In the morning, Alex was much brighter and John had smiled widely when she bounced into his room to hug him and announced that they'd be leaving for the camp site at three in the afternoon. She'd gotten up early and gone with Mrs Holmes to get the new tent that they had spoken about for her (Sherlock and John were still sharing despite all their moaning).

After speaking about everything really fast, she pushed him towards his suitcase and demanded he dressed and come down the stairs immediately for an early lunch.

John chuckled as he dressed, pleased that Alex seemed a lot better. Maybe he'd been completely wrong and she was just a little under the weather and needed some sleep.

Sherlock was awake when his mother and Alex headed out. *Tent shopping* his mind supplied as he went into the kitchen to make some coffee and put a pot of tea on for john and his father. He sipped at his tea while he watched the news. Another suicide bomb… a suicide that didn’t make sense. BORING.

When John got downstairs, everyone else was already sat at the table. He quickly sat and apologized for being the last one.

"Sorry, sorry. I didn't know you were waiting on me." He said, sitting. It's then he realizes the food is still cooking and everyone is waiting for the food, not him.

He blushed brightly and Alex giggled at him. John smiled at her, happy to hear her laughing even if she was laughing at him for being completely unobservant.

Sherlock laughed quietly with Alex. Trust John to be the one who awkwardly entered and mistook the situation. That’s why he loves him. He always managed to entertain him no matter how dark his mood was, not that John was only useful for entertainment purposes. He was much more intelligent than Sherlock had previously thought and had always managed to challenge him, make him think things through so that he not only thinks about the problem but the situation as a whole.

John soon chuckled with the pair of them before he quieted down. He looked to his side, where Mycroft sat.

"I thought you were heading home today, Mycroft?" John asked, his tone much friendlier with the elder Holmes than it ever was before Alex came into the picture.

Mycroft nodded. "I am. Mummy convinced me to stay for lunch, though"

John nodded and flashed another ‘Watson’ smile. "I see."

“He’s just here for the food, homemade, free food.” Sherlock joked, his face dead straight to help wind Mycroft up but winked at Alex when Mycroft looked towards the food that was being cooked.

Mycroft opened his mouth to counter Sherlock when their mother spoke, her voice was quiet but powerful, emphasizing her authority in the house despite her children being all grown up..

"Boys, don't. What if Alex has a brother or sister one day? She'll think fighting is normal between siblings” She scalded, not fully realizing what she'd said until after. Mrs. Holmes didn't let herself react though, just continued cooking.

"Well, it kind of it. All siblings fight now and then." John added, not commenting on the thing about Alex having siblings.

Sherlock bit his tongue to stop himself from opening his mouth in shock. Another child… with someone else fathering it… Sherlock could barely contain his anger at the thought. “I’m going for a smoke.”

John winced when Sherlock got up, knowing exactly what Sherlock was thinking. John thought the same thing about him. He didn't want Sherlock to have a child with another Omega and he's sure that Sherlock's reaction meant he didn't want John having a child with another Alpha.

"I'm going to go talk to him" John told them and smiled before he went outside to join Sherlock on the porch.

Sherlock took a cigarette out of the packet and quickly lit up, filling his lungs with smoke and sighing with relief, needing the calmness that the cigarette brought. It helped him to stop thinking about John in heat with another man.

Another man knotting him, filling him with pups….

"Sherlock?" John asked gently, standing behind the man as he watched the smoke twirl up into the air. He doesn't move closer just yet, not sure how angry Sherlock is.

It was only an innocent comment but he understood how much it hurts.

“I should be able to deal with comments like that. They shouldn’t effect me like this. But they do… and it brings pain to my heart.” Sherlock held out the open packet to John, knowing that he hasn’t smoked since he was a teenager but thought that the omega might fancy one.

John waved away the cigarettes. "That sounds like you're apologising for how you're feeling. Don't do that. I… I really fucking hate the idea of you getting another Omega pregnant. Makes me feel sick... If Alex did have brothers or sisters, I'd what them to have the same parents as her. For her sake..."

Inside Sherlock smiled at John’s comment, happy that John felt the same way because it meant that didn’t look like John would be impregnated by another Alpha anytime soon. Outside, Sherlock kept a cool, calm face on, not wanting to outwardly show his happiness. “It is slightly… alarming that we both feel the same way even though we never actually bonded. Usually Alphas and Omegas would only feel this way if there had been a strong biological link that tied them together, therefore tying their Alpha and Omega sides together causing heightened emotions at the thought of the other person being reclaimed by someone else.”

"Isn't the biological link the child we have?" John pointed out, looking down at his feet and not meeting Sherlock's eye. "Besides, I think it's pretty normal to get jealous of the idea of the person you love, or once loved, with someone else."

“I never thought about it like that before.” Sherlock muttered taking another puff of his cigarette. Alex was probably the biggest reason why Sherlock had spent 13 long years yearning after John in a way that he had never felt before. Of course while they were together, Sherlock longed to be with John all the time, such was his inner Alpha’s possessive nature but after John left, it was 100 times stronger. He had never gone a day without feeling that pull to be close to John and this pull had only stopped when he found out about Alex.

John nodded, still not looking at him. "So... Don't work yourself up thinking I'm going to have another Alpha's children because I'm not. I can assure you of that." He smiled before turning back towards the door. "I'm still getting over the Alpha who gave me my first child"

After saying that, John was quick to open the door and head back inside. His heart pounding and cheeks flushed. So much for just leaving it for Alex's sake. He might as well have told Sherlock he loves him and snogged him again.

"Idiot..." John muttered to himself but part of him, not that he'd admit it to anyone, was happy he'd said that. Relieved.

Sherlock’s breath hitched in his throat when he heard John’s words. It took him a few minutes to control his breathing again as he was in complete and utter shock. John still liked him…. John wanted him still.

When his cigarette nearly burnt his finger as it had burned down, he pulled out another, puffing on it rapidly for some time until that one had also burned down. He took out some chewing gum so his mother wouldn’t be able to smell the smoke on his breath, still hating how she told him off for something so petty.

