A Study In Sleep

Chapter. 36

The room was gloomy and the only sound that could be heard was the tapping of the rain against the window and beeping of the heart monitor beside John's bed.

It looked peculiar to see him like that, all still, peaceful. His worry lines on his forehead all faint and expression weirdly vacant.

There wasn't much light inside apart from a small night light and a dim lamp in the corner.
However Mycroft dared not turn the main lamp on in case it'd wake John up.
"We should probably try to be quiet.." the official murmured gently as he followed his brother, glancing over the blogger sympathetically.

Sherlock was silent as he walked in, gazing over John who seemed so peaceful but undoubtedly beautiful laid in the hospital bed. His chest was rising and falling down anxiously as he stepped close to the bed, blue eyes wide as he gazed over the man he loved. He raised a shaky hand after a moment to touch him but he stopped himself as he cried silently once again,  just softly gazing over to the blogger beside the bed.

"See," Mycroft whispered, "he's okay.." he spoke softly, standing beside his brother.
"The nurse did also say you can stay with him, if you'd like," he looked back to his little brother as he pulled up a chair for him, "do you want that?" He asked.

Sherlock didn’t respond for a moment as he stared at John, studying everything he adored, loved and wanted in his life. After a moment he turned to Mycroft with big blue eyes and instead of sitting on the chair he hugged him tightly, something Sherlock never done, not in their family anyway. He didn’t say anything, just holding to Mycroft tightly.
Mycroft felt a little taken back for a moment after this, pausing before wrapping his arms around Sherlock. For once, sharing brotherly affection- even if it did feel a little odd. He hated seeing his brother like this, all upset and crying. He just wanted to make all that pain go away somehow.

A few minutes longer and John showed slightly signs of waking, his hand moving slightly and fingers curling against the thin fabric of the duvet.

Sherlock eventually pulled away and out the corner of his eye he saw... John moved? John was moving! He quickly sat in he chair beside him as his blue eyes lit up, even if they were red raw and sore from crying. He ever so gently and ever so slowly moved his shaky hand over John’s, holding to it softly to let him know he was here, he was safe and Sherlock was even more protective of him now, than he was this morning.

Mycroft's face harboured a small soft smile as he watched the couple, seeing Sherlock's hand on top of John's. Then glanced to John's head as it moved slightly and the blogger's eyes began to flutter open.

"Sher.." his voice was a little croaky and groggy from being flat out cold. He attempted to clear his throat slightly.
"Sherlock.." he tried to speak but it only came out a little croaky and like a whisper.
"Sherlock.." Mycroft repeated John's words and nodded towards the blogger, so the detective would notice. His smile even more softer and happier. He then decided to go over to the bedside table and began pouring out some water into a glass.

Sherlock watched the widest blue eyes as John began to become conscious, his blue eyes filling with tears again as he heard his name fall from John’s lips, his so, so soft lips.
“I-I’m here.. John.. I’m always here..” he broke as he began to cry again, though this time in happiness as his thumb brushed over John’s. He sniffed as he attempted to wipe away his tears with his other hand but failed as more continued to pour from his eyes. His blue eyes were fixed on John like they would be for the rest of his life.

John sat up everything becoming rather clearer. He looked at Sherlock, then to their hands. Smiling softly before he attempted to speak again. His voice still croaky and throat terribly dry, he opened his mouth then closed it.

Mycroft nudged Sherlock slightly, passing him the glass of water to give to John.
"Here.." He murmured softly, "it'll help with his throat.." he spoke, before standing back up straight and looked to the door.
"I'll let you two be.." he said before swiftly leaving the room.

Sherlock took the glass, standing a moment as he gently began to push it towards John’s lips.
“Here... this will help...” he whispered softly as he reluctantly let go of John’s hand to raise to his blonde hair, brushing it back before he helped John take small sips of the water.

John sipped at the water hazily, before sitting up a little more and cleared hid throat as sleepily smiled at Sherlock.
"Told you I wouldn't die yet.." He spoke softly, holding one of Sherlock's hand's weakly,
"I'm so sorry," He cleared his throat, voice still fairly croaky, "that I didn't listen to you.."
Sherlock smiled slightly watching as he noticed how the water helped. Though his eyes sunk when John said this, placing down the cup as he sat down on the chair beside him, taking his hand and holding to it closely.
“Sssh.. no... you don’t ever have to apologise to me...” he reassured in a broken voice, his blue eyes red and sore from all the crying, though he was over the moon John was now safe, Sherlock now extremely protective.
"You look so tired..." John frowned slightly, moving to weakly caress his lover's cheek, he quickly pulled him into a hug.
"I love you... I love you so much.." He buried his head into the detective's curls. "So, so much.." he muttered softly.

Sherlock melted at the hug, feeling John’s arms around him, his warmth, everything he fell in love with engulf him once more and he cried once again, cradling John closely in his chest and arms.
“I love you so bloody much too... god.. I love you...” he broke softly as he closed his eyes.

He pulled away carefully then shifted slightly, "lay here with me..?" He asked softly yet croakily.
After moments of hugging the detective soon nodded, slipping into the hospital bed beside John, holding his arm out for him to cuddle into.
“I need you in my arms forever.” He pointed out in a slightly broke voice.