Title: Ruling class
Author: fanficwriter101
Pairing: Sherlock/John
Fandoms: Sherlock
Disclaimer: The characters from the show aren't mine, they belong to others. No copyright infringement intended. Any characters you don't recognize are mine. Feedback would be nice, positive feedback would be nicer. Enjoy!
Category: BBC Sherlock 2010 PWP implied slash fic
Rating: M just for caution, but PG's more realistic for content
Characters: Sherlock, John
Series: No
Spoilers: Anything might crop up
Summary: Concerned at Sherlock's disinterest in self-preservation, John decides to act.
Archive: Just tell me where it's going
Additional 'stuff': I'm just guessing about John's military experience. Corrections welcome. Set around the end of The Blind Banker. Anyone's inner thoughts are shown like **this**.
I'm not sure how long ago John was injured, but I'm guessing he's been with Sherlock for a few weeks, maybe months, by the end of the episode.

***

John hadn't enjoyed the previous few weeks. Sherlock was different, quieter, spending more time alone, either in his room or in his thoughts. The violin hardly ever saw the light of day and even Sherlock's weird experiments and disarticulated body parts were fewer.
John was worried. Worried enough to actually call Mycroft who was, in his way, reassuring. Sherlock was just going through 'a phase' apparently and would snap out of it as easily as he'd dropped into it. Apparently. John was unconvinced. And determined to act.

*******************

The next morning John was already out buying the newspapers when Sherlock woke. Hearing only the muffled sounds from the road outside their sitting room window he deduced John wasn't home and headed into the kitchen to make some tea. There was a single white sheet of notepaper, A5 size, laying on the kitchen table beside a cup, teabag already lying inside.
Sherlock picked up the paper and began to read as he flicked on the kettle for his tea.

In John's enviably neat handwriting were a numbered list of items John had headed 'Rules of the house'.

1. John and Sherlock will eat at least one proper meal each day

Sherlock tipped the water into his cup and stirred the teabag distractedly as he read on.

2. Sherlock will leave a CLEAR note on the relevant door or drawer if there are body parts or other non-food items stored in any part of the kitchen.

Sherlock squished the teabag against the side of the cup, leaving it on the spoon.

3. John and Sherlock will not leave the flat without explanation or leaving a note.

Sherlock moved to the fridge, taking out the milk, pouring a little into his cup. He didn't actually enjoy milk but if he left *just* enough in the carton, John would go shopping for milk. And he would also buy other things Sherlock would inform him were needed.

4. Sherlock will not store any non-prescription drugs or other possibly harmful substances in the flat.

Sherlock frowned, sipping his tea.

5. Sherlock will not keep from John any information which may be useful to protect Sherlock or John from potential deadly harm or injury.

Sherlock moved to the window, watching out for John's return.

6. Sherlock will not use, without permission, John's gun, laptop or phone except in an extreme emergency.

Sherlock decided that one was just silly - John hardly ever used his laptop or phone and they were always fully charged.

7. John and Sherlock will share equally the shopping, cleaning and laundry.

Again, Sherlock decided,  that one wasn't worth worrying about. John was so much better at doing that kind of thing.

A short time later, Sherlock saw John returning, crossing the street in front of the flat and moved to the kitchen, taking a pen from his pocket.

Placing his cup and the sheet on the table, he leaned down and wrote quickly before heading to his room, closing the door.

******************************

"Sherlock?" John looked around, dumped the papers on the kitchen table, huffing at the apparently used and discarded mug. His attention was caught by the handwritten addition to his note which Sherlock had obviously read.
Picking up the sheet he read Sherlock's addition rule: 8.

John smiled and dropped the sheet of paper in the bin. After all, for all his irritating habits, Sherlock did have one skill which John couldn't fault. Without knocking, he walked into Sherlock's room.

"Rule eight?" John queried.

"You had forgotten it John." Sherlock said calmly as John crossed the room.

****************************

Several minutes later, John had all but forgotten the list and everything on it.

End

***