Now he had to do something, he had to try and get John back, no matter how hard it would take he was going to try. John said that he would only get together with him if it was ok with Alex… Sherlock knew that Alex was fine with it, she had practically begged him to ask John out the other day. So he just had to ask for Alex’s help, get her to make John understand that, if anything, she would benefit from them being together as a family unit.

Sherlock walked back into the house, taking out a chewing gum as he walked. He found Mycroft and his mother in the lounge, his father, John and Alex all in the kitchen so he quickly excused Alex from the table and led her to her/his old room.

"So... What happened?" Alex asked, bouncing on the bed a little as she practically threw herself on to it. She put her hands on the bed, steadying herself. Alex then smiled at her father. "I'm assuming that something did happen going by how much you smoked. The gum is just even more of a give away, just so you know"

Sherlock chuckled. “I only smoked 2, nothing too bad. Try and deduce it Alex, if you put your mind to it and really see, you should be able to deduce it easily.”

Alex shrugged. "Deducing is boring. I know how to do and can't always stop doing it to people but I don't see the point. I don't care about other people's lives. Only friends and families. Even then, I'd prefer to be told so I know for sure that they want me to know"

Right now, she sounded very much like a blend of Sherlock and John. Not that she realised that, of course. The ‘not caring about others’ was obviously a Sherlock thing. ‘Wanting people to trust her’ was more of a John thing. Thinking deducing is boring... Well, that was definitely an Alex thing seeing as both her parents were fascinated with it.

“Deducing is not boring” Sherlock stated in a clipped manner, his face scrunching up just at the thought of deducing being boring because for him, it was everything. It could give you so much insight, so much knowledge that could help you so much. “But I suppose… if you’re not interested in it then I cant really blame you. Some people find it annoying.” Sherlock took a deep breath, looking at his daughter with admiration. He was proud of her, she wasn’t like the awkward kid that he was when he was younger and he was thankful for that. He was ever so lonely when he was younger and didn’t want the same fate for his child.

“I have realized that I don’t want to stand back and watch another Alpha claim your father and I can see that he, after he understands a few things, would also like the idea of bonding with me. But he still needs to understand some things. He needs to see that it is best for you to grow up in a family environment, the family being you, your father and me.”

Alex smiled at that, liking the way Sherlock had said it. He hadn't just said he wants John back and that John said something suggesting he wanted the same. No, he truly put his heart into the words (even if it seemed a little stiff to some people, Alex could tell it was heartfelt for Sherlock).

"Well, to be blunt, you both need to stop being idiots and dancing around everything. I bet he wasn't direct about his feelings."

Sherlock scoffed, “That’s never going to happen, Alex. We are both stubborn and will never admit anything that direct. Although, your father was very direct with how he felt, the most direct I think he has ever been.”

Alex raised her eyebrow, doubting that. "Okay, what did he say? His exact words."

Sherlock thought back to when they were outside. “I'm still getting over the Alpha who gave me my first child.” That was fairly direct… ok it wasn’t but it made it perfectly clear for Sherlock that he had to do something.

"Okay, so it's obvious what he means. It's still not that direct. He didn't say I'm still in love with you." Alex replied. "Well, you've promised me that you'll win the auction so that you get a date with him. It's simple, you pour your heart out to him then."

“Pour my heart out to him? I have already done that Alex. He just told me that he needed to put you first, that he wasn’t sure if it was the right thing to do, that it would make you unstable.” Sherlock just realized how messed up this situation was… he was asking his daughter for relationship advice…

"And you just giving up the moment he hesitates is definitely going to show him you mean it" Alex said, sarcasm dripping from her tone as she gave Sherlock a meaningful look. "Even stubborn people can eventually be persuaded"

“You need to tell him that you wouldn’t mind us getting together. You are his number one priority at the moment especially after the little “lost” stunt you pulled. He wont be persuaded by anything I say until you show him that you don’t mind any of this.”

"Oh, I'm sorry, were the eight or more years asking for my other dad not enough?" Alex snapped, glaring at him.

“Clearly not,” Sherlock commented, starting to pace around the room. “As he continues to believe that this will stunt your development.”
Alex sighed and flipped back on the bed, now laying flat on it. "Fine. Don't try or take my advice about you making an effort"

“I am going to “Make an effort.” I am just asking if you will talk to your father about it, preferably right before the charity auction. Then maybe, maybe he will listen to me and see that he needs to think about his own desires for once.” Sherlock huffed, coming to a stop before pacing again.

"I'll talk to him" Alex nodded. "Don't worry about that but it's mainly on you. Don't think that me talking to him will make it plain sailing for you"

“Yes yes, I get it Alexandria.” Sherlock muttered, his arms crossing over his chest.

"Don't get annoyed with me just because I'm right" Alex huffed, still annoyed that Sherlock thought one conversation would make a difference after years of her practically begging to see him. And yes, she knew that she said to him stubborn people eventually get the message but it's different when you've been giving the message for eight years. Well, Sherlock is here now... Maybe it'll be different. She hopes.

“Sorry, its just…. Its annoying so bloody annoying.” Sherlock huffed, putting his hands through his hair.

"You know that you're saying this to the wrong person, right? You need to be telling dad all this. I mean, I'm glad you're telling me. After making the large-ish bid on the auction, tell him all this. Tell him you love him."

Sherlock smilec at his daughter. “I will. I definitely will.”

Alex grinned and sat up, standing and walking over to her father. She wrapped her skinny arms around him and squeezed him for a few seconds. When she pulled away, she wrinkled her nose up. "You smell like an ashtray"

“I don’t smoke much but when I do, I don’t just smoke one so you will have to get used to that, especially if I managed to convince your father to get back with me.” Sherlock winked at Alex, trying not to laugh at the expression on her face.

Alex raised an eyebrow. "Why would being with dad mean you smoke more?"

“Noooo… I’m just saying that if I get with your dad you will see me more and you will have to cope with my… weird habits.”

