Author Notes: That`s the second and last chapter to this story and I hope that you are going to enjoy how it ends. :)

Thanks to the anonymous reviewer who said that they liked Melanie! :) I like her as well and I had fun writing her! =)

Care and Comfort

John startled as the front door downstairs was opened. It took him some time to register that he was sitting in his favorite armchair and that the arms of the clock being close to midnight. He had fallen asleep.

Groaning, John stretched his back and grimaced as his muscles popped back into place. The armchair wasn`t the best place to fall asleep for a man his age. The only good thing was, that John had heard Sherlock coming home and he wouldn`t have to wait until the morning - or worse, evening - to talk with him. He got up from his chair, deciding that it would be a good idea to have some tea if they were to talk about their argument - or argue once more - when John heard voices from the direction of the stairway. He frowned and walked over to the door. Yes, there were voices, two men if he wasn`t mistaken, discussing quietly with each other and John opened the door a crack to listen more closely.

"I`m fine, Mycroft. It was just a minor beating, I don`t need you to..."

"It wasn`t just a beating, Sherlock and you know that. What they did to you..."

Sherlock hissed something, John couldn`t quite make out, but it didn`t really matter one way or the other. The fact that Mycroft had brought his brother home and that Sherlock had obviously been beaten up, was enough to get John into motion. Opening the door fully and turning on the light, John looked down the stairs and at the two men.

"Ah, John, good to see you. I`m sure you don`t mind taking care of my dearest brother." John frowned slightly at Mycroft`s tone. He was used to sarcastic or cynic remarks, but not to the faint worry in the voice of the British Government. Maybe, John mused as he hurried down the stairs to Sherlock`s side, it was only his imagination that made him believe that Mycroft was worried about his brother. After all, John himself felt worried and it would only be natural to transfer his own feelings to Mycroft - at least if he recalled his semester in psychology correctly.

The light in the stairway wasn`t bright enough to examine Sherlock throughout, but John still noticed the blood on the corner of Sherlock`s mouth and the dark swelling of his right cheek. John gulped at the damage done to Sherlock`s face, but felt relieved at the same time. It looked like Sherlock had gotten away lightly, also judging from the fact that Mycroft had brought his brother home, instead of forcing him to stay at a clinic over night.

"Sherlock," John extended his hand to his friend`s face, only to have it slapped away as Sherlock brushed past him, up the stairs. "I don`t need your help!" John narrowed his eyes at that, a remark already on the tip of his tongue as he watched Sherlock hurrying up the stairs, but a heavy hand on his shoulder stopped John from making his displeasure known. John glared up at Mycroft, but the obvious worry in the usually cold eyes, made him pause. He couldn`t remember that look on the older Holmes` face and it worried him more than if the whole of Scotland Yard had waited at their doorstep at this hour. "What happened, Mycroft?"

Mycroft shook his head, glancing upstairs. "It`s not my place to tell you, John, but," Mycroft fidget with his umbrella and John`s unease grew a tenfold. "Be gentle with him, will you?" Dumbfounded, John nodded. He wasn`t able to voice another question, as Mycroft turned around and ended their conversation efficiently.

Of course, John could have insisted on getting more information, but firstly, he knew that Mycroft wouldn`t tell him anything, if he didn`t want to and secondly... he had to look after Sherlock. Hurrying up the stairs, John found Sherlock sitting on the couch. That in itself was worrying, since John couldn`t remember a time, when Sherlock had sat on the couch, instead of sprawling on it. Something worse than a beating must have happened and John had no idea what it could have been. Maybe, Sherlock had stumbled across a National Security matter and Mycroft had needed to interfere to... No, John shook his head at that thought as he moved through the room, until he stood in front of Sherlock. If Sherlock had gotten involved in such a case, he would be in a different mood, even if he had been beaten up. He would be boasting about his success or ranting about the stupidity of people... or both, but Sherlock wouldn`t do nothing.

