When John met Matthew on that first case six months after Sherlock jumped, he was broken and unwilling to get back into this business of crime-solving without his partner, the man who brought him there. But the world continued to spin and he knew he could not simply stop working, plus his therapist was getting worried about the long walks he would take back to place where it all happened and the cemetery.

"You have to let him go John," she said softly one session, "remember the good times and let him go."

So that's what John began doing.

Meeting Matthew helped him, the enthusiastic man forced John to get back out into the world. There were dinners and movies then one night, after a few drinks Matthew kissed him. It wasn't completely unexpected or unwanted and John couldn't deny that he was attracted to men. He realized it every time he caught himself watching Sherlock as he read a book or played the violin, then he would imagine those long fingers and angelic face later that night. John realized it with every denial he made of the fact.

When Matthew kissed him it healed him a bit, at least enough for John to sleep through the night for once. They continued to see each other in the following months and John grew comfortable despite Sherlock never being too far from his mind, but at least the visits to the cemetery stopped.

And then that call came and Sherlock was back and John didn't want to tell him. John tried to convince himself that it was because Sherlock had no right to know because he left him all those months ago, but he knew better than that. He was scared and didn't want this to drive Sherlock away.

Matthew had heard about Sherlock's return through the department and wanted to meet the mysterious man in his boyfriend's life and John stalled as long as he could but the day had come for them to meet.

Matthew wasn't foolish, he saw the look on John's face every time the consulting detective's name was mentioned, and he noticed Sherlock's shock and displeasure when introduced meaning John hadn't told him.

But Matthew knew he wouldn't be the first one to let go. If John wanted him to leave he would, but not a moment before he asked.

Sherlock didn't leave the flat that night, and John didn't come home. He accepted the food Mrs. Hudson had so kindly brought up for him but it remained untouched on the table. Sherlock went to bed at 3 in the morning when he realized John was not coming home that night, plus he could only casually stay up "reading" for so long.

All he wanted was to see John's face before he slept to put him at ease.

The next morning Sherlock woke to banging noises in the kitchen and the smell of food cooking. He lay on his back, staring up at the ceiling, savoring this feeling of being in his bed back in this apartment. It had been a while.

It was 8:30 AM, and Sherlock wondered what time John got in that he was up so early. Knowing that he couldn't sleep now that he knew John was in the other room, Sherlock got out of bed. He was cautious leaving his room, Matthew may be over and Sherlock already felt as if he were intruding on their relationship.

Peeking into the kitchen, Sherlock spotted John fiddling with a frying pan, he was cooking eggs and toast, the most basic of breakfasts. Hearing a slight noise behind him, John turned around startling Sherlock who meant to head back to his room undetected, obviously this was a meal meant for one.

"Good morning, John," Sherlock said as he brought himself out from behind the door.

"Hello," he said before he turned his back again to continue cooking. Sherlock almost took that as a dismissal before John spoke again, "Would you like some breakfast?"

Seeing as his back was turned, Sherlock allowed a wide smile to grace his face. Just like old times, well not exactly but it felt good.

John stood at the oven frying the eggs as Sherlock prepared the tea. They quietly moved around each other in kitchen, careful not to touch. Similar to an old dance, despite not having practiced in a while one could never forget the steps.