"Is yours a snorer?" asked the shorter of the gay innkeepers, seeming genuinely interested in the sleeping habits of the curious blond man and his gangly companion.
"D'you have any crisps?" John replied quickly, avoiding the question.
It wasn't so much that he didn't want to answer the question; it was more like he couldn't.
Later that evening, as he lay next to Sherlock, wiping the rapidly drying semen from both their bodies, he remembered the innkeeper's question.
Turning to Sherlock, he asked, "Why haven't we ever slept together?"
In the dark, he could feel Sherlock stiffen, and not in the good way.
A second passed between them. And then another.
"Sherlock!" Said John, rising up onto his elbows.
He heard an exasperated sigh, followed by the sound of sheets rubbing against flesh as Sherlock turned to face him.
"What."
"I asked why we've never slept together."
"What do you call what we just did?"
"Not that," John said, turning slightly red," I mean, why do we...you know..."
"Have intercourse."
"Right. Why do we do that nearly every night and then go to sleep in separate beds?"
"Because it just happens that way?" Sherlock offered, already drifting off to sleep.
John shook him awake.
"No, Sherlock, it doesn't just 'happen that way'. How it happens is you kicking me out every night afterwards like I'm a fifty p whore!"
"John, please."
"What's so bad about wanting to sleep next to you! We already do everything else together, why not that?!"
"You're being irrational."
Hurt, John jumped out of bed and began to put on his clothes.
"Where're you going?" Sherlock asked.
"Back to London, I'm sick of this," John responded, electing to leave behind his cum-soaked t-shirt.
"What, now?" Sherlock sat up, watching his partner stomp around the room.
"Yes, now! You-you just don't care about anyone else, do you?"
"John, stop it.
"DON'T..." began John, then he dropped his voice so as not to alert the other residents, "Don't you dare tell me what to do, you...you machine."
The last word carried so much venom in it, that Sherlock felt himself shocked into silence for the first time in his life.
He watched silently as John stormed out of the room and into the darkness outside.