Sherlock burst through the door to the building where John lived, panting from the exertion, his feet pounding on the stairs and his heart hammering a tempestuous rhythm in his chest. "John" He croaked, his throat burning from inhaling the fumes of the city as he sprinted through her web of streets which swarmed with people, a writhing mass of bodies, a temperate barrier between him and the man he so desperately needed to hold in his arms once more. Only this time it wouldn't be a lie, it wouldn't be forced or hesitant, it would be perfect. The dominatrix spun round the top of the banister and dragged his body up the next set of stairs. Why did John have to live on the top floor?

He was so intent on reaching his goal that Sherlock nearly ran into the very man he wanted to see on the stairs. "John!" He rasped, throwing his arms around the smaller man in his joy.

The other man was almost too stunned to speak, holding Sherlock tightly and squeezing him around his non-existent middle. "Oh my god, Sherlock, why are you here? I thought you had to-"

"Don't" the dominatrix whispered, nuzzling John's neck, pulling back and pressing delicate kisses to his cheeks, his jaw, and finally his lips "don't, please, don't say it, I'm here that's all that matters"

"Yes, yes you're right, come on lets go upstairs" John gasped, a little breathless from the other man's passionate kisses. There was a sense of urgency which he had never felt with Sherlock before, something so pure and beautiful he could no longer hold back his emotions. John reached up and threw his arms around Sherlock's neck, smothering him with his love, his lips crushing those belonging to the taller man, who laughed in his unbounded happiness and lifted John off his feet, pulling his body up and wrapping his arms around his waist.

The two men stumbled up the final few steps to John's flat, tripping over their own feet and falling over each other in their haste and giddy excitement.

Sherlock was so happy, so stupidly happy. He didn't remember being this wonderfully care-free in years. John was unlocking the door, his hands steady as he inserted the key. The dominatrix tucked an arm around the smaller man's waist and pressed his body close to him, nosing his hair and smiling contentedly.

They walked slowly into the darkened flat, kissing languidly and stripping off articles of clothing as they made their way to John's bed once more. John shed his jumper and shirt, helping Sherlock off with his jacket. They were grinning like idiots the whole while, their hands mapping the other's naked body as they undressed.

Sherlock stepped forwards and they embraced, skin to skin, tan against white. John ran his fingers over Sherlock's old wounds crossing his back, memorizing the raised bumps and dips in the flesh. Sherlock in turn spread his palm over John's shoulder and caressed the delicate skin there. Each man had their scars, their battle wounds.

The dominatrix looked at the magnificent man in his arms and he grinned, his face aching with love. John smiled back, stroking Sherlock's face gently and dragging his fingers through his dark curls. "Why did you come back, Sherlock?" He asked, leaning forwards and pressing a kiss to the other man's lips. Sherlock looked away, his head riddled with answers but none of them presenting themselves as the right one to give his John.

"I made the right choice" he murmured, pulling John's body closer and tucking his head into the crook of his neck. The doctor's hands slid comfortably down his body to rest on his hips, pressing his thumbs into the dip of Sherlock's pelvis lightly and massaging the delicate skin there. The dominatrix gave a soft moan and a rumbling purr of contentment rippled through his body as he curved his spine to fit against his partner.

Sherlock had never felt this much for anyone, and as he watched John settling onto his hands and knees in front of him he knew this man was everything he could ever want. The dominatrix placed his hands on John's hips, feeling him move into position just between his legs. The other man's flushed skin was a burning heat beneath his palm as Sherlock pressed his body close and kissed a delicate line alone John's spine where it curved before him. He smiled that elegant smile, so so happy.

"Sherlock!" John cried out, pushing back against the other man as the dominatrix penetrated him, allowing him a little time to adjust before slowly beginning his careful, measured thrusts inside him. The doctor groaned, his whole body aching with need and passion, taking Sherlock completely and closing his eyes as the other man went deeper.

Sherlock wrapped his arms around John, cradling his body to his chest and laying his head on the other man's back, listening to the quick, desperate breaths sucked into his lungs, and the frantic pattering of his strong heart battling with his heightened arousal and exertion.

The doctor spread his legs a little wider, welcoming Sherlock's body completely, allowing the emotional significance of their union to consume his senses. Every ripple of pleasure was like a promise, deep and profound, an unspoken understanding. Sherlock was making soft little keening sounds in the back of his throat as he thrust faster, the gentle hands resting on the other man's hips beginning to shake. John didn't bother to conceal his enjoyment, he didn't need to. He let the erotic, guttural moans tear through his throat and escape his parted lips as Sherlock made love to him so beautifully, the purity of his soul exposed and laid bare for him. The dominatrix offered not only his body to the doctor, but the entirety of his being.

Sherlock pressed his forehead to John's spine as he groaned and bucked his hips beneath him. He didn't need to manipulate him, didn't need to work for this man, this brilliant man. John was everything Sherlock had ever wanted in a partner, his sensitivity and compassion overwhelming to the cold hearted man. The dominatrix lifted his body up, arching his back and increasing the intensity of their combined pleasure, his muscles screaming at him for relief.

The two men climaxed simultaneously, the swells of their passion overwhelming them as they cried out, calling the other man's name in their release. Sherlock collapsed over John's back and the doctor's knees gave way. The couple fell together into the mattress, still joined intimately. Sherlock pulled out slowly and rolled to the side, his limbs spread encasing the other man's vulnerable body protectively. The dominatrix instantly cuddled into John, pulling him to his chest and pressing tender kisses along his hairline as the other man gasped back his breath.

Sherlock let out a long sigh, burrowing into John's neck and tracing listless patterns over the bare skin of his back. "I love you" The dark haired man murmured against a freckle on John's throat. The doctor didn't move for a few moments, stunned into silence by the sudden declaration.

What Sherlock had just said had come as a shock to them both, not least himself. Sherlock froze at the same time as his lover, his fingers stilling on his back and his breath caught in his throat helplessly. The couple pulled apart uncertainly, keeping a watchful gaze on the other's expression to gauge their reaction.

"John, I-" Sherlock began, but was cut off mid sentence by rough and ferocious lips crushing onto his. John lurched forwards, capturing his lover's words in his own mouth, swallowing the denial he had observed creeping into Sherlock's speech.

The dominatrix frowned, a shiver rippling through his body as John pushed his leg between his thighs and ran his tongue along Sherlock's plump bottom lip. The other man slid his warm hands down, cupping Sherlock's arse and kneading gently, pushing his hips forwards slightly in an effort to convey the depth of his emotion.

Sherlock came up for air, his face flushed and his lips swollen with John's passionate kisses. "I don't understand" He breathed, his chest heaving with exertion as the other man threading his fingers into Sherlock's inky black curls.

"I love you, Sherlock" John said quietly, staring into the other man's eyes with a frightening intensity, daring him to take it back, claim it as a Freudian slip, a gross misunderstanding. Sherlock says nothing.

John smiled faintly, leaning in and punctuating each word with a firm kiss on the other man's lips. "I. Love. You. Sherlock."

The dominatrix sighed, pulling John into a tight embrace and wrapping him in his strong arms. "Thank God" He said, closing his eyes and letting that warm sensation which had been building in his chest for so long now swell and wash over him completely.

For once in his life, Sherlock had someone who actually cared about him, and John had the deep profound connection with another person that he had always longed for.

Life was good.

To answer one person's question, I am aware that Dominatrix is the feminine term, but Sherlock doesn't seem to suit Dominator. So there.

The next chapter will be the last, followed by an epilogue...I think. Please review and tell me what you think! ~K