sherlockbbc_fic | Prompting Part XXXVI

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Prompting Part XXXVI

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Useful resources for Sherlock and LiveJournal.
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Update to prompting guidelines.

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sorry about the delay, but here it is, the last chapter.
-----

It was somehow unsurprising that Sherlock was able to centre himself by the time they got back to the flat. Rather, he was no longer visibly panicking. Of course, he was always good at pushing feelings aside, especially his own.

::John, calm down, we will be able to fix this.:: Sherlock assured for the third time. It was too bad the John wasn't nearly as capable, the sight of his best friend like this nearly sent him into another shock.

::Of course!:: John didn't want to even imagine the possibility of this not being fixed. ::Only, I hope you realize I don't know how. I never knew there was anything other than the animals bit.::

::Yes, that's rather obvious, isn't it?:: Sherlock stretched from his position on John's lap. After carrying Sherlock in from the car, neither of them had moved much, needing some form of comfort but not knowing how to word it. ::It really is quite curious. This mind speech feels as natural as speaking, despite the fact that I have possessed the skill. And I am still in control of all my mental faculties even though I presumable am inhabiting a cat's brain. I shouldn't even be sentient, right now.::

John couldn't help a small grin. ::Is this really what you're worrying about, now?::

Sherlock's tail flipped in annoyance. ::This is unprecedented, John! How could you not be interested? My real brain must be operating somewhere, remotely, perhaps? And yet my senses are connected to this cat form. My sense of smell must be using this brain's processing centres, because I can recognize far beyond that of a human. My brain and this cat's must be connected in a binary system, though that does leave the question of where my body is being stored, and where this body came from.::

::Alright, it is a bit interesting,:: John conceded. ::But getting you back to normal is my biggest concern, not all of.. that stuff.::

::Of course,:: Sherlock huffed. ::But we still need to do an MRI on me before I change back. Who knows the next chance we'll get to investigate this.::

::Next chance? I should hope this never happens again.:: John nearly threw his hands up as Sherlock somehow managed to roll his eyes at the comment. It shouldn't be easy given how little white there was to a feline eye. ::Alright, fine, we'll get you your brain scan. My coworkers stopped asking questions ages ago.::

::Good,:: Sherlock approved, :: When stupid people ask questions, time is wasted. This way is much more efficient.:: John couldn't help but bark out a laugh, even as he tried to scold Sherlock in defence of his colleagues.

::Seriously, though. We need to solve this.:: John tried not to glance too pointedly at Sherlock's furry form. In return, John felt Sherlock take a lungful of air and expel it with a large sigh.

::Then we must start with our clues. Your relative muttered some words, much too quietly to hear. Spoken too quickly for ritualistic purposes. They were necessary for her power, or somehow they were helpful, as a focus, perhaps.:: Sherlock paused. ::What did she say to you? Word for word. We may be able to gather something from the context.::

John flushed, remembering certain things aunt Penny had implied. But even so, he recounted the words dutifully, as carefully as he could manage. Giving Sherlock the whole picture was more important than being embarrassed, even if some parts made him incredibly so.

::So, 'what am I to you if not a familiar'? Strange question.:: Sherlock bodily twitched, shifting as if in discomfort.

::It doesn't make sense. I didn't even know familiars existed, but you most certainly aren't one.:: Obviously, there was her insinuation that they were romantic partners, but John desperately didn't want to bring that topic up. Thankfully, Sherlock seemed to be ignoring it at the moment as well. ::For one thing, familiars seem like servants, assuming mythology has gotten it right. And you hardly listen to me even when you ask for advice. And the idea that I'd want you to serve me is ridiculous.:: John couldn't help but flush. It was such a far fetched idea that he felt a bit embarrassed for even speaking it.

