ihadabadday | The Black Book - AU - Locked to seaweed

"12th Year?" Sherlock tried not to sound impressed, but he was. That kid was a lot older than William was, and yet he still stood up to him. The tone of his voice made William look up for a moment, but as soon as he saw his father looking at him, he looked down into his lap again.

Sherlock sighed and took a seat next to John, William was one more seat away.

As much as standing up to bullies was a good thing, they were still going to have to punish him for fighting. There are other ways to stop bullies than using their own tactics against them.

Sherlock took John's hand and gave it a squeeze. It was an 'I'm sorry you have to deal with this on your day off, I'm sorry you have to deal with this in general, and an I'm here for you' all in one little squeeze.

He squeezed back and glanced at Sherlock. "Mum suggested we take away his books for a week."

He didn't know what they would do to punish William. But fighting was not okay. But part of John didn't want to punish his son. He was standing up to bullies in the only way that some of them would understand.

He stared at their joined hands, tracing his thumb across Sherlock's thumb. He thought about the news wanted to share with his mate.

"No books and no computer time in his room sounds like a good punishment." He replied. That got a glare from William, but he was still silent, and he looked down again. " He can use the computer in the living room to do his homework and I think we should give him a few minutes to check his emails, but other than that, no computer or books for a week." He was speaking to William as much as he was John.

"We both understand why you stood up to the bully, and we think that is very admirable." Sherlock continued, and William did look up slightly. He was definitely listing. "But fighting is not the way to do it. You are validating the idea that using violence is okay. It is not."

William looked so small in his school uniform. He had his little hat in his hand since he was in the office. His little legs were so skinny in those shorts, and the blazer was baggy on his thin form. He was more like his daddy in looks- skinny, curly haired, small for his age (Sherlock had been small for his age until puberty hit, then he sprung up to 6 foot tall). But he was more like his papa in temperament- brave and fearless and sometimes a bit stubborn, always looking out for others, defending the defenseless.

John nodded. "It will be a good lesson in patience. Especially when your younger sibling arrives."

He didn't look at Sherlock, or William.

He stared ahead, much like his son. But there was a small smirk on his face. He hadn't been sure, but after the past few days, he was positive. They were adding to their family.

They might need to move. Or Sherlock might go on a remodel spree again.

"Wait... what?" That made William look up and stare at his Papa. "I'm gonna have a brother or sister?" There was definite excitement in his voice. When he was younger, he kept complaining that he wanted someone to play with. There was going to be a big gap in their ages, but at last, it was going to happen.

Sherlock looked genuinely as shocked as William did. They'd started having sex again when William was about 4 months old. Of course both of them had hoped that John would become pregnant again, but they knew they'd gotten lucky when it took less than a year the first time.

After a while, they'd both stopped mentioning it, and they went along their lives-still having sex of course, but resigned in the fact that William would be their only child.

"John...." Sherlock managed to get out. He wanted to say so much more, but he was still so floored, that all he could say was. "John." again, in a soft whisper.

John squeezed Sherlock's hand and then looked at his son. "You are. Dad and I don't know if it's going to be a boy or girl yet. But we know you'll be a good big brother either way."

He then looked at his mate and kissed his cheek. He looked positively gobsmacked. It was adorable. So he took a picture and sent it to his mother and father-in-law? He couldn't think of Mycroft as Sherlock's brother.

Sherlock was still too shocked to stop John from taking the picture, but he did scowl when it was done. "John." He said, in a lower tone this time. At least it had thrown him out of his daze.

"You.. are sure? I haven't noticed any morning sickness or anything else..." Of course John was a doctor, he'd know, but Sherlock was.. well. Sherlock. He made a living, literally, out of observing people.

How had he missed it, he wonder?

"I'm positive." He informed his mate. John paused the discussion when the door opened at the Headmaster stepped out.

John then got up and smoothed down his clothes. He urged William up and over to the Headmaster. Both of them wore a look of familiar resignation.

"Headmaster Collins." He said in greeting.

"Mr. Watson. Mr. Holmes." He said, nodding in greeting to them both. "If you three would like to follow me into my office, I think we have some things to talk about." His tone, like his look, were stern and no nonsense. He wasn't a cruel man, but he was very much about rule and order .

He let them in first. "Please. Have a seat. " There were three seats on one side of the huge mahogany desk. He waited until they sat, then closed the door, went to his desk, and sat down, resting his hands on his chin.

"Well, young man." He said to William. "Care to explain yourself? You seem to be quite good at starting fights. This is something I can cannot condone, and if you cannot keep your temper to yourself, then you will have to find another establishment to continue your education."

John sat down and watched the Headmaster. He was quiet as he listened to the man speak. "Before William speaks, I do hope that the bullies, regardless of age or status or influence, are being dealt with accordingly." He started. There was something predatory about John's voice. It was sometimes easy to forget that he was a demon, he always looked and acted, so friendly.

"I've heard from other parents and some of William's teachers that the school is not properly punishing the bullies, just our son. Now, I understand that they are getting into fights. But William is defending other students. And if you are teaching these children that it is easier to punish the protector than the bully..."

"And if it's not your Headmaster, than it is someone under you, and they are still teaching the same lesson."

The Headmaster was surprised, and a bit upset at the accusations, but he kept his voice calm and cool.

