John had helped Sherlock out of all of the restraints, and after a black car had taken them home, Sherlock had shut himself in the bathroom, refusing to talk about it.

John, who could not decide if he was worried or not, made himself tea and puttered about in the kitchen, making an unusually complicated dinner as he felt like he needed the distraction, even baking them some bread.

Suddenly he heard Sherlock's graceful footsteps behind him, and heard from the doorway "John? Are you alright?" John turned around, puzzled. "Me?! Sherlock, you are the one who was... tortured all morning!" Sherlock had that vulnerable expression he basically only displayed when he thought they might have problems between them. "Yes... but you were kidnapped because of me... again. Aren't you... upset? Isn't that... a bit not good?" "It is very not good, but that is on Mycroft, not on you. And it was hardly a bad kidnapping, for me anyway. Are you alright?"

Sherlock blinks a little bit. "Oh. Yes, I am..." he grimaces "my brother touched me, but somehow I survived". John laughs and turns back to the stove. "That's good". John let Sherlock watch him in silence for a while before asking, still with his back to him "so, how are you feeling? How... was it?"

Sherlock's reply was dry and made John chuckle. "Well, it certainly proved that my brother has been up to no good in the past. I might threaten to tell mummy".

Sherlock was watching John cook from the doorway for several more minutes before he said anything more, but John didn't push. "It was... strange though. Liberating? It felt like I was back inside my memories, but this time there was nothing to flinch from. I mean, I am not saying..." Sherlock added the last words somewhat quicker than the deliberate tone he had previously used.

"I know" John replied kindly, turning to smile to him. "We have time. I will not expect you to be suddely changed. If you feel better, that is good enough for me. We will continue to work at it, okay?" And his genius nodded in agreement. "So, what's for dinner?" And it didn't matter that he was merely being humored with the question, John was glad it had been asked.

Is this still in character? Is it any good? Is anybody still reading? Could I please have some feedback? Pretty please? All recognisable content belongs to its respective owners.

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