Alex nodded. "Ooh. I see. It's fine, though. Harry smokes a lot and I normally don't mind the smell. It's like having that bug yesterday has heightened my scenes a bit... Especially smell."

Sherlock tried not to smile when he heard about her heightened sense of smell. Of course John was right. Too bloody good at his job. “Your dad doesn’t like me smoking and he despises the smell. Wouldn’t kiss me if he could smell cigarettes on me.”

"Bet that made you want to quit" Alex laughed, moving away slightly because the smell really wasn't very nice. "He hates it when Harry smokes and forces her to smoke in the garden. Once he's gone though, she doesn't bother."

“Yes it did, but I just cut down to a few whenever I really needed to think.” Sherlock thought to the time when he flirted with John whilst he was smoking and they ended up having amazing sex. Probably not the best idea to think about sex around his daughter.

Alex nodded, oblivious to Sherlock's thoughts. "When I need to think, I either go running or practise with Nathan for games."

“You will not see me running for fun anytime in the foreseeable future.” Sherlock murmured, sneering at the thought. “Your father will probably come up to make sure that everything is alright if we stay up for much longer.”

Alex nodded. "And we need to pack everything and double check everything before we go up to the cabin place thingy later" She smiled. "Maybe you can drop a hint tonight to dad but I'd pour your heart out on the date you get for the auction"

“Drop a hint?”

"I dunno... Like he did. Just hint that you still love him as well"

Sherlock smiled, remembering the moment when John said that he still loved him. It made him feel so wonderfully warm inside. “I will Alex, I promise. I’m not giving up on this. On him.”

"Good" Alex grinned and hugged him again before she headed towards the door. "C'mon, dad'll end up here if we don't go down soon

Sherlock followed Alex down the stairs and back into the lounge, sitting down on the sofa, putting his feet up on the coffee table. “We should start getting everything sorted out for camping later on.”

That's when Sherlock's father spoke up. "The tents and cases are all in the car. So, as soon as you'll already to go, we can go" He smiled.

“Cases?” Sherlock asked.

"Our suitcases, Sherlock" John said, unable to not chuckle at that.

Alex smiled from where she's sat beside Sherlock, glad to see her dad laughing and enjoying himself instead of being awkward like he usually is after something happened between him and Sherlock.

“Yes, I guessed that.” Sherlock said smirking. “I just thought we were doing this properly. Walking instead of using a car, backpacks instead of suitcases. Just because them lot,” Sherlock pointed to his parents. “aren’t doing it right doesn’t mean that we should do the same.” Sherlock put his arm around Alex’s shoulders, smiling at her.

"We're old, we're allowed to cut corners" Mrs Holmes chuckled, wrapping her arm around her husbands waist. "But we have plenty of backpacks if the three of you want to walk there and carry your things that way." She said, looking to John to see if he wanted to do it like that.

"Great idea." John nodded, seeing that she was looking to him for his input. "Where are the bags, Mrs Holmes? I can get them down or up or which ever way I need to bring them"

Mrs Holmes looked to Mr Holmes seeing as he was the one that knew where they are. "They're in the room your in actually, John, you'll find them in the cupboard. I'll go get your suitcases"

The two men nod to each other before going separate ways. Mr Holmes out the front door and John upstairs.

Sherlock followed John up the stairs, incase he needed some help finding the cases. When they reach the room, John immediately went to the cupboard, opening it and taking out the first backpack and handing it to Sherlock. Once they had gotten all of them out, they carried them all downstairs to the lounge, Sherlock carrying two (after insisting that it is his duty to do so) whilst John carried one (arguing that it Sherlock shouldn’t stop saying such stereotypes around Alex who is impressionable.)

Alex could hear them bickering and she rolled her eyes. Her dad (John) really didn't realise how many of those Omegas-are-equal speeches he gives without even realising it. She would say something about it if she didn't know that it kept him happy to be able to remind even a small part of the world that being an Omega did not mean being weak.

You just had to take one look at her dad to know that. Ex-army, successful job as a doctor, having brought up a child with little help from anyone and working hard every day to make sure they had the best life they could. There was no one who could look at John and say that all Omega's a weak and helpless.

Whilst John gave him the omega equality speech, Sherlock was hoping that John knew that he didn’t view Omegas that way, that he wasn’t another pig headed alpha. Sherlock had never viewed john as anything less than him (maybe in intelligence but he felt that way about everyone) and always included him in his investigations, never worrying that an omega would slow him down or mess things up. Because in his mind, being an omega only made John understand the emotions better than Sherlock did as omegas were hard wired to be loving, caring, the glue of the family. A good thing.

“John, you know I didn’t mean that, right. I was just trying to help. I didn’t like the idea of you carrying these down incase they got in the way and you fell.” Sherlock whispered to John when they reached the bottom of the stairs.

"Yeah, course. Nice save" John snorted, not convinced by Sherlock's words.

It wasn't anything against Sherlock personally. John was simply convinced that all Alpha's look down on Omega's, even if only a tiny bit. It's wired into them. They have instincts to protect Omegas, they can't control it. Needing to protect something, though, suggests that whatever you're protecting is not able to protect themselves the way an Alpha could.

Sherlock wanted to carry the bags to help, fine. But John is more than capable of carrying some bloody bags. Sherlock doesn't need to protect him from the stairs.

Sighing, John shaked his head and waved off the matter before Sherlock could say anything else. He should have realised that he'd do this at some point. Before Alex was born, John found it easier to keep all the Omega equality stuff to himself and this is probably the first time Sherlock has heard him talk like this. He had to try and keep it in. Sherlock didn't really care about all that, after all.

“No, no, you are not going to wave off the matter. If anything Alex should hear this.” Sherlock raised his voice slightly, throwing his hands around. “Can you think of one time that I ever discriminated against you based on your secondary gender alone?”

"Just now when you practically ripped the bag out of my hand so I wouldn't carry it and injured myself somehow. You might not have said so or realised it but if I wasn't an Omega, you'd have no reason to protect me from a pair of bloody stairs" John said, glaring at Sherlock and not realising how much he'd raised his voice.