John worried his lip with his teeth as he glanced down at the bowed head of his brilliant flatmate. Maybe, Sherlock was still too angry about John`s earlier insults to wish to speak with him. At any other night, John would have taken the hint of Sherlock`s continued silence and had gone to bed, but not tonight. John had sworn to himself that he would discuss his feelings with Sherlock when he came back and even if John hadn`t... he couldn`t leave Sherlock to his own device, when he was hurt. "Sherlock," John started again, extending his hand like he had done before and was met with an icy glare that froze him to the spot.

"Don`t touch me, John!"

The words were a mere hiss and John took a step back as blue eyes - blazing with anger - narrowed at him. He had rarely seen Sherlock so angry or at least, John thought sadly, the anger hadn`t been directed at him. It was a frightening sight and John was sure that Anderson would have wet himself, if Sherlock`s glare had been directed at him. Good that he wasn`t as easily scared as the incompetent forensic doctor. After all, John hadn`t served in the army to back down from his hurt flatmate. "Your brother said that you were beaten up. I have to see your injuries if you want me to help you."

A bitter laugh escaped past Sherlock`s lips. "Why would I want you to help me?"

John squared his shoulders and stood straighter, glaring down at Sherlock like he was a new recruit that didn`t know his place yet. "Because, either you let me mend you back together or I`m calling the ambulance."

The words hung in the air like an ultimatum. Wide, blue eyes stared at him in disbelief, but John stood his ground as he returned Sherlock`s gaze. He didn`t want to call the ambulance, but John certainly wouldn`t allow Sherlock to remain without medical help. Especially, since John couldn`t guess on the extent of his injuries. Sherlock must have come to the same conclusions as a look of defeat crossed his face that was replaced with determination only a second later. "Fine, if you wish to examine me, Doctor," Sherlock spat the last word as he got up from the couch and started to draw his shirt over his head. "Then of course, I can`t argue with you about that."

"What?" John uttered in complete confusion as Sherlock unzip his jeans and pushed them down - together with his underwear - before kicking them away. John only had a moment to notice the slight bruising around Sherlock`s ribs and abdomen, before he was treated to the sigh of Sherlock`s back. In any other circumstances the sight of a completely naked Sherlock would have been arousing, but John only felt horrified as his eyes wandered over Sherlock`s back. There was a bruise on his upper back that looked like a shoe print and several more bruises everywhere, but they weren`t as bad as... John took a shaking breath as he stared at Sherlock`s rear and thighs. There were bruises and John didn`t need to be a genius to recognize that hands had left them there. Rough hands, that had grabbed Sherlock`s buttocks and... "Oh God!" John whispered, overcome with horror and rage all at once. Now, he knew why even Mycroft had sounded so worried, why he had asked John to be gentle with Sherlock and...

"Is that enough?!" John flinched as Sherlock wheeled back around. His hands were clenched into fists at his side, a faint tremor running through his body, but somehow Sherlock still managed to glare at John for all that he was worth. "Are you happy now?"

Aghast, John shook his head. "Happy?" He echoed, a sick feeling in his stomach as he met Sherlock`s gaze. It wasn`t hard to bring himself not to let his eyes wander to Sherlock`s crotch. The situation was far from being arousing or intimate after all.

"Yes, happy!" Sherlock crossed his arms in front of his chest, probably to prevent them from shaking. "After all, you told me - only this evening - just how disgusting you think I`m. Shouldn`t you be happy that someone else was of the same opinion? That there are more people that think that I`m only good enough for a fast fuck and..."

"Stop it, Sherlock! Just stop it!" John noticed the crack in his voice, but he couldn`t care less about it. A whirlwind of emotions was rushing through him and it was hard enough to just breathe around the knot in his chest. John couldn`t handle Sherlock throwing his earlier words back at him on top of everything else. It wouldn`t have been a problem - at least not a huge one - if Sherlock had only been beaten up, but as the evidence lay... John pressed his lips together to suppress a sob as he imagined how someone - more than one? - had had their hands on Sherlock, forcing him to the ground and...

"I don`t need your pity," Sherlock spat, his eyes fixed on a point behind John. "It`s my own fault. I went out to get off and didn`t pay attention to my surroundings. Actually, I should have been able to take ten men down, but obviously..."

