trashchildren | For Joan

"Well yeah, but, you know, career athletes, they are a little bit workaholics either way. If they weren't, they wouldn't be where they are," he answers. Considering the -- whoever it is who makes these decisions of when to schedule matches. (That's one of those things Beard knows, but Ted doesn't really worry about.) Considering that they did in fact schedule it the day after Christmas.

"You haven't given me your judgement on the food though," he points out with a smile.

"Mmm!" Joan hums as she chews another piece and swallows. "The food is amazing," she says with a smile. "You're such an incredible cook."

Sherlock nods in agreement as he also swallows his mouthful. "It is indeed exquisite. And certainly preferable to take-away Chinese."

As neither Joan nor Sherlock cook and they don't really have family in London, Chinese would have likely been their Christmas dinner without Ted.

"Good," Ted answers, relieved. "Just wanna make sure we have a nice time, you know, since I'm busy for a lot of Christmas." He's not usually so needy for reassurance regarding cooking, but after Henry disappeared on him, he just wants to make sure the rest of the day doesn't fall through as well.

She can tell he's a little anxious, and she's pretty sure it has to do with how things went down with Henry. Joan wouldn't necessarily call Ted a people pleaser...that's never been where his kindness and generosity is coming from...but he is keenly aware of when things go awry, and when people he cares about leave him for one reason or another.

She reaches out to take his hand and squeeze it gently, giving him a smile. "Just being with you makes it a great time," she says. "The incredible food is a bonus."

Ted squeezes her hand back, always so immeasurably grateful for Joan. Ted's not great at expressing sadness or vulnerability, but she always seems to pick up on it, and give him that extra bit of attention that he wouldn't ask for himself.

"Well good, cause I don't have anything special planned for the rest of the evening," he says with a little laugh. "I figure we can just open presents and then maybe watch a movie or something."

It's one of the benefits of having a detective for a girlfriend. She can pick up on the emotions beneath his perpetual optimism to know when he needs care. In a way he's like Sherlock in that respect. Sherlock's cynicism serves much the same role as Ted's optimism.

"That sounds perfect," Joan says. "I think we have hot chocolate and sugar cookies to go with that."

"That does sound perfect," Ted agrees happily. "Got any ideas for Christmas movies that aren't too Christmassy?" he asks, considering Sherlock's distaste for it. He'd like something they'd all enjoy. "And I've already watched It's A Wonderful Life once today, so not that."

Honestly, he should've known better than to watch that. It can be cathartic, but, well. That's not necessarily what he wants on Christmas.

Joan isn't able to keep a look of alarm off of her face at the mention of It's A Wonderful Life. Considering it's a movie that hinges on a man contemplating suicide, it's a troubling choice for a man whose father killed himself and who is having a rough time with his own sense of fatherhood.

"Um..." She tries her best to cover. "I mean...in that case the traditional choice is Die Hard, right?"

Ted does pick up on something in her reaction - does she maybe think it's a bit dark? That seems strange, for her. Or maybe she just wasn't expecting Ted to be watching something that starts off so dark. He doesn't comment on it though, since, well, he doesn't really want to talk about it.

"Oh yeah, that is a classic," Ted agrees. "Have you seen Die Hard, Sherlock?"

Joan looks over at Sherlock, who is looking at her with a grim expression, doubtless having the same thoughts Joan had. He turns to Ted, his expression more neutral.

"I have not. I am, of course, aware of the cultural controversy over whether or not it may truly be considered a Christmas movie."

"Well hey, then you can watch it and make up your mind yourself," Ted says with a smile. "And it's Alan Rickman's first movie role too, so it's worth watching just for that."

"I'm sure it will be acceptable," Sherlock says, turning back to his dinner. Joan turns back to Ted, giving him a smile and squeezing his hand. Other people might consider Sherlock rude, but Joan knows Ted isn't offended when Sherlock is acting this way.

Ted definitely isn't offended, nor is he worried about pushing Sherlock into things, because Sherlock's very clear when things aren't acceptable. And Ted also doesn't take it personally if they have different tastes in things, which he thinks Sherlock knows.

They finish up the meal, and pack up the leftovers, before making it through a nice informal gift unwrapping.