Alex smiled sadly at John. Maybe she should have warned Sherlock not to get into anything like this with John. It only ended in tears. Alex remembered the time she witnessed an arguement between Harry and John because Harry, who is an Alpha, made a joke about John being such a typical Omega mother.

Mrs Holmes walked down to her son and John and placed her hands on John's shoulders. The man looked back at her and relaxed instantly at the presence of another Omega, smiling at her a little as his cheeks turn pink with embarrassment.

Sherlock inwardly said, No its not because you’re an omega that I took that bag out of your hands but because I love you and I want to treat you right. But out loud Sherlock says, “Im sorry if I offended you John. I really didn’t mean to upset you.”

John nodded. "It's okay... I overreacted a bit. I dunno, I'm sorry. I'm just used to dealing with patients that have been convinced by Alpha's they're not worth anything because of their secondary gender. It's kind of hard not to want to convince the world that's not true when it's so personal..." John looked around at everyone one and apologised again.

Alex smiled at him before standing and taking one of the bags. "There. Now everyone's equal" She said, making everyone laugh and lightening the mood as she'd intended and John pulled her into a hug and kissed her head.

Thankfully it looked like all the tension had disappeared so Sherlock led John and Alex outside to where his father had placed their suitcases. He quickly opened his own, revealing its contents. “There is a very specific way to pack a rucksack especially if you are walking a long distance like we are. We need to put the heaviest items at the bottom, followed by the stuff we only need when we get to the campsite and finally everything we might need whilst we are travelling.” Sherlock took the tent out and put the parts in three separate parts. “Ill take the poles and the pegs, Alex, you take the outside of tent and your father can take the inside.”

Sherlock took the poles and pegs and put them in the rucksack right at the bottom. Then he piled some clothes on top (and yes they were normal, casual clothes, not his usual suits and shirts), and finally placed some of the food that his mother had set out for them on top.

It wasn't long before they were on their way. John said goodbye to Sherlock's parents and apologised to them again (thanking Mrs Holmes as well) before they all left. Alex had a map in hand and had tied her hair up, put a cap on and pulled her hair through it.

John tapped the cap as they walk. "Isn't this Nathan's? He left it at our house about a month ago... Alex, why haven't you given it back yet?"

"He said I could keep it. It's a good hat" She shrugged, not taking her eyes off the map as they continued to walk.

John looked to Sherlock, their conversation about Alex going into a rut coming to mind. John didn't want her anywhere near boys if she was preparing to present. He knew they were best friends, John had leant his close females friends clothing and even gave jumpers and stuff to them but this seem a little different.

Sherlock eyes immediately widened when he heard it. He could easily see Nathan and Alex getting together in the future especially as Nathan was likely to present as an omega but he didn’t like the idea of his daughter, gallivanting with some boy. He had first hand experience of how boys were. They were all hormones and mess but then again, the boys Sherlock was thinking about were Alpha boys, maybe omegas wouldn’t be as interested in sex as Alphas were (however John’s nickname in the army had been three continents Watson…)

John didn't comment any further on it. He was sure that he was just worrying needlessly. After all, she and Nathan were just twelve. At the moment, the most they're likely to do is hold hands and maybe kiss if they did 'go out'. Sex wasn't something he needed to worry about until both the kids had presented and were at least fourteen. He has a few years yet before he has to become really protective about things like boys. Still, he'd be keeping as eye on them.

He offered Sherlock a reassuring smile. He wanted to walk a bit faster and catch up to him, hold his hand as they walked and quietly talked about little things. He didn't do any of that, of course. He just imagined doing it as he smiled and the he looked after, forgetting those thoughts.

Sherlock smiled back, knowing that if John wasn’t worrying about them then he shouldn’t. Instead he carries on walking, occasionally leaning over Alex’s shoulder to make sure that they were going in the right direction. He realized how nice it was to spent time with them, both of them, even though they weren’t really talking, simply walking together through the countryside.

They walk in silence for some time and none of them really find it awkward. It was just comfortable. Exactly like a family. A family can happily spend time together without words and that's what it feels like right now. They're a family.

John grinned at the thought before he looks sideways at Alex. She had a smile on her face as well. John was glad she's enjoying herself.

Suddenly Sherlock caght sight of something ahead that could be a huge problem to them. A river with no apparent way of crossing it. Despite this they carry on walking until they are right in front of it. “We should keep walking the banks of it and hopefully there will be a place to cross.”

Alex nodded but after an hour of walking, she sighed and stopped. She peered across and tried to look down either side. There was no bridge or way to cross that she saw. The river wasn't too wide or fast. She could easily swim across. Humming, she tries to judge the distance. If she was lucky, she could throw the bag across but that was unlikely.

"Oi, Dadlock? Are these bags waterproof?"

“Yes but I don’t think its wise to cross.” Sherlock looked right and then left, taking in the area and deducing as much as he could incase there was another way out of this situation. “Maybe we should keep walking. There is bound to be a bridge somewhere…. About half a mile that way.”

Alex gummed. "Wise or not, I think we should. I can't be bothered to walk and we still have to get to the cabin. I say we swim. It's less than a two minute swim"

John huffed and pushed them aside, deciding for them when he wades into the water.

“Jesus, John. Do you want to get pneumonia?” Sherlock practically shouted, moving closer to the river to watch John to make sure he is ok.

"It's been in direct sun all day. It's warm!" John called before he dived in the deeper water and started to swim across it.

“It could be dangerous.” Sherlock replied, even though he knew that it is not dangerous. It was fairly deep (but he knew John was a competent swim), there were no strange pond-life or vegetation and the water was as clean as river water could be.

"Still don't need protecting!" John called, swimming the last stroke and climbed out of the lake.

“Am I not allowed to care for you?” Sherlock quickly closed his mouth when he realized what he just said. He felt his cheeks start to burn up so he dramatically took his bag off and thew it across the river before swimming across it just as John did.

