So…two in one day…

Thank you for taking the time to read.

I own nothing btw…

/

The first time he opens his eyes, he is utterly alone.

That is a pain too much to bear.

The second time he opens them, Sarah, Mrs. Hudson, and Molly all hover around his bed. Mrs. H bursts into tears, Sarah's brow's furrowed as she bravely fights them back, and Molly—

Molly leans in close and whispers, "we can't lose you."

Grief and regret stretches taut between them. John's the first to look away.

The next time he's in between sleep and waking.

He feels the familiar cool, rough fingers mindlessly making patterns into the skin on the back of his hand. He slits his eyes to see a blurred mess of tangled black curls.

"Stay"— John rasps, eyes fluttering as they glaze over the figure next to him.

The figure's head slowly turns— John tries his damned to stay alert and focused.

"Stay" He murmurs, his lips cracked and white. His throat burns with each breath.

The monitors beep and blip as John struggles to open his eyes. The figure is still, staring intensely at John.

There's a small hitch in breathe.

"I've already put you in harm's way." The voice— his voice rumbles deep in John's chest. John squeezes his eyes shut as tears scratch at the corners of his eyes.

He blinks, turning his head and he sees him.

"Stay. God. Damn. It." John croaks, his voice straining, chest heaving as he tries to catch his breath. His body shakes with a rage he has not felt in a while; a consuming anger at everything that brought them to this place.

"Please… Can't…S'dn idi't…Can't…Alone…Again." John wheezes as he clenches his fist into the bed sheets. It hurts more than drowning to be here like this. And he can tell he's listening, John can hear the cogs turn in his head.

"Please John, forgive me." His eyes a stormy grey as his eyes flicks over John's. He presses his hand against John's cheek. John sobs.

"It was never my intention to hurt you this deeply." His voice is soft, determined.

"I'll be done soon. I promise."

"Home…w'th me. Safe." John gasps as he reaches to squeeze his hand. He nods. A promise.

"Love. You. Sherlock."

"As do I you, John." He says in earnest. He leans over John to press a gentle kiss to his temple.

John struggles to stay awake…

When John opens his eyes again, he's alone.

It was worse than drowning.

A/N: Thank you for taking the time to read.