"Ten!" John chocked at the word, his chest heaving with a forced intake of breath. Just when he had thought that it couldn`t get any worse, it was just doing that. One man was bad enough, but ten men... ten men who had had their hands on Sherlock and raped...

"Mycroft came in time, they didn't get what they were after. No need to pity me." Sherlock sounded defeated and tired and it took some time before John`s mind was able to process what the words meant. When he did, a heavy weigh lifted from his shoulders, but the anger and the sick feeling in his stomach remained.

"So you... weren`t... raped?" Blue eyes narrowed at him, the intimidating effect being lost as more tremors ran through Sherlock`s body. John felt the sudden urge to wrap a woolen blanket around Sherlock`s body and put him to bed, but he wasn`t even able to move, before Sherlock spoke again. "No, I wasn`t raped! But I rather thought that you would remark on my need for getting off with a stranger and how disgusting it is!" Sherlock shifted his weigh to glance towards the bedroom upstairs. "Don`t you want to call your girlfriend down, so that she has a good laugh as well?!"

That was enough! John grabbed Sherlock`s wrists and pushed him back down on the couch, putting his hands on both sides on the wall next to Sherlock`s head to prevent him from getting up. "Listen, Sherlock Holmes!" John snarled as he loomed over him. "I won`t allow you to push me away right now! I know your tricks and I know that you are trying to annoy me, until I have enough and leave you alone, but you won`t be successful with that strategy!" Sherlock didn`t respond and instead kept staring at John, his blue eyes wide with surprise. "I`m not going to leave you alone, after what you have been through. These men," John grimaced in disgust at the thought of them. "Might not have gotten the chance to rape you, but it`s obvious that they scared you and that you are shaken. Don`t pretend otherwise," John warned and leaned in closer. "I have seen enough men that have lived through a horrible ordeal and I know the signs when someone is in shock."

A shuddering breath escaped Sherlock`s lips. "So, you say that you are here because you have sworn the Hippocratic oath and you can`t leave your patient alone?" A bitter smile passed over Sherlock`s face. "You don`t have to bother, I`m certainly not going to tell anyone, if you are going back to your girlfriend." John grinded his teeth in frustration. If they awarded the Nobel Price for annoying behavior, he was sure that Sherlock would have already gained a lot of them. Still, he couldn`t allow his emotions to get the better of him. Sherlock might pretend that he was completely in control, but John knew otherwise. They way, Sherlock leaned back into the cushions of the couch and tried to get more distance between them, was more telling than his snarls and glares. "Firstly, Melanie already left hours ago and before you try to attack me with that knowledge, let me tell you that she left because she could never hope to compete with you."

Surprise flickered over Sherlock`s face and John smiled slightly at that. He hadn`t planned on revealing everything to Sherlock tonight, but John had already started with his confession and he wasn`t so cowardly that he wouldn`t see it through to the end. "So, it`s safe to say that I`m not hear because of my profession, but because I care for you, Sherlock... deeply." There was still no answer from Sherlock and John lowered his arms to his sides and kneeled down on the couch. It didn`t feel right to crowed Sherlock in any way, when he was about to confess his feelings to him. "I`m not disgusted with you, I never was. I`m sorry - so terrible sorry - for what I said before, but I was just... I was angry about what you said."

"Because I criticized your dating habits." Sherlock didn`t sound aggressive anymore as he kept on staring at his feet. "No... at least, that wasn`t all of it." Now, John had gotten Sherlock`s whole attention, the sharp blue eyes were fixed on him, as he obviously tried to make sense of John`s words. "You had just told me that you were interested in men and that you used to go to bed with strangers and I..."

"You were disgusted." It wasn`t an accusation, but John hated the way Sherlock`s shoulders slumped even more than if Sherlock had verbally crucified him. "No," John put his hand on Sherlock`s shoulder and was relieved, when Sherlock neither flinched nor pushed it away. "I would be a hypocrite if I said so." If the situation wasn`t so serious, John would have been laughing at how the blue eyes widened in surprise. Obviously, Sherlock didn`t know everything about him. "But you... you said that you aren`t gay." John shook his head.

