Rags to Riches - AU - Locked to seaweed_writes

The sun still rose and set on the Great British Empire. The colonies had never made noises about independence as the Empire had actually listened to its citizen’s concerns and gave them what they wanted. A voice. Each colony had representatives in the House of Lords and House of Commons. In order to gain the voice in the House of Lords, a Royal member of the Empire was appointed to a colony and that family remained the figurative head of the colony. Sometimes, when the families would not listen to the needs and concerns of the residents of the colonies, the Empire would step in. They would remove the family and replace them. Though it was rare that it happened, perhaps a dozen times since the failed Revolution for American Independence over two hundred and fifty years ago.

This tale does not talk about that time.

Instead it talks about a time now, in an era in which the Empire is prospering, and there is peace (which makes it all sound like a propaganda tale, but really, it is pretty chill out there).

John Watson was happily married to William Scott Sherrinford, they had no children (and were honestly fine with that) and lived in the colony of New Zealand. As about as far from England as they could get. Both had their reasons for living so far, but neither of them were willing to discuss it with outside parties. It was their business and it was private than you very much.

But of course, that changed one day five years into their marriage when they had no choice but to return to England and thus London.

John sighed when they got to their flat. They hadn’t been here in five years, but it was still like they had never left. Mrs. Hudson was a saint and kept it clean and god. There was a full pantry. He got the kettle on for tea and searched for some of William’s favorite biscuits.

William’s adopted father had passed away suddenly and they had rushed back to assist Brenda, his adopted mother, with the funeral. And neither of them were sure how long they would be here.

With the kettle on, he went to turn on the telly and very nearly dropped his phone (he actually dropped the remote, the batteries went somewhere).

There was a man who looked identical to his husband on the telly. What?

He sat down heavily and watched. It was a news program on the Holmes family, the representatives of the colony of South Africa. He… He hadn’t known. Neither of them had known. How had this been hidden? He recalled the Holmes family, they also presided over the county of Devonshire. It was an intimidating family. Was William related?

John barely noticed his ringing phone. He was entranced with the telly still, in a bit of shock.

Did William have family? Why did they put him up for adoption? He… John ran a hand through his hair. Was it because the nobility was often worried what the omen of twins meant? Which was rubbish. That was hedgemage magic and not applicable to today’s society. It had been proven that twins were not an ill omen over and over again. But did this meant the Holmes believed old Hedgemage superstitions? How could they? They were one of the families who had dragons living with them for Christ’s sake. Dragons would only live on land or with families they deemed worthy and those who made it public were few and far between. The only reason the public knew the Holmes family had a dragon was because Sherlock, their youngest son had been photographed carrying a dragon babe.

Of course that meant they had to keep the small dragon in their possession a secret. She was currently asleep in her travel bed on their bed in the master room. They had found her when they had been hiking in the backcountry of New Zealand. Abandoned by her mother they suspected, or her mother had been illegally poached.

John was still entranced by the news story, not noticing as the door to the flat opened.