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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[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.

[theodorelasso]

Ted grins brightly. "I can tell!" he answers happily. It's interesting too, cause Ted hasn't necessarily thought that deeply about it - or at least he doesn't have the knowledge base to analyze it all that thoroughly. So he's very interested in his perspective.

"We should do this more often," he suggests. "We can leave the rom-coms for just you and me," he adds to Joan with a slight smirk.

[formersurgeon]

She smiles and nudges him gently with her elbow.

"I would not object to an occasional film," Sherlock allows, which Joan knows is actually pretty huge. Sherlock dislikes claims on his time for social rituals he typically has little use for.

[theodorelasso]

"Alright!" Ted says excitedly. "How about you pick the next one then?" he suggests. He assumes if he can accommodate for no rom-coms, Sherlock won't pick something that'll horrify (or completely bore) Ted.

[formersurgeon]

"I'm fairly certain I can come up with something acceptable," Sherlock says dryly. He stands. "However, as I imagine you and Watson would appreciate free rein to be 'cutesy,' for the moment I will take my leave."

[theodorelasso]

Ted grins cheerfully at him. "I do appreciate it, thanks, Sherlock," he answers. He's sure Sherlock has stuff he wants to be doing as well.

Once he's gone, Ted turns immediately to Joan. "Alright, get ready," he warns, then wraps his arms around her and enthusiastically leans in, almost tipping her over a little as he playfully starts kissing her cheek.

[formersurgeon]

She laughs at the playful assault of kisses, turning to face him, wrap her arms around him, and give him a proper and enthusiastic kiss on the mouth.

"I love you," she murmurs against his lips before kissing him again.

[theodorelasso]

"You too," he answers in between kisses. Soon the playful enthusiasm becomes just comfortable and happy kissing, and eventually more snuggling than active kissing. She makes him so happy.

"How are you feeling?" he asks, mostly general interest rather than concern. "I know after a few days in the hospital bed, I started feeling pretty achy from just sitting still all the time."

[formersurgeon]

They settle into snuggling, just holding and nuzzling and affectionate touching. Joan smiles at the question as she lightly brushes her fingers against his chest.

"There's definitely some aching involved," she answers. "Walking felt good. I'm also thinking something like yoga might be helpful."

[theodorelasso]

"Oh yeah, definitely," Ted agrees. Some good stretching, and only as much physical exertion as she feels capable of. "Would you like a massage?" he offers.

[formersurgeon]

She smiles at the offer, the thought of him massaging her tense muscles tantalizing. "That would be so nice," she answers.

[theodorelasso]

Ted sits up immediately, excited to do so. "You want to lie down on your stomach so I can do it properly, or just sitting?"

[formersurgeon]

"I can lie down," she says, shifting to do so. It's still a bit hard for her to move around and position herself, but she manages to get on her stomach, her head pillowed on her hands.

[theodorelasso]

Ted is plenty patient, helping by moving pillows and covers as she shifts around.

"It's a benefit to working with massage therapists, you can get a lot of great tips," he says with a chuckle, moving around so he can massage her comfortably. He starts off relatively gentle, massaging various spots to find her stiff and sore spots.

[formersurgeon]

"Mmm," she hums softly. "That's nice." She's particularly tight in her shoulders, her neck, her lower back, and her legs from walking. "I know a little from med school, but not much. And it's been a long time."

[theodorelasso]

He's also just given a lot of massages over the past decade especially. Practice makes perfect. (Some of them with a slightly different goal in mind, though that's not his intention for now.)

"Mmm, yeah. Let me know where it feels good, if I should go harder or softer, all that sort of thing," he says, starting to work on her lower back.

[formersurgeon]

Joan has had plenty of that kind of massage, although she wouldn't object if he offered sometime later.

"Mmm," she responds. "A little harder right there..."

[theodorelasso]

Ted obliges, using the heel of his hand to knead her muscles. And while her muscles are weak, at least he hasn't been given any reason to think she's particularly frail as a result (unlike him - who knows how a massage in certain areas might impact his still healing ribs). Though he's still maybe a little bit more careful than he would've been otherwise.

Even if it's not that kind of massage though, it still lets him touch her in an affectionate way, perform an act of service and make her feel good. So he's very happy to do it. Especially when she makes those humming noises.

[formersurgeon]

Her next hum is half sigh as her muscles begin to soften beneath his hands.

"Just like that," she murmurs.

She's certainly not frail, despite her weakness, and she's glad Ted isn't treating her with kid gloves.

[theodorelasso]

Ted continues to work on her back, eventually moving to the shoulders and neck, spending extra time in the particularly stiff areas, getting some blood circulation going.

He's also glad to be able to use his body a little, since this way he's only using his upper body and won't put too much strain on his leg, and he's not doing anything that would mess with his ribs or lower back. So it's probably gonna for both if them.

Once he's worked on her shoulders for a bit, he leans down and plants ab affectionate kiss between her shoulder blades.

[formersurgeon]

His hands are gentle and thoughtful and attentive, just like Ted himself. It's soothing and relaxing, and Joan closes her eyes and breathes deeply, letting her muscles just let go.

She smiles at that kiss, feeling so loved.

"Thank you," she murmurs.

[theodorelasso]

"You're so welcome," he answers quietly.

He massages her neck for a bit longer, before he finally sits back. "Alright, I think that's all I've got in me," he says, shaking and stretching his arms and hands.