"I`m not gay. I`m bisexual."

"You never told me."

John sighed and leaned forward to place his other hand on Sherlock`s cheek, applying a gentle pressure to force him to turn his head and look at him. "I didn`t think it was important, especially since I thought that you," John gestured vague to Sherlock, before settling the hand back on his shoulder. "After the case with Irene Adler, I thought that you weren`t interested in anything sexual and when you told me this evening that you were interested in men, I... I was jealous, because I didn`t want anyone else to have you. I wanted you for myself. That`s why I lashed out at you and I`m... sorry for that." Sherlock gaped at him. John held his breath as he waited for Sherlock`s reaction to his confession.

OOO

It was all too much. Sherlock clenched his hands in his lap as he tried to take in everything that had happened since he had gotten back to Baker Street. At first, he had wanted to go straight to his bedroom and ignore John, but Sherlock hadn`t be able to do that. It was hard to admit it - even to himself - but Sherlock hadn`t wanted to be alone after... everything. On the one hand he had wanted John to take care of him, to talk with him, but on the other hand... Sherlock hadn`t forgotten what had happened between them a few hours ago. He hadn`t wanted John`s pity or - worse - his disgust and therefore... Sherlock had lashed out. Maybe, it hadn`t been his best idea to get undressed completely in front of John - since he was getting colder by the minute now - but Sherlock had wanted to see John`s reaction to what had happened to him. He had been prepared - or at least had believed that he was - for John`s disgust with him. Sherlock had told himself that John would blame him for everything that had happened, after the words he had thrown at Sherlock this evening, instead...

Blue eyes peeked up at John. His warm hands were still placed on Sherlock`s shoulder and his cheek, but he looked more nervous than he had before. Of course, John was nervous, the logical part of Sherlock realized, since John had just confessed to him that... Yes, what exactly had John confessed to him?

Sherlock raised an eyebrow at him. Usually, he would try to deduce what was behind all of John`s words, but Sherlock was too tired for that. Tired, drained, cold and aching. Sherlock only wanted to go to bed, but he knew that he wouldn`t find sleep, until he didn`t know exactly what John wanted from him. "You mean that you want to have sex with me?" John`s words had implied as much and although Sherlock would have been all too happy about that confession only a few hours ago, the thought made him feel sick right now. Certainly not, because these bastards had made him scared of sex, but rather because... Sherlock didn`t only want sex from John. It wouldn`t be possible for Sherlock to have a mere sexual relationship with him. Of course, Sherlock could work with John`s attraction to him and try to make John fall in love with him, but that thought didn`t sit right with Sherlock. At least, not now, after these imbeciles had only been after him for sex. It was illogical, but for once, Sherlock didn`t care about reason.

"Yes, I want to have sex with you, but," Sherlock looked away, preparing himself for some sort of rejection as John continued. "I don`t only want sex from you. I want more from you... all of you, if I`m completely honest. I want us to... be together. As a couple." Sherlock`s head snapped up at that. He searched John`s face for any indications that he was lying, that he was only trying to make Sherlock feel better after what had happened this evening and night, but Sherlock wasn`t able to find any hints of falsehood. There was only genuine affection and tenderness in the deep blue eyes, mixed with nervousness and uncertainty.

Before Sherlock was even able to think of an appropriate answer, John was speaking again. "I don`t expect a reply right away." John`s hand smoothed his curls and Sherlock leaned into the touch. "I just want you to know that I care very deeply for you and that I want to be together with you." A small smile flickered over Sherlock`s face at that. "You are repeating yourself, John." That earned Sherlock a nervous laugh.

"Yes, well, I`m not used to sitting next to your naked self on the couch and baring my feelings to you."

"Indeed." Sherlock didn`t know what else to say. Actually, he should feel happy about John`s confession and if it had come any other day, Sherlock would already be kissing him senseless and snuggling up to him, but right now... Sherlock only felt some warmth spreading from his chest through his body as he returned John`s smile with one of his own. It was truly too much for one evening, even for him and Sherlock needed time to think things through. He didn`t feel like his brain was working as it should and he certainly didn`t want to do something wrong, just because he wasn`t at his best.

