Sherlock fell asleep almost immediately and when he woke he felt better rested than he had in a very long time. It was comforting having John next to him as he slept. John was breathing evenly, still sleeping in his arms. Light poured in from the window. He looked over at the alarm clock on the nightstand half hidden behind books and empty glasses. 9:34 he read through the blur of the glass. 9:34 and Elise still hadn't woke them. How thoughtful.

Sherlock buried his face in the crook of John's neck and kissed him lightly. John inhaled sharply as he woke and groaned at the sunlight that assaulted his eyes. Sherlock chuckled and pulled John closer.

"Looks like we've slept through breakfast," John commented upon noticing the time.

"It would appear so. I'm sure Elise has left something for us to eat," Sherlock smiled into John's neck. "She wouldn't want you to starve." He patted John's stomach.

John chuckled. "And I suppose she wouldn't mind if you starve?" John yawned and snuggledcloser to Sherlock.

He buried his face in the crook of John's neck, his breath warm against John's skin. He intertwined their fingers together.

"John," Sherlock took a deep breath, "I think we should talk about… this… us…"

John went still in his arms. "Okay," he responded after a moment.

"I do love you, John. I adore everything about you. And I know you've been in many relationships before and more than likely have some preconceived notions as to what couples are supposed to be like, but I need you to know now, I am not the type of person to go on romantic dates or whisper sweet nothings. I don't do cute."

"I expected so." John chuckled and seemed to let out a sigh of relief. "It is enough for me just to know you love me."

Sherlock smiled and kissed John, running a hand through his hair, stiff with dried sweat.

"You know, this really explains everything." John said after a moment.

"What do you mean?" Sherlock asked, bewildered.

"Every relationship I've had while living with you has ended almost entirely because of you."

Sherlock laughed. "Yes, of course. That was my intent all along. I'm surprised it took you so long to figure it out."

John rolled his eyes and stretched, yawning. "I desperately need a shower," he said, feeling the pull of the thin layer of dried cum on his stomach as he moved.

"Care to join me?" Sherlock asked, crawling over John to get off the bed and grab his robe.

John raised an eyebrow at Sherlock, knowing this was probably not a good idea, but gradually made his way off the bed anyway. Sherlock opened the door to head for the bathroom and nearly tripped over a box sitting in front of their door with a shiny, red bow atop it. Sherlock picked it up. It was rather light.

"I believe we have a gift from Elise." Sherlock laughed as he set it on the bed and opened it, examining its contents.

On top was a note labeled "Sherlock". He opened it and read it to himself.

Sherlock-

Bloody well about time!

These are for you, try not to ruin them. I assumed you'd need a fresh set.

Also, this will make things a whole hell of a lot easier for the both of you.

-Elise

P.S. I am NOT washing your disgusting sheets!

Sherlock could almost see her soured expression as he read the last line, rolling his eyes. He chuckled and tossed the note aside. Inside the box was a folded set of clean sheets. Underneath those was a rather large bottle of lubricant next to a box of condoms.

"I guess she heard," John laughed, though mildly embarrassed, as he peered into the box.

Sherlock turned to face John, who was now wearing a navy blue robe that opened just enough to reveal his chest. He leaned down and kissed John, soft and gentle, placing his hands on either side of his face.

He smiled down at John when he pulled away. "Now. I think you and I are rather in need of a shower."

John followed Sherlock down the hall to the bathroom. For a guest bathroom, it was very large, built like any other house's master bathroom. There was a deep bath tub and a shower that looked as though it could fit several people without anyone being in another's way. The long window above the tub lit the room with soft white light and the navy blue shades kept anyone from peaking in, even though they were on the second floor.

Sherlock opened the glass door of the shower and turned the water on. Only the door and a small section of wall of the shower were glass, the rest was made up of stone tiles of varying shades of blue and gray.

John turned around and removed his robe to hang on the back of the door. Sherlock watched hungrily as his did, unable to keep his eyes off of John as the fabric was removed to reveal John's naked flesh.

Self-control be damned, thought Sherlock, for the next moment he had John pinned against the wall, kissing him ravenously, shamelessly running his hands over as much of John as he could reach. He pressed his body firmly against John's as they kissed, his arousal protruding unceremoniously from his robe.

John tugged on the material, attempting to remove it. Sherlock complied and pulled the robe off his shoulders, breaking the kiss to breathe, the air thick with steam. He tugged John into the shower.

Sherlock pulled John directly into the onslaught of water, welcoming the warmth that drenched his skin. John flinched away from the intense heat of the water.

"Hell!" John yelped. "If you want to continue this here, you are going to have to turn the heat down, or we're going to pass out."

Sherlock laughed, but John was speaking from experience. He'd had a lump on his head for months afterward. Sherlock reached behind him and turned the heat of the water down, so it became luke warm. Better.

Sherlock put his hands on either side of John's face and stared at him intently, seeming as though he was searching John for something. Abruptly, he began kissing John wildly, his hands still cupped around John's face. John slowly moved one of his hands down Sherlock's torso, to between them, taking both of their erections in one hand. He pumped both of them slowly, quickening his pace when Sherlock moved his hands around behind John and slid his wet finger as far into John as he could reach.

John pulled away to breathe, but Sherlock just made his way down John's jaw line to his neck. He nibbled and sucked ravenously just above John's collarbone, still keeping an even pace as he added two fingers, three.

John moaned and writhed under Sherlock's touch. Sherlock stood back, admiring his handy-work on John's neck. He smirked at down at John, who simply rolled his eyes. Sherlock bent and kissed him lightly before forcing him round. He pushed John forward, forcing him to brace himself against the wall. John spread his legs apart, and Sherlock planted himself between them, digging his heels on the slippery tiles of the shower.

