For Joan

[theodorelasso]

Continued from here.

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

Comments

[theodorelasso]

"I'm good with that," Ted agrees with a decisive nod. "Now... Which musicals would you be most interested in seeing?" he asks with a grin. That has obviously not slipped his mind. He'd love to have a night out, get dinner and take in a show.

[formersurgeon]

"Hmm...I don't know what's showing..."

"Wicked at the Apollo Victoria," Sherlock says, "Frozen at Royal Drury Lane, Mamma Mia at Novello, Back to the Future at the Adelphi, Moulin Rouge! The Musical at the Piccadilly, The Tina Turner Musical at Aldwych, Come Away at the Phoenix, The Book of Mormon at Prince of Wales, Cinderella at the Gillian Lynne, and Dear Evan Hansen at the Noel Coward."

Joan stares at him for a moment, taken aback by the sudden flood of information. She wants to ask him how he knows all that, but there's a question that's far more pressing.

"They made a musical out of Back to the Future?"

[theodorelasso]

Ted stares at Sherlock too, but he does appreciate the information.

"Come on, they make musicals out of everything. Alright, so I think we're seeing a few things," Ted says with a grin. There's definitely more than one there that he'd be interested in seeing. Most of them, honestly. "I've heard that Come From Away is supposed to be amazing."

[formersurgeon]

"Let's start there," she says, and then smiles with a chuckle. "Has there ever been a football musical?"

She thinks the story of Ted and Richmond would make one hell of a musical.

[theodorelasso]

"At some point, probably, yeah," Ted answers thoughtfully, trying to think of one, or sports related ones in general, but not having any coming immediately to mind. "But sports and musical theatre seem to intersect far too rarely, honestly."

[formersurgeon]

"Mmm," Joan hums, thinking. "Damn Yankees is about baseball, I think. And I'm pretty sure they turned Rocky into a musical."

[theodorelasso]

"Yeah, that sounds about right. Though if we're only getting one every like fifty sixty years, I think that definitely counts as far too rare," he says, reaching up to idly stroke at Joan's hair. "Any other London specific things you want to do? I did a few things in the beginning, but there's a lot of exploration I haven't done."

[formersurgeon]

"That's fair," Joan says with a smile, and she sighs softly as he strokes her hair, so in love with this man. "I've seen most of the touristy stuff," she says. "I'm not sure what I want to see next."

"I have something I can show you," Sherlock interjects.

[theodorelasso]

Ted looks over as Sherlock speaks up. "I'm all ears," he answers curiously, wondering what Sherlock would think to show them. "Or do you want it to be a surprise?"

[formersurgeon]

"I believe I shall keep it a surprise," Sherlock says. He looks over to Joan, who is already surprised. "You'll need to wear sensible shoes, Watson."

[theodorelasso]

"But I can wear my flip-flops, right?" Ted quips cheerfully. He doesn't even own sandals, he was absolutely going to wear sneakers as usual, but he couldn't resist the joke.

[formersurgeon]

Joan rolls her eyes in exasperated amusement, and tilts her head up to kiss his cheek.

Sherlock doesn't respond to the joke at all.

"Let me know when you both have a day free," he says.

[theodorelasso]

Both reactions are expected and welcome. Especially Joan's.

"Assuming whatever it is isn't closed on Sundays, that should be easy enough," he answers, giving a yawn. Between the dinner and the movie, it's gotten pretty late.

[formersurgeon]

"It is neither open nor closed at any time, so Sunday should suffice," Sherlock says. Then he stands. "Considering the hour, I shall bid you both goodnight."

He sees Ted's tiredness, and knows he and Watson doubtless would like some time to themselves before sleeping.

[theodorelasso]

"Alright, have a good night," Ted answers with a soft smile. "And hey, Sherlock," he adds, before he has a chance to leave. "I've really enjoyed celebrating Christmas with you guys," he says genuinely. He's so grateful for them both.

[formersurgeon]

Sherlock nods a little, stiffly, a somber look on his face. "Christmas," he says softly, not looking directly at Ted, "had for a very long time been merely a reminder that I was alone in the world." He nods toward Watson. "That has slowly changed, thanks to Watson. I am no longer alone. It became neutral, not happy nor sad. Today...today I can sincerely say that I enjoyed Christmas. Possibly for the first time in my life."

He gives a "there you have it" gesture with his hands.

"I will see both of you soon." He heads for the door.

[theodorelasso]

"Night," Ted answers softly, automatically. After the front door closes, he's quiet for a moment. "Wow," he breathes softly.

He's so obviously touched, he's teared up a little bit. That's no small sentiment Sherlock just shared, and one that Ted values a whole lot. Not entirely sure what to do with all these feelings, he gives Joan a tight squeeze.

[formersurgeon]

"Goodnight Sherlock," Joan responds to his goodbye. She watches him leave, her heart so full of joy and love. She remembers what Sherlock was like when they first met, bitter and angry and lonely and broken. Hating everyone but hating himself most of all. He's come so very far in the time they've known each other. And this...well. This was Ted. The light and life and joy Ted has brought into their lives.

So she squeezes him tightly in return, so happy and so grateful.

[theodorelasso]

"I think that counts as a very successful Christmas," he comments happily, then gives Joan's cheek a smooch. "You wanna get ready for bed?"

[formersurgeon]

"I agree," she answers, and answers the kiss on the cheek with one on the lips before finally pulling away and standing up, stretching with a yawn and happy sigh.

"Bed sounds perfect," she says as she lowers her arms, smiling at him.

[theodorelasso]

Ted gets up and stretches too - he'd been reluctant to move, but thankfully when he doesn't have Joan snuggled up to him anymore, it's easier to get up.

He joins her to the bathroom so they can brush their teeth together and get ready for bed.

[formersurgeon]

They don't get to do this very often these days, and she misses it. The simple intimacy of standing shoulder to shoulder at the mirror and brushing their teeth is wonderful.

Once they're done Joan heads into the bedroom and begins to undress, shedding her clothing piece by piece, not trying to be sexy but still intimate, being with him in a way she wouldn't be with anyone else.

[theodorelasso]

She might not be trying to be sexy, but she doesn't have to try. He undresses too, enjoying the comfortable silence. But before she has a chance to climb into bed, he does step over to her to rest his hands on her waist and give her a soft, loving kiss.

[formersurgeon]

She hums and slides her arms over his shoulders to embrace him and kiss him back, softly at first, and then more firmly, with more purpose. They've been so busy, much of their time together comprised of stolen moments. But now they have this whole evening together, and she doesn't want it to go to waste.

[theodorelasso]

It's nice how easy it is for them communicate their intent, that just like that Ted knows she doesn't want to just snuggle up and cuddle until they fall asleep. Doing so definitely wouldn't be a waste in Ted's eyes, but this is even better.

They make it into bed, and while there's a bit of urgency brought on by not having done this in a little bit, Ted makes sure to take his time. It's slow and gentle and loving, until it's not so slow or gentle (but always loving). And it's perfectly imperfect, as all good things are.