#the-humerus-skeleton

Vanille had to leave first, once again he needed to cover for a co-worker.  

He groggily got ready for the early shift.  Looking over his shoulder, he watched Sansei and Sherlock snooze.  It wasn't often that he was awake before Sherlock, the winter break meant he didn't have to go anywhere for nearly a month.  Which meant he was able to sleep in for a month, something he was very much going to take advantage of.

A problem arose however, Vanille was unable to tie his own tie.  

He gently nudged his sleeping boyfriend, “loulou, mon amour, mon beau loup?”

Sherlock sleepily blinked awake, looking at Vanille and making a grumpy, unintelligible sound.

“help me with my tie,” with pleading eyes, Vanille whispered, making sure he did not accidentally wake wake Sansei.  The three of them had been up late due to some activities and Sansei needed to work in a few hours, “s'il vous plait?”

Sherlock nodded, rubbing his eye sockets while rolling over to sit at the edge of the bed.  Although barely awake, Sherlock's fingers were nimble.  He neatly tied the tie with ease, grabbing it and pulling Vanille down into a sleepy kiss.   “have a good day love,” he yawned, “your lunch is in the fridge, take a muffin for breakfast,” he kissed Vanille again and again, “i love you.”

Vanille pulled back, slightly flustered by his sleepy boyfriend's boldness.  He settled into his usual grin, “je t'aime aussi.”

When Vanille left, Sherlock settled back into bed.  He buried himself in the soft blanket and wrapped an arm around Sansei's waist, pulling them close.  He nuzzled their shoulder as they sighed in their sleep.  This is what he lived for.  Quiet moments of affection, sleeping with someone he loved so dearly.  It would have been perfect if neither of them had to leave for work.  On their day off he'd have to propose a lazy laying in bed day.

Quiet hours passed and Sherlock's sleep was once again interrupted.  This time by can alarm he had set to make sure Sansei woke up with enough time to get ready and make it to work.

“kiiiiitten,” he mumbled into their shoulder before pressing kisses to their skull.

“hhhhaaaaaggghhh,” they groaned out a sound that sounded like it could be used to summon an old god, “no.”

“unfortunately, you need to be a responsible adult,” he chuckled, slipping his other arm underneath them to pull them closer.

“can’t you just go?” Sansei whined, squeezing their eyes tightly shut.

“now, i would if i was not afflicted by what medical experts call 'holiday laziness’,” he grinned as Sansei softly elbowed him in the ribcage.

“you're terrible,” more frustrated groans escaped their mouth as they sat up at the foot of the bed.

Sherlock crawled over, draping his larger form over them.  His hands ghosting along their hips, “i sadly didn't allocate enough time to motivate you better,” his voice a low whisper, “if you are a good kitten and work hard, when you get home we can have some fun.” He slipped his tongue across their shoulder blade, “sound fair.”

Sansei stiffened up at his touch, coriander blooming in their ribcage.  Oh god did they want him.  His tongue made them relax, a slow nod as they agreed to his deal.

“i'll set the alarm earlier next time,” Sherlock untangled himself from Sansei, making sure to kiss them a few times before departing the bedroom.  

Light snow hit the windows, frost created fancy patterns but also indicated that it was horribly frigid.  Sherlock filled the kettle with water and set it to boil, grabbing tea bags and mugs from the cupboard.  The kitchen was quaintly decorated for Gyftmas, his doing the first day he was off.  The Gyftmas tree sat proudly in the living room, decorated in golds and silvers.  A lovely ornament of a human woman with feathered wings and lovely dark hair in a long white dress sat at the top, watching over the living room.  He really loved that decoration, so ornate and beautiful.  Three small wrapped boxes sat beneath the tree, the rings Sherlock had purchased were completed with ample time to spare.  Vanille had already tried to shake the box but could not figure out what his inside.

He poured the boiling water over the teabags, the pleasant aroma of green tea wafted up.  Not a moment too soon Sansei walked in, they were nearly dressed for work, looking adorable as always.

“i made tea and packed your lunch last night, it's some strawberries and a sandwich from the leftover chicken,” Sherlock smiled and sat at the table with his mug.

Sansei peeked their head on the fridge, a small cloth lunchbag with an owl pattern sat at the top shelf, “you're the best loulou.”

“i thought i was terrible?” He grinned as Sansei sat across from him with their mug and a granola bar.

The pair sat there consuming their tea and breakfast, silently enjoying each other's company.  When it came time for Sansei to leave, he made sure they wore their warmest coat.  Sansei looped their arms around his neck and pulled him into a kiss.  It lasted a little longer than either of them anticipated and Sansei had to run out the door.

“love you!” They shouted, as they saved and ran backwards down the hall.

“love you more kitten!” He called out before the vanished down the stairs.

Sherlock softly knocked at the laundry room door.  The last time he had barged in he had been greeted by the hard piercing state of Big Red’s brother as he sat on the bed, gently holding the sleeping fox girl.  That was terrifying.  He still didn't understand why she was so into him.  He seemed to care about her though, if he made her less lonely Sherlock couldn't really complain.  Just… why did he have to be so scary and intense.  Sherlock shuddered at the thought of that scenario.  He took the silence as an 'all clear’ and sure enough the room was empty.  Breathing a sigh of relief, he got to work.

Washing, drying, ironing, and putting the clothes away.

He looked to the hardwood floor.  It had been a while since he had cleaned it.

Sweeping, mopping, making it shine.

While emptying out the mop bucket he caught a glimpse of outside.  Mesmerized by the snow, a fuzzy memory of pine trees and winter's chill.  He had a reasonable amount of time before he had to start dinner, he could go skating at the outdoor rink at the park.  He pondered if he should or not, he could find more housework to do for sure.  Screw it.  He grabbed the pair of skates he had bought for himself and had yet to use and put on his coat and scarf.

The park was nearly empty, it was too cold today for most.  The ice was smooth and pristine.  Sitting on the bench, Sherlock tightly laced the black skates.  Excitement building, it had been so long since he went skating.

He started slow, the feel of the blades against the ice so familiar.  It didn't take long for him to acclimate to the ice.  His favourite trick was flawlessly skating backwards.  Picking up speed, his turns and spins became tighter.  Single axel, he grinned at his success.  He could do better, double axel.  A small crowd of onlookers had gathered around the edge of the ice.

He hadn't attempted a triple in a long time, but he basically had to now.  A deep breath, a few spins and simple jumps for the crowd.  He lept into the air, three tight successful spins.  The landing a little shaky but no one but him seemed to notice.  Sherlock's SOUL fluttered in his chest, he'd need to bring Sansei and Vanille here.  They'd be so impressed.

A couple people had asked if he taught skating, he had to decline.  He was busy enough with the university.

When he got home he was still riding the high of his success.  Potatoes, beef, onions, carrots and celery made a delicious simmering stew.  It would only get better with time so he didn't mind that it was still quite early.  Vanille would be home first, then Sansei much later.

He flopped down onto the couch, he would watch some Netflix.  A show about female prisoners? Nah, not today.  A show about a chemistry teacher? Pass.  Sherlock settled on a three hour documentary about various theories and conspiracies regarding the void.

He barely got an hour in before sleep claimed him.  He snuggled up in the blanket and dozed off.

Vanille was greeted by a delicious smell wafting through the house.  He noticed Sherlock dead asleep on the couch and tiptoed into the bedroom to change clothes.  A pair of Sherlock's pajama pants and a t-shirt? Why not.  Using magic Vanille gently lifted Sherlock's head just enough that he could sit and rest it on his lap.  He didn't stir aside from nuzzling into Vanille's lap.