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]

Once the plane lands Joan sends Sherlock her analysis. Then she closes her laptop and puts it away, fully intending to not open it again for a couple days at least.

She only has her carryon roller suitcase, so she doesn't have to go to baggage claim. She walks as quickly as she can, scanning the people ahead, looking for Ted.

Then she sees him and Beard standing together, and her heart swelled with so much emotion. She hurries her steps, getting as close to an all-out run as she can in heels. She drops the handle of her suitcase just before she's in his arms, throwing her arms around him as well.

[theodorelasso]

Ted quickly hands his crutches off to Beard, and if he could run to meet her, he would. But seeing her running towards him fills his heart so much, and he practically yells hello to her, to the surprise of people around them.

He only barely has enough forethought to catch her around her waist, so that she can wrap around his shoulders, and his ribs are protected. They still twinge a bit as the two of them crash together, and he has to steady himself to not just fall over, but Ted is so beyond caring. He's so happy to see her, to hold her.

He even lifts her a tiny bit off the ground, just for a moment, though he definitely shouldn't be doing that. Then he pulls back from the hug just enough to kiss her.

[formersurgeon]

She kisses him back with a small sound of both need and relief. When their lips part she buries her face into his shoulder, still holding onto him tightly. There are people streaming past them on both sides, but as far as Joan is concerned, they don't exist.

"I missed you," she whispers.

[theodorelasso]

Ted buries his face in her hair, holding onto her just as tight, hunched over slightly just to be as close as possible to her.

"You too. It's so good to see you again," he whispers back. He is in absolutely no rush to let go of her, but eventually they do pull apart, at least enough to look at each other. And when they do, Ted just.. has to take a moment to do just that, just look at her. It hasn't even been that long since they've seen each other, but it feels like an eternity.

[formersurgeon]

She gazes up at him, just taking such joy in seeing his face again. She reaches up and cups his cheek, brushing her thumb against his skin.

"I love you," she says softly, and god it feels so good to say that to his face again.

[theodorelasso]

"I love you too," he answers, feeling the same way. This is exactly the kind of lovey-dovey obnoxiousness he was looking forward to engaging in.

There is a new bruise on his face, on the opposite side from the others, one that she hasn't actually seen before. But it's smaller than the others at least, and a couple days old now.

Beard is just patiently (and happily) waiting, holding onto Ted's crutches and the sign, and making sure no one runs away with Joan's luggage.

[formersurgeon]

She sees that bruise, and a faint look of concern crosses her face. She knows what it's from, and from the look of it she can tell it's healing, so she doesn't say anything about it. Instead she kisses him again, then finally pulls back, squeezing his hands before letting go. She would happily hold his hand as they walk, but she knows he needs the crutches.

[theodorelasso]

Ted is reluctant to let go of her, but the sooner they get back home, the sooner they can cuddle up.

"Welcome back," Beard says with a smile as he hands Ted his crutches.

He leads the two of them out of the airport, getting them all a cab. Probably a good thing he's taking the lead, as Ted is too distracted just looking at Joan to really pay attention to his surroundings.

[formersurgeon]

Joan absolutely gives Beard a huge hug once he's handed the crutches back to Ted. "Thank you," she says, and those two words mean so much. Thanks for the welcome. Thanks for holding their things. Thank you for bringing Ted to the airport. Thank you for taking care of him, and for being there for both of them.

Joan's attention going to the cab is also predominantly on Ted, so Beard's shepherding is also appreciated. Once they're in the cab she immediately leans against Ted, resting her head on his shoulder.

[theodorelasso]

The hug catches Beard by surprise, but he obviously hugs her back. Ted gets all emotional just watching. He loves seeing people he cares about getting along.

In the cab, Ted takes Joan's hand, lacing their fingers together.

"How is it you still look amazing after spending hours on a plane in the middle of the night?" he asks fondly. Of course, he's probably biased.

[formersurgeon]

She laughs a little, squeezing his hand. "It might have helped that I didn't sleep, strangely enough. I'm also just so happy to see you."

She's tired, but her joy is definitely carrying her.

