Sherlock and Snow were sat at a table. Snow was eating ice cream and would occasionally shove a spoonful or two into his father's mouth. He looked so much like Sherlock, with the exception of his snowy white hair like his mother. Sherlock looked up when he saw John, giving him a little smile. It'd been a while. They hadn't seen each other since the wedding months ago.
Velvet knocked quietly on Matty's door before she opened it. "Can I hide in here?" She asked softly.
John sees Sherlock and Snowy, watching the two for a bit before going over to them. He gave Sherlock a small smile as he sat down, sitting Rosie in his lap. Rosie gurgles, smiling at Snowy. "No sweetheart, that's Snowys ice cream." John teases her, Rosie looking up at her father grinning.
Matty looks up in surprise, extinguishing the flame on his fingertip. "Of course, lock the door behind you, so hopefully they'll stay away." Matty offers, giving her a small smile.
Snow gave her a smile, getting another spoon. "She can have some." He perched himself in Sherlock's lap. Sherlock hugged his son gently. "Good to see you again, John. I've got something to tell you. I'm moving to the United States." He told him quietly.
John laughs. "You're such a spoiled baby." John teases, Rosie looking pleased with herself. John tickles her gently, Rosie shrieking. "United States? For detective work?" John asks softly, Rosie studying Snowy.
Sherlock nodded. "Yep. I'll be working in rural Illinois." He answered. "Just got my papers today. I'm leaving Saturday." He told John, giving him a little smile. "I'll miss you."
Snow pressed his face into his father's neck. "Stop talking about it. I don't want you to go."
Sherlock rubbed his back. "You'll be staying with your mother and Rhapsody. Jasper will keep you company. So will Ivory."
Snow didn't argue. He ate his ice cream in silence, sharing with Rosie.
"Least you'll get to see more than this old town." John replies, half joking. "And I'll miss you too, I know we havent talked much since the wedding, but you're still a big part of my life. And well, if you ever like want to talk or anything, you have my number." John finishes, Rosie eating some of Snowys ice cream. She looked surprised at the coldness, John chuckling softly. "Got something you never had before huh?" He teases, Rosie smiling. "And you'll also have me and Rosie, Snowy, if you want." John offers, giving him a small smile.
Sherlock gave John a smile. "Are you going to come say goodbye to me? You can take Snow with you so he doesn't have to deal with his mother." He laughed.
Snow nodded. "Viper's strange. He and Ivory talk about weird things and not doctor drugs." She shuddered, snuggling into Sherlock. "Dad talks about murders all the time instead!" He hugged Sherlock around the neck. Sherlock smiled a little, smoothing back Snow's hair. "John will talk about murders with you, little Snow." He promised.
John nods. "Of course Sherlock, I'll say goodbye and yes Snowy, I'll take you if you want. You and Rosie seem to get along and Matty I can't promise wont talk weirdly, but you know his line of work." John replies, Rosie gurgling at hearing her name. "Everything's not always about you silly." John teases, laughing softly. "And yes, Snowy, you'll have all the murder stories you want."
Snow looked up at him. "So you don't hate me anymore?" He asked softly. Sherlock kissed the boy's head. "He didn't hate you. Ever." He nuzzled him.
"Right, Matty hates me." He nodded. Sherlock nuzzled his head. "It's okay, Snowy." He mumbled.
Snow sat quiet, not knowing what else to say.
John shakes his head. "Neither one of us hate you...we had a lot going on and things to work out. I'm fine with you and so is Matty. You're welcome into our house any time you want." John assures him, giving him a small smile.
Rosie whines, squirming around. "What do you want, what you being fussy for?" John asks her softly, Rosie gurgling at him. "You just want attention dont you?" John questions, Rosie looking pleased with herself.
Matty looks at Velvet for a minute. "Do you really not want to go back?" Matty asks softly, his feet propped up on his desk.
Sherlock shot John a grateful look. Snow gave Rosie and extra spoon. "Jasper likes spoons." He told John.
Rosie took the spoon from him, banging it on the table. She squeals, happily enjoying herself, as John makes sure she doesnt fall. John gives Snowy a grateful look, Rosie still happily banging away. "So does she it seems." John replies, watching his daughter. "Shame to see you go." John tells Sherlock softly.
Sherlock shrugged. "Oh, it's okay. I'll tell you my interesting cases." He told him. He smiled at John. Snow took a sip of Sherlock's tea and settled into his father's chest. "I'll miss you when you go." He whispered. "I'll miss your tea." He looked up at Sherlock.
Sherlock smiled back at him. "I'll miss you too, little Snowflake." He kissed Snow's nose.
John watched the moment between Sherlock and Snowy, warm smile on his face. He had to admit Sherlock was an excellent father, no matter what anyone else thought. John then turned his attention to Rosie, who had gotten tired of the spoon, laying her body on John, looking up at him. She cooed softly, John smiling at her.
