"Johnny!" James sang out as he entered the flat.

"Welcome home," John called back without looking. He was in the middle of a mission for the new game Moran brought him that morning. Finally, John was starting to understand why the youth were so addicted to games. Suddenly, John felt two arms snake around his shoulders. He raised an eyebrow as he felt teeth tug at his earlobe. "How may I help you?"

"There's no dinner on the table," James complained, pressing his lips into John's neck.

John chuckled and tilted his head to give James better access. "That's because I didn't know when you would be home. Dinner is in the heating drawer." Pausing the game, he turned and pulled back to look at James. "Did you honestly think that I would forget to feed you?"

Grinning, James responded, "No, of course not. I thought that you would forget to feed both of us."

"Git," John snapped back before James kissed him. It was chaste – only lips to lips – but enough to subside John's mock irritation. "Go set the table. I'll get the food out."

James pulled back and headed over to the kitchen. Turning off the telly, John slowly followed. He grabbed two hand towels in order pull out the lasagne as he didn't want to go rummaging around for the proper gloves. Once more, his nose was overwhelmed with the smell, and his stomach gave a hungry growl. He had wanted to eat earlier, but part of him still wanted to wait until James got back. It gave both of them the semblance of normality, despite the conditions that brought them together. Setting it out on the island, he opened up the drawer and retrieved a spatula.

"Smells good," James complimented as he hovered next to John. He held a plate in each hand, and he shoved one out for John to fill.

"Thanks." He cut out a piece of it and scooped it up. Just as he went to slide it neatly onto James's plate, it accidentally flipped over. "Damn it!"

James seemed amused by John's outburst. "It'll taste the same no matter what, you know," he pointed out. "It hardly matters if it's upside down."

"Yeah, I know," John replied, cutting out another piece for himself. "It just happens to look better right-side up."

"Oh?" James pressed, looking closely. "I didn't notice the difference at all."

Hip-checking him, John scowled and yanked the empty plate out of James's hand. "Arse." James grinned at him as he headed back over to the table. "Just for that, I'm not going to make you dinner tomorrow. You can fend for yourself."

"You wouldn't," James gasped jokingly.

"Try me."

Immediately, James set the plate on the table before dropping to his knees. At first, John thought that maybe something was wrong. He had seen people fall to their knees like that before due to a pinched nerve. And then he saw tears in James's eyes, and he lunged forward, symptoms and possible diagnoses running through his mind. "B-but John," James finally said, causing John to pause, "you wouldn't really just let me starve, would you? After everything I've done for you? Everything we've been through?"

"Jesus Christ, James!" John scolded, leaning back into the island. "You nearly gave me a fucking heart attack." James looked mildly surprised. "Get up, you sod. You're forgiven as long as you never do something like that again."

Rising, James pressed, "Scare you a bit there, Johnny-boy?"

"Did you miss the 'you sod' part of my previous statement?"

"No," James answered, sounding rather chipper about something. He sat down in front of his plate and didn't even wait for John to join him before he started to dig in. Quickly, John grabbed his own plate and went to join him. Yes, this was definitely nicer than eating alone. Just as John took the first bite of his food, James asked, "So what's something you want to do the next time we have sex?"

John sputtered and started to choke on his food. Downing half his water, he coughed a few times before croaking out, "I'm sorry. What?" His face was heating up as he replayed the question in his head.

"Come now, Johnny. It's just the two of us. There's no need to play coy. After all, I…" James hesitated, as if trying to figure out the proper way to say everything. "… appreciated what you did with the whipped cream. I just thought that if you had any other bright ideas, I wouldn't mind trying them out."

"James, this isn't exactly considered a 'normal' dinner conversation," John responded, trying to defend his reaction.

Groaning, James answered, "Normal is boring!"

John pressed his lips together. "Eat your lasagne and be happy."

James frowned and took a bite, barely chewing it before swallowing. Then, he grinned and said, "Alright, now will you answer?"

John wasn't sure if he wanted to laugh or slap James for pushing it again. "Can't we just have a nice, quiet dinner?"

"No."

Sighing, John set his fork down. "What do you want from me?"