::True, if anything it is the other way around.:: Sherlock glanced blankly up at John just as he started a protest. ::Of course, I view our partnership as an equal exchange. However, the nature of my role requires me to lead. That can be taken as total dominance, by outsiders.:: Sherlock looked away now, flicking his ears back and forth. ::Of course, any intelligent observer would clearly see..:: And John distinctly heard the word trail off in his mind. :: I do respect your opinions. When they're not wrong.::

John couldn't help it, he laughed. ::Oh shut up!:: Sherlock managed to jump off of John's lap, fur bristling. ::I am far more likely to do something because you told me to than because anyone else told me to, alright?::

In the middle of a chuckle, John felt his heart skip, and then melt. Coming from Sherlock, that was practically “I'd follow you to the ends of the world and beyond”, perhaps even more so because Sherlock never said anything he didn't mean. Still, ::You would never even consider doing something just because it was asked of you. But thanks.:: John teased, light heartedly because it did mean a lot and they both knew it. John wondered if the sudden warmth of affection welling up meant that he might have more than an inappropriate crush on his best friend. Really though, that wasn't a matter worth focusing on right now.

::So what do we do, then?:: John raised an eyebrow at Sherlock, who was now pacing, slightly unsteady on his four paws.

::Now, John? We investigate.::
--
“Please, aunt Penny! You have to give me something!” It had been a week. A dreaded week's worth of Sherlock slowly devolving into the worst of his 'boredom' phases. As it turned out, there were only so many things that one could do as a cat, and they all soon lost their novelty. Now he just ran around the flat, scratching up every surface he could between intermittent bouts of categorizing new scents into his mind palace.

“Sorry dear, I told you. It has to be a punishment. I'm sure you can figure it out.”

“I can't! Your hint doesn't help at all. How do I know who someone is 'if not a familiar' when I don't know anything about familiars!?” John gripped his phone tightly. “Are familiars like servants? Close friends? Business partners?” He rattled off their top ideas. It was impossible to figure out on their own, with no access to source material and little to no ability to perform relevant experiments. And that didn't even get started on using that information to solve the riddle that would presumably fix Sherlock.

“Oh, oh dear. You did put some thought into it, sorry there.” The other line paused for several moments. “Well, I suppose it wouldn't help to clarify. A familiar is an animal that has developed its own mind and chosen to partner with you. You've surely noticed by now that animals aren't exactly separate? And that talking to the same animal enough times will gradually cause it to seem more individual?”

“Er, yes.” That was actually one of the many experiments Sherlock had proposed, but he had also seen it happen, especially in his younger years.

“Well, a familiar happens when that new individual happens to best reflect you. They can be very similar in temperament, take my Eos for example. Or, they can be completely different but in a way that compliments your faults. They complete your soul, in the purest sense possible.” Her voice went positively wistful. “It is true that most witches traditionally like to appear in charge of their familiars, but-” And here, aunt Penny clearly held a note of amusement in her voice as she extended the word.

“but what?” John prompted when the silence trailed on too long.

“You don't seem the type for tradition, do you?” John nearly sputtered at the comment, but really, it was correct even if it clearly came with an incorrect assumption. Or, maybe not so incorrect.

Or, the assumption was incorrect, but not because John wanted it to be. He swallowed his discomfort- he had to ask even if asking meant revealing the obvious. “If it is meant to be an equal partnership, then what is the difference between a familiar, and a... lover?”

Aunt Penny laughed, sounding tinny over the phone. “And that is the right question, isn't it? You would have an equal amount of love for both, so I understand the confusion. And there are probably many answers. But truthfully, the only difference is that a familiar is someone you love because they are a part of you, your soul's magic enhancing a complimentary base and creating a person. A lover is someone you love because of their own self. They aren't your missing half, or whatever bollocks they try to sell nowadays- no one is only half on their own. That's a good thing too, just imagine trying to kiss something that's half you?” Aunt Penny cackled again. “Positively narcissistic! And that's enough hints for you, dear. If you don't get it by now, you're hopeless.” The sound of the receiver clacking shut hit John's ears just before the standard tone of an ended call. What kind of answer was that? 'You don't seem the type for tradition' my foot, John grumbled mentally.

::Did she say anything of value?:: Sherlock called from his position on the couch.

::Yes and no.:: John played the conversation back to Sherlock.

