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]

"I'll take it as a reward when I reach the other side of the bed," she says with a smile. She's taking it slow and easy. As she nears the spot where she started she can feel her legs beginning to tremble, but she's able to make it at sit down without them completely failing her.

"Yessssss," she hisses in triumph with a small fist pump.

[theodorelasso]

Ted gives a whoop of celebration and excitement, so happy to see her happy and progressing.

"Here you go, as promised," he says, holding up his hand for a high five. Sherlock is definitely not as effusive about this sort of thing, but Ted is easily making up for it with his level of enthusiasm.

[formersurgeon]

Joan happily gives him a high five, albeit not with the force she would otherwise. Her hands are shaking again as she returns them to her lap, but she barely notices.

Sherlock watches the two of them interact with some wonder. Watson isn't typically an effusive sort either, but Ted brings it out in her. It's fascinating, seeing this part of her that is largely unfamiliar.

[theodorelasso]

There's almost certainly parts of Joan that Ted will never personally experience either. How she reacts in a dangerous situation, for example - hopefully he'll never have to be in a situation where he could see that, no matter how impressive Joan might be. For example, Ted would gladly go his whole life where the only guns that ever get shot at him are water and nerf.

He leans over and kisses her cheek happily. "You wanna sit back and just chill for a while now?" he suggests.

[formersurgeon]

Joan sincerely hopes Ted never has to see that part of her either. The fear that Ted will be targeted because of her is only part of her worries about how her dangerous occupation will put him in danger as well.

She smiles at the kiss. "That sounds perfect."

[theodorelasso]

Ted gets up and heads over to his side of the bed, then makes sure she gets comfortable as well.

"We could watch a movie or something," he suggests. Not sure he can get Sherlock in on that though.

[formersurgeon]

Sherlock helps get Joan back onto the bed, then pulls over the chair so he can sit next to her without taking up bed space.

"We can!" She turns to Sherlock. "Did you buy another TV."

"I did," Sherlock affirms. "However, it won't be delivered until this evening. If you like, I can relocate the television from the living room."

[theodorelasso]

"We can just use my laptop if we want to be lazy," he suggests. "But the TV is probably easier to watch stuff on."

[formersurgeon]

"If you will give me a moment..." Sherlock leaves the room. He's gone for a couple of minutes, then returns hauling a rather sizeable flat screen TV. He sets it on the dresser and takes a moment to plug it in.

"I ensured access to several streaming services," Sherlock says, turning the TV on then offering the remote to Ted.

[theodorelasso]

While Sherlock is fetching the TV, Ted gets comfortable and snuggles up with Joan.

"Thanks," he answers, accepting the remote. "What are you in the mood for?" he asks, looking over at Joan.

[formersurgeon]

Joan snuggles in as well, taking Ted's hand and threading their fingers together. When he asks what she's in the mood for, she considers for a moment before smiling.

"We could watch a romcom," she suggests, knowing Ted loves them.

Sherlock sits in the chair and at the suggestion of a romcom gives Joan a sour look but holds his tongue.

[theodorelasso]

Ted catches that sour look, and smiles with gentle amusement. If Sherlock doesn't like Joan and Ted being lovey dovey, he probably won't enjoy that. Ted doesn't really have any idea what Sherlock would like when it comes to entertainment though.

"I don't want to chase Sherlock away," he says with a smile, flipping through suggested films. He isn't really in the mood for anything heavy though.

"Hey, how about that?" he asks, as Spirited Away is suggested. Simple and fun, but not too simple and saccharine, and no schmoopy romance.

[formersurgeon]

He's being so considerate of Sherlock, with Sherlock continues to be somewhat taken aback by and Joan continues to be grateful for. The suggestion of Spirited Away is delightful, and Joan looks over at Sherlock to get his reaction. He shrugs, which is probably the most enthusiastic reaction they're going to get.

"That sounds great," she says, turning back to Ted with a smile.

[theodorelasso]

Sherlock is also being very considerate of Ted (in his own way), and has opened his home to him, and helped him with all the stuff with Rupert -- of course Ted is going to be considerate. Especially when it costs him absolutely nothing.

He turns the movie on, then rests comfortably against Joan. It's a very slow and mellow opening, so within the first 10 minutes, the lack of sleep and the various physical exertions seem to catch up with him, and he dozes off, snuggled up against Joan. It helps that Sherlock is there so Ted doesn't feel like he has to be on alert.

[formersurgeon]

Joan can feel Ted falling asleep against her, and she smiles and gently rests her head on his, watching the movie and listening to his slow, gentle breathing. He must be so tired, and Joan is happy to let him sleep.

[theodorelasso]

Ted eventually wakes up from the ruckus of the No-Face chase sequence, blinking a little at the TV and stretching a little. It was a really comfortable (and much needed) nap, even if it only lasted about an hour.

[formersurgeon]

Joan feels him stirring and smiles, turning her head to press a kiss into his hair.

"You okay?" she says softly.

[theodorelasso]

Ted looks over at her with sleepy eyes, and nods at the question, smiling at the kiss.

He yawns, pushing himself up, then looks over at Sherlock to see how he's enjoying the movie.

[formersurgeon]

Sherlock is definitely engrossed in the movie, leaning forward slightly in his chair, appreciating it as a work of art and enjoying the complexities of the mythology it references and the metaphors for modern life, capitalism, and environmentalism.

Joan glances at Sherlock too, and smiles.

[theodorelasso]

Ted smiles at seeing Sherlock's attentive enjoyment, and waggles his eyebrows slightly at Joan.

He doesn't intend to disturb him, so he just gives Joan's hand a squeeze and focuses on the movie. Thankfully he's seen it before, so he's not totally lost.

[formersurgeon]

Joan grins at that waggle, then settles against him again and squeezes his hand. It's nice how comfortable this is, the three of them watching a movie together, just quietly sharing the experience. There are so many wonderful things Ted has brought into her life. This is one she didn't expect, but deeply appreciates.

She sighs happily and focuses on the movie.

[theodorelasso]

They might have to start having movie nights. Ted honestly had no idea if Sherlock would even enjoy sitting around watching a movie, so this is encouraging.

He does tear up a little near the end, when Chihiro and Haku fly back. The swelling music is really effective, and he leans his head against Joan's.

[formersurgeon]

Joan's not one to cry at movies, but she is touched by that moment, and she leans her head against Ted's as well, her heart full of feelings.

Sherlock himself recognizes the power of the moment, even if he's not one to feel things in that way. He glances at Watson and Ted leaning on each other, then looks back at the movie, a hint of a smile on his lips.

[theodorelasso]

Ted will just have to make up for the both of them when it comes to crying at movies. Not that he usually turns into a sobbing mess, but he does very much let himself be invested in and moved by movies.

Once the movie ends and the credits starts to roll, Ted sits up and stretches with a satisfied noise. "I forgot how good that flick is."

[formersurgeon]

"It's really good," Joan agrees. She looks over at Sherlock. "What did you think?"

Sherlock straightens in his chair. "It is, in a word, exquisite. Miyazaki's commitment to the art form is exceptional, the story was multi-faceted, and the imaginary world of Japanese mythology was exceptionally rendered."

Joan grins and looks back to Ted. "He liked it," she translates teasingly.