Bang

John grimaced

Clouds of dust and shrapnel.

His eyes clenched tighter, a breathless, soundless moan escaping his parted lips.

Screaming civilians. Then, more recent images. A flash of pink. The Golem. Moriarty's bomb and sniper lights. Sherlock, dead on the ground.

He was up and screaming, stiff as a board as he sat up in bed.

Sherlock's eyes widened. "John? John?"

The nightmare intensified as did John's screaming. Sherlock threw his notes aside and rushed into John's room. Though he was shrieking he didn't seem to be conscious. Sherlock's seized him by the arms and shook him. This didn't wake him. In his dream addled state John perceived it as a threat and responded. By wrapping his hands around Sherlock's throat and squeezing.
"John!" Sherlock gasped "John, it's me" He flailed desperately, trying to wake him.
"Sherlock?" John asked. His eyes weren't open. He was talking in his sleep.
"Yes! It's me!"
"Help me! Help me!"
"I'm here, John. You're okay."
"I'm okay?" John went limp, leaning forward into Sherlock's chest.
Sherlock forced himself not to stiffen but soften himself to receive John, even wrapping his arms around him. John was bed warm and soft with sleep. Tears seeped out of clenched eyes that gradually relaxed, along with the rest of his body.
"Yes, you're okay. It's just a dream."
"A dream…" John was drifting back into deeper sleep. Sherlock eased him down onto the bed, drawing back his arms.
"Don't go" John whimpered.
"I'm not. I'm right here."
"Don't… go…"
"I won't. Go to sleep.".
"Mmmm"
"Shhhh…"
John relaxed and soon his breathing deepened and slowed. He was asleep again. Peacefully this time.

Sherlock sighed in relief. He slipped silently from the room, allowing himself a small smile. He wondered what a fully awake John would have made of that. Sherlock had learned John was terrified of showing any affection that may possibly be misconstrued, even in private. So, although Sherlock was not a particularly touchy-feely kind of person, it was nice to just have a moment of warmth where John wasn't stealing furtive glances.

"sleep well John"