::Hmm. So it is meant to be an equal exchange, cultural influence aside. She clearly has an angle though, one that isn't necessarily about freeing me or keeping me like this.:: The unsaid words rang loudly in the silence between them.

::John, I have an idea. Many ideas, naturally, but let's try this one, first.:: Sherlock announced suddenly, padding over to John silently.

::Err, alright.:: John would never get used to how quickly Sherlock's mind spun. But that was part of the excitement.

::John, try to kiss me.:: John froze. ::I am not joking, John. If there is any basis at all to stories of witchcraft, it is that spells can be reversed through some sign of affection, often kisses. Your great aunt's words clearly implied such an act, she is not so stupid as to make a joke like that without a point. And her allusions to us being romantically involved are obvious. 'You don't kiss a part of yourself', she said. The difference, in her eyes, is then that you would kiss me.::

The words made logical sense, for all that they were ridiculous. Even Sherlock looked the picture of awkwardness, tail whipping in agitation. ::Right. Worth a try, I suppose.:: John coughed. ::On the lips then, I suppose?::

Sherlock nodded stiffly. His smaller body went positively rigid when John carefully knelt down across from him, causing John to mutter a quick apology. ::You know I can't understand you when you speak verbally. Bloody cat brain.::

::Right, I was just apologizing. This really is awkward, you being an animal:: John tried to joke as he leaned forward.

::If this works, I'll give you a real one when I'm back, then.::

Before John could fully register the words, or form any response besides surprise, their lips met. Sherlock's whiskers felt faintly ticklish, another point to how ridiculous the whole situation looked. Then Sherlock exploded into himself, and the lips on John's were entirely human.

John pulled back at the sudden change. “I... can not believe that worked!” He spoke a full sentence aloud to Sherlock, for the first time in what felt like ages.

Sherlock laughed. “It was the simple answer, so obvious! There's always something, isn't there?” He pulled John into an uncharacteristic embrace. And then Sherlock leaned down to kiss John. It was soft, gentle and quick. But more importantly, it was from Sherlock.

“W-wait, what?” John felt like a schoolgirl, his face blazing crimson.

“What?” Sherlock tried to look nonchalant but there was a definite hint of redness to his cheeks, and the fact that he was not meeting John's eyes was telling. “I said I would. And perhaps there may have been a point along your great aunt's insinuations that I agreed with?”

John stared back in shock. All this time? Was John just an idiot? Sherlock looked at John's face and immediately deflated, getting the wrong idea. “A bit not good?” He asked, almost meekly.

“What-no! A bit very good!” John blurted before he could even think about the words, pulling Sherlock into another deep hug. “What I mean, is, maybe I agreed too, a bit. But never wanted to say anything?”

“Ah. The 'married to my work' conversation?” John wordlessly nodded. “Well, even I can change my mind sometimes.” Sherlock grinned broadly. “I like where we are now. I'd like to make my affections known, without changing our working dynamic. I would also like to pursue an exclusive romantic engagement with you, but without a sexual component. Is that acceptable?” Sherlock was clearly hopeful, and even more clearly vulnerable.

John thought about it for a moment. He was a sexual being, yes. But he was also in love with Sherlock, hopelessly so, even if he was in deep denial for the most of it. So in the end, it was hardly a question. “Of course that's acceptable, Sherlock. That's more than acceptable.”

They both laughed. “That's.. that's good!” Sherlock gave a final squeeze before releasing John. “Now that I'm back to normal, we'll need to do another brain scan and compare it to the one when I was a cat. But more importantly,” Sherlock snapped his mouth shut, and glanced curiously at John. ::Can you still hear this?::

--

It was only days after that, both of them still in a haze of good feelings, finally unlocked and given freely, that Sherlock made an excellent deduction.

His deductions were always excellent, of course, but this one clicked the rest of the pieces in aunt Penny's words neatly into place.