"You should take a shower and get warm and afterwards, I`m going to take another look at your back." Sherlock nodded in agreement, but remained sitting on the couch. From the corner of his eye, he saw John rolling his eyes at him as he got to his feet. "Oh come on, you need to get warm. Usually, I wouldn`t mind you sitting naked on the couch, but..." Sherlock looked up in time to see how John bit his lips, a look of utter horror crossing his face and it didn`t need a genius to know that was chastising himself for his choice of wording. "Don`t," Sherlock warned him and grabbed John`s shoulder for support as he got to his feet. "Don`t treat me like I`m made of glass. I don`t mind teasing and I certainly don`t mind lying naked on the couch more often, but I need some time to process everything." An understanding smile lit up John`s face. "That`s fine. Take as much time as you need." Sherlock suppressed the impulse to tell John that he would only need as much time as it took him to realize that he wasn`t dreaming, before he would make a decision... probably in John`s favor. Instead, he allowed John to lead him to the bathroom and hand him fresh towels. "If you need help, call me, otherwise I will be waiting outside."

Sherlock merely nodded, before he closed the door and stepped under the spray of the shower, intent on washing away all the traces the hands of these bastards had left on him.

OOO

Sherlock stayed in the bathroom for over half an hour and John was glad that he had already showered this evening. It would be a small miracle if there was any warm water left, after the Sherlock was finished.

John had taken the time to bring his first aid kit to Sherlock`s room. It had calmed his nerves as he had placed the necessary items on the nightstand and placed a fresh towel on top of the bed sheets. After all, John was used to taking care of Sherlock like that and he hadn`t needed to think about his confessions as he worked through the familiar routine. But now, while John waited for Sherlock to emerge from the bathroom, he felt himself getting nervous once more. Hell, it was stupid to act like a teenager who had just asked the most beautiful girl out to the ball and feared rejection. Alright, John had practically asked more of Sherlock than going out to a dance with him, but there was no need for him to fear rejection... right? John clenched and unclenched his fists nervously as he listened to Sherlock`s moving through the bathroom.

Sherlock had told him that he was interested in John as well and he had forgiven him for his cruel words and... Maybe, Sherlock was just tired and didn`t want to argue tonight. Sherlock had pretended to be interested in someone for lesser reasons - for a case - and John wouldn`t be surprised if Sherlock told him in the morning that he didn`t want him.

John sighed. He wouldn`t even hold it against Sherlock if he acted like that. Not after everything John had done, but it would definitely hurt if he did that.

"Do you want to stay here all night or do you still want to check on my injuries?" Startled, John looked up at Sherlock - wrapped in a towel - and cocking his head wonderingly at John. Dear God and Sherlock looked fantastic like that! A shuddering breath escaped John`s parted lips as he stared at Sherlock. His hair was even more tussled than usual - some locks curling cheekily on his forehead - and his skin was flushed with the heat from his shower. A few drops of water ran down Sherlock`s chest, teasing the pink nipples, only to fall down after a second and get soaked up by the towel around Sherlock`s hips.

"John!" Sherlock`s voice sounded exaggerated, but when John`s gaze snapped up to his face, he also noticed the nervous look in these unbelievable blue eyes, along with the swelling of Sherlock`s right cheekbone. Christ, he had stared at Sherlock, when there were much more important things to do. John quelled the arousal he had felt at seeing Sherlock emerging from the bathroom like that and forced himself to concentrate on what he had to do. "I have brought my medical kit to your bedroom, if that`s alright with you."

John only realised now that it wasn`t proper protocol to just walk into the bedroom of your flatmate, without asking first. Even if that flatmate was your best friend and might return your romantic feelings. Instead of commenting on any of that, Sherlock merely nodded and moved to his bedroom. John followed him, hovering insecurely in the doorway as Sherlock rummaged through his drawers and threw a pair of outworn pajama bottoms on his bed.