[theodorelasso]

"Well, both of those things apply to me too, and look at this," he says with amusement, jokingly pointing at himself.

He definitely doesn't look the most presentable he's ever looked: mildly disheveled, stubbly, tired eyes (not even counting the fading bruises), wearing sweatpants (they're easier with the cast). But the joy at seeing her is definitely cancelling a lot of it out.

[formersurgeon]

She looks at him and sees how rough he looks, sure, but she also sees the man who laughs with her, the man who sees so much joy in the world that Joan would otherwise miss, the man who holds her and makes tender love to her.

The man she loves.

"You look great," she answers with a smile.

[theodorelasso]

"Eh, you're biased," he says dismissively, then laughs and squeezes her hand. "Oh! Wanna see how cool my cast looks now though?" he asks, letting go of her so he can reach down and pull up the leg of his sweatpants, revealing his cast covered in colorful doodles from Henry.

[formersurgeon]

"Terribly biased," she agrees, squeezing his hand back. She leans down to look at his cast. "Oh hey!" she says with a pleasantly surprised smile. "That's wonderful! I definitely recognize Henry's handiwork here from the dinosaur you showed me."

[theodorelasso]

"Yeah! Beard here made sure we were equipped with markers in the hospital," Ted says, and Beard gives a silent affirming nod.

Ted smiles fondly, looking at the drawings. "Yeah, I just like the idea of when you get hurt, you patch it up with reminders of the people who love you, and then you'll heal stronger for it, you know," he muses.

[formersurgeon]

Joan can't help but think that maybe Ted doesn't just mean the doodles on his cast. The both of them have been emotionally hurt, but they love each other, and their love will patch them up and they'll be stronger together for it.

"I like that," she says softly.

[theodorelasso]

She'd be right. The doodles are just a metaphor, a visual reminder. The gentle caresses and kisses on his bruised cheeks, those are the same. Symbols for something deeper.

Ted smiles and takes her hand again, leaning over to give the side of her head a soft kiss. Then he yawns. "Oh boy, we're definitely taking a nap."

Beard smiles at them and looks out the window. "We're there."

[formersurgeon]

She squeezes his hand and turns her head to kiss his lips gently. She is definitely on board for a nice long nap safe in each other's arms, but the cab stops before she can verbalize it.

She climbs out and retrieves her suitcase and waits next to the door for Ted and Beard.

[theodorelasso]

Beard makes sure Ted gets out alright and has his crutches, and they're all set.

"Alright, I gotta get to work," he says, going back to the cab. He looks at Joan. "I'll leave him in your capable hands."

[formersurgeon]

"I won't let you down," she says with a smile.

She waves as the cab drivers off with Beard, then turns to Ted.

"Do you need help getting up the stairs?"

[theodorelasso]

"I got it," Ted answers with a smile. "You can get the door though," he adds, fishing out the keys and handing them to her.

He's getting quite used to getting up and down the stairs, even if it takes a little bit longer than normal. He's just grateful the cast doesn't go past his knee, so he can still bend his leg easily.

As soon as he's inside and his shoe (singular) is off, he heads straight for the bedroom.

"Help yourself to anything in the kitchen, or the bathroom, but as soon as you're ready, I want you lying next to me, alright?" he says, pretending to be stern.

[formersurgeon]

Joan happily unlocks and holds open the door, then follows Ted up the stairs, her suitcase in hand.

Once they get inside, she sheds her own shoes (two for her).

"I'm good," she says with a smile, following him into the bedroom. "I could use one of your shirts, though."

She has her own nightshirt, but the thought of wearing one of his as they snuggle is too lovely to pass up.

[theodorelasso]

"In that case, help yourself to anything in my dresser," he answers with amusement, sitting down on the bed. The only thing he's going to bother to take off is his sock and sweater. He's already wearing a t-shirt underneath. And while he doesn't need to sleep with the sweatpants, right now it's too much effort to take them off. He's carefully crawls under the covers and gets comfy.

[formersurgeon]

Joan chooses one of his Kansas City barbecue shirts. She gets undressed, everything but her underwear, and it feels so good, like she's shedding all the tension and worries of the past several days. She pulls on the shirt, then joins him under the covers.