HI MATT

[wearsthecoats]

Sherlock has:

• an armchair by the fire
• an expression of unreasonable cheer
• a mug of cold-pressed coffee
• a truly impressive collection of hickeys, accented by a well-bitten lip that only recently stopped bleeding.

Comments

[wearsthecoats]

"Losing the warm again?"

[semicharmed]

Matt admits, "Slightly."

He stretches against him with an absent murmur.

"How long'd it last this time, do you know?"

[wearsthecoats]

"A little more than half an hour," he reports.

[semicharmed]

"... That's not bad," he decides.

"I, uh. Think I could get it to a steadier burn, as it were, if I used a different ratio of herbs." A yawn. "Eventually."

[wearsthecoats]

"Shall we go have a rest?" he suggests. "Or are you all out of experiments for the evening?"

[semicharmed]

He breathes out a laugh.

"I need a rest," he says.

"But ... mm. I could go one more round, I think. And then I'll need to eat."

[wearsthecoats]

"Oh, that."

Yes, Sherlock. Food is a thing people require regular doses of in order to continue functioning.

"Mm. Well, for now—to bed?"

[semicharmed]

Matt groans, half contented and half a protest against moving.

"Yeah," he agrees, "sounds nice."

[wearsthecoats]

"Shall I carry you?" he offers cheerfully.

[semicharmed]

This is rapidly becoming a Sherlockian tradition.

"My pride says no," Matt observes.

"But my jellylike limbs say yes, please."

[wearsthecoats]

"Well, damn your pride, then," he says, scoops Matt up with careful gentleness, and gets to his feet.

[semicharmed]

He laughs, head lolling against his shoulder.

"'Sprobably for the best."

[wearsthecoats]

"Mhm. Wouldn't want to waste your precious energy."

[semicharmed]

Matt kisses his shoulder.

"Not when there are so many worthwhile applications ..."

[wearsthecoats]

"Indeed."

He sets Matt down gently and climbs in after him, arranging a fold of blanket between them so he can go cold and still snuggle without inflicting his temperature on Matt.

[semicharmed]

Matt is supremely amenable to this, and blanketsnuggles immediately.

[wearsthecoats]

Perfect. Sherlock relaxes into the blankets with a sigh.

[semicharmed]

He shifts to rest a little closer, marking his fading warmth with sleepy unconcern.

[wearsthecoats]

He presses a slightly chilly kiss to Matt's forehead.

[semicharmed]

"Mmmm," he replies, eyes closing.

"I like you."

[wearsthecoats]

"I think I like you, too," he says, a little surprised.

[semicharmed]

A soft huff of laughter.

"Were you on the fence about it?"

[wearsthecoats]

"I hadn't really given it much thought," he admits.

"I don't like a lot of people."

[semicharmed]

"Understandable," he yawns.

"I try to get along, though."

[wearsthecoats]

"Mm?" he inquires, curious. "You don't like people either? Or you don't naturally but try to?"