Heir to His Crown

Boredom is Only Temporary

Chapter 1

John Watson and Sherlock Holmes had never been strangers to unexpected events. Bomb threats, knives hurled unceremoniously into walls, three murder suicides in a week. No matter what happened, they would always adapt to survive and take on the task at hand. Sometimes, using Sherlock's skills of deduction and John's observance, they would even predict the most unanticipated events. That's why everyone, even Mycroft, the British government incarnate, called on the duo for all of the hardest and highest stake cases. They were the best.

However, that title wasn't always great. Sometimes they were approached with jobs that didn't seem all that... Appealing. At least at first. Chief among those was Operation Pax Anglia.

One late afternoon saw John and Sherlock returning to the flat by cab after finding and retrieving proof that a single mother of one four year old was truly the one meant to receive her father's estate as opposed to her stubborn, rich brother. Sherlock didn't find the case particularly interesting, but upon meeting the brother, he wanted nothing more than to spite the man and his enormous ego. John, however, felt they had finally done something both simple and impactful. While John found the murder cases fascinating, they sometimes tended to put weight on the soul. It could be hard returning home from a crime scene and putting on a happy face for his eight year old daughter Rosie when a sense of unease lingered. He did it anyways, though, as did Sherlock. Sherlock became a wonderful help in raising Rosie over the years since Mary's passing, assisting John and giving advice from the baby years and on. He also had provided support and a distraction when he was still processing Mary's passing. When nothing made sense and everything was complicated, Sherlock Holmes was there to provide logic and stability like no other. Moving back into 221B was the best decision John had made in a long while. Rosie loved Sherlock as well, always interested in the man's ideas and wanting to learn more from him. Sherlock responded marvelously as well, answering her questions in a patient way and even entertaining her when she got bored. He seemed almost like a different man, but John had known all along that there was a softer side underneath Sherlock's arrogant exterior. Though nobody would believe John if he said it, he knew Sherlock was the best babysitter he could ask for.

"Do we have a new case?" Sherlock asked, shocking John from his thoughts. John took a moment before shaking his head.

"Nope. Nothing that I know of. But maybe we will get someone before the day's over." John knew that Sherlock was getting bored quickly. His tone was agitated and his strides exuded irritation. And since Rosie was visiting John's parents for the time being, there would certainly be a new bullet hole in the wall if they didn't have a new case lined up fast.

"I can't wait that long." Sherlock mumbled in response, almost sounding like a pouty child. For all the intelligence and cleverness the consulting detective showed on a constant basis, Sherlock could really throw a temper tantrum when he saw it as necessary.

As their cab came to a stop, both exited, John rolling as he payed the driver yet again. Whenever Sherlock was in a mood, he left without paying, his mind on other things that he found much more important than the present moment. John had gotten used to the ritual, however, and just handed over the proper payment for the driver, who nodded his thanks before pulling off.

"Oh, Mycroft's been here?!" Sherlock exclaimed, prompting John to turn around quickly.

"He has?" John closed the distance between himself and the door quickly. It was always urgent when Mycroft Holmes decided to grace the duo with his presence. Phone calls were common, but not visits to the flat.

"Yes, he has!" Sherlock said, sounding agitated, "Look at the knocker!" Upon closer inspection of the door, John noticed the knocker was straightened, a telltale sign that Mycroft had been there.