Sherlock placed his hands on either side of John, before pushing into him slowly. The water pounded against his back as he moved in John. Once he got going and felt stable on the slick shower floor, he let go of John's hip with one hand and leaned forward, reaching around to John's cock. He wrapped his long fingers around it, twisting his hand as he slid over John's shaft, pumping John hard from both ends. John groaned in ecstasy, bucking his hips in rhythm with Sherlock.

"Showering together," John huffed, "may not have been as good an idea as we initially thought."

Sherlock made a noise that John assumed was a laugh. "No. This is exactly where I surmised this would go."

As his thrusts quickened, John's toes curled, causing them to slide forward, almost toppling over. Sherlock didn't even stop. He was so close to cumming, he wasn't going to let anything stop him now.

He felt Sherlock's body shift behind him, tense with desire. They came at the same time, Sherlock letting out a deep, guttural moan as his cum filled John. Sherlock's body went limp on top of John, breathing hard. John wobbled and struggled to stay upright with Sherlock's weight on top of him. His hands slid down the wall as he groped for a hold.

"Sherlock." He elbowed Sherlock's ribcage. "Dammit, Sherlock!"

Sherlock sucked in a breath and shifted so he could bear his own weight. He kissed the base of John's neck down his spine, rubbing circles on John's hips as he pulled out. Semen ran down John's legs, warm and slick.

"I should have turned the water down more," Sherlock said as John straightened himself.

John laughed, turning. "Aha, the great Sherlock Holmes was wrong! It must be a sign of the coming apocalypse." He leaned back against the wall, pulling Sherlock against him, wrapping his arms around Sherlock's waist.

Sherlock rolled his eyes and turned away. John pulled tighter and kissed Sherlock's neck.

Three sharp raps at the door caused them to separate.

"Breakfast for late risers in twenty," Elise's voice came from the other side of the door. "I expect to see you down there. Both of you!"

"It would seem time to conclude our little escapade," Sherlock nuzzled John's neck and kissed under his ear before turning away to grab the shampoo.


They walked out of the bathroom not 10 minutes later, donning nothing but their robes. They turned down the hall toward their room but were blocked by Arabella, staring up wide-eyed, head cocked to the side. They stared at each other in silence for a moment before she turned on her heel and stalked down the hall toward her bedroom.

"What an odd child," John remarked, chuckling.

In their room, Sherlock was going through his clothing, deciding what to wear. John's renewed presence had made him miss his old wardrobe. The way his shirts were perfectly fitted to his body. But he missed his scarf and trench coat most of all.

He sighed and grabbed black slacks that were an inch too short for his legs and a button-up shirt that was too loose around his chest. His clothing options were rather limited out here.

John pulled on jeans and his favorite striped sweater. He loved the warmth and comfort it provided.

They made their way down stairs to the kitchen where Arabella was coloring at the table and Elise was waiting patiently with two plates full of food.

She smiled when they walked in. "Good morning!" she almost sang. "John what would you like to drink with your breakfast?"

"Milk is fine." He replied, sitting at the place set for him next to Sherlock at the table.

She got a mug and glass from the cupboard. Milk for John and a steaming hot cup of coffee – black, with two sugars – for Sherlock. She sat across from them, head propped on one hand, a smile playing at her lips. She giggled when John sat and his sweater shifted just enough to expose a sliver of the bruise Sherlock had left.

Sherlock rolled his eyes. "Is this how you always act when you know two people have…" he glanced at Arabella, determinedly scribbling away in her sketchbook, and decided against finishing the sentence. "I rather feel sorry for your children."

She laughed. "I'm just… very happy for you two." She smiled. "And it was apparent to me you two are rather well made for each other."

John blushed. She stared at them expectantly.

Sherlock scoffed. "Not that it's any of your business."

Elise smirked. "My house. My business."

"I think you're just nosy."

"Perhaps." She waited.

"Wait. What are we talking about?" John asked, bewildered.

"Elise here would like explicit details as to our goings-on last night." Sherlock informed him. John's eyes went wide. "I really don't think it would be appropriate to expose little Arabella to such language at such a young age."

She chuckled. "I didn't really expect you to tell me anyway."

"Mum," Arabella chimed in, "Why do Sherlock and John shower together?"

John almost choked on his food. Elise burst out laughing, when she finished she paused, unsure of what answer to give. She glanced at Sherlock for an idea.

"Arabella," he started, "Do you recall when you learned about being good to the environment in class?"

She nodded.

"Well, sometimes adults shower together to conserve water and be kinder to the environment."

"Oh! What a brilliant idea! You're so smart, Sherlock." She beamed at him.

Elise leaned toward John and whispered, "Seems as though you've got a bit of competition, John." She nudged him in the ribcage, giggling. "At any rate, John, I was wondering if you'd like to go to town with me today. I've got to do the shopping and I know you haven't been yet. I thought you might enjoy a day out."

He nodded. "Yes, of course! I'd love to."

"Don't be so keen. It's a dreadfully small town." Sherlock said, standing to refill his mug with coffee. "There isn't much to see or do."

"Sherlock, please." Elise turned to him. "You don't have to make excuses. If you want to keep John to yourself, all you have to do is say so." She smirked when he glared at her. "But if it's just spending time with him you're worried about, you are more than welcome to join us."

Sherlock scowled at her, but eventually nodded. "Fine."

"Don't be such a grouch," she stood and smacked him on the shoulder as she passed him. "Come on, Arabella. Let's get you dressed." She turned to John and Sherlock. "Meet me at the truck in ten."