Snow was very quiet for a long time. "Will you come back?" He asked, his voice soft. He looked up at Sherlock.
Sherlock stared back at Snow, grief growing in his eyes. "I don't know yet, Snowy. It depends." He took Snow's face in his hands. "But you have Mrs. Hudson who loves you so much, and you have Molly to take you to lunch every weekend and go with you to your riding lessons, and uncle Mycroft and Detective Inspector Graham. You won't be alone. It'll be like I never even left."
Snow's eyes filled with tears and he looked away. "B-but they don't understand me like you do." He pressed his face into Sherlock's chest. Sherlock closed his eyes to hide his pain. "And that is why we have John, my snowflake." He answered softly, opening his eyes to look up at John. "He'll take care of you like it did me." He promised. "So will Rhapsody."
Snow clung to Sherlock, looking up at John with his fearful blue eyes. "But what if he isn't like you?"
"He's now like me, silly. He's better. Why do you think I kept him around for so long." He crackled a little smile at John. "You'll be okay." He patted Snow's back.
--
Sherlock had been pretty scarce in the days leading up to his departure. Mostly he'd stay home with Snow and to pack. Usually the packing ended up with Snow trying to pack himself in Sherlock's suitcase. It was bittersweet for Sherlock-- He'd leave behind all the hurt, but at the same time, he'd leave the only thing that ever made him truly happy.
At the airport, everybody came to say goodbye. Most of them came in support of Snow. One by one they said goodbye to Sherlock. He was pleasant to them, surprisingly warm. Last was Snow. He took Snow's face in his hands. "You'll do fine." He told him, kissing Snow's nose. "No tears, Snowflake." That didn't stop Snow's tears from spilling over. He hugged Sherlock tight around the neck. "Stay... Please stay." He pleaded quietly. Sherlock kissed Snow's head, trying his hardest to keep his composure. "They're already expecting me in Illinois, Snowbird, I have to go." He answered. Mycroft stepped foreward and slipped his arm around Snow. "I'll take you to visit him, I promise." He assured Snow. Mrs. Hudson took Snow's hand and wiped away his tears. "Now, now, you need to be strong for your father. He's going to do such good things for the families over there who need his help. Don't you want him to help them?" She hugged Snow gently. Snow hugged Mrs. Hudson tight, sniffling. "They need him more than I do." He answered in a whisper. Molly and Lesterade stood on either side of Snow and Mrs. Hudson. "We'll keep you busy." Lesterade promised Snow. "Molly can show you all of what Sherlock did in the lab. You can help her out. She'd love the company."
Sherlock closed his eyes, remembering Lesterade saying the same thing to Arsenic. He opened them again, his eyes falling on John. He pressed a kiss to Snow's head and whispered a quiet goodbye, and then slipped past them to John. He offered John a little smile. Sherlock looked tired and strained, but none the less, Sherlock. "Walk me to the plane, won't you, Watson?" He tried to sound cheerful.
Sherlock looked down when he felt Snow tug his jacket. Sherlock looked down at him. Snow took Sherlock's hand and slipped a bracelet onto his wrist. "I forgot to give it to you. So you never forget me." Snow gave Sherlock a shaky smile.
"Oh, Snow, I'd sooner die than forget you." Sherlock answered.
Snow smiled up at his father. "And Sherlock Holmes doesn't just die." He whispered. Sherlock smiled back, tears in the corners of his eyes. "Of course I don't. And I don't just forget you either." He kissed Snow's forehead and sent him back to Mrs. Hudson. He turned back to John and gave him a small nod before leading the way outside. "Please take care of him. He's fragile. I gave him your number." Sherlock told John softly. He turned and faced John. He searched John's eyes. "Oh, John. Thank you for everything." He mumbled. "Good luck, yes? Don't get into any trouble without me?" He offered John a handshake, trying hard to keep his voice steady. As soon as he felt John's hand touch his, he felt his fingers curl delicately in John's and he caved. Without a second thought, he pulled John close. His arms wrapped around John and he kissed him, needy and deep. He held John to his chest, the smaller male fitting against him like a glove. Slowly, Sherlock pulled away, that harsh, bottomless, cutting pain in his eyes again for a moment. "You can hate me for that if you want. I'll miss you, John Watson." He whispered. "See you again. Someday."
Sherlock let his grip loosen on John and he let go of the little army doctor and watched him, studying every inch of him so he'd never forget John. "Goodbye, John." His voice broke with rough emotion.
John nods softly. "I'm no replacement for your father, but I'll do my absolute best to be there for you when ever you need me." John promises, looking at him.
