smallhobbit | Visiting John's Parents

Fandom: Sherlock BBC
Characters: Greg Lestrade, John Watson
Rating: PG
Word Count: 570
Summary: Written for

impishtubist who wanted more John/Lestrade

Greg Lestrade ignored the hammering on his door. He knew who it was and he had no wish to see him at the moment. Similarly, once he had checked who the caller was, he ignored his phone when it rang. However, he opened the text message that followed shortly afterwards which said <Just let me talk to you, please>, but still sent no reply.

He had nothing to say to John Watson. It was the day after Boxing Day and they had been to visit John’s parents for lunch as John had wanted to introduce Greg to them. They’d spent the previous two days lounging around first in Baker Street (Sherlock having been dragged off by Mycroft to visit their mother) and then in Greg’s flat and had enjoyed the opportunity to spend some time quietly together. So Greg had been in a happy and relaxed mood when they had started the visit.

It hadn’t lasted. John’s father had clearly been drinking for a while when they arrived and had proceeded to call Greg names that he hadn’t heard for years. His mother had refused to even speak to him and when John had failed to say anything in Greg’s defence, it had been more than he could cope with. He’d left the house, walked the two miles to the railway station and caught the first train back. The relationship which had made him happier than he had been in years had fallen apart in a matter of hours.

Half an hour later Greg heard the unmistakable sound of his lock being picked. He watched as the door opened and John came in.

“What do you want?” Greg growled.

“Sherlock let me in.”

Greg was about to tell John to get out, but the fact that Sherlock had bothered to come over just to pick the lock and let John in, made him hesitate.

“Let me explain,” John continued.

“There’s nothing to explain. Your father basically accused me of corrupting you and called me all the names he could think of; and you said nothing. Your mother didn’t even speak to me, but looked at me as if I’d let everyone down, you included.”

“She’s dying.”

“What?”

“They’ve given her a month, six weeks at most. Harry told me when we got there. They’ve known for weeks, but not told me. I’m their son and they didn’t bloody tell me. I’m a fucking doctor and they didn’t tell me.”

John’s face crumpled and Greg crossed the room to put his arms around him.

“I am so sorry. And I just made it worse.”

“I should have said something, but I didn’t know what to say. Mum’s last wish was to see one of us settled with the prospect of grandchildren. It wasn’t going to be Harry and as soon as she saw you she knew it wouldn’t be me either. And I couldn’t find the right words. Dad’s in denial and is drinking to avoid having to face the future. I wanted to follow you straight away, but Harry persuaded me to stay for lunch – the last festive lunch we’ll have as a family. I was so torn, but I couldn’t walk away.”

“It’s okay. I understand.” Greg had manoeuvred John onto the settee and held him close.

“I am sorry; I didn’t mean to let you down.”

“And I should have given you a chance to explain.”