For Joan

[theodorelasso]

Continued from here.

(warnings: sexytimes. also, panic attacks, brutal violence, attempted murder, discussion of suicide and actual murder... )

Comments

[formersurgeon]

Sherlock heads into the kitchen. "Ah, yes," he says. Ted can hardly carry the smoothies, considering his need for a crutch. "Let me see..." He looks in a few cabinets before finding a tray. "I've got this if you want to go out and join Watson he says, putting the glasses on the tray.

[theodorelasso]

"Thanks, bud," Ted answers, and goes to give Sherlock's shoulder a friendly slap, then redirects halfway and gives him a salute instead. He has to remind himself not to be too touchy feely with Sherlock. He grabs a crutch and heads to the living room.

[formersurgeon]

Sherlock flinches a little when it seems like Ted is about to touch him. Then he gives a nod and tight smile to the salute. He appreciates that Ted modifies his behavior in recognition of Sherlock's peculiarities. It makes his enthusiasm a bit more bearable for the man whose senses are ofttimes painfully sharp.

He follows Ted out, carrying the tray. He sets it down on the table then sits down again.

"Those look delicious," Joan says.

[theodorelasso]

"Hopefully thine eyes do not deceive," Ted answers with a soft chuckle, handing one of them to Joan, before grabbing one for himself and sitting down on the couch.

He looks at the seat next to him, then at the wheelchair, and gives a hum. He just realised a drawback of remaining in the chair. No cuddling.

[formersurgeon]

Joan holds her smoothie carefully, not wanting to drop it. She notices Ted's glance at the empty couch next to him and his hum, and she smiles.

"Would you like me to sit next to you?" she offers. Yeah, it would mean some extra carting around, but what the heck.

[theodorelasso]

"Nah, it's okay, we can catch it up later," he says with a smile. They've been spending almost every moment together lately, and while he's certainly not complaining, he's not that needy. Besides, they'll be showering together soon.

"Don't keep me in suspense though, give me your verdict," he adds, gesturing at the smoothie.

[formersurgeon]

She carefully sips some of the smoothie, grateful for the straw.

"That is really good," she says. "I like the balance of the fruit with the oatmeal. The texture is really nice. Not too thin, not too thick."

She takes another, longer sip.

[theodorelasso]

Ted gives a small fistpump of victory, then tastes it himself. He gives an approving hum. "Yeah, that turned out alright!" he says with some excitement. He gestures at Sherlock to try it too. "I haven't experimented too much with smoothies, but I bet I could make lots of different ones be real yummy."

[formersurgeon]

"That's one of the best things about smoothies," Joan says as Sherlock takes a sip of his and nods in approval. "The possibilities are endless."

She drinks some more.

[theodorelasso]

Ah, a nod of approval! Great, all around good reviews.

"And as long as you don't completely fudge up the ingredients, it'll end up edible. Um, drinkable," he muses, sipping his. He narrows his eyes thoughtfully. "Mmmm, fudge smoothie.." That'd definitely be a dessert kind of smoothie.

"The only problem, of course, is it's always gonna be a smoothie," he adds. A single taste concoction of smooth thick liquid. He starts missing other kinds of foods after a while.

[formersurgeon]

"You mean a milkshake?" Sherlock says to the fudge smoothie comment, his tone acerbic. Ted doubtless notices that's Sherlock's default.

"We definitely need some non-smoothie options," Joan agrees with a smile.

[theodorelasso]

Ted barely even registers Sherlock's acerbic tone at this point. He focuses more on the contents of the statement. And at that particular statement, he just smiles with amusement. It's a fair point.

"I was looking up stuff that's easy to digest and eat," he says, stirring his smoothie idly. "Found a fried chicken and egg rice bowl recipe that looked real yummy." He's already practically putting together a menu.

[formersurgeon]

Joan smiles at him. He's so dedicated to taking care of her, and it's sweet and heartwarming, even if there is still a bit of her that chafes at being cared for. At least he's been asking her for her approval on most things. That makes the difference between being cared for and being babied.

"That sounds wonderful," she says. "It's probably a good idea to ease my stomach into solid foods, and that would be perfect."

[theodorelasso]

Ted would be taking care of her even if she weren't sick. It's just in his nature. And it's definitely not about taking away her independence, just about making her life a little easier (or more enjoyable), and even finding solutions to make her more independent. If this was a long-term thing, he'd probably be all over finding ways of letting her do as many things as possible herself.

