|| Be Her Guard || Sherlock Holmes x Reader

|♢| Chapter 4 |♢| American Girl

Throughout the past few days that you've been staying at the flat, John has found that you aren't unpleasant to be around; not even in the slightest. So far, you've proven to be shy yet polite and laid back, in fact, he sometimes forgets you're there since you're so quiet, often keeping to yourself by reading a book or browsing your phone while seated on the couch where you're out of both men's ways. No wonder Sherlock doesn't seem to mind being in your company even if there's still a mysteriously awkward and tense atmosphere often surrounding you both, one John has yet to understand the reasoning behind. To be honest, he's a bit scared to ask. 

Even though Sherlock may be fine keeping from personal conversations with his guests, John is the opposite, finding it to be unbearably awkward having a stranger live under the same roof as him while not knowing much about them regardless of how pleasant they are to be around. Under that reasoning, he figures it'll be more fruitful to actually get to know you seeing that you'll be staying at the flat with them for an undetermined amount of time. 

When the three of you found yourselves sitting in silence in the living room with Sherlock typing away at the laptop on the desk while you and John sat across from one another in the arm chairs, the former army doctor decided now would be the best time to hold a friendly conversation," so, tell me about yourself, (Y/n). What it was like growing up? You're American, correct?"

"Yeah, I was born in Oregon State. My childhood was pretty good. We got to grow up in the outdoors and stuff which is cool," you shift your legs under yourself," I guess the only downside was the split household. My parents divorced when I was little and, afterwards, my dad moved to Florida which meant my sister and I would have to go stay over there for a few months a year. That was rough for us as kids, I'm sure you could imagine, but we always managed."

"When did you move to England?"

"Well, I actually use to live here during my last two years of high school. My great aunt use to live in London and had been on her own ever since her husband died so my parents agreed that it would be good to send me up here to give her some company. It was scary at first, but I wouldn't change that time for the world," you steal a glance towards Sherlock who isn't paying any mind to either of you as he continues to type away," I fell in love with the country pretty quickly so it had always been apart of my plan to move back once I finished college in America. Given, my mom was pretty upset- I think she still is actually-, but it isn't as if I don't visit and besides, she still has my sisters."

"So you have a sisters then? I've got one of my own. 'don't think I could handle several of her," John chuckles, an action you repeat with a slight shake of your head.

"Oh, we used to drive each other crazy as kids, but we get along a lot better now. They're both younger than me and still live in Oregon since neither have been much for traveling far from home. The youngest, Milly, works as a vet and the oldest, Ellie, works as a teacher like our dad- Oh, Sherlock," you turn your head to him fully," Milly gave birth to a baby girl a few months ago and Ellie has three sons. Isn't that nice? And Ellie was the one always saying she wouldn't have kids."

He doesn't say anything nor show any interest, leaving John to clear his throat while giving the man a glare and a disproving shake of his head before turning to you with a smile and another question to ask," do you have any children of your own?"

That question seems to finally snap Sherlock out of it, it now being his turn to send a dark glare John's way. At first, John doesn't realize what made the detective react that way to such an innocent question when he's brushed everything else off, however, once glancing back at you, he notices the visible difference in your once perky mood. 

You stare at your hands, a distant look in your eyes. Feeling the burning gazes of both males glued to you, you answer as clearly as you can, although, there's still a shake to your voice," oh, no...I mean, I've always wanted-...but um...no, I-I'm not really one to date and such. It's honestly probably best for me to stay single..."