The Exception // SHERLOCK x READER //

Chapter 1

1st Person POV

"This is it, I guess," I huffed. The small apartment I had rented stood in the building before me. "I hope I'm not making a big mistake."

The weight of the luggage in each of my hands shifted as I made my way to the entrance. Without another hand near by to help, I clumsily dropped a luggage onto my foot to free my hand. I bit the inside of my cheek as I turned the knob, barging the door with my shoulder to make my way through. I grunted as I kicked the door open enough for me to grab the other briefcase I had dropped earlier, dragging it in with a numb hand.

Once inside, I took note of its quaint setting. It was dark, but welcoming; Victorian style moldings and patterned wallpaper for decorative accent.

"Oh my, you must be (Y/n)!" called an older woman as she waked down the stairs. "I'm Ms. Hudson, the land lady of the establishment. I've been expecting you to arrive sooner!" Though I might have kept her waiting, her eyes showed no sign of annoyance for inconvenience. She seemed to be in good spirits and I take that she is a kind soul to most that come her way. Still, I felt guilty for running so late.

"I'm terribly sorry for that, my apologies!" I say with the best smile I could muster. "The Cabbie turned up late after getting a flat tire, then the road got blocked off, and the rain- ugh, don't get me started on the rain!" I chuckled nervously. I could go on more, but I thought it best to cut the tangent short.

Ms. Hudson let out a laugh as well, reaching her delicate hand over mine with a light squeeze. "Oh, it's quite alright, darling. I understand that moving can sometimes be an unpredictable experience!" She smiled reassuringly and raised the other hand to move the damp stray hairs from my face. "But you must be exhausted after taking a trip through the rain. Please, follow me to your new apartment, 221C." She released my hand as she walked up the stairs again with me following behind.

"Now, here we are with the keys to the place," she said, handing me the silver trinkets. "I hope everything is to your expectations." She walked into the apartment and picked up a gift basket wrapped in a clear, holographic plastic. "I got this ready just to help settle you in."

"Aw, thank you, Ms. Hudson; that's awfully kind of you," I felt my lips curl into a smile once more. "You know, I was feeling so fatigued, but you've certainly brought up my spirits."

KLUNK

CRASH

'Sherlock, what are you doing? Get off that and put that down!'

My brows furrowed as I turned my focus from Ms. Hudson to the door down the hall. "What was that?"

"Your neighbors," said Ms. Hudson. "I suggest you rest up before meeting them," She shook her head with a gentle smile. "You're going to need it," she said, shutting the door behind her.

With the gift basket still in my arms I felt my heart thump. I couldn't afford to get involved in any more trouble. "What have I gotten myself into?" 

* * * 

3rd Person POV

Ms. Hudson had closed the door behind her before hastily making her way to 221B. As she approached the door, the muffled thumping and shouting only became clearer.

'John, the killer couldn't have thrown the knife that far, it had to have been either through a projectile or at a closer range!'

'That's great, you figured that out, now get off the bloody furniture and put the knife down!'

'But that still doesn't answer the question; it only raises more-'

The door creaked open and both heads turned to see who it was. "My, what's going on here now, hm?" asked Ms. Hudson. She closed the door shut and took one skip into the room, hoping to settle the issue at once. "Sherlock, what have we discussed about playing with cutlery?"

"And about jumping from the couch to the table as if the floor is lava?" chimed in John with raised brows. His face was pink from shouting and a visible vein pulsed from his forehead from frustration.

Sherlock raised a brow. "Ms. Hudson, it's all in the name of solving a case; it's very necessary. And, John," he said, looking over his shoulder just enough for his friend to read his lips, "shut up!"

"Childish as ever," John chided.

"Uh, buh-bup!" shouted Sherlock with a pointed figure over his mouth. "Quiet!"

"Immature!" the writer challenged.

Just then, before the situation could escalate further, Ms. Hudson stepped in. "Okay, enough, both of you two need to quiet down!" She began to whisper, catching the attention of the two men who began to move closer to hear. "We wouldn't want to frighten the new tenant on her first day arriving."

John smiled, "Oh, she's here already-"

"Since when? What new tenant?" asked Sherlock with scrunched brows and squinted eyes. Ms. Hudson and John both looked to Sherlock with a dull expression and a faded smile.

"The new tenant that I told you about since last month?" remined Ms. Hudson. "She's come from out of town, excited to get started with her new business next door? Surely you remember, Sherlock, I mean, out of all people to forget it shouldn't be you...?"

John sighed. "Of course you forget about our new neighbor." He backed away from the two and, instead, made his way to the kitchen to pour himself a cup of tea. "Sherlock, you seem to only care about the dead more than the actual living people that appear in your life."

"That's not true," stated Sherlock. "I talk to you, don't I?"

"Talking and associating does not equate to caring!" John clarified. He took a sip from his mug and sat down on the couch, setting the drink onto a coaster.

Ms. Hudson nodded in agreement. "He's got a point there, love. Courtesy is important when forming relationships; its best to learn compassion to keep those you love close." She smiled with gleaming eyes to reveal her sincerity. She walked over to exit the apartment but stopped at the door. "Gentlemen, please, greet your new neighbor to make her feel welcomed and try not to scare her off, yes?"

"Will do," assured John.

"Great! Enjoy the rest of your day," said Ms. Hudson.

The door then shut and, after hearing the lock click, Sherlock scoffed, "No promises."

John rolled his eyes. "Why do you seem to hate the idea of having a new neighbor? Isn't that a great thing to have? Maybe the building will finally liven up just a bit with a new face around."

"John, you don't get it," said Sherlock. He sighed before plopping onto the couch to stare at the ceiling. "New tenant, neighbor, whatever- it just means more noise, more interruptions, and more problems." He turned to his friend, "This is more than my home, it's my work space. I need quiet."

"So, what? You're not even going to bother to greet the neighbor?"

"No, there's no point in doing so. I don't plan on engaging in conversation in the near future or at all," Sherlock smiled brightly as if finally settling his stance. He watched his friend get up from his seat after taking one last sip of his drink. "Now, John," Sherlock continued, "while you're getting up, get me a cup of tea. Oh, and pour it into the blue mug, not the green this time."

John sighed and shook his head. "No, I won't."

"Why not? There's extra tea in the kettle and the blue mug is perfectly clean in the cupboard."

"Because I'm not staying here, I'm heading out to greet our new neighbor." John looked into a nearby mirror and fixed up his shirt. "You know, like Ms. Hudson asked us since it is the 'courteous' thing to do."

Sherlock groaned in annoyance. "Ugh, why must you people care so much?"

"You're free to come along and get it over with," John offered. "If not, be prepared for many awkward interactions with the neighbor due to your own stubbornness."

"Can't be awkward if I don't know the person. Pass."

"Suit yourself, you hermit," said John while shutting the door. He walked down the hall, cleared his throat, straightened his posture, and knocked.