Disclaimer: I still own nothing…...but I wish these men were all mine.

"You're joking."

"How long have you known me John?"

"You have to be joking."

"I do not joke."

"How….why….just answer that for me!"

"Which question John, the how or the why?"

"Sherlock I swear to God do not fucking play with me right now!"

Sherlock sighed, "John they won't figure it out. I would never allow it. They need to see how beautifully we work together. And I need to see them fail."

John was furious. "How the hell do you know that Sherlock? They may not be as smart as you but they are not complete morons! They are perfectly capable of finding evidence and analyzing it!"

"I don't believe anyone has ever insulted me more. Do you really think I would leave any evidence John?" John looked over at the hurt he could hear in his lover's voice. His anger lessened momentarily and he dropped his head into his hands. Kneeling before Sherlock as he lay draped on the sofa, he grabbed his face to look into his eyes.

"Sherlock you are brilliant, a genius, a god among mere mortals. I believe in you and your abilities more than I have ever believed in anyone ever. But my love, you have taken an unnecessary risk and I don't understand your reasoning. Why leave a body for them to find? Why create a scene for them to call you to? Why play this game? You're smarter than them, why do you need to prove it over and over?"

"John stop!" Sherlock jumped up and started pacing.

"No Sherlock, this is not just about you anymore, if it were then obviously you could do as you wish. But we are a team; we are partners for fuck's sake! You put yourself at risk, you put me at risk. Had you consulted me we wouldn't be arguing now! You overstepped Sherlock. I know I give you control over me; I know I let you dominate me. I'm not ashamed of being submissive to you, I love it. But this is a violation of the trust that I put in you to do right by me, to protect our life, to put our safety first!" John was beyond any coherent thought. All he could think was how weak he must sound, how pathetic Sherlock must think he is.

"You disregard the feelings of everyone out there Sherlock, but I never thought you would do it to me. I thought you held me in a higher esteem, that you respected me. Obviously I'm a delusional fool." John finally stood, making his way toward his room. Sherlock grabbed him and threw him against the mantle place. Sherlock never saw the punch coming. John's fist connected forcefully with his cheek causing him to go flying across the room.

"Don't you dare touch me." John growled at him.

Sherlock was in shock, John never rejected him! John craved his touch, whether in anger or lust, John never pulled away from Sherlock. In that instant Sherlock understood John's anger and he was afraid. Sherlock was never afraid, but he knew if he didn't react quickly he would lose John completely, and he would not allow that. He snarled at the thought and launched himself at the smaller man. Their fists flew, both determined to bring the other man to his knees. Neither fought fair, punches and kicks were landed in sensitive areas that would bring other men down. Their rage and determination anesthetized them from the pain. The fight seemed to last forever, though they would never remember for how long they really pummeled each other. Neither man actually gave up; at some point they were just too tired to keep going. They lay on the floor, trying to regain their breath, both covered in blood and the beginnings of major bruising and swelling.

Sherlock dragged himself on top of John and grabbed his face. "I'm sorry John. I have never said that to anyone but I'm saying it to you now. I do hold you higher than anyone else on the planet. I cherish you; I respect you; I revere you. And I regret doing anything that would ever make you think otherwise. I will not allow you to think otherwise, and I will fight the devil himself to keep you safe, even from my own foolishness. You belong to me."

"How can I trust that your need to grandstand won't come above me again?"

Sherlock grabbed a shard from a glass that was broken during the fight and slit his left wrist.

"What the bloody fuck Sherlock!" John screamed in horror as he grabbed Sherlock's wrist to stop the bleeding.

"Let my blood be my pledge to you John. I would die before betraying your trust again. I offer you my life." Sherlock watched as John's eyes began to soften. John leaned in and licked at the blood seeping from the wound moaning softly. Sherlock's eyes closed in bliss and awe of the perfection of the man before him.

John lifted his head and kissed Sherlock's broken lips softly. "Come on; let me take care of this. It may end up a little crooked; I think my finger is broken."

"Not a problem John, I'm very good at setting broken bones."