This chapter is dedicated to: Christine Eponine Watson!

And a firm plan formed in John's mind. Sherlock looked at him so kindly, his eyes and face and hair and words so beautiful that there was only one reply on John's side possible. "So you won't be angry at me, when I do this?" He asked softly, leaning up slowly while his eyes dropped to Sherlock's mouth. He leaned in, giving his friend time to pull away if he didn't want to.

As soon as John's soft lips touched his own, Sherlock's eyes fluttered closed. Before either of them knew it, he was returning the kiss with all the love he could muster in that moment, and pulling John in closer. Something in his mind told him that this was the one chance he was ever going to have with John.

John kept his eyes open as long as he could, but soon it was too much, and he closed his as well. His hands curled in Sherlock's jacket, wrinkling the expensive fabric. Sherlock's lips were warm, firm and smooth, and all in all it was the best first kiss ever.

When they eventually pulled away, Sherlock flushed, dipping his head and mumbling an apology. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have…sorry."

John grinned like an idiot, and took hold of his friend's chin to force him to look up. "Hey, don't be like that, Sherlock. Was it a good kiss?" His grin widened when he saw his friend's red cheeks. If the way Sherlock responded was any indication of how he felt, John was the luckiest bastard on earth.

His blush deepened. "Yes – yes it was." He agreed, rubbing the other's waist gently. "But Mary…? That was…" He trailed off, confusing himself. John was straight, wasn't he?

"Mary's not you," John simply said, relaxing and getting more comfortable the more Sherlock stuttered and blushed. "Let's sit down a bit, yes? It's... I hadn't planned this, actually, at all." He gently guided Sherlock to the sofa, and sat down next to him. "I've wanted to for a while, but erm..."

"But what?" Sherlock grinned at him lightly, "You thought I wouldn't be interested in /you/?!"

John scowled. "You aren't interested in anyone, Lockie," he mumbled, staring at his hands in his lap. "You don't do romance and all that, you told me."

Sherlock nodded at the floor, "True, that's true."

John looked up and stared at Sherlock. "If it's true, Sherlock then why did you kiss me back like you meant it? It was the best, most meaningful kiss I've ever shared with anyone, you are the one I've loved for quite a while. Not Mary, not Sarah. You. Do you understand h-how I feel?"

Sherlock bit his lip, "Of course I do," he whispered, pulling him in closer. "And I love you too, just as much, except…I'm…me."

John laid his head on his friend's shoulder. "Yes, you are," he whispered, "And I wouldn't have you in any other way. Perhaps a bit more inclined to kissing, though," he attempted to joke.

Sherlock's lips quirked up in a smile, and turning, he gave John's cheeks a soft kiss.

John gently held Sherlock's face still, silently admiring him, and realising how lucky he was. "I love you, Sherlock," he said softly, thumbing his friend's cheekbones.

He leaned into the touch, "I love you too, Johnnie. I have since…I don't know. High school, I'd say."

John blinked, and tilted his head. "That long?" He asked breathlessly. "Really? Why did you never say anything?"

"I've always thought you were only interested in girls. I knew you wouldn't want me, and our friendship was all I had. I didn't want to ruin it." He admitted.

With a smile, John pecked his lips, humming softly when their lips touched. "Definitely you," he whispered, grinning. "I haven't known for long," he explained after a while, as he rested his head on Sherlock's shoulder. "Realised I was in love with you when I said goodbye at the airport 6 months ago."

"Strange time. I'd expect you to be thinking about your career and camp, and the return to all your friends back in Afghanistan, rather than about me," he pointed out.

John smiled and shook his head. "Not strange at all, Sherlock. We had said goodbye, and I walked away. And when I looked back, you rolled your shoulders backwards and you stood straight, and that while I knew it is so hard for you to say goodbye. But for me you were so brave, and I knew right there that I loved you, because all I wanted to do was run back to you and snog you senseless." He grinned a bit. "If that makes sense."

He grinned quietly, biting his lower lip. "Maybe you should've, John. It would certainly have made the last few months much more bearable." He gave his cheek a soft nuzzle.

John laughed and turned his head to look at his best friend. He reached up to cup the back of Sherlock's head and firmly pressed his lips against Sherlock's.

