Thank You!

:)

John pondered about joining work over a cup of tea, sitting quietly in the living area. Sherlock was fast asleep on his bed, gorgeously naked and completely oblivious. John had a difficult time suppressing the urge to tie Sherlock to the bed just to make him stay that way.

John huffed out a breath running a hand through his hair. Harry had called. She seemed worried and wanted to come over. John had to persuade her vehemently not to come over, that he was fine.

Everything was fine.

"John?" a voice edged with sleep called from the bedroom. John collected his thoughts before going up to the man.

"Good morning."

"Good morning" Sherlock mumbled into a pillow reaching out to drag John back in bed.

John sat down beside him. Sherlock looked up fully. The mists in his eyes cleared searching John's thoughtful face. He sat up.

"Would you like some tea?" John asked softly, giving a half smile.

"John…" Sherlock looked at him questioningly.

John looked away. A warm hand firmly grasped his.

"You have been to work with me at home. I haven't run away, have I?"

"Not that time."

"I won't leave John. Not even this time. You go to work, with peace of mind. People need you."

I need you Sherlock.

"Are you making a promise you can't keep Sherlock?" John asked in a cold voice.

Sherlock arched an eyebrow.

"Harry called again. I should go and give her a visit today, before she pops up at our door."

"She could, she worries about you." Sherlock said smiling.

"Don't say that." John said in a pained voice. "You don't know how I have been avoiding my landlady so far. Now there's Harry."

"And then there's me." Sherlock added nonchalantly.

"You are not some kind of crook Sherlock, why do we have to hide like this?"

"I'm in a bad enough position not to go seek medical care when I'm shot. " Sherlock snapped.

John was taken aback but this sudden acidic outburst.

"If you want me to be here John, there will be consequences."

"I know the consequences; still I want you here, don't I?" John said heatedly.

"Am I taking advantage of your hospitality, John?"

"Sherlock!"

Sherlock cast his eyes away.

John stood, hyperventilating. It had come to this. They were fighting.

"You should do what's best for both of us John." Sherlock said gravely.

"And what might that be?" John asked trying to reel in the flood of emotions inside.

"Go to work."

"You should do what's best for both of us John."

John put his head on the desk resignedly, thinking about the morning conversation.

What had Sherlock meant? Did he mean that it was better to let him go? It would be nice to go back to the serenity of the mundane life. Without Sherlock, without uncertainty, without this constant pain.

John shivered at his own thoughts. He remembered how he had suffered for a whole year without so much as a word from the man he loved. But he also had to admit that his nerves were fraying. He felt like his life was more of an illusion than reality. He was losing grip. The fight they had today was evidence enough as to what would happen if he tried to stay in this impractical reality.

Sherlock clearly doesn't want to be with me for longer than a season. He pays no heed to whatever suggestions I make. He makes no suggestion either. Is his confessed love for me even real?

John felt his heart shut. He held on to the corners of his desk, he felt like he was floating away.

Where do I stand with you Sherlock? Where do I stand in my own life? Do I give up? Do I stay? Where do I go? What do I do?

A buzzing mobile wavered John's attention from his excruciating thoughts.

"Hello? Yeah Harry, I'm actually coming over to you. Yeah, I'll be there in half an hour. I'm at Bart's. Yeah. See you then."

John sat with his sister for exactly two minutes before his heart started palpitating. Still he sat there with a somewhat smiling face, trying to appease her.

Morning didn't go well. I ought to have done something about it. I should have called home. What if he's gone? The last conversation we had was a fight.

John unconsciously hissed.

"Are you alright John?"

An alarmed voice brought him back.

"Huh? Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired."

Harry eyed him suspiciously.

"Getting a back pain, that's all."

Leaving a half contented half doubtful Harry behind, John made his way towards home. He stopped to shop for some flowers and desserts for his man waiting at home. Morning hadn't been good, he wanted to make it up for him.

As long as he stays, I should keep him happy. That man loves me, even if it's a disaster. I need to comfort him.

John bounded up the stairs, eager to meet the man. To surprise him, shower him with love and apologies. No relationship is perfect, so wasn't theirs. It shouldn't have swayed him so easily. After all Sherlock had went through to come to him.

Opening the door John rushed in to find Sherlock sitting in his armchair and a familiar figure sitting across him on the couch.

"Hello John." Sherlock drawled. Looking up gravely, cool eyes betraying the storm inside.

"What are you doing here Mary?" John asked choking.

"I came to see how you were doing." Mary said in a nonchalant voice. Her eyes burnt with a kind of passion that John couldn't place at that time.

"I got acquainted with Sherlock here, seems you two are a pretty perfect couple together." She said resentfully. "Wonder why you keep him locked up here."

John gulped, breathe hitching. And unknown fear clutching at his throat.

"Well, I got rather late chatting with your man. I should leave you two now. Thanks for the tea Sherlock."

She went past John with a scathing look.

John stood dumb founded.

After a moment or two Sherlock rose from his chair. Languidly crossed the room to where John was standing. He took away the flowers from the man's hand.

Smelling them he smiled up at him, face childishly happy. "Are these for me?"

"Sher…Sherlock…I didn't know…she didn't even call me…please…please…" John felt the world tumbling under his feet.

A warm hand clasped at the nape of his neck. Sherlock pressed their foreheads together.

"Sh-sh John." He said, the other hand holding the flowers. "It's all fine. She came to see you. Not to interrupt. Though I think I rather upset her." Sherlock said in a halfhearted chuckle.

"What did she say to you?" John whispered, too scared to open his eyes.

"Mundane, starting with who I am, what I am doing in your apartment. Then, if I'm the man for whom you left her."

"Oh Sherlock…I'm so sorry this happened."

"SShh. Don't John. Relax. "

Sherlock guided John towards the couch. He made him sit before pushing his shoulders lightly and coaxing him into a delicate kiss.

"I'll get some tea for you. Don't move, I'm not finished kissing you."

With a dark rumble Sherlock went into the kitchen.

Please review! :)