"Idiots..." Alex muttered and shook her head before she threw over her bag, just managing to get it across, and swam after Sherlock.

When Sherlock climbed out of the water, he waited for Alex, holding out a hand for her in order to help her out. “See! Alex isn’t an Omega but I’m protecting her.” Sherlock called out to John in an almost childish way.

"She's a kid, your kid, of course you're protecting her!" John replied, already walking into the woods again.

Both of them were being rather childish and Alex just rolled her eyes, smiling a little. They're not arguing, more just teasing and being playful and it's good that they're that comfortable.

“Nnnnno. Im protecting her because I love her. That’s the only reason why I would protect someone. Why on earth would I want to protect some random boring omega?” Sherlock answered throwing his arms in the arm (see, child!)

John paused before he turned around to face Sherlock, playfulness gone. "So I'm just some random boring omega now? Fuck you, Sherlock. I'm the omega that gave you a child to love and protect!"

“No. no, John. You misunderstood what I just said completely. I only protect the things I love, John. Y-you come under that category.” Sherlock took a deep breath in and held it, waiting for John’s reply.

John blinked and looked to Alex as if checking that she had heard the same thing as him. The anger had left as soon as it had come and now he was just confused. Alex nodded at him, confirming for him that he had indeed heard correct. She was grinning at him and making gestures for him to say it back.

John stares at Sherlock for a moment before he turned another without a word and continued to walk.

Sherlock let the shock and anger overwhelm him, not sure exactly what just happened. He practically announced that he loved John yet… yet John had just walked away. How could he just walk away? If he was John he would be kissing him with such force because John, John was his life but he had just turned away, like it was nothing to him.

Sherlock bit the inside of his mouth to stop the frown from appearing on his face. He was disappointed and ever so angry but he could let Alex see that… weakness.

Alex sighed and she reached out to hold Sherlock's hand, squeezing it and started to walk again. She doesn't say anything, just held his hand as a way to comfort him.

John walked far away, breathing deeply as he tried to control all the emotions bubbling up inside of him. First of all, he was so damn angry. How dare Sherlock just announce that with Alex right there?! Secondly, he couldn't help but be unbelievably happy. Sherlock loved him back! This really meant that they definitely had a chance to become a proper family in time.

Sherlock held Alex’s hand for the rest of the walk to the campsite/cabins because if he didn’t, he was worried that he would hit something (most likely a tree as it was the only bloody thing around). From time to time, he would speak to Alex in short, clipped sentences but the majority of the journey was spent in silence.

After another 3 hours of walking they arrived at the campsite/cabins, tired and worn out. Sherlock threw his bag on the floor, resolved that he would never do that again as he saw it as a complete waste of his bloody time. He thought it would give them some time as a family and it did, for about an hour but after that it was a nightmare. He was never putting himself through that again.

“I’m not going to go to the auction.” Sherlock whispered to Alex when they sat down in his parents’ cabin. “There’s no point. It’s obvious that he doesn’t love me simply by seeing the way that he reacted when I told him how I felt. And if you look at the way he keeps looking over to us-“

"Shut up" Alex hissed, interrupting him. "Don't you dare give up now. You are going to that auction and you are going to go on that date. You promised me, for one, and also he does love you back, Dadlock. I know he does. You shocked him, and I was there. He's not going to declare his love when he's shocked and in front of me. Just... Just don't give up"

“Im not giving. Its just… i…” Sherlock looked down and fiddled with a piece of grass. “I don’t think I can face his rejection again.” Sherlock muttered so quietly that Alex could barely hear what he just said. Sherlock knew how much it would hurt him if John rejected him again.

Caring is not an advantage, Sherlock thought of the advice that his brother had given him when he was younger. Maybe he should have listened to his brother after all. His life would be totally different but then he would be so torn up over an omega that clearly didn’t love him.

"For God sake. Why does no one listen to me?" Alex huffed. "He does love you. He told you himself that he's not over you! You're an idiot to think he'll reject you. Look, I wouldn't be surprised if he comes to me soon and asks about what I want. You're going to that auction, Dadlock"

“I know that he told me that he still loves me but his body language is screaming that he doesn’t. Why would he turn away from me when I told him that I loved him if he felt the same way?” Sherlock raised his eyebrows at his daughter, a serious expression on his face.

"Embarrassment? Anger that you said all this in front of me? Maybe a bit pressured? Shocked? There are many reasons he would just walk away rather than response" Alex reasoned.

“Pressured… embarrassed… shocked. I suppose I didn’t think it though… wasn’t the best idea to spring it on him like that.” Sherlock rolled up the sleeve of his jumper and put a nicotine patch on it. He had decided to stop smoking altogether and had packed a few packets of patches, hoping that he could stop completely before the bachelor auction.

Alex smiles at Sherlock before she wrapped her arms around him. She kissed his cheek before he pulled away, still not used to receiving affection.

"Let's go help set the tents up. This is one thing the omega does need help with"

Sherlock chuckled at Alex, getting up off the floor to go and help John. He picked up his backpack and took out his part of the tent, leaving it on the floor until the others had also taken out their parts.

Once that was done they slowly started to put the tent up, everyone helping out equally in the construction and even though there were a few mistakes made (all John’s fault but he argued that it wasn’t him!), they managed to get it done in a good amount of time.

Alex felt their positions had reserved. She was the mature one here, just getting on with putting up the tent so they could get in. If she did something wrong, she'd just change it. Her parents... Well, they were still acting like children. They tried to rush to do the tent, as if in competition with each other despite the fact they were putting up the same tent. If a mistake was made, they'd leave it and start shouting a few moments later that it was the other persons fault.

Alex's tent was up first and she had help from both of them but once it was done, she went to the cabin to see her grandma and granddad and just left her parents to argue and struggle with the tent.

She supposed she understood why they were both acting that way. Both were angry and upset and so on but still, she thought that the adults would be able to act civil.