"I thought I made that quite obvious. I want to know what you would interest you in bed," James informed him, taking another bite.

"Here's the issue with that question," John responded exasperatedly. "I've been asked it before, and it turned out that it was a huge trap. I was supposed to say that there was nothing that she could possibly change. That everything was lovely and fine and dandy and perfect. But guess what I did? I told her what was really on my mind. What I would genuinely like to change in our sex life. She got so angry that she left then and there and refused to speak to me again. So if what you really want me to tell you is that everything is peachy-keen, which it is, then just tell me now. I don't want to make the same mistake twice."

James hummed thoughtfully. "How unfortunate for her. I certainly wouldn't have given you up over something so petty," he said slowly. "But no, I honestly want to know what you would be interested in. The whipped cream was a nice change of pace, and I was rather curious as to what other ideas were stored in that pretty little head of yours. Besides, I know better. I have no self-esteem issues. I know you're lucky to have me as a lover."

"Good to know I haven't bruised that precious ego of yours," John responded sarcastically. Even so, he hesitated for a moment and shifted uncomfortably. "What we've been doing is perfectly fine," he finally said.

Groaning, James leaned back in his chair and covered his eyes with a hand. "C'mon, Johnny. Don't give me that crap. After all the closed-minded, simple lovers you seemed to have had, there has to be something you're just aching to try. What is it?"

"James," John objected softly, "everything's just fine. I'm not nearly as adventurous as you portray me. What we're doing is fun enough."

James rolled his eyes. "Just give me another peek, Johnny. Just a teensy little glimpse into what's going on in that head of yours."

John paused for a moment and thought about all the different things he would like to try at least once in his life. Almost inaudibly, he answered, "I've always wondered what it would be like to be gagged. Or blind-folded."

"Or both?" James prompted.

"Or both," he conceded for a moment before shaking his head. "But not until I've tried both separately. Because if it turns out that I don't like one of them then I would want to know that beforehand."

James leaned back in his chair and looked thoughtful for a moment. Honestly, John wasn't entirely sure that he wanted to know what James was thinking about. After a long moment of silence, he inquired, "So how do you like that new game I got you?"

Surprised by the topic change, John blinked a few times and had to regroup his thoughts. "Yeah," he finally answered. "It's really interesting."

"Moran suggested it for you. Said it would be good since it was single player by nature. I don't know exactly how that's better, only that it is," he replied sardonically, giving a small shrug.

John jested, "I know this might come as a surprise to you, but it was probably because I'm the only one playing."

Taking another bite of food, James waved off John's comment as if it was nothing. "What sort of logic is that?" he joked in return. "Honestly, I'll never understand how you ordinary people reason things out." He made finger quotes as he said the word "reason."

John grinned. "I don't know. I guess it'll just have to remain one of mankind's greatest mysteries."

James said nothing in response, merely taking another bite of lasagne. As they continued to eat, John couldn't help but wonder what he had gotten himself into. Because James was clearly planning something. He had that gleam in his eyes when a bright idea struck him. Honestly, John had become somewhat endeared to the look. But that didn't mean he was any less worried by it. As he put away the dishes, he let out a small sigh. Well, at the very least, James hadn't gone storming out of the flat after being offended by the fact that their current sex life wasn't everything that John would like it to be.

"God, I need help," John muttered to himself as he watched the credits roll. In two days, he had managed to finish a video game. Never in a million years would he ever think he would be able to say that. Glancing back at the clock, he noticed it was later than he anticipated – 7:03 PM – and he hadn't even started dinner. He was already addicted to video games, and he had started playing them not even a week ago. Brilliant. Absolutely bloody brilliant. He hoped that getting back to 221B would restore some order. After all, he could hardly afford to buy an Xbox and games.

Rising to his feet, he walked over to the kitchen. He had just opened the fridge to look at what he could cook when the front door opened. He looked back to watch James walk in with a bag in his hand. "Perfect timing. I was just trying to find something to cook for dinner. Any suggestions?"