::Mind beast! How dare you invade my home, you rotten speaker! I'll make you bleed, I'll make your mate bleed, I'll-::

::Harpy!:: John mentally barked. His suggestions never worked on her, but for once she went quiet. ::You're my familiar, aren't you, Harpy?::

Harpy was silent for a long time. Her tortoiseshell coat- a jumbled mess of chocolate and cream that blended with dirt from the ally- seemed to gleam off her undernourished frame. Finally, she imperiously flicked her tail. ::Took you long enough:: Her eyes practically glinted with challenge as she trotted to his side. ::Now lead me to your mind beast fortress, will you? If we're going to be working together, there will be many adjustments.::

John nearly choked on a laugh. The change in demeanour was downright startling. ::What adjustments?::

::For starters, I need my space! By now you should understand that when I talk about territory, I'm serious! And for another, your mate clearly needs some boundaries set. You only stop walking by here when he takes up too much of your time. If you're going to be my familiar you need to take control of yourself! Demand respect like the filthy talking mind beast you are!::

Well, maybe there wasn't much of a change in demeanour at all. John just knew aunt Penny was going to laugh at this development, but somehow, it worked.

--

“Say, don't you suppose the freak's gotten even more freakish lately?” Donovan commented once, when she was certain the consultant detective and his partner were long gone.

“What do you mean?” Lestrade replied. “I think he's actually mellowed out a bit. Still horrible to most people, though. You're right that there's something different, but I don't think it's bad.”

“bad? He's pulled our arms into letting a bloody stray cat onto crime scenes!” Anderson complained, jumping into the conversation. “After the dogs... there is something more than usual freakiness going on.”

Both Donovan and Lestrade rolled their eyes. Anderson had been having a rough time with the police dogs lately, and no one quite knew why. He kept claiming that it was other dogs too, and that somehow this was Sherlock's fault. The idea was completely ridiculous- Donovan hated the freak too, but she wasn't about to ascribe witchcraft to him!

“No, the cat thing was weirder than normal, but there's something else.” Donovan ignored Anderson's attempts at justifying himself. “He doesn't talk as much, lately. But he still gets that smug look when he's just explained something, and John looks impressed right along with it. It's like they're still speaking, mentally.”

“See? See!? There's something up, something unnatural- and not in a psychotic way. An entire city of dogs don't just suddenly have it out for one man!”

“Shut up, Anderson.” Lestrade sighed. Donovan merely snorted. Because as weird as the freak was, he definitely couldn't use any kind of mind speak. It was probably just an extension of that creepy ability the freak had to read people in general. And maybe John had picked up just enough to reciprocate a bit. They did live together, after all.

Besides, Donovan was a bit more observant than many, the freak included, would expect. If anyone had a mysterious power like that, it would be John. The man was so unassuming, most forgot he was a qualified doctor, never mind a hardened soldier as well. Not that John could actually speak telepathically with Sherlock, even if it did answer the question of why the pair was so silent ever since that long break in freak-worthy cases. That would be ridiculous.

FIN

((a/n- and thanks for reading! I loved getting comments on this, even if it was a rather silly/unserious prompt. Also, this fic is on AO3 as well, if you want to bookmark or anything, under the same title. I'm not certain how hard the anonymous rule is on this meme though, so I'm not sure about linking it. Won't be too hard to find anyways, I think.))

Yay! This is perfect!

Ahh! Thank you so, so much for filling my prompt so wonderfully!

Harpy was great. Trying to evict humans is just... perfect cat. I was glad to see her come back at the end!

The rats were simultaneously adorable and terrifying. It's a hard balance to have, and you wrote it well.

The idea of Sherlock going out and catching the pigeons for the experiment himself is such a wonderful thing to imagine.

I loved how all of the species had different ways of interacting with the communication and responding to John. It made sense and helped flesh out the magic in the world.

I loved Sherlock trying to wrap his mind around the mechanics of it, and him using it to get back at Anderson. That was perfect.

And Penny! :D Haha, how kind of her to help them sort themselves out for the happy ending. Sherlock would be a terror of a cat.

This was wonderful, author!anon. Thank you so much!

thanks so much for enjoying it! Your encouragement means a lot (:

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