Sherlock had tried to ignore John as much as possible while he was putting the tent up but he had failed spectacularly, wanting to fight with him at every opportunity. When the tent was finally done he joined everyone else in the cabin, bringing his bag in with him. “Please say someone has made me a cup of coffee. I need one after that.”

"Make it yourself" Alex snorted from where she was lounging over the sofa with a book in her hand. "It's your own fault you're all worked up and had to spend an extra hour putting the tent up. Same goes for you, Dad" Alex looked up and her eyes flickered between her parents.

They both look at her in shock, obviously about to blame the other person when Mrs Holmes spoke up.

"She's right, boys. Now, come on, no more arguing. Sherlock, you and John can both make tea or coffee for everyone. Tea for me, Alex and your father. Then whatever you two want" She used a sweet tone but there was no question of the fact that she ws telling them what to do, not giving a choice.

They slump like a pair of caught out teenagers before trailing into the kitchen to do as they're told. Alex laughed once they had disappeared and Mrs Holmes joined her, agreeing that they are just big kids.

When they entered the kitchen, Sherlock immediately went to the kettle, filling it with water, looking like a scolded child. “This is your fault.” He hissed at John, slamming the kettle down on the stove. The took the lighter out of his pocket and quickly lit the old stove, letting John take care of the rest of the process as he slumped against the work surface.

John grunted at Sherlock and fixed the tea for Alex, himself and made a coffee for Sherlock before asking "How do your parents take their tea?"

He turned and raised an eyebrow at Sherlock.

“My mother takes it white, no sugar. My father, black again no sugar.” Sherlock grunts, not looking at John when he speaks.

"All right" John nodded and fixed the other two cups of tea. He placed all expect Sherlock's on a tray.

John placed Sherlock's coffee beside him and flashed a short smile, wanting to stop arguing if it was so noticeable to their daughter, before he carried the tray through to the living room and placed it on the table.

Sherlock followed him into the kitchen, slumping down on the only chair available. He sipped at his tea, ignoring all conversation. He was so fed up with everything. He was honestly considering taking drugs again- it seemed to be the only thing that could take away the throbbing ache in his heart. But he had a daughter now, he couldn’t turn to something that could so easily destroy his life.

The day paseed and the atmosphere slowly lightened up and the tension faded. John and Sherlock even manageed a few brief smiles. Then everyone goes to bed, John, Alex and Sherlock made their way out to the tent.

After saying goodnight to Alex, John hesitated and gestured for Sherlock to enter the tent first

Sherlock kissed the top of Alex’s head before she went. He went into the tent first, not wanting to argue with John anymore, they had had enough fighting for one day. He brought his bag in with him, taking his sleep bag, mat and pillow out of the backpack and laying them out on the right side of the tent. Then he took out his clothes and put another t shirt on to keep himself warm.

John did the same as Sherlock, sorting out his bed before he pulled on an extra layer for warmth. He then snuggled in his sleeping bag and gave a soft, content sigh.

"Sherlock? Can you turn the light off, please?" John asked, referring to the battery power lantern styled light that sat just a little closer to Sherlock's side.

“Course.” Sherlock said quickly, reaching over to turn it off. He sat there in silence not saying anything but he finally spoke, the urge overwhelming him when he did get the courage. “I’m sorry for my behavior today… and… and for what I said. I didn’t mean to say it at all, let alone embarrass you.”

John took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself as he tries to think of a response. Part of him had expected this to happen, the other part expected them to lay in awkward silence before falling asleep.

"You don't need to apologise to me, Sherlock. You shocked me, that's all. And yes, I was embarrassed too. But... you're not the only one who acted like a child" He gave a soft sigh. "We can't do this again, argue like that. It's not a good example for Alex and I don't want her to think her parents are going to be acting like kids. She'll think she has to be responsible for us... I can't, I won't, let that happen to her"

That all made perfect sense to Sherlock and he found himself calming down a bit just by thinking about what John had just said. Yes, he didn’t want Alex to see them arguing. It’ was bound to be bad for a child to see her parents arguing all the time.

“I agree, John. I promise that I wont act like I did today. I will try and contain my emotions better in the future.”

"The... uh, original outburst wasn't the problem. It was the way we were after, just so you know. Anyway, goodnight" John looked at him, flashed a smile and then turned so he was facing the side of the tent and not Sherlock.

“Uhrmm… Night.” Sherlock replied, as he lied down and snuggling into his sleeping bag. He laid there thinking over John’s words in his head, trying to understand what he had been trying to say however it was all too much of a mystery for Sherlock since it concerned emotions which Sherlock always read wrong. In the end he fell asleep, hoping that he would be able to understand everything soon.

John woke in the middle of the night, gasping as he finally managed to escape the nightmare. He didn't often have nightmares anymore. The thoughts of war all but left his mind, his only worries now about his daughter and his family. Life had changed dramatically after he left central London and it was like the fighter in him had been tamed slightly (although he did occasionally need a good night out with friends to just do something stupid, even if that was just get ridiculously drunk and pass out on one of their sofas).

The moment John's eye opened, his eyes moved to Sherlock. He checked for bullet holes and wounds and he finds none at all, of course he doesn't find any. He breathed a small sigh of relief before he climbed out of his sleeping bag and exited the tent. John walked as quietly as he can, not wanting to wake anyone. He checked on Alex, who was fast asleep and snoring loudly seeing as she fell asleep on her back. John smiled at his daughter and quietly re-zips her tent before tip-toeing back to his own.

Everyone was okay. No one attacked or shot or even scratched. He knew that she'd be fine but despite knowing this, he had to check and confirm.

When he entered the tent again, Sherlock was sitting up and looking at him. John winced, realising that he must have woken the young man when he left the tent.. or worse, when he was having a nightmare. John prayed it wasn't the latter.

Sherlock had been woken up by cold air. At first he didn’t realize why the bloody hell there was a draught until he realized where he was and understood that John must just need to the toilet. He attempted to go back to sleep but knew that he would not be able to until he knew that John was safely in the tent. Luckily John hadn’t been too long and was quickly entering the tent once again but he was looking rather guilt. Ideas flooded Sherlock’s mind as he tried to pick up on john’s body language because that would be the thing that would tell him why he was guilty.