However, James didn't answer him. He looked back to find James upon him in a second. Their lips crashed together, teeth and tongues trying to figure out what was going on. Stumbling back, John let the fridge door close as his arms instinctively wrapped around James's neck to draw him closer. Their tongues flicked at one another playfully as they began to move as a unit. The surge and retreat was perfectly executed, as if they had planned it all beforehand. Eventually, John broke the kiss and sucked in a deep breath. He went to ask what they were doing when James lifted up the bag. Taking it, John opened it and looked in. A ball-gag and a blindfold. It took a moment before everything registered in his mind. Without being prompted, James had gone shopping for him… because John wanted to try out these things.

"You decide which one we use tonight," James murmured in his ear, his warm breath tickling John's hair.

Smiling, John reached in and pulled out the blindfold. He wanted to be able to verbally object if he didn't like something. Besides, he had heard from a buddy that having sex while blindfolded had been the best sex of his life. John wanted to know just how true this was. "Shall we?" he pressed, glancing back towards the bedroom.

"We shall," James responded, tugging on John's hand as he led the way.

Stumbling behind him, John followed him, blindfold in hand, into the bedroom. James took the time to close the door for whatever reason, and John looked at him in confusion. Even so, he offered no explanation for his action, as he turned around and tugged John's jumper off. As soon as it was removed, John felt a kiss pressed into his neck. Their lips met again, tongues batting at one another as John unbuttoned James's shirt and James undid his jeans. Both articles of clothing hit the floor, and John let out a muffled moaned as he felt James massage his erection through his pants. Shaking, he managed to unbutton and unzip James's trousers. Instead of letting them drop, however, he locked his fingers around James's pants as well and dropped to his knees, tugging both pieces of clothing down. James's cock was exposed for only a few seconds before John's mouth wrapped around it and slid down. He had just given his first long suck when James gripped what he could of John's hair and pulled back, causing him to let out a protest.

"Blindfold," James stated, pulling John to his feet. He shoved him back onto the bed before descending. He kissed and nipped at John's neck as he reached into the nightstand and pulled out a pair of leather restraints. Cocking his head, John went to speak only for James to cut him off, "Can't afford to let you ruin another one of my ties."

"The same rules apply as before. If I object, you have to untie me. Or remove the blindfold."

James answered, "I know. Don't worry."

John watched carefully as James tied one hand to the headboard. Tugging at it, he tested how it felt – not too tight, but not loose enough for him to escape from – and how much it would give. By the time he was done testing the first, James had tied the other. John tested it as well – it was a little tighter than the first – before he looked down to find James reaching up with a blindfold. Flinching slightly, John instinctively closed his eyes as the blindfold was put in place. He opened them to find only darkness around him. When James touched his stomach ever so slightly, he flinched again from the sudden contact.

"I-I don't know if I like this," he said softly.

James responded, "Give it a moment in order to get used to it. I'll tell you where I'm going to touch first so you know what to expect."

Hesitating for a moment, John eventually conceded. "Fine."

"I'm going to kiss down your neck and massage your nipples," James told him softly.

Even though he knew what was going to happen, John still gasped when he felt James's lithe fingers pinch his nipples. He arched into the touch and let out a low moan as James kissed his Adam's apple. James's lips were warm against his skin. Slowly, James kissed centimetre by centimetre down John's neck, stopping at his clavicle. Meanwhile, his fingers teased John's nipples until they were erect. He pressed his lips into John's collar bone.

"Now, I'm going to move my hands. I will always stay in contact with your skin, and I'll move slowly," James explained.

John felt those fingers slide to his sides before slowly trailing down them. It was strange to not be able to see anything at all, and he was clinging to any sensations whatsoever. For the first time, John realised just how long James's fingers were. How soft his skin was, unlike John's callused and rough hands. Then James's hands locked firmly on his hips, and he felt James sink down, his weight shifting in the process and causing the bed to dip down. Although James didn't say a word, John wasn't surprised when he felt warm breath caress his cock. He sucked in a deep breath as he felt James's warm, wet tongue slowly lick from base to tip. Meanwhile, his hands trailed further south, spreading John's legs apart that much further. James pulled away from John's erection, inciting a needy whimper out of him. Suddenly, he felt James nose his bollocks, causing him to jump slightly before he relaxed once more. When he felt a small lick, he let out a low moan. James's tongue lapped lazily at each one before taking one into his mouth. It felt particularly strange to feel his ball surrounded by wet warmth, and James's tongue swirled around one and then the other in a teasing fashion. John's cock twitched in interest, and John tossed his head back and groaned out James's name.