Then cocoa is made, and cookies are served, and Ted's all comfortably snuggled up with Joan on the couch, so happy and grateful to have the two of them in his life.

Gifts were simple but heartfelt, and by the time they're snuggled together on the couch, Joan is feeling warm and happy and so very loved. It's the best Christmas she's had in a very long time.

Sherlock sits cross-legged on the floor for the movie, giving the whole of the couch to Joan and Ted so they have the space t spread out a little. This way he also has his back to them, giving them at least a little bit of privacy as they watch the movie.

Ted hasn't watched this movie in years and years, so he's very much enjoying re-experiencing it, and doing occasional commentary as they watch.

He's also enjoying being able to just press kisses into Joan's hair, arm wrapped around her. He feels so much better just for being able to have that physical closeness. "I'm so happy you're here.." he whispers softly at one point during the movie.

Joan is enjoying the movie as well, and is playing off of Ted's commentary. They're probably driving Sherlock crazy, but he's being gracious enough to allow them their fun. Even though he can't see the affection Ted is showering upon Watson, he would not be surprised. Any lingering doubt Sherlock might have about the existence of love is utterly wiped away by the indisputable evidence of love Ted has for Watson, and he won't begrudge them the physical expression of that love, especially considering how rough it was earlier for Ted.

Joan is enjoying the affection. When he whispers, she shifts a little so she can look at him, her eyes shining.

"I'm so happy you're here too," she whispers, and leans in to press a soft kiss to his lips.

Ted is at least trying to keep his voice reasonably quiet while commentating, so they don't talk over the movie. He kisses her back softly, and gives her a happy smile and a squeeze, before resting back against her as they watch.

Gruber comes on screen, and he has a thought that he automatically ignores. And then he mentally pauses, as he realizes there's really no reason why he can't share that thought with Joan and Sherlock. In fact they've encouraged him to..

"You know, I'm pretty sure I had a tiny crush on Alan Rickman in my teens," he comments, still slightly embarrassed. "After Robin Hood came out."

Both Joan and Sherlock look over at Ted, both of their expressions conveying amusement at the comment as well as approval that he's sharing it with them.

"He was definitely the best part of that movie," Joan says with a smile. "And he has the best voice."

"Oh yeah. Especially when singing," Ted agrees definitely, nodding. "Wait, Sherlock, have you seen Sweeney Todd? It's got something for all of us, Sondheim and murder," he adds excitedly. He's already discussed this with Joan, although then it was on the topic of Angela Lansbury.

"I have," Sherlock answers. "As musicals go the songs are beautiful and the story is acceptable. No one would ever have gotten away with making meat pies out of humans for as long as they do in the play, but at the end of the day it is fiction."

"I mean, that's probably for the best, yeah," Ted answers with a chuckle. There has to be a certain suspension of disbelief.

"Hey, that's a thing we should do," he adds, looking at Joan. "All this time living in London, and I still haven't gone to see a musical." Which, honestly, is a disgrace for him.

"I'd love that!" she says with a smile. "You know...that's one of a few London experiences I haven't had yet. We were supposed to be in town for a short amount of time to work on a specific case and then go back to New York, so I wasn't seeing it as a chance to enjoy the city. Now that we live here..."

"Right?" Ted agrees, though he hushes himself a little as another intense scene begins. "Alright, hold that thought, we'll talk about this after," he adds quietly, giving Joan another squeeze.

He did take some time in the beginning, to see some sights and be a bit of a tourist, but then as he settled into work, there's a lot of that he forgot, despite there being so much of London he hadn't yet experienced.

Joan's first trip to London, the trip where she met Mycroft and Lestrade and helped solve a murder, had been more touristy. There had been a fair amount of downtime as Sherlock dealt with being back in London after fleeing in grief and narcotics. This time was supposed to be in and out.

Interesting how quickly and thoroughly things can change.

She squeezes him back, and settles against him to watch.

They watch the rest of the movie, though Ted is slightly distracted daydreaming about possible things him and Joan and potentially Sherlock could do in London.

He doesn't get up once the movie ends, comfortable snuggled up. "So what's the verdict, Sherlock? Christmas movie or not?"

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