It was a couple of hours later….They were lying in what was quickly becoming their favourite position. John was flat on his back with Sherlock curled up against him, head on his chest, an arm and a leg slung around him. It satisfied Sherlock's possessiveness and John's fondness for playing with his hair.

"John?"

"Hmmm?"

"Have you ever been in a long distance relationship?"

"Like our's is going to be in a couple of months?"

"Hmmm…"

"No….are you worrying about that?"

"I do have to get back to touring and performing…I want to, but I hate the thought of being away from you. I really don't think I can manage…But I'm not asking you to come with me. You have your life and your job and you should keep it. What you do is important and I know how much you like it and need it. It's just the thought of not seeing you everyday…."

"I know, love. I don't think I could stand to not be with you either…I really don't know what we can do. But that is a month or more in future, isn't it?"

Sherlock nodded.

"We'll figure it out. We'll think of something, I promise. There's no way I'm letting you go away for eight months at a time…I don't think I would survive."

Sherlock sat up and looked at him. "I think there is something you should know, John….I'm not very good at relationships. I'm not demonstrative…I love you, but I may not remember to say it as often as I should…I tend to get caught up in work and ignore everything else…I've been accused of being selfish and insensitive…with justice, I'm afraid… and I may not always know the right thing to say and do…and…I don't know how we're going to make this work if we're going to be apart from each other most of the time…" he trailed off frowning.

"Sherlock, look at me love." John said "I don't know what we're going to do. But we'll figure it out …together. I can't think of anything I wouldn't do to keep you. I'm guessing it's the same for you."

Sherlock nodded.

"Well in that case, you have nothing to worry about…as for all the flaws you listed, i know them all and i like love you in spite of them. And I have a good number of faults myself…my temper the biggest of them…you haven't seen it yet, but you will and then you may want to run from me, but you will come back…" he finished smiling.

And he pulled Sherlock to him and they stayed like that for a long time...their future was far from certain, but they were sure of each other and that is all that really mattered.

Fin

...

Author's note: This is the end of this particular story. There are more to come in this universe. A sequel for sure, maybe two. But that is for later.