Author note: It's been a while, I know. But I hope you'll like it enough to forgive. As always all comments are welcome. Have a good read :)

Rain haven't make an appearance that day. Streets were painted with late morning sun and John chosen to walk to Baker Street on feet. Main reason for that was his need to think about his stir crazy situation and moving around always helped him gather his thoughts.

He woke up early, after surprisingly peaceful night, what given him time to look Sherlock up. There wasn't a lot of course. One of first links in google search was his site .uk, which definitely wasn't the most interesting blog John had ever read. It shone a little light on the Holmes persona though. Considering that what the man had written was true, of course, which John wasn't sure about. Sherlock seemed to love science, be incredibly observant and equally arrogant. His deducting thing explained also how he knew things about John.

Police announcements were curious. They suspected Holmes of about all possible crimes, starting with fraud and ending on murders, but not one single offence had ever been proven and Sherlock still was a free man.

There were also a few articles alluring to Holmes criminal activities, some stories about people who swore they had dealings with the mob boss and "wanted to caution everyone of the danger that Sherlock Holmes was to London and its citizens, since police would do nothing". Strange thing about that stories was that each witness described Sherlock differently – for one he was tall, slender blond man with unkempt beard and for other he was average high, elegant gentleman. The exact reason for their fear of the mob boss was never mentioned. John guessed blackmail was the cause.

So Sherlock was scarily intelligent man and great actor, who was no stranger to blackmail and possibly all crimes he was suspected of, with apparently high connections. Wonderful. The question was what he wanted from John who wasn't rich, didn't have any confidential information and from his point of view no value at all.

John was so lost in thought he would miss his destination for sure if deep baritone haven't immediately caught his attention.

"I'm happy you decided to come after all."

Soldier spun on his hill surprised. Tall man in dark long coat was standing on the edge of pavement smirking slightly. How John haven't noticed him at first he had no idea.

"Let's see the flat, shall we?" Sherlock said and without waiting for reply, started climbing a few steps to 221b doors. John found himself following without much conscious thought.

Sherlock knocked and short moment later old lady opened the door. She hugged Sherlock and started rambling moving around the flat, but John couldn't really focus on anything she was saying past "I'm so excited that you finally found yourself a flat mate Sherlock!"

John was not sure how long he was standing there looking stupid before he finally spoke:

"A flat mate?"

Landlady suddenly fell silent an then sharply turned to Sherlock.

"You haven't told him? You said he agreed already! I won't tolerate you lying to me, young man!"

"I wrote him a message and he turned up, so I gathered he agreed" tall man replied calmly nonplused at being screamed at. "Doctor Watson?"

All eyes in room were on him.

"I… I thought… " Suddenly everything was looking completely ridiculous, what he was even doing. "Look, I haven't shoot myself in head yesterday, so I thought I would check if you pulled prank on me. Because why the hell not? Dealings with mob boss, or not, my life is not going to get worse! Apparently you are real deal and here I am, standing in very nice flat in central London which can be mine, but flat share? I'm useless to you! So what, if I am suicidal, it's ok to hold me here as, I don't know, an organ harvester?!"

John was distantly aware he was hysterical, making fool of himself, breathing to fast and probably going into panic attack, but he didn't even care.

Next thing he knew there were warm hands on his shoulders guiding him into armchair and gentle deep voice that was constantly talking but John had no idea what about. And then there was silence but hands stayed on his arms, a grounding presence.

Sometime later he opened his eyes to immediately caught intense gaze of grey ones. Sherlock was currently crouching in front of him, watching him in silence. Landlady was nowhere in sight.

"It's not very nice to assume a newly met person has such grim motivations, don't you think?" asked mob boss after a moment. His voice was calm and somehow had soothing quality to it despite chastising words.

"What do you want from me?" asked John while still trying to keep his breathing under control.

"As hard it's for you to comprehend, I don't want anything from you"

"Then why invite me here? To be your flatmate?"

"Well…" Holmes seemed to consider multiple possible answers, which wasn't all that promising.

"Just tell me and don't fucking lie. I assumed the worst already" former soldier was proud his voice wasn't shacking despite his still uneven breath.

"I'm trying to come of drugs and apparently being all alone isn't very helpful with that. You being a doctor is a plus certainly. I assumed you've seen a lot of gruesome things in war so I suppose you won't be as bothered by my regular experiments as others would be. Also you were less likely to refuse me as you don't seem value your life so much right now, which is a crime if you ask me. As you see your skill set is unique and would suit a perfect flatmate for me."

Sherlock little speech was so fast paced that John barely managed to keep up.

"You're saying that you want me to live with you, because you think I'll be able to put up with you?"

Supposed mob boss blinked slowly.

"Not in such words, but yes."

John couldn't keep the laughter in any longer. Holmes looked startled by his reaction and he finally let go of John's arms.

"Are you going into panic attack again?"

"No, no. We've had enough of it today already, haven't we? Just… Are you real mob boss?"

"Ah. I wouldn't go that far, but I'm not always on the right side of law. And that's beside being a drug addict. If it will help you, I've never murdered anyone. And before you ask I also haven't ordered or arranged for anybody to get killed."

"That's… good to know. I suppose."

John wasn't stupid enough to not notice lack of clear answer, but the one he got was more than he expected anyway. And despite himself he believed it to be true.

"Okay."

Sherlock blinked at him again. "Okay what?"

"I'll be your flatmate given the rent is as affordable as you promised."