Oh goodness, I didn't reply to this yet, gah! So, belatedly, WOW. This is so beautiful. It makes me wonder what I'd look like under such a gaze, heh. Your descriptions all sound believable and true to John's character. I particularly enjoyed the undercurrent of war that threads through John's overall existence, but moreover, how so many mannerisms gained from his time with Sherlock rise above that painful undercurrent.

Underneath, if you listen closely, you can hear the sound of soldiers laughing and joking with one another, people speaking in foreign languages with their tones indicating gratitude, and children playing in places that are safe now.

Ah, I love that. Just goes to show that so few things are ever 100% darkness. There's hope all over the place, if it's just looked for.

There is a gun sticking out of one pocket and a stethoscope in another.

Lovely. Thank you for writing this!