As a response, James pulled off and kissed each ball before kissing and nipping at his left inner thigh. Suddenly, he felt James's smooth, straight teeth pull at the skin. Those lips made a perfect circle before James sucked hard, causing John to groan in half-pleasure and half-pain. Meanwhile, his hand shifted back and cupped John's balls, fondling them as he pressed his teeth down into the flesh. No doubt it would bruise. He then slowly pulled away, and there was a moment of nothing before John felt a kiss pressed against the dull ache. Trailing kisses back up his thigh, he stopped before shifting yet again. John could feel the mattress dip once more, and there was a small flick of tongue at the tip of his cock. Suddenly, he felt James's lips wrap around his cock and slowly slide down. He felt that heat and wetness surround him, and he moaned low in his throat before pulling at his restraints. James's wet tongue pressed into the hard flesh as he began to suck. Gradually, James's sucks became faster and rougher, allowing his teeth to graze the length of the shaft once more. John let out a yelp and yanked at his restraints as he did so. Adrenaline rushed through his system. Without warning, James repeated the action, causing John to toss back his head and moan, thrusting up into James's mouth.

Out of the blue, John felt two slicked, long fingers slide into him. His arse tightened for a moment before he pushed out and forced himself to relax. After a moment of fumbling, James hit his prostate, causing John to scream out and buck into James's mouth. He felt James gag, his throat constricting around the tip of his cock, before he pulled off. The only thing that could be heard for the longest time was their panting as James continued to stretch John out. Just as John was on the verge of begging, James removed his fingers. He felt something blunt press up against his entrance, and he sucked in a deep breath as he felt his body breached. Centimetre by centimetre, he was filled up.

"James," he moaned out, pulling down on his restraints again.

James hummed in response. John felt the mattress shift again, and he had to lift his arse in order to keep James inside of him. Suddenly, he felt a warm kiss pressed into his lips. When they pulled apart, James murmured in his ear, "Oh, John, if you only knew what this did to me. To see you bound up. Blindfolded. So open. So trusting."

Before John could answer, he felt a sharp snap into his body once more. He cried out and arched his back, pulling down at the restraints. James began to thrust roughly into him, his balls slapping into John's arse. Yanking down at his restraints again, John writhed as he felt James repeatedly strike his prostate. Finally, he pulled one restraint loose enough to allow him to slip out of it. His arm flailed out, wrapped around James, and drew him closer. All of a sudden, a hand wrapped tightly around his cock and began to stroke it in time with James's thrusts. John was lost in the sensations, his nails dragging down James's back as he tried desperately to keep himself together. Unfortunately, he could feel that knot in his stomach begin to tighten. Before he knew it, he tipped over the edge. Screaming out James's name, he went rigid and tense, coming hard on his own stomach and chest. Ecstasy rushed through his system, and he barely kept his wits about him enough to keep himself tight for James. James pounded into his body until he also came hard. Riding out his orgasm, James let out a mangled moan of John's name.

Relaxing into the bed, John gasped for breath. He reached up and removed the blindfold only to find James disposing of his condom. Slowly, he turned and unbound his trapped wrist, rubbing it as he pulled it down. It was red from his struggling, but at least it hadn't chafed. Sinking into the bed, John closed his eyes and let out a groan. He needed to get up and clean himself, but he honestly didn't want to move a muscle. Suddenly, he felt something warm and damp touch his skin. John lurched, his eyes snapping open, and found that James had a hand towel. He cleaned off John's stomach and chest carefully before shuffling out of the room once more. Speechless, John lay in bed and felt his heart give a sharp ache. God, he wished these little things wouldn't affect him so much. After all, their time was finite. These small things just made him more attached – would make it that much harder to acclimate to his life at 221B again.

As he heard the sound of running water, he closed his eyes and melted into the mattress. His body was heavy, and he felt the familiar tug of sleep at his consciousness. The last thing he registered was the feeling of the mattress dipping down next to him and the duvet coming up to cover him.