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[lightconductor]

If you have a message for me, Dr. John Watson, please leave it here. I shall certainly get back to you as soon as I can.
- JW

Comments

[lightconductor]

Will bring sunscreen if it makes you feel better. - JW

[pineapplesalmon]

Good, because it's already in your doctor bag.

[lightconductor]

❤️ but also stay out of my bag please. - JW

NSFW holy shit César

[pineapplesalmon]

[There's a while before César replies. Perhaps because he's typing, then deleting such replies as:
❤️ Yes, sir! Can I get into your pants instead?
❤️ Yes, sir! I won't open your clasp and get in there without your permission again, promise!
❤️ Yes, sir! I know not to touch a doctor's instruments without permission. :)
❤️ Yes, sir! Are there 'instruments' in there you're trying to keep a secret from me?
❤️ Yes, sir! But I thought you liked it when I touched your things?
❤️ Yes, sir! Why am I so horny all the time now???]

❤️ Yes, sir! It was just that one time, promise. Figured it might be a little fun to sneak it in.

[And then he thinks of another one:]
❤️ But I thought you wanted me to fondle your instruments, sir?
My god
Um
Didn't mean to
Damnit
Send that
Throwing myself (NOT REALLY) out my window now.

[lightconductor]

[Whatever answer Watson was writing will be lost to all time, and while there is a pause before he manages to respond, it's because of a sudden fit of hysterics smothered by his sleeve.]

If you want the opportunity to inspect my equipment, would be glad to supervise. - JW

[And then, a moment later]

Good God, César - JW

[pineapplesalmon]

[There's a bit of time before]
Why did it have to be the filthiest one..................
[Immediately after]
Wait
You talked dirty back??
Uh I mean yes? Maybe?
When I'm not dying of embarrassment?

[lightconductor]

Did you think I would be offended? - JW

[pineapplesalmon]

That would have required me to be thinking in the first place.

[lightconductor]

Suspect you were thinking about something very hard indeed. -JW

[A pause, then:]

Did not intend innuendo that time, but suspect still true. I am listening. -JW

[pineapplesalmon]

Thinking with the wrong head.
[Immediately after:]
A moment.

[He's trying to figure out what to say, then a few messages, one after another:]

I have no idea how any of this works.
I'm very happy! Don't get me wrong. Happiest I've been in a long while.
But....

[lightconductor]

But? You're doing fine. No wrong answers. What troubles you? - JW

[pineapplesalmon]

[A series of texts.]

I know I'm doing fine. I know you two care. None of that I'm worried about. It's something else.

It's something I've compartmentalized away. When I do that strongly enough, things... become inaccessible. Like they don't even exist.

But I want to access it. Remove the layers. But that takes time and effort. And quiet. Spoken words are distracting.

... That sounds insane, doesn't it?

[lightconductor]

[A long pause as a longer response gets typed up.]

Not insane. If you've tried to ignore something, you'll need to reacquaint yourself with that part of you. This takes practice, patience. You don't seem to lack desire, only direction. If you are struggling, what help can I offer? Is there something in particular that troubles you?"

cw: suicidal ideation OKAY THEN UH THIS TOOK ME BY SURPRISE TOO

[pineapplesalmon]

Mmmhmm. That's what I mean. It's not a trouble. But it could become one. Especially in a relationship. I need another perspective. If you'll wait a moment for my thoughts.

[One message, with multiple lines:]
Life is frail. And precious. Something you should cling to with everything you have.
I'm twenty-seven. I put my affairs in order. Had lawyers draw up and file a will. Thought it might be necessary in a few months time, once things were done. Just in case.
I don't I want that, anymore. But I can't just pretend I didn't. I'm stable. I'm happy. I'm in no danger. Not here. But we won't be here forever. I want to continue not wanting that.
Do you understand, John? The pressure I'm putting on the two of you without eithe of you realizing it? You two are doing more than just loving me. You're SAVING me. And that's not fair to you to leave unsaid.

[lightconductor]

Love, I've been close to that precipice myself, more than once, and that darkness is something I still carry with me. I think you've seen something of it, especially recently. If you lean on us, we lean on you just as heavily. That is, I think, part of loving someone: making each other strong. None of us know what will come to pass here, and I am not sure we can even guess, but at the very least, we are holding one another up in a terrible time. For my part, I feel no pressure in that, only joy. Why should it trouble me that my loved ones lean on me in their time of need, when I do the same to them? I don't need you to apologise to me for that. We would never cease apologising, if so. If you have scars that trouble you, literal or metaphorical, then let me ease that in whatever way I can. My love for you is a new thing, but it can bear that, I am certain of it. - JW

[pineapplesalmon]

I need a momentary delay in this conversation until I can see the screen again

[Added after a moment:]

Crying now haha
I love you too

[lightconductor]

Has been some time since I wrote a love letter. Pleased to hear I still have the knack. Do you want to meet somewhere or are you engaged? - JW

[pineapplesalmon]

I found it! [The thing he couldn't see.]

My room. Please?

[lightconductor]

Will see you shortly -JW

[pineapplesalmon]

Ty

Prose now, I guess lol

[lightconductor]

Watson arrives shortly after that, knocking on the door.

"César, it's me."

Apparently!

[pineapplesalmon]

César opens the door just enough to let John slip in, clearly have been waiting for him at it. He has his phone in his other hand still. The man is also, quite clearly, crying heavily and trying to be quiet while the door's open. Seeing Watson makes him smile shakily through all of it, relief and gratefulness in his eyes.

[lightconductor]

Without a word, Watson steps forward to wrap César in his arms, for the moment just holding him tightly. This is slightly more tears than he expected, but there's really only one thing to do, isn't there?

"Too much?" he asks, after a minute.

[pineapplesalmon]

Oh, that does it. César desperately clings back around Watson's waist and drops the phone to the ground. For that first minute, he does his best to try to hold back the noises he's making and not cry on Watson's nice clothes.

The question gets an answer with a quick, repeated shake of his head, voice cracking with tears and an overwhelming desperately. "I'm loved. For being me."

A moment, then he manages to choke out. "Emotional dys...dysregulation. Flooding...."

[lightconductor]

"Shh, shh. You can tell me after." Watson leans up to kiss him, very tenderly, his fingers briefly trailing on César's chin. Watching him struggle to speak is a little alarming, but it's also just, well, what he's come to expect of César, a little. "Let's sit down. You can say what you need to when you have breath to do so."