thinking about what we do when we're both better. I've really liked sharing this place with you. I'm wondering if maybe we can keep doing it."

Ted sobers a little, the smile still there but softening into less playful, more earnest.

"Yeah," he agrees. "I mean, I like living with you.." There's things to consider, but he'd definitely like to keep sharing a space with her.

They've sort of stumbled into it through circumstance rather than deliberate planning, but even so. And Joan stayed over at his place a lot before now, but it does mean she's far away from Sherlock. And Ted has rather enjoyed being close to Sherlock too. Yet up here, they're far away from Richmond.

"I like living with you, too," she says, smiling. "I know we're far from Richmond here. Maybe we can work something out where during the season we split our time between here and your apartment."

Joan knows that Sherlock has enjoyed having Ted there, very much in spite of himself. He'd appreciate having Ted close as well.

"Yeah," Ted agrees, his smile growing. "I'd love that."

And they could adjust depending on match days, and whether Joan is working on a case, or Sherlock is busy but Joan is not. As long as they make sure to have some clothes at either place, it's not really a problem to go back and forth depending on circumstance.

Ted feels suddenly very excited about the prospect, and he leans over and kisses Joan happily and enthusiastically.

His excitement is delightful, and Joan kisses him back just as happily and enthusiastically. It's wonderful that they're choosing to be together, to go back and forth together, depending on where one or the other of them is needed. It's a big step, and it feels so right.

It's a big step that doesn't feel that big at all, because it feels so natural. And that in itself is wonderful.

Ted breaks the kiss, only so he can wrap his arms around her and hug and happily. "I love you. I'm so glad you're in my life."

She hugs him back tightly, her heart full of joy.

"I'm so glad you're in my life," she echoes. She would never have expected to find someone so perfect, nor fall in love so quickly and thoroughly. Now she can't imagine her life without him.

It occurs to him that this is probably the tightest hug he's had from her in a while, since she's been too weak to hug him tight even when wanting to. And that thought makes him appreciate the hug even more.

He ends up settling next to her, his arm still around her shoulders, comfortably leaned against one another. He kisses the top of her head and then sighs happily. "I should bring some of the little army men to post around here," he says, looking around the room. He's already put a little 'BELIEVE' sign in the bathroom after all.

The strength of the hug has occurred to Joan as well, and it feels so good to be able to hold him as tightly as she wants to. It's one of many benefits of getting better.

She's also seen the little BELIEVE sign in the bathroom, which is both amusing and inspirational. It encourages her to believe she will get better and stronger.

She smiles at the thought of the army men, leaning her head against his with a happy sigh.

"That would be great. I'm sure Henry will appreciate it." Her brow furrows slightly. "I wonder if Sherlock has any security cameras around the apartment..."

"Oh I doubt Henry would think that much of it," Ted answers with amusement. Well, he might. But really, it's for Ted's own sake. They're reminders that he's loved.

At the mention of security cameras, Ted pauses and looks at Joan. "Wait. This apartment?"

"I think he'd like knowing that you're using his gift," she says with a smile. She knows that's not the reason he's doing it, but it's still a nice thought.

She sighs a little at his response. "Sherlock can be protective of where he lives. And not without reason. We make enemies. But one thing he does is hide cameras all over so that we have a good look of anyone who breaks in. I am not fond of this practice, so hopefully Sherlock refrained from installing them here."

Ted looks around the room, definitely looking for places to hide a camera now. "But not... in here right?" he asks. Because he's made it very clear about his boundaries, and if making comments about his sex life is off-limits, filming should be pretty obviously off the table, right?

"Not in here," she assures him. "It would be in the living room, maybe the kitchen. If at all. I'll ask. If there are any I'll have him take them out."

Ted relaxes a bit at that. He would have had some pretty strong words with Sherlock if that was the case. As for the rest of the apartment... It would be something he could deal with if it was necessary, but he'd like to feel comfortable in his own home. Being watched like that is less creepy if he knows about it, but even so it's kind of weird.

"Can't he just put them at the entrances like a normal people do?" he questions.

"I'm sorry," she says, playfully blinking in mock disbelief. "Did you just ask why Sherlock doesn't act like a normal person?"

Really, the question answers itself.

"Just because he's not a normal person doesn't mean he can't occasionally do things normal people do," Ted argues, but he's smiling with amusement.

"I think the operative word here is occasionally," she says with a sage nod, eyes playfully narrowed.

Ted only grins and kisses her cheek in response. She's got a point. But he appreciates Sherlock being a little strange. It's more interesting that way.

He heaves a big wistful sigh and looks up at the ceiling. "Do you miss watching me manage a soccer team as much as I miss doing it?" he asks, musing.

"I don't think I watched you manage all that much," she says, leaning her head against his shoulder. "A little during the investigation. And a little on TV. I'd love to see more." She reaches for his hand. "You should get back to it."

"You're right," he says seriously, sitting there for a second.

"...I'll go turn on the PlayStation." He gives her a quick smooch on the forehead, then lets go of her and gets to his feet, going to get the controllers. And obviously very pleased with his stupid joke.

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