"You might want to sleep with a top as well, otherwise you might soil the sheets." Sherlock only snorted and went to sit at the edge of his bed, gesturing for John to come in. "I assure you my pajama tops are more expensive than the sheets and I don`t want to try to get the salves," Sherlock pointed to his nightstand. "Out of pure silk, although it would be an interesting experiment." A small grin tugged at John`s lips as he came to stand in front of Sherlock to examine his face. Trust Sherlock to make it sound like no big deal that his pajamas were made of pure silk... it probably wasn`t for him. "Your cheek will be swollen for some time, but there isn`t anything broken and your lip isn`t split too badly. I would suggest some ice cubs in the morning if it starts to swell." John spread some of the salve on Sherlock`s cheek. The contact felt almost to imitate and John had to restrain himself from leaning in and pressing his lips to Sherlock`s. Certainly that wouldn`t be a well-received move after he had told Sherlock that he had all the time in the world to decide if he wanted John in this way as well.

Sharp blue eyes followed his every move as John took a step back and he cleared his throat in an effort to remain professional. "Do you have any difficulties breathing? There is a large bruise above your ribs."

Sherlock rolled his eyes. "I don`t have any pains that indicate that I suffer from internal injuries, John. Trust me, if I did, I would have told you by now. As much as I detest hospitals, I don`t fancy bleeding to death."

"But you are in pain." John gathered from Sherlock`s voicing.

"It`s to be expected, my back is sore, but there aren`t any open gashes."

It was John`s turn to roll his eyes at that. "Of course, you can see what`s on your back. Lie on your front and I`ll take a look at it."

Blue eyes stared at John as he gestured to the towel that was still lying on the covers. It took John a second to notice that his command might have been a bad idea. Sherlock had just been beaten up and would have been raped, if it hadn`t been for Mycroft`s interference and here was John, ordering Sherlock to lie on his stomach. For Christ`s sake, wasn`t John able to do something right once in a while. He was just about to take his words back, when Sherlock huffed in mocked annoyance and sprawled himself face down on the bed. Seconds ticked by in which John could only stare in astonishment at Sherlock. He had expected a snarky remark from Sherlock, but not such obedience, especially not in light of recent events.

"I would really like you to go on with your examination, John." Sherlock`s muffled voice sounded from the bed. "I don`t like to admit it, but I`m tired and it would really help if you got things done."

"Of course," John chastised himself for his hesitance as he climbed on the bed to kneel next to Sherlock. His back was bruised in some places and John applied a great amount of salve to the swelling on his upper back, where the print of a shoe sole could be seen. There were other, minor bruises and a few scratches, but all in all, John didn`t have much to do. He had just finished covering Sherlock`s back with salve as his gaze flickered to the towel that still covered Sherlock`s backside. From what he had seen the bruising there wasn`t too bad - although John hated what it implied - but some salve could help with the discomfort. His hands grabbed the towel before John could think about it twice and only when Sherlock`s buttocks were bared to him, did he realise that his actions might give Sherlock the wrong idea.

"Sherlock," John called hesitantly, the hand with the salve hovering over Sherlock`s perfectly shaped butt. The only answer John got was a stifled laugh as blue eyes glanced at John over Sherlock`s shoulder. "Really John, there is no chance that I would confuse your professional fussing with something else." John glared at Sherlock and the mirth left the blue eyes to be replaced by a more serious and softer expression. "I trust you, John, go ahead."

John exhaled a breath he hadn`t been aware of holding, before he did as he was told and spread some of the salve on Sherlock`s buttocks. He forced himself not to let his hand linger on the smooth flesh and also withstood the desire to smack Sherlock teasingly when he was finished. That certainly would take things much too far. John put the salve back on the nightstand. "I`ll bring you a glass of water and some paracetamol." John announced, before hurrying out of the room.

It took him some time to wash a glass - Sherlock had used all of them for experiments - and grab some tablets from his room upstairs. When John got back to the bedroom, Sherlock had changed in his pajama bottoms and lay underneath the covers. His face was turned to his right and the usually, sharp eyes were closed.