He hummed happily against him lips, returning the kiss slowly. He was still learning, but he was confident.

John made a soft, needy sound, hand tightening in Sherlock's curls. Oh, he loved him so much. He gently parted his lips to prod at Sherlock's with his tongue.

Forcing his instinct to prevail, he opened his mouth for him, parting his lips just enough to allow the other's tongue in.

After a short moment of hesitation, John lightly touched Sherlock's tongue, and he moaned softly. He sighed and closed his eyes, tilting his head to deepen the kiss.

Sherlock welcomed the foreign element into his own territory, his own tongue establishing peace with the other's in his mouth by lightly dancing around it.

John's hands stroked and tugged dark curls, and chased Sherlock's tongue with his own until he ran out of oxygen. Gasping and with dilated pupils he pulled away just a bit, blinking at his friend.

Sherlock looked down at him with a blush. "Was that…okay?"

John's face broke in a grin. "Hell yeah! That, Lock, was brilliant." He kissed his nose and smoothed a hand over his hair. "Totally brilliant."

He smiled at him tenderly, "I'm glad. I love you so much, little soldier." He whispered, hugging him close. "Seeing you disappointed hurts more than it should."

John nodded, wrapping his arms around a thin waist. "I feel the same, Lock. When you broke down yesterday, when you told me about being bullied, I felt awful. I wish I could help…"

Sherlock bit his lip, resting his head on John's shoulder. "There's nothing to be done. It's not long now, anyway, until I'm out of there for good." Another realisation popped into his head, and made the situation even more awkward for him. "John?"

"Yeah?"

"Apart from…what happened…at Uni that day…I've never actually…" he trailed off, looking embarrassed.

John's eyes widened, and then he began to smile. "You're a virgin, is that what you're telling me?"

"I'd expected that you already knew that, but yes, I was heading somewhere in that direction." He frowned at John's smile, "I knew you were going to laugh at me. Everyone does." Soft Sherlock was gone and defensive was immediately back up.

John's eyes turned horrified. "No, Lock, no. I wasn't laughing at you, no." He immediately cupped Sherlock's cheek, soothingly thumbing his cheekbone. "No, I was just... you are never flustered, and I am just so honoured that you are with me, that's all. There's no need to be nervous about not having had sex before, Sherlock. I don't mind at all. Quite the contrary."

But Sherlock pulled away, expression changing to one of regret and perhaps even concealed fear. "Actually, John, you know what? I'm sorry. This…this whole thing was a bad idea. We should never have…no. This won't work, I know it won't, because I'm supposed to be alone and I just…no. I'm sorry. This is wrong." He stood up and turned, quickly wiping the wetness from his eyes with frustration.

Author's Note: SherlockedSherlockian & CowMow

SS: And finally, a kiss! I hope your patience has been somewhat compensated, dear readers!

Shout-outs:
Firstly, I would like to say a MASSIVE AND HEARTFELT thank you to RainyDays-and-DayDreams, Christine Eponine Watson and Starlight05. Wonderful people with wonderful words, that's what you all are! Your reviews, follows, etc make our work worthwhile. And also, to all our other amazing, brilliant, patient readers! We love you all!

PipeSoot72 Infernal Rose RainyDays-and-DayDreams Lady Seraphina ParadiseGirl97 Noxlupis Lamiamedicus Starlight05 8of9 Cherik221B CowMow ( ;) ) AussieTayla Cabamore TheLastAmericanGirl bbcruinedmylife Arissa Zareki Christine Eponine Watson Serenityofthematrix ma5dz SilverOcean01 mamakuzkina EmilyDoreen

Yours Always,
SherlockedSherlockian xxx

CM: A very good day, dear readers. This is CowMow speaking, the person writing our dear lovely John. I just wanted to take this special opportunity to thank you all for reading until here. It means you have quite a long breath! And to those who have reviewed, I want to profess a heartfelt thank-you. It was and still is a delight to read your reactions on our story. I am glad you all seem to like it so well. Thank you! I hope you liked the kiss. Let's just say they had it coming xD Anyway, again thank you, and stay tuned for the next chapter, dearies! Love, A.

SS: I suppose our readers had the mini cliffhanger coming too, huh, CowMow? ;)