There's silence for a few minutes, which is probably a good thing because that means Sherlock's answer will be genuine and not a flippant, automatic response. "You are more experienced in emotions like this than I am, John. It's hardly fair of you to ask that question of me." He says slowly as he considers it, then takes a deep breath. "I believe this is called a relationship, John. As to where it is going, I hope that we will continue to be friends, partners, colleagues, and eventually add lovers to that list." he says honestly, turning his head slowly to kiss his doctor's skin. "Though as I said, you have more experience in that area than I do." He says slowly, considering everything for a few moments, before he tilt his head up to look into the older man's eyes. "I don't ever want you to leave me, John." He says honestly, taking a deep breath. "Is that an acceptable answer?" he asks uncertainly.
Rather gobsmacked at his flatmate's honest and very emotional answer, John can only mutely nod by the end of it. "Bloody hell, Sherlock. Yes. Yes, that is a very acceptable answer. I can't believe all that just came out of your mouth." He says in shock, lifting his hand to rest it against Sherlock's cheek, thumb stroking over his lower lip for a moment. "Where did my flatmate go? World's only consulting detective. Smart mouthed pain in the arse?" He asks playfully, doing what every good Englishman does when he's slightly uncomfortable with emotions, and that is making a joke.
"It's Christmas, John. I've been reliably informed that you should be nicer to those you care about during this time of year." Sherlock points out with a small sniff, nipping at John's thumb before he settles his head back down, turning it to bite gently at John's chest in retaliation for the 'pain in the arse' comment. "Smart-mouthed indeed.." he mumbles against his doctor's skin, kissing the bite mark gently to soothe it.
A small gap come from John at the bite, and he arches his back just a little, hand coming down to stroke through Sherlock's hair. "Prat." he mumbles affectionately before he takes a deep breath. "What are the rules?" he asks finally as he looks at Sherlock. "I know you. I know, a tiny bit, how your brilliant mind works. I know that it won't always be like this. We'll still fight, save cases, you'll stay up all night, play the violin, not eat, I'll work, buy the milk and yell at you about your experiments. But this..." he tightens his hand in Sherlock's hair for a moment. "What are the rules for this? I don't want to drive you away by being overly affectionate.." he admits softly as he watches the curls that is all he can see of Sherlock's head.
Sherlock makes a small humming sound in his throat and he nods quietly. "You're right, John. You really are more observant since I've come back. Or perhaps I merely appreciate it better now." he muses thoughtful, then considers. "When there's no case, I won't mind the touching and kissing. Don't disturb me during experiments.. that is mostly for both of our safety. And during cases, I would prefer to be left alone. I would prefer to initiate whatever affection I might be able to handle." He says quietly, closing his eyes for a few moments. "Would that be acceptable?" he asks tentatively, knowing that things will be difficult at first as they find their comfort zone with eachother, and there will probably be a rough patch when they get back to Baker Street.
"That's it? I thought it might be something similar to that at the very least. I thought you might have more.. strict rules." John says thoughtfully before he smiles, kissing the top of Sherlock's head, "Yes, those are very acceptable. Just don't shut me out, Sherlock. If I push you too far, if there's something you don't like, you need to tell me. Yell, scream, whatever, just don't run off and hide or give me the silent treatment." He says as he tilts his head to the side a little to try and see Sherlock's face.
"Mmmm. I understand, John. I will do my best." He reassures, lifting his head and placing a soft kiss against his doctor's lips. He pauses, not wanting to talk about this anymore, so he smirks a little. "What did you think of Ford?" he asks, tilting his head a little to place another soft bite on John's chest, very careful not to actually hurt him.
John still gasps a little at the bite, tugging sharply on Sherlock's hair. "Sherlock! Stop that." he says firmly, before he sighs, trying to ignore the fact that he actually likes it a little. But neither of them is ready for that step and so John needs Sherlock to not do that. "Ford.. seems nice. I think he was more stressed out about this whole party than you were. Maybe we should invite him over to Baker Street sometime. You two seem to get along fairly well." he says quietly, then he snorts. "And it's not like Mycroft doesn't drop by uninvited. At least we could offer the other Holmes brother some hospitality." He says with a small smirk, kissing the top of Sherlock's head again.
"Hmm. I could invite him but he might not come." Sherlock says with a small shrug, before he smirks a little. "You don't really want me to stop, John." he says quietly, distracted by his newest experiment now, and he shifts spots slightly before he experimentally bites John's chest again, right over his heart, a little firmer.
John grunts softly, his body twitching as he tries not to give Sherlock the encouraging response he might be hoping to get, though goose bumps betray him and raise on his skin slightly, his heart skipping up a notch. "Maybe not." He agrees, knowing that it's useless to argue with Sherlock over something this obvious. "But neither of us is ready to take this any further, Sherlock, so while that is surprisingly lovely, I need you to stop." he says as he looks down at his flatmate, sliding a hand down his back slowly, then back up to card through his hair.
Feeling a little petulant, Sherlock kisses the spot that he bit, then slides back up a little, nipping at John's skin in a few more place until the pull on his hair is painful. "Mmmph. Fine. I'll stop." he mutters in a slightly petulant tone. "I look forward to being able to explore that line of inquiry later." He murmurs quietly with a small chuckle. Finally, he settles down. "Talk. You wanted to talk." He orders, trying to distract himself.
"Well, since I don't want to talk about sexual histories, I won't ask you about yours." John says with a little smirk. "You told me Ford was gay, and Mycroft appears to be straight.. It doesn't really matter, but I have to admit, I'm curious. Were all your loves male, or female, or both?" He asks as he shift to get comfortable before looking up at the ceiling.
"Both." Sherlock says easily, shrugging a little. "I prefer men. Less emotionally unstable. Less emotional outbursts." he says as he starts to draw little designs on John's chest lightly. "Have you always been bisexual, John? You had me fully convinced that you were straight, you showed no desire toward men at all." he says in a slightly confused tone.
John can't help but laugh at that, and he nods quietly as he pulls Sherlock close against him. "Somehow that doesn't surprise me." he says as he considers Sherlock's normal sexual preferences. "Hmm. Yes, I'd always thought of myself as straight." he says before he smirks a little. "Do you remember the Irene Adler case, her phone, what you told me about the password on it?" He asks curiously as he toys with his flatmate's hair.
"Of course I remember." Sherlock says with a little sniff, insulted at the insinuation that he might not remember something about one of their former cases.
John can't help but grin, pulling Sherlock up slowly to give him a long, lingering kiss, before he lets the detective settle back in against his chest.
"That's me, Sherlock. Other men don't do anything for me. I'm Sherlocked."
I'm way too amused with having been able to use that. A shorter chapter this time, I didn't want to leave any of you guys hanging for a new chapter. 44 followers at last check, wow! I hope you all are enjoying reading this and it's not getting too repetitive/fluffy. I don't think it is, but I'm biased. :)
Enjoy! If you have any suggestions/comments, please leave a review, I love reading them!