Asleep, John mused and put the glass and the tablets next to the salve on the nightstand. Sherlock certainly needed some rest and John would be the last person to disturb him now. To tell the truth, John would have liked to exchange a few more words with Sherlock, only to reassure himself that Sherlock wasn`t completely against the idea of entering a relationship with John, but... that could wait until the morning. With a small smile, John turned to leave Sherlock to his well deserved sleep, when a muffled voice called him back.

"Stay."

Surprised, John turned to Sherlock. One eye was cracked open as he glanced at John, but it was obvious that he was only barely awake. Still, John stepped back to stand next to Sherlock`s bed. "Do you need anything?" His hand automatically reached for the painkillers, but Sherlock moved his head in negation. "Not these. You. Stay."

Sherlock lifted the corner of the blanket and skidded back on the bed to make room for John.

His heart had never beaten so fast, John was sure of that as he took a cautious step forwards and met Sherlock`s - now open - eyes.

"Do you really want me to..."

"Yes, John, please."

Something passed over Sherlock`s features as he said that, but John wasn`t able to place the fleeting emotion. He only knew that Sherlock rarely said please, therefore he truly wished John to share his bed tonight. And who was John to deny Sherlock such a wish?

"Alright," John muttered as he slipped under the covers. He barely had the time to arrange himself in a comfortable position, when Sherlock`s arm went around his back and Sherlock snuggled into his side. John held himself very still, not daring to breath as Sherlock sighed contently and buried his nose in the crook of John`s neck. A few seconds passed, in which John got used to the warm weight against his side and he was just about to lift his hand and ran his fingers through unruly locks as Sherlock`s head snapped back up. If John hadn`t drawn his head back, Sherlock`s scalp would have connected painfully with his chin.

Blue eyes looked uncertainly at John. "Is that alright? I know that people usually only lie together like that after sex, but I would like it very much to stay this way."

John took a shaky breath at that. Who had given Sherlock the impression that he was only allowed to ask for cuddles, when he had sex with them? John certainly would like to have a word with them, just to make it clear how stupid they were, but... that wouldn`t happen now. No, now he had to make sure that Sherlock felt comfortable and got a good night`s rest. John drew an arm around Sherlock`s waist and cradled his head with his other hand. "It`s perfectly fine like that. Just go to sleep, Sherlock."

For a brief second it looked like Sherlock might say something as his blue eyes looked surprised at John, before he thought better of it and snuggled his nose in the crook of John`s neck once more. A few minutes later, Sherlock`s deep breaths ghosted over his skin and John felt his own eyes growing heavy as well. John fell asleep, while he held Sherlock protectively against him.

OOO

John was gone!

Sherlock didn`t even have to open his eyes to know that. His side, where he had been snuggled against John, felt cold and there was only a slight dent in the bed sheets, where John had lain. Sherlock took a shuddering breath as the realisation hit him. Of course, he should have known that John would leave his bed as soon as possible. Stupid to believe that John would want to stay, when it was highly doubtful that he would get sex from Sherlock in the morning. After all, no one had ever bothered to share a bed with him, when they hadn`t had sex beforehand - except for Mycroft when they had been younger, but that didn`t count. Sherlock should have known that it had been too good to last long, when John had confessed his feelings to him last night. It didn`t mean that he believed that John had lied to him. No, it was more likely that he had felt sorry for Sherlock and had wanted him to feel better. John might even have meant what he had said back then. Still, John had had to be scared when he had woken up next to Sherlock and had remembered what he had told him.

Sherlock buried his face in the pillow, inhaling the faint scent of John that still lingered on the fabric. Maybe, John could be persuaded to stay more often in his bed, if Sherlock offered him sex. It certainly wouldn`t be a hardship to sleep with John and he knew that John was a caring lover. Sherlock wouldn`t get everything he wanted that way, but at least it would be more than he had had all this time.

The opening of the door to the bedroom and the clattering of ceramic made Sherlock look up from his place on the bed. John sat down on the edge of the bed, two mugs in his hands and smiled warmly at Sherlock. "I didn`t want to wake you, but since it`s already past ten, I thought a cup of tea would be welcome if you woke up."