--
Matty had been looking after his baby sister more with John trying to split his time between his little family and Sherlock. Hed noticed John and Max weren't as close as they once were, but hed figured they were just busy. Matty enjoyed his time with Rosie, showing off his powers. Rosie always loved seeing her big brother produce a little flame on his finger, watching it wiggle around. Matty had progressed to making it look like a fireball which always made Rosie squeal in delight. Today, he was watching her because John had to see Sherlock go off to the states and didnt want Rosie there. Hed claimed she was too young to realize to understand what was going on, but Matty suspected hed wanted alone time with Sherlock. Rosie's little hand reached to touch the flame, Matty quickly extinguishing the flame. "I've already told you, you're gonna burn yourself silly." Matty teases laughing, Rosie gurgling. Despite him being 10 and Rosie being 3 months old, the two got along swell, Matty already very protective of her.
John watched with tears in his eyes as he saw Snowys and Sherlocks exchange, knowing fully well it was gonna kill the two to be apart. Snowy hadnt been without his father this long, until now. He knew it was going to be difficult to say the least, but he was determined to keep his promise to Sherlock about Snowy.
"Dont mention it, I'm always here if you need it, don't you ever doubt that for a second. As for getting into trouble, you're the one who gets me into it." John answers with a weak laugh, his hand slipping into his. He went to pull it away, finding Sherlocks lips pressed to his. John wanted to fight it, but for some reason it felt right. He let himself melt into Sherlock, looking at him when he pulled away. "I hate you, you hear me Sherlock Holmes? I hate you for leaving." John tells him, his voice breaking on every word. "With that being said, I'll miss you, more than you'll ever know. Goodbye Sherlock."
Erdrick and Max were in full planning mode. The two of them were really inseparable, besides when Erdrick spent part of his time with Matty. He'd coached Matty in keeping his powers under control and how to go about using them to his advantage.
Max knew John was jealous of Erdrick, but she refused to talk to him about it. He could get over himself, she figured.
She sent Matty a text. "Meet in an hour for battle strats? Bring Bismarck and Xena, yes?"
John's words cut into Sherlock's chest like a knife. He felt his eyes well up with hot tears. More than anything, he wanted to tell John that he was staying and that he'd never leave him in a million years, that Illinois would be fine without him. And then he remembered that John wasn't his. He couldn't just go home and lay on the sofa and have tea with John and force him into playing cluedo. It didn't work like that.
"I know. But text me. Any time. I have to live in a tiny house in the woods, I'd go stir crazy without your texts." He mumbled, reaching out a hand and curling his smallest finger with John's like he used to when they were in public and he didn't want anyone to know he was holding John's hand. He lingered for a long time, staring into John's eyes until he was called that the plane would be leaving shortly. "I'll text you as soon as I land. Go take Snow from Mycroft. The little thing will drive Mycroft insane." He gave John a long, meaningful little look and then he turned and boarded the plane. He plopped himself in his seat, wrapping his coat tight around him as if he was trying to hide. Only then did he allow himself to cry.
Matty had to hand it Erdrick, he'd been teaching him little by little with his powers after John had let it slip that Matty was an heir to the Underworld. Matty had been annoyed at first, refusing to even let Erdrick teach him. Max coaxed him into doing it once, Matty enjoying it more than he had thought. Ever since then, they practiced when they could, Matty embracing his demon side little by little.
He was about to take Rosie to the training arena, feeling his phone vibrate.
"Sure, I was about to take Rosie anyways. Oh and tell Erdrick its a fireball instead of a flame now, he'll know what it means." -Matthew
John nods softly, forcing his tears back. He wanted to beg Sherlock to stay, to stay with him and Snowy. John also knew he couldnt, the states needed his talent, and John knew he couldnt make himself to tell Sherlock to stay. "I will, I'll text you whenever I can. Cant have the great Sherlock go crazy now?" John teases nodding, a weak smile on his face. John then kissed Sherlock, surprising himself. He then pulled away gently, staring at him with tears in his eyes. "If you dont come back, I'll never forgive you." John whispers softly. He then watched as Sherlock boarded the plane, hot tears already falling. He wanted to be strong for Sherlock, only then letting the tears escape. He really was going to miss Sherlock more than he thought.
Max send John a text. "Hey, get coffee on your way back. And pick up my rifle from home, if you could. Thanks."
No I love you or anything. Just "thanks". Wartime Max was a bitch and she didn't even try to hide it. Especially not when she was going after John for moving papers even she knew he didn't even see that day. Now John didn't even have the luxury to escape to Sherlock's house and hide with Sherlock in his office.
Snow burrowed under John's arm to hug him. "Did you tell him to come back?" He whispered quietly, hugging John tight around the ribs.
John sighed softly, feeling his phone buzz in his pocket. He knew who it was and didnt really want to talk. All John wanted was to curl up in a bed and sob his eyes out. Sherlocks departure had taken a little toll on him, more than hed like to admit. He reluctantly took out his phone, seeing the message. Another "demand" as usual and he really didnt want to do it.
"As you wish." JW
"I really wish I could Snow, with all my heart." He answers softly, hugging him gently.