He mentions a few more recipes he came across, asking for her opinions on various dishes and ingredients. He doesn't want to end up making something she hates.

Soon enough they've worked through their smoothies.

"Hey, do you have a stool or chair that deals well with getting wet? For the shower?" he asks Sherlock. He knows there exists chair specifically meant for that, but he didn't see one in the bathroom, so a normal one will probably have to do.

[formersurgeon]

Joan enjoys discussing the recipes, which she supposes is likely a good sign. If she's enjoying it, her body might be ready to give more solid foods a try.

Sherlock sets down his glass, considering Ted's question.

"I have a step ladder with non-slip feet. That would likely be sufficiently safe. And the water is unlikely to cause problems as long as it dries thoroughly afterward."

[theodorelasso]

"Boy, I wish I had non-slip feet," Ted quips and then grins at his own joke. "Sounds good, though?" Ted gives Joan a questioning shrug to ask for her approval.

[formersurgeon]

"That should work," Joan agrees.

"Right," Sherlock says with a nod as he stands. "I shall return."

He heads out to go fetch the stepladder from 221B.

Once he's gone Joan turns toward Ted and reaches out for his hand, her hand still trembling slightly.

[theodorelasso]

"Oh, bring some more clothes too?" Ted suggests as Sherlock heads out. Would probably be nice to have something fresh when getting out of the shower.

When she reaches out for him, Ted sits forward, taking her hand and stroking it a bit with his thumb.

"How you doing?" he asks softly, though he makes an effort to not sound worried. He doesn't want to be overbearing, but he would like updates on how she's feeling.

[formersurgeon]

"I'm all right," she answers just as softly. "Not being able to do basic things on my own is a little frustrating." Ted can doubtless pick up on the fact this is an understatement. "But I'm sure I'll have my strength back it a couple days."

[theodorelasso]

"Yeah, I get that," Ted answers, and he really does. "I mean, it wasn't a lot of fun having to be carted around, and I'm still sort of limited. And you have it worse than me. It's okay to be annoyed by that."

He's here to make her feel better, but if what she needs to feel better is to be annoyed and vent about it, that's okay too.

[formersurgeon]

There are plenty overly optimistic people who would have responded to her annoyance with rousing encouragement that completely ignored the validity of her feelings. But that's not Ted, and she loves him for it.

"Thank you," she says softly. "For everything."

[theodorelasso]

The goal is optimism, but that doesn't mean the method always has to be. ...Just most of the time. He definitely falls in that trap for himself sometimes, because those negative emotions can be uncomfortable, and it's easier to ignore them in the short run. But he's good at acknowledging it others. He has to be in his line of work.

"You're very welcome," he answers. "For everything," he adds with a chuckle.

He lifts her hand and kisses it. "I love you so much, I just want to make you happy," he says, incredibly sincerely. "And I know I can't solve all your problems -- I've made that mistake before. But I want to be there to help you face them."

[formersurgeon]

"I love you," she replies, utterly sincere, every ounce of emotion suffusing her voice. "So much. I'm so lucky to have you." She can't imagine...or doesn't want to imagine...going through this without him. Sherlock would take care of her, and would be attentive to her needs, but there's something wonderful to be said for going through this while being cared for by a man who loves her so completely, who will take care of her basic needs while also kissing her and holding her while she sleeps.

She glances at their hands, wanting to kiss his hand as well, but she decides it might be too much for her strength right now. So instead she looks up at him and smiles.

"Can I kiss you?"

[theodorelasso]

Ted doesn't need to be asked twice, immediately rising to his feet. It also brings back very wonderful memories of the very first time they kissed.

"I'd like that," he answers with a smile, just as he did back then, but this time he's the one leaning in to kiss her. Still holding her hand, and resting the other one at her neck.

[formersurgeon]

She smiles, remembering that moment echoed in his response. She had already been fond of him in that moment, but she couldn't have imagined how deeply she would come to love him, how deeply they would love each other.

She kisses him back, her eyes closed lifting a hand to brush lightly against his cheek. When their lips part she sighs happily and opens her eyes. "I love you," she murmurs.

The door opens and Sherlock enters, carrying the stepladder. He sees the two of them kissing and turns to the side, averting his eyes, fidgeting restlessly.