Reichenbach Secondary (Teenlock)

Bruised Toes

John’s POV

Mycroft’s words keep playing in my head, it is like everyone is blaming me for leaving Sherlock. I haven’t even known the guy that long but it just felt like we clicked. I haven’t been back to the dorm yet, I still feel light headed so I am sitting on a bench in the park area of Reichenbach Secondary. I feel sad. It is like everyone’s negative attitude is rubbing off on me. When I was in the nurse’s office she asked me if she should call my parents and after I explained why that isn’t possible she displayed a sad smile full of pity so I left. I still remember the police officers telling me about my mum killing herself, I wanted to cry, to cry so hard but I couldn’t because I had to stay strong for Harry. I rub my eyes but my ears prick up as I hear the dragging of something. Fabric? A bag? I turn to see Sherlock dragging his satchel back to block B but limping at the same time. Is he hurt? “Sherlock!” I call and he stops suddenly but doesn’t turn. “Sherlock.” I repeat, “Are you hurt?” I climb off the bench and rush towards him. Standing in front of him I see the pain etched onto his face. “Oh Sherlock.”

“I’m sorry John.” He says through clenched teeth, “I am an freak and-”

“No Sherlock!” I exclaim, I cannot help but feel bad, “What did you do?” I ask as I signal to the source of his pain.

“I got angry…so I kicked the goal post.” He sighs.

“The football field?” He nods, “Why were you there?” He peers directly at me and I can see the pain but sadness in his eyes like he is about to burst out crying. “Sherlock you know that you can tell me anything right?” I place my hand on his upper arm in a comforting way. At this moment a tear drags out of his eye and falls down his face.

“I didn’t meant to her you.” He chokes as the tears continue to fall, “I am so sorry John. Please forgive me, for all the hurt that I’ve caused you.” He blubbers and I shush him soothingly.

“Put your arm around me.” I instruct and move to his side but he doesn’t move, “It wasn’t a suggestion.” He gives in and flings his long arm around my shoulders. I pick up his satchel with my free hand and together we hobble, in silence, back to our dormitory.

\~.~.~.~.~/

We arrive back to our dorm and Sherlock slumps onto the bed, relief flooding through him when he hits the soft mattress. I kneeling down and reach for his shoes to help him but he pulls away in shock and anguish. “What are you doing?!” He cries.

“I know you Sherlock Holmes.” I state, “You are not going to go and get it checked out by a doctor so let me look at it.” He doesn’t respond which I take as an invitation. I pull of his shoe gently and roll down his grey sock until it is off his foot. I feel him tense as I touch the surface of his skin; is that because of the pain or human contact? With Sherlock it could easily be either. His toes are bruised and I can see the end three digits are in fact broken. Oh Sherlock what have you done to yourself? I rise to my feet and rush to the desk drawer which is already open because that is the kind of hectic living situation we are currently in. In the drawer my first aid kit which I remove and stumble back to his side. I pull out a tub of ‘magic’ cream as my mum put it and a bandage causing Sherlock’s eyes to widen in horror.

“Is it that bad?” He asks me while looking very ashamed. I nod and begins to apply a thick layer of the white viscous liquid to his toes. After they are coated a wipe my hands down my trousers (not very hygienic I know). I position the end of the bandage to the side of his foot and – “John wait.” I pause and drag my attention away from his foot and look straight at him. “That’s going to hurt…surely?” He is scared. I sigh before I rummage in my first aid kit and I pull out a bottle of pills causing my roommate to raise an eyebrow. “They look strong.” He clears his throat in an accusing way.

“They are.” I mumble and I dig one out of the bottle before passing it to him to take, “This will get rid of the pain but you will have to sleep it off afterwards.” I explain, he takes the pill from my hand and swallows it. I take the opportunity to start to wrap the white, thick bandage around his foot causing him to wince slightly. After a few minutes of concentration I have finally finished caring for Sherlock’s foot. “There.”

“Thank you.” He blushes in embarrassment. “I am tired.”

“You will be.” I signal to the bottle of pills, “Now sleep.” He almost immediately falls asleep and I tuck him in using my blanket.

\~.~.~.~.~/

Sherlock’s POV

I wake up slowly but I notice that John is at the door talking to someone…Mike Stamford? I rub my eyes sleepily and I see that I am indeed right, it is Mike. I yawn causing the pair’s eyes to stare at me. “Hello Sherlock.” Mike greets and I nod kindly. “I hope you are feeling better.” He explains and now I see why he has come. He has crutches in his hand. John must be worried about me…yes I kicked a goal post which granted was a lot harder than I thought it would be but I don’t need crutches. I will be a laughing stock! “Anyway I brought these.” He explains, I don’t reply.

“Yes thanks Mike.” John speaks up and takes the crutches before shutting the door. He strolls over to me holding the devil sticks. “Sherlock you have broken numerous toes, you won’t be able to walk properly.” I shake my head and he sighs. He places the objects down on the floor and sits on the bed next to me. “I remembered that Mike was telling me about breaking his leg last year so I thought maybe he would still have the crutches which he did. It was kind of him to lend them to you.” I didn’t realise Mike broke his leg last year, oh well.

“Okay…” I mutter and he stands up, grabs the crutches and holds them out to me. I should do this. For John.