"We aren't alright," Sherlock whispered, his arm curled around John's waist. "Ever since our discussion, you've been quieter, and you have been working more hours at the clinic."

John avoided his eyes, and Sherlock had to gather all his will power not to simply hold John and kiss him, anything to wipe that miserable expression from his face.

"You're still upset. You said it was fine, that we were fine, but... we're not."

"Sherlock-" John's voice broke off. "I've forgiven you for what happened. I understand your reasons, but you have to understand this isn't easy for me. It still hurts, and knowing that you may do something like that again in the future..." John swallowed past the lump forming in his throat. "I said I accepted you for who you are, that I understood. Now you need to understand that I have the right to be upset over it, that even if it doesn't mean anything to you, it hurts. And I don't think that's not ever going to change."

Sherlock tightened his grip around John, pulling him closer, and pressed a rough kiss on his hair.

"John, I- I didn't mean to imply that I would do it again. Not something like what I did, at least. How could you think I would ever, after your reaction? After thinking I might lose you because of it?"

He closed his eyes, breathing John in, unable to fend off the image of John's face when he told him, his retreating back when he thought John was leaving for good. "I will never go that far again, John. I promise you. I'm sorry I can't undo what's already happened, but you need to talk to me about these things; don't just pull away from me."

"I wanted it to be alright," John croaked out. "I wanted to forget about it, but I just can't. I keep thinking-" he cut off and hid his face on Sherlock's neck, his hand finding Sherlock's shirt and gripping it tightly, as if to ground himself. "I keep thinking that maybe if you cared more about me, if I could actually compete with the work, this wouldn't have happened. That maybe this thing we have isn't enough, that-"

"Stop." Sherlock pulled John back, his hands finding John's face, cupping his cheeks, so he would finally look at him. "There is no competition, John. You come first, always. If I had known you would react like this, how much it would hurt you, I would have found another way. But I didn't know John; I'm sorry."

He rested his forehead against John's, his voice a mare whisper now. "You are enough. We are enough, John, never doubt that. I'll make it up to you, I promise. I'll show you how much you mean to me, I'll do anything. Please, just... come back to me. Stop pulling away; let me... let me make it better. Please."

John leaned in and kissed him, carding his fingers through his hair, pulling him closer. The kiss was deep, but soft, both trying to convey everything they felt, everything left unsaid in it.

"John?" Sherlock muttered a few minutes later, both almost at the verge of sleep. "Remember what I gave you for our anniversary? Those coupons I gave you, which could be traded for a kiss, a hug, and all that nonsense?"

John huffed. "I do. I think it's in the drawer; thought it would be good for emergencies."

Sherlock nipped at his lower lip. "Funny. What I was trying to say is... well, if you had paid more attention to it, you would have seen I had added a few coupons myself."

John frowned. "What?"

Sherlock reached for the drawer and took hold of the coupons, passing them to John. John sent him a confused look, before inspecting the coupons more closely.

'Clear up experiments'

'Clean the kitchen'

'Spend at least an hour away from a case -more in case of emergency'

'Cup of tea'

"Sherlock, I-" John looked up at him, his eyes glistening with unshed tears, and he pulled Sherlock closer for a kiss. "Thank you," he breathed against his mouth.

"I love you, John. Never forget that."

"I love you, Sherlock. Always."

Author's notes:

... I never said the interlude wouldn't be angsty.
Or wouldn't be related to past chapters.
Sorry.

On another note, I have uploaded the first part of the Victorlock prequel, in case anyone's interested :)

Hope you enjoy x