Soldier without his Detective

Chapter 2

"Hey, Sherlock. Can you hear me?"

"JOHN!"

"How are you holding up?"

"I miss you so much. So, so much." His voice had cracked at this. A pang shooting through his chest.

"I know, love. I miss you too. Have you been out on cases? I told Greg to give you some."

"Yeah, yeah," The excitement was clear in his voice as he spoke. "There was a locked room murder! It was amazing! The knife was no wear in sight, so obviously the killer must have taken it. The door was locked from the inside. The victim was an abuser, the killer was only a few years younger than me! The daughter killed the dad! I wish you could have been there."

John was laughing on the other end of the call, "Only my boyfriend would find a murder that exciting. I really wish I could have seen you in action. When I come home, I'll join you."

They're quiet for a few moments, Sherlock can hear the men milling around John. He moves to make tea and says, "So, what's it like there?"

"It is so busy. It's not normally, but there was an attack nearby just before I arrived. They were swamped. Turns out I came back at the right time. Although, I will admit, the nurses have said that I'm more irritable now. Keep asking what happened on my leave. I haven't told them about you yet. Some of them can get a bit... weird. I will tell them, just when the time is right."

"It's okay John, they don't need to know. Are you alright though? It wasn't too close was it?"

"Sherlock, calm down. I'm safe. How are --" He was cut off by some commotion, a soldier calling for him, "Listen, I've got to run. More wounded arriving. I love you, stay brilliant."

"I love you too, John, stay alive."

The line went dead and Sherlock held his phone to his chest.

John had been rushing around for the past month. Has it only been a month? There had been attacks at a nearby village. They were rushed off their feet helping all the wounded civilians. Any spare time John got, was spent texting Sherlock. Maybe a call if it wasn't too loud.

Hey.

Hey, you alright?

John marvelled at how quickly Sherlock replied.

Yeah I'm fine. Got some down time atm. How have you been??

Surprisingly, okay. Been working cases. Certainly makes the time flow faster.

Lestrade has been insufferable.

He's only trying to help keep you occupied. I did ask

You, John Watson, amaze me sometimes.

"What you smilin' at cap'?" A hand slaps down on his shoulder. John turned to look into the face of Bill Murray. Bill was a nurse that had joined the army around the same time as John. They went back years. He turns to face Bill as he turns his phone off. "Nothing much. Just a text." Bill sat up straight in his chair. Trying to look at the phone, "Who could you be talkin' to, eh?"

"No offence Bill, but you can't keep your mouth shut for toffee." Bill gave an over exaggerated, mock offended expression. His hand on his chest as he let out a large gasp. "Oh, don't give me that. Known you donkeys." Bill's face softened slightly and he leant in closer, dropping his voice. "You've met someone. Go on. Who's she? Who's the tart you got?"

Bill leant even more forward, as if about to take the phone. John held it tighter in his hands and moved it away slightly. It wasn't that he was ashamed. If anything, he would scream it from the rooftops. Sherlock is mine, and I, his. The issue is that he doesn't know how they'll react. It's illegal to be queer in Afghanistan, so if it becomes common knowledge, how will those he help react?

"They are not a tart. Like I said, you can't keep mum. I'm not telling you about them." A flicker of hurt passed over Bill's face. The phone in his hand vibrated again. He could be called upon at any moment, he needed to take the chance to talk to Sherlock. Both of them looked at the phone in his hands. John shifted and pointed towards Bill, "You keep schtum, or I'll suture your lips shut." With a brisk nod from Bill, John looked around to see how many were near them, then raised his phone.

Assume you're busy again. I love you. Talk to you later <3

Bill was reading over his shoulder. John could practically feel the shock flowing from him. "His name is Sherlock. I love him. I really, really do."

You see, that's where you're wrong. It's you that amazes me. You're brilliant. Proper genius. I love you too <3

How has Greg been? and Mycroft? I tell them to keep you busy but they never text back

Really, John? Must we talk of them?

They show up every now and then. My money is more controlled now. Mycroft has gone back to paying my bills for me instead of letting me pay them. They're worried, I know. But they needn't be. I have you now.

I really want to unpack all of that but ive got a nurse breathing down my neck

Oh, you're busy. It's fine. I'll leave you to it.

Sherlock.

Yes?

I told him. I officially came out to Bill, a nurse i've known years. He's a bit... Yeah.

You did?

JOHN! That is brilliant! I'm so happy for you, I could, well... kiss you. I'll just have to double my efforts when you return home.

John began to chuckle slightly at that. A solitary tear travelling down his cheek. He looks over at Bill, who seems to have finally closed his mouth. A fond smile in its place. "Well done mate. I wouldn't have put you as a fag."

John bristled, "And what makes you think that? Hmm? Fag is not a word you use. That is an offensive, derogatory term used in place of gay. I am not gay. I just have fallen in love with a brilliant, amazing person that just so happens to have a dick." Bill moved back as if worried John would hit him. His cheery disposition destroyed as he seemed to sober. His hands came up in a sign of peace. "I'm sorry. I didn't know. Bad thing to Josh about I guess. I am happy for you. Anyway, we best be heading back."

John watched him stand, feeling slightly stupid. Need to apologise, a little too hot headed. He pulled out his phone again,

He was shocked to say the least. And I intend to take you up on that offer. I have to head back. I love you <3