trashchildren | For Joan

"Well, the TV was a good suggestion," Ted answers, not joking this time. "I brought a suitcase over with most of my stuff. Besides that, I think we're pretty set?" he says, looking at Joan with raised eyebrows in case she can think of anything. There's gonna be little things, kitchenware for example, but they'll figure that out as they go along.

"We'll need food," she says to Ted before turning back to Sherlock. "Probably delivery." She looks back to Ted. "This is delicious, but it might be better if you're able to stay of your feet for a while."

Ted wasn't really counting food, in his head that's already been accounted for.

"Yeah, but I figure we can just figure that out based on what we're in the mood for, right?" he answers. "And the smoothies are easy, that's mostly just popping stuff in a blender," he adds. He can instruct Sherlock on that stuff.

"Absolutely," she says with a nod. "We don't need to plan out our meals or anything." Sherlock can easily manage the smoothies.

Joan takes a couple more spoonfuls of the chicken rice, then holds her bowl out to Sherlock.

"I think I've had enough. It's really good, but my stomach isn't up for much."

"It's probably decent reheated," Ted comments. "I think it's easier to eat lots of smaller meals, keep your digestion going? -- I don't know why I'm telling you, you're the doctor," he says, interrupting himself halfway through with a chuckle.

"Used to be," she says with a smile. "But you're right, especially when starting to have solid foods after a while without."

Sherlock takes her bowl, and Joan shifts closer to Ted, putting her head on his shoulder again and leaving it there this time. They had told Sherlock they wouldn't be cutesy, but this isn't her being cute, just her taking solace and strength from the man she loves.

Ted leans his head against her turban too, just enjoying sitting close to her while he finishes eating.

"Isn't it like when you have a doctorate, you get to call yourself a doctor even if you're not working with medicine?" he asks curiously.

It feels good just to be close like this.

"A medical degree isn't usually a PhD," she explains. "I'm not licensed, so I'm not allowed to practice medicine. It's unethical to call myself a doctor under those circumstances."

"Huh," Ted answers, always interested to learn something new. "So I guess if I want to say something like that, I'll say... 'studied medicine'," he suggests instead.

"That's allowed," she says with a smile.

"Your lack of license hasn't affected your medical skills, Watson," Sherlock points out. "A fact both Ted and I can attest to. Why should a piece of paper determine whether or not you are worthy of the title 'doctor?'"

"I guess it depends on context," Ted muses. "If you're using at as some sort of leverage, that's probably not great, but if someone had a heart attack on a plane, and the flight attendant was doing the 'Is there a doctor here?!?'," he continues, dramatically proclaiming the cheesy line of course. "You wouldn't say no."

Joan laughs softly. "You both have good points," she says with a smile. "Technically I can't legally present myself as a doctor. But you're right, if there was an emergency and I didn't have time to explain why I'm not really a doctor, I don't think the law will mind. And as we're not in a formal setting, if you guys want to call me a doctor I won't object."

"We can save it for-- No, sorry, I'm not gonna say that," he stops, smiling to himself. He finishes off his food, setting the empty bowl on the nightstand, then reaches over to take Joan's hand. He's full of good food, and he's cuddling with his girlfriend (as much as is appropriate while Sherlock is in the room), and it's a nice break from all the stress.

Joan doesn't know how Ted would have finished that sentence, but she lets it go. She tugs the towel off her head with her free hand before settling against Ted with a sigh and a smile.

"This is nice."

He was going to make a naughty joke about playing doctor. It's probably better not to ask. Another thing not appropriate while Sherlock is in the room. (Or he would make some sort of comment that would make Ted mildly uncomfortable, probably.)

"Want me to braid your hair?" he suggests. "I could do like pigtail braids so they're okay to sleep on."

Probably better without Sherlock in the room, yes. That aside, though, Joan is an adventurous lover who would very much enjoy exploring that kind of play. When she's up for it. And when they're alone. Because Sherlock would certainly take the opportunity to make the most inappropriate comment possible.

"I'd like that," she says, sitting up a little so he can reach her hair.

Ted was thinking about the 'kids playing doctor' type of insinuation, and would absolutely definitely not mention the other kind in front of Sherlock, because yes, that would be somewhat mortifying. (Which is not to say he wouldn't be interested in trying, it's just the kind of thing he would be extra private about.)

Ted sits up a bit as well, turning around to he can face her. "Hey, Sherlock, could you get a hairbrush and some hair bands, please?"

Joan tends to be private as well, which is why Sherlock would be explicit to needle her. Well. Extra explicit at least.

Sherlock collects their bowls and heads out to put them away and in search of a brush and hair bands. He returns a few minutes later with the requested items. He sets them on the bed by Ted, then retreats to return to the living room to give them some alone time.

Ted starts parting Joan's hair while Sherlock is off fetching stuff. He quietly thanks him, then starts brushing her hair and parting it into sections. He really likes her hair, so nice and soft to the touch, though of course it's a bit damp right now. That just makes it easier to braid.

Joan closes her eyes and smiles softly as he works on her hair.

"If you had a daughter, what would you want to name her?" she asks quietly. She had wanted to say "if we had a daughter," but if the thought of having their own place was too much, the thought of having kids together is right out.

"Well, Michelle wanted to name her after her grandmother, Emma. But now? I dunno. Maybe one of my grandmothers, but then your choices are Ethel and Maude, so," he answers with a chuckle. "Hey, you wanna know who I'm named for?"

Your choices. She smiles at that.

"I've thought of naming a girl Mary after my mother," she remarks. She raises her eyebrows at Ted's offer. "Sure! Were you named after a relative?"

He's definitely imagined having kids with Joan before. In the vague, possible future, sure, but the thought has occurred to him. After they talked about how she'd wanted to adopt.

"No, not a relative. Well, how about you guess? Not that many famous Theodores out there," he challenges her, grinning.

She likes the thought of having kids with Ted. She knows he's great with kids, and that any kids they have together will be so loved and cherished.

"Were your parents Teddy Roosevelt fans?"

"Nope, though that's the obvious one," he answers, smiling. "Remember, my dad was a sports fan too," he hints, giving her shoulder a little nudge. He carefully finishes one braid and ties it off with a hairband. "Can you turn around a bit?" he asks, scooting as far as he can to get to her other side.

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