John swallowed and quickly closed the tent so the cold air didn't fill it. He'd forgotten to close it when he left and silently curses himself for forgetting. It wasn't exactly warm out there and John's arms were still prickled with goosebumps. Luckily, Mrs Holmes had packed a few heat packs that would warm up when shaken so he took those out and shook 4 of them, handing two to Sherlock when they warmed up. Despite Sherlock wanting to do this camping thing properly, he agreed that they'd need heat during the night.

"I'm sorry for waking you. I just wanted to check on Alex" John informs him as he passed him the heat packs. "I, uh... I didn't wake you before I left, did I?" He looked to Sherlock.

He didn't mind admitting that he'd had a nightmare that scared the hell out of him to the point he had to go check his daughter hadn't been shot - a shiver runs through him at the thought - but it was another thing completely to have had someone witness you that scared. John knew that he could shout and say all sorts when dreaming.

“Its fine. It was just the cold. Not used to having a freeze breeze in my room whilst I sleep.” Sherlock joked, squeezing onto the heat packs in order to warm up his freezing hands. Then he put the packs into the sleeping bag to get it warm in there whilst lifting his hands to his face to warm it up.

"Sorry, I - uh - I had a bad dream. I was focused on checking on her. Didn't mean to freeze you" John gave a small smile, hugging his pack and sat on top of his sleeping bag.

He was cold but he didn't want to even get in the position to sleep yet. The nightmare still lingered and even though he had checked on everyone, he wasn't calm enough to sleep yet.

“Are you ok?” Sherlock asked, sitting up in the sleeping bag, anxious about John’s well being. He knew how bad John’s dreams could be and before, he was always there for him and he wanted to be there for him now.

John nodded. "Fine. Wide awake, though, but I'm sure that doesn't surprise you. You know what I'm like after nightmares." He smiled at the other. He'd changed in many ways but some things just never change and all those things that haven't changed, Sherlock will be aware of. "I rarely get them about the army anymore. Just.. Alex and family, now."

“Well we only have a few hours until its time to get up so it wont be too bad if you don’t get back to sleep.” Hopefully he would though because Sherlock was starting to feel a bit awkward and normally he would just walk away from something if this happened but he was n a tent, there was no way that he could do that in this instance. Sherlock didn’t really know what to say yet he knew that he had to say something. What if he said something wrong and made a fool out of himself? What if he asked something that made John angry with him?... All Sherlock wanted was for John to like him, exactly how he loved him.

After a few minutes he finally spoke up. “Have you seen your counselor recently? Maybe she could help with them?”

"Oh, no, it's not like I'm plagued by nightmares" John smiled at the other man. "I haven't had a nightmare for a while. Just tonight for some reason" John shrugged. "I.. You and Alex were hurt" He admited before looking down with a blush. "You died before I could... could say anything to you. It wasn't pleasant at all..."

Sherlock gulped, looking down at the floor also, trying to hide the smile that appeared on his face at the thought of John being worried about him. But… the words that John had just said suddenly burned into his mind. He.. he needed to say something to him, something important, something that had to be said before he died…

Sherlock looked up again, reaching out to put his finger under John’s chin in order to make the man look at him in the eyes. “Maybe you should tell me now, whilst it is still on your mind. It sounds important and I want… no I need to know.”

A small breathe escaped him when Sherlock's fingers touch his skin and their eyes met. John's mouth went dry and he shifted, feeling awkward and tried to shake the image of kissing Sherlock (and the hand on his chin) off. When Sherlock didn't release him, John changee direction. Instead of pulling away and trying to escape, he pressed forward and wrapped his arms around the other's waist, his head resting on his chest.

He could not say it. He was not sure if we even wants to stay it but hew as craving to be close to the man he cared for so much. He knew he was being unfair, throwing a bag of mixed signals at Sherlock time and time again. John wasn't sure when he would be able to explain all the things that caused him to leave. He vowed to himself that he'd try one day, though. Maybe in the far, far future.

"Can you just.. hold me? Like you used to? Please?" John askd, voice small and weak as he squeezed his eyes closed. "I want to hold you"

To begin with Sherlock was so shocked that he froze on the spot, not moving, not breathing. He didn’t want to do a single thing that would cause John to move away from him because he needed this almost as much as John did. “Of course.” Sherlock said, happily wrapping his arms around john, pulling him in closer so that he could smell his scent.

It was wonderful and it reminded him of so many memories…. When they had finished a case and they would simply fall onto the sofa and laugh…. When Sherlock would wake up in the morning alone because John had gone to work and he would dig his nose into the pillows, John’s scent was just so alluring.

Sherlock wanted to say something, he wanted to tell John how he felt, make him understand how deep his feelings went but he didn’t want to ruin the moment. It also helped that he knew that he already had a plan of action, that he would go to the auction and woo John, just like he had done all those years ago.

John relaxed immediately when Sherlock began to hug him back and agreed to hold him. He was hit with another round of memories and he wanted to cry at the sudden warth of emotions battling within him.

One memory sticks out in particular. They'd tumbled into the flat after a thrilling case, high in the adrenaline of it all. Both of them had been shot at and in fights that night and a single wrong move could have easily meant one or both of them died. It was as if they both realised this at the same time. They dove for each other, arms locking and lips meeting as they stumbled towards the sofa. Sherlock and he had hugged and kissed for a long time, Sherlock gently pressing him into the sofa the whole time. They just wanted to prove to themselves that the other was fine and alive. In John's opinion, that was the first time they made love rather than had sex.

John swallowed and looked up at Sherlock now, twelve years later. He'd have to settle for cuddling to prove Sherlock was alive and well. With a small, almost silent sigh, John laid his head on Sherlock's chest again.

"Would it be all right if I sleep with you tonight - like this I mean - hugging? I want to be close to you. I need to have you close."

