Nobody's POV

"… And that's how I did it and where I have been this past year", Sherlock ended his story.
John had sat across him for about an hour and looked at him with a look of complete concentration.
When Sherlock was done, he stood up and walked to the other side of the room. He stood there for a moment with his hand against the wall looking into nothingness.

Then, he turned around and looked at Sherlock: "One thing you have to explain to me, Sherlock"
Sherlock nodded. John continued: "Why…"
"Why haven't I told you anything? Why have I told you that I was a fraud?", Sherlock interrupted.
John grinned: "No, I know those things" Sherlock smirked a little: "Really? Well if you're so sure of that, explain it to me."
John smiled: "Fair enough" He walked over to his favourite armchair and sat down: "You didn't tell me anything because you thought that I would blab in all of my enthusiasm. So in fact, you didn't trust me enough. And why you told me you were a fake? Simple: sentiment"

Sherlock looked stunned: "First one: yes, true. Very good! And sorry for that. As for the second: sentiment? Me?! Never!"
John shaked his head and grinned: "Yes, sentiment! You believed that if you could convince me that you had been lying the entire time to me as well as to the world I wouldn't grieve at all or just a little. You tried to make me suffer less. You thought I would just be angry… But you were wrong. And, just to clarify something, I never believed a word you said! Not even for a second… I knew you for real… and I still do"

Sherlock smiled: "Ok, fair enough. You are right. That was my intention indeed. But clearly I failed… And I'm happy I did"
"So am I", John replied.
"But, if none of those questions was your question… What did you want to know?"
John sighed and looked at the ground: "You really don't know anything about the human nature, do you?"
"Human nature?... Nope", Sherlock replied. He meant it, he had no idea what John wanted to know from him. But not a single cell in his body thought about admitting that.

John looked back up: "I want to know why you first went to see Lestrade, Misses Hudson and even Mycroft before you considered coming to me"
Sherlock looked at the ceiling. I really should clean that…
"Sherlock", John's voice was stern by now. The voice he probably had used when he was in the army.

Sherlock sighed and tried to collect his thoughts. Then, he took a deep breath and said it so fast it sounded as one big word: "I'm extremely sorry but I didn't dare because I feared that you had moved on with your life and that you never wanted to see or speak to me again and that I would go back to being lonely and depressed like before I met you"
But John had understood every last word of it and was genuinely startled. He had known that it had something to do with emotions, but to get such a statement from his best friend… Definitely not what he had expected.

When he had come over his shock, he stood up and kneeled in front of Sherlock. He put his hands on Sherlock's knees to gain his attention.
When Sherlock finally dared to look him in the eyes, John spoke: "I assume you heard my little speech at your grave. But I'll still repeat it: you were the best man and the most human... human being that I have ever known, and no one will ever convince me that you told me a lie. But I'll take your insecurity as a compliment. And since I think you have never been so honest with anyone in your life, not even yourself: thank you for trusting me after all"
John smiled and at seeing this, Sherlock smiled to.

John put his arms around Sherlock's neck and pulled him into an embrace. This time, Sherlock didn't argue, but just gave in and hugged back. After a little while, Sherlock spoke up: "You know that Lestrade still needs a witness report from you about the burglary right?"
He heard John groan: "I don't want to…" Sherlock smirked: "… Maybe you won't have to…"

John pulled away and looked at Sherlock: "What you're thinking of?"
Sherlock winked and took his phone from his pocket. He pressed a number on speed dial and waited a little.
When John heard Sherlock talk to the other person, he started laughing uncontrollably.
Because he had heard that openings sentence before: "Hello brother dear, how are you?"
The response made both John and Sherlock almost fall of the couch from laughter: "What do you need now, Sherlock?"

Author's note: I'm soooo sorry for the extreeeeeme late update. I've been a little busy with all kinds of things. Anyway, there will be one more chapter with some spoilers for 'The sign of three'. So a warning on beforehand. In case I forget later, already loads of thanks for anybody who might read this :) You have no idea how much that means to me! :D
Already a special thanks to:
Elleke hihi and my English teacher for chapter 3.
Sir, again: if you read this: I don't mean any harm by writing this. No offence, I just liked the idea you unconsciously gave me :) So, thank you :)