"Yes." He said when John was done. "The bullies are being dealt with accordingly. I have already planned a staff meeting to put a plan in place on how to deal with bullying both in the classroom and on the playground and in the halls."

He gives John a stern look. "I can assure you, Mr. Watson, that neither I, nor my staff, are teaching children that the wrong people are being punished. There is blame to be had on both sides, though not equally. And I am determined to put an end to the fighting, on both sides."

John smiled at the headmaster. "Good to hear. I would hate to learn that the rumors I heard were true. But know this Headmaster. If anyone hits our son again, he has full permission to hit back. In that instance he would be defending himself." he said flatly, "And if you choose to remove William from this school for the simple act of defending himself in the future, then let us know now."

"I will not have my son stand there and take a beating. If he can put an end to it, then so be it. Violence is not always the answer to violence, but as long as he is defending himself, whether it is another student or an adult, I consider the matter closed."

People often forgot that behind the kind, doctorly facade, there was a hardened soldier, one who had seen much and done much. Yes, he didn't always agree with William inserting himself into every instance of bullying, and hitting first. But if he was hit first, and then hit back. He was alright with it.

"I would never tell a student not to defend themselves if the other person threw the first punch. As long as your son never throws the first punch, then he will never have to worry about his education here" The man said, in a stern tone.

"The reason that I have you both here, is because some of the students stated that William threw the first punch, while others stated that the other child did. Of course I am getting different stories from them, so we will never know the whole truth."

He stood. "I have excused him for the rest of the day, but he has his homework for the classes he will miss. He is welcome to come back tomorrow morning with a clean slate. Thank you both for coming." He offered John a hand to shake.

John rose and then shook the headmaster's hand. He then steered William out of the office, rubbing his forehead. He kept a firm hand on his son's shoulder as he spoke to the secretary for the school. He got his bookbag, along with his assignments and then handed it to the boy.

"Sherlock, did you drive or take a cab?" He asked his mate.

He finally turned to look at him, as they waited in the foyer of the school.

Sherlock was quiet through the whole thing, still a bit shocked that John was pregnant again.

He finally spoke as they were outside of the school, on the curb. "I took a cab. I was out on a case, but it was wrapping up." Which reminded Sherlock. He looked at his phone- there were a few texts from Lestrade, but nothing earth shattering.

"Should we go home, or was there somewhere else you needed to go, John?"

"We can go home. William has classwork to focus on. And that recital that is coming up." John told Sherlock before they headed out of the building.

He let out a breath and hailed them a cab.

Soon enough they were home and John sent William into the kitchen to start his homework.

It was a pretty quiet ride home. There were a couple of quick conversations, mostly Sherlock just looked out the window as London whipped by.

As soon as they got to 221B, John sent William to the kitchen to do his homework, and the followed Sherlock back to the bedroom, where he changed into some more comfortable clothes.

"When did you find out?" Sherlock asked, gently touching Johns still flat stomach, rubbing in small circles.

"I can't believe it.. after so long..."

John paused in the middle of pulling off his button up shirt. He shivered at the touch to his belly. But he smiled.

"Yesterday. I wanted to wait until the case was over to tell you." He told Sherlock, "Are you upset?"

His mate had been mostly quiet on the subject.

Before answering, Sherlock leaned in to kiss him deeply, while finishing taking off John's shirt.

"Why would I be upset, John?" He whispered into his mate's ear. "I am so happy. There will be a gap between the kids, which means that William will be able to help us take care of this baby. " He leaned down and kissed John's belly, them kissed him again.

He shivered at the kisses, the words in his ear. John looked at Sherlock and smiled. "I hope it's a little girl." He said after a moment, "One of each, I think we'd be done with that."

He shivered and returned the kiss, one hand found it's way into Sherlock's hair and he tightened his fist. He loved his mate.

"I'm sure William will want a brother. I just want a healthy child." He kissed John again, deeper this time. He sighed and looked at the door. It was closed, but there was always the chance that William would have to ask them something. They are relegated to sex either when they are both home when he's at school, or late at night when he's asleep.

He leaned back, a little flushed. He needed to stop this before it got too heated.

John let Sherlock go and then smile at him. "Tonight." He promised before going to go get the jumper he wanted to wear.

"I should text my mother and Mycroft."

He was quiet for a moment. "Or perhaps I will do it tomorrow." So they could have today for themselves. Both Martha and Mycroft enjoyed being grandparents and spoiling William.

"Mmmmmf." Sherlock groaned at the thought of what they could do tonight. Being pregnant, they were going to have to be careful about John's stomach, but that really didn't limit them much.

"Tomorrow, my love. Let's have tonight." Sherlock kissed John, then left the room to let John dress. He checked on William, who was working, then he went to the living room, opened up his laptop, and worked on some emails.

John finished dressing and then went out into the kitchen. "What do you two want for dinner?"

He looked at William who was still working on his assignments and then over to Sherlock who was in the living room. He just hoped that a case, for either of them, didn't come in.

William shrugged, then hissed in pain at the movement, it annoyed his rather impressive black eye. "Don't care" He said in a low voice, his head still down in his Maths homework. "Whatever."

"Whatever you want, John." Sherlock said from the living room. He was busy as well, his head stuck in his computer.

The Black Book - AU - Locked to seaweed_writes

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