Sherlock could only stare at John as one mug was held out to him. John hadn`t left the bed, because he had felt uncomfortable next to Sherlock, but to make tea... for both of them. The realisation hit even harder than when Sherlock had believed the opposite.

"I have added three spoons of sugar and a lot of milk, just as you like it." Sherlock startled at that, but finally sat up and accepted the tea from John. His back ached as he leaned back against the headboard and the pain must have been evident on his face, since two paracetamol were offered to Sherlock right away.

"Thanks." He washed the tablets down with a mouthful of tea - sweet and milky, just the way Sherlock liked it - and then looked back at John. He was sipping his tea quietly and it was obvious that he was thinking about something, but for the life of him, Sherlock couldn`t figure out what exactly was running through John`s head.

"Sherlock," John finally started and set his mug down on the nightstand. "What I said to you last night..." John hesitated and Sherlock tensed. That was it! John was going to tell him that he hadn`t meant it and that Sherlock should forget all about it, if he wanted their friendship to continue.

"...What do you think?"

Sherlock blinked.

John sighed.

"You should really listen to me, Sherlock!"

"Sorry, please just..." Sherlock gestured for John to repeat his words and after another sigh, John obeyed. "I said that I meant what I said last night and if you are willing, I would love to enter a relationship with you, if that`s what you want."

Sherlock put his mug down as well, afraid that he would spill tea everywhere as his hands started to shake slightly. What John had just proposed sounded fantastic, but Sherlock had to make sure that it was exactly what he hoped it was. "You want to have a relationship to have sex with me?" John didn`t look offended by the question, but a sad expression passed over his features as he gazed steadily at Sherlock. "No, Sherlock, I want to have a relationship with you, because I care for you and want to share my life with you. I want to hold hands at a restaurant, after we have just caught a murderer and hug you when you feel like shooting the walls again." Sherlock felt his eyes widen at this simple statement. It sounded so perfect and somehow... romantic. Sherlock almost missed John`s next words as he tried to wrap his mind around John`s idea of a relationship. "I`m certainly not against snogging you in a dark alley or making love with you when we both feel like it, but... that`s not what`s the most important part about a relationship."

Sherlock was grateful that he had put the mug away, otherwise he would have spilt tea on the bed at this point. His hands were certainly shaking worse than they should be, considering that Sherlock was sitting lazily in his bed and chatting with John. Only this wasn`t a normal chat and... John was still waiting for his answer. Sherlock closed his eyes briefly, gathering all of his courage as he jumped in at the deep end. "I would like to have that kind of relationship with you, as well." Sherlock had often witnessed how people cringed at his words - when he deduced them - or how their faces turned into grimaces of anger, but he had never seen someone react like John.

His whole face brightened as his eyes met Sherlock`s. A second later, John was kneeling next to him on the bed and leaning down to press a chaste kiss against Sherlock`s lips, before drawing back. At least, John would have drawn back, if Sherlock hadn`t hold him in place with a hand to John`s neck. "Either you kiss me properly or I`ll think again about starting a relationship with you."

Blue eyes narrowed down at him. "I don`t want to rush anything." And I don`t want you to think that I`m only after you for sex, Sherlock read the unspoken words in John`s features. Warmth spread through him and made Sherlock smile up teasingly at John, instead of snapping at him. "Kissing properly doesn`t have anything to do with rushing, but if the location makes you uncomfortable, we can also move to the kitchen if you feel pressured in my bed." John`s whole body relaxed at Sherlock`s words and he leaned in closer again, so that their mouth were almost touching. "I find your bed much more comfortable for kissing than any other place." Sherlock wasn`t able to reply to that as his breath was stolen from him by soft lips. True to John`s words, it was a proper kiss this time and Sherlock drew him closer to relish the feel and taste of John. His body heat seeped into Sherlock as John leaned against him, tasting of mint, tea and milk as they kissed and it was... the perfect way to start their morning after a horrible night. Even more perfect, because Sherlock knew that more mornings like that would follow this one.

Mornings filled with tea, kisses and John. Always John!