Sherlock smiled warmly at John, trying not to blush. “Yes, if you want to.” Sherlock snuggled back into the sleeping bag, resting his head onto his pillow once again, bringing john down with him. “S-should we sleep back to front or front to front… or… what?”

John could't help but laugh at Sherlock asking whether John wants to spoon or not. It wasn't a mean laugh even though he was laughing /at/ Sherlock. It was just a laugh to show John was comfortable and Sherlock didn't need to be so nervous. It was also an 'I think you're adorable' laugh.

"Front to front like this is fine. I always liked laying my head on your chest"

“Ok… that’s fine by me.” Sherlock rearranged himself into a better position so that john would be as comfortable as possible.

John let out a small, content sigh when they settle. Sherlock was comfortable and familiar. John had had one or two serious relationships since he left Sherlock but he was this relaxed so quickly by their presence. Only Sherlock made him feel that way.

"Thank you, Sherlock." John murmured quietly, arms wrapped around Sherlock's middle and his head on the Alpha's chest. "This is... perfect. So, thank you."

John’s weigh on Sherlock’s chest was perfect. So bloody perfect that Sherlock wanted to shout at John, prove to him that they were meant to be. However he refrained himself, pressing his lips tightly against one another to stop them from opening and revealing what would be, hard words. “Its fine. It was always this perfect.”

John just nodded slightly, eyes now closed as he laid wrapped around Sherlock. The detective's scent covered him and comforted him, helping him relax. He felt protected as Sherlock held him and it was one of those rare moments where he didn't care that he was being treated as weaker. Nightmares always made him forget he wanted to be a strong independent person... but everyone has times when they just need a hug and need to be the one that's getting looked after. This was one of those times for John.

"You smell nice." John commented with a smile, his face pressed against Sherlock's chest and so close to sleep that he barely considered the words before they left his lips.

Sherlock tried not to blush but it was hard not to when his omega complimented. The omega who he loved, who he cherish, who he wished would say such things everyday so that he could do the same thing for him.

“Thank you.” Sherlock whispered ever so quietly into John’s hair, the smell of John’s shampoo rising through his nostrils, making him breathe in deeper in order to retain the memory of the smell in his brain for future reference. John used a different shampoo since they last slept together, it was more plain, practically scentless but the new one smelt of mint. It wasn’t what he was used to but it was still wonderful because it was John lying his head on top of his chest.

Normally, John would either snap or seriously question the fact that Sherlock, his ex, is smelling him but he was far, far too tired. Absolutely exhausted. All the drama today, with Sherlock admitting his love for him and Alex seeming to have grown up too fast, was just too much. He was done.

Soon, John is using Sherlock as a pillow and snoring lightly as his body relaxes completely against Sherlock's now. The last thing on his mind was that nightmare, he was only relaxed now.

Sherlock remained awake most of the night, his restless brain churning with new thoughts and ideas that caused him to process them at a super fast rate, not wanting to sleep until everything was processed. All the while he gently ran his hands up and down John’s arm, subconsciously watching John all the time. From time to time he was stroke his hand through John’s hair, revealing the rest of his still, beautiful face for Sherlock to process, remember, savor in such a calm state.

He finally fell asleep though, even if it was only for an hour and a half, being woken up by the intensifying of the sun as time went on. But he remained he still, for John’s sake, knowing that the omega needed a lot more sleep than he did, needing at least 6 hours but in a perfect world he required 8.

John began to shift and wake up after around seven hours of sleep. He automatically pressed his face into his pillow (Sherlock) with a small yawn and blink.

"Sherlock...?" He slurred the name slightly, confused about why he was waking up surrounded by his ex-boyfriend's scent. "Wha-" John started to ask before he paused, memories of his nightmare and of Sherlock comforting him coming to the surface. "Oh, right..."

John carefully and gradually pushed himself up - not wanting to flinch away and hurt Sherlock's feelings. That thought almost caused John to since as he also remembered that yesterday Sherlock confessed some very strong feelings to him in the heat of an argument.

"I, uh, um I just, uhh- Sorry." John eventually got the word out after stumbling over his thoughts. "Didn't mean to, um, fall asleep in a position where you couldn't move but, um, thanks for last night. It really helped... calm me down and you were always good at comforting me just by being there and I'm rambling now, aren't I? I should stop. Okay, I'm stopping. Thank you."

Quickly, he leaned forward and pressed a kiss on Sherlock's cheek before practically bolting from the tent (almost tripping over his own feet) with his cheeks red hot as he gives some pathetic excuse about needing the toilet.

Sherlock groaned, so bloody annoyed that things had to be awkward. They were both adults, consenting adults and its not like they did anything anyway. Hugging didn’t have to mean anything. Everyone needed physical contact with another human being from time to time and that was exactly what they did last night.

Sherlock just hoped that once he bought John at the auction, things would change, things had to be different. He wanted to date him properly. Buy him flowers and take him out to expensive restaurants. Make him feel loved, cared for, special.

Maybe then, John would let him back in his life for good so that he could be a proper father to Alex and an amazing lover.

John went to the toilet, actually needing to go but it had been an excuse to run away from Sherlock. At least it's more believable now...

John sighed and splashed water on his face after relieving himself. He needed to calm down. Stop blushing, for starters, and then just adsorb the situation so he didn't stutter every other word when he saw Sherlock later.

It's no big deal, he tries to tell himself. He had a nightmare and Sherlock comforted him. Cuddling someone who had a nightmare isn't romantic. Friends do that for friends and Sherlock had been John's best friend once a upon a time. Sherlock had experienced John having nightmares first had on numerous occasions. He knew how to comfort John and it made sense that John went to what is familiar in a time of need.

"Right. Pull yourself together, Watson. You're not a pining omega. You had a nightmare, cuddled and fell asleep. Hardly a marriage proposal." John speaks to his reflection and immensely regretted it when he heard a gasp from behind.

"You and Dadlock fell asleep together?!" Alex squealed.