Chapter 18

Sherlock lay awake, his arm around John, his mind wandering, examining the events, or rather lack thereof, of the last days. Hospital had been a nightmare, the enforced inactivity, with not even snuggling with John as a means of distraction. But now they were home, he was not going to let him out of reach, before he himself was fully recovered. John would just have to live with being cuddled and kissed constantly or suffer Sherlock's boredom. He smiled to himself, knowing what John's choice would be.

After some hours of dreamless, good sleep, John suddenly woke up. He smiled as he saw Sherlock's face next to his. "Still awake?"

Sherlock nodded, smiling at John. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah." John shifted a little closer and shut his eyes again.

Sherlock snorted. "You're not going back to sleep are you?"

John groaned. "Anything you need?"

"Yeah." Sherlock raised an eyebrow. "You."

John opened his eyes again and looked at him, his expression soft but a little uncertain. "I'm still here while I'm sleeping?"

"Yes, well." Sherlock looked a little sheepish. "I'm getting quite bored..."

John sighed. "What do you want me to do? Shall I get you a book?"

Sherlock pouted. "I was hoping you'd keep me company for a while."

"Well, I'm here," John shrugged, snuggling back in his warm spot by Sherlock's side. "You can talk to me and as long as I'm awake I'll answer."

"Talk?" Sherlock pulled him a little closer.

"You're the one who was bored and had time to think of a subject. I was asleep, and grateful that there weren't any dreams to tell you about." John took a deep breath and felt happily drowsy in Sherlock's scent.

"We had plenty of time to talk in the hospital." Sherlock gave him a little squeeze. "I was kind of hoping we could catch up on some other stuff."

"You're hurt. You'll probably roll away in a ball if I even touch you," John mumbled.

"So, don't touch me where it hurts. I'm not asking for anything... much," Sherlock blushed. "I've just really missed being close to you."

"Me too. That's why I'm afraid I'd go too far," John said, before gently pressing his lips against Sherlock's.

Sherlock sighed into the kiss. "We'll be careful," he muttered.

John gently cupped Sherlock's neck and licked slowly into his mouth.

Sherlock welcomed John's tongue and let his own entangle with it. He let out a small moan of relief. He had missed this so much.

John closed his eyes and sighed as the slow, dreamy kiss was all that filled his mind.

Sherlock too let himself get lost in the kiss, for a long time. When he needed to breathe, he pulled back a little. "I love you so much," he whispered.

John was panting and licked his lips, eyes wandering over Sherlock's face. "I love you too."

Sherlock smiled, then decided to address something that had been nagging at the back of his mind since they came home. "John," he said. "Will you promise me something?"

"Hmm, what?" John asked cautiously.

"We both know how I can get when I'm bored. I predict the next week or so is going to get really bad. I'll try to behave, but..." He frowned. "I need you to promise me, that if I go too far, you'll tell me. Don't let me get away with it."

John smiled softly and kissed him again. "I think I can easily promise that," he said as he pulled back.

Sherlock looked relieved. "Good," he said, smiling at John. "Now, if you're going to sleep some more, could you perhaps help me get set up on the sofa with some tea and my laptop?"

"Hmm, actually I'm not sure if I want to let go of you now," John smirked, softly running his fingertips over Sherlock's chest.

"Oh," Sherlock chuckled. "In that case, tea can wait I think."

John moved to sit astride Sherlock, without supporting any weight on the other man, and tangled his fingers in his hair, his mouth hovering millimetres over Sherlock's. Sherlock gasped softly and surged up to catch John's lips. John kissed him a little more forcefully now, trying not to grind down on him. Instinctively Sherlock pushed a little up towards John, then groaned when his ribs protested.

"Sorry," he whispered against John's lips. "You'll have to do most of the work here."

John chuckled. "As usual."

"Hey..." Sherlock looked indignant. "I seem to remember me being quite active on more than a few occasions."

John grinned mischievously. "Remind me how you were ever active."

Sherlock snorted. "You want me to go into details?"

"Hmmm, yes?" John bent his head and started kissing his neck.

"Well," Sherlock mused. "I seem to remember a time where I quite actively helped entertain you while you were doing the dishes..."

John chuckled and pulled a little back from his neck. "Being draped around me like a sloth while I'm doing something does not count as active."

"I kissed you! Quite a lot actually," Sherlock pouted.

John laughed and looked at him. "Shall I show you what being active means, or are you not up for it? You don't really have to move."

"By all means," Sherlock replied. "Go for it."

"Always the romantic," John grinned, as he sat down on his knees between Sherlock's legs and took his pants off.

Sherlock's laughed and then tried to lift his head to see what John was doing.

"Keep down," John said, gently rubbing his hands over the top of Sherlock's thighs.

Sherlock groaned a wordless complaint but settled back down.

"Just enjoy. I'll take care of myself later," John said softly as he let his hand wander to more interesting regions.

Sherlock closed his eyes. "No," he muttered. "I'm sure there's something I can do..." The words trailed off into a soft moan.

John teased him with his hand for a little longer, before he guided him into his mouth. Once again he let his tongue explore, enjoying the fact that he could taste Sherlock again after all those days. He gently pushed the other man's hips down, so he wouldn't overstretch himself, and started bobbing his head, his lips slowly moving over Sherlock's shaft.

"Oh fuck..." Sherlock whispered through gritted teeth as he struggled to keep still.

John pulled off a second to let both of them catch their breath, and he looked at Sherlock, lying on his back, eyes closed. The detective looked vulnerable and beautiful and John couldn't help laying a possessive hand on his stomach. Mine, he thought fondly, taking him in his mouth again and sucking a little harder.

It was more than Sherlock could take. The frustration and longing of the last few days had been building up inside of him, and he'd been close from the moment John touched him. As his muscles clenched his ribs ached dully, but he didn't care. Tearing at the sheets with his left hand, he moaned John's name and then collapsed, happy and pleasantly exhausted.

John licked him clean, knowing how annoying Sherlock found it to be sticky, then crawled up to give him a tender, closed-mouthed kiss. "Not bored anymore, hmm?" he purred.

"What would you do if I said that I was?" Sherlock murmured with a sleepy smile, his eyes closed.

"Not believe you," John smirked. He kissed Sherlock's temple. "Do you mind if I finish things myself?"

"Anything I can do to help?" Sherlock giggled lightly, still not opening his eyes.

"You could talk," John said, blushing.

Sherlock quirked an eyebrow, and smiled. "Oh." He hesitated a little, then let his voice drop, to where it was almost a rumble. "I can do that..."

John let out a very embarrassing whimper at that, closing his hand around his cock. He lay down on his side next to Sherlock, watching him as he stroked himself. "Sherlock..."

"Oh, John." Sherlock said, his eyes still closed, his voice still deep. "When I get back on my feet, I'm going to come after you with a vengeance."

"Keep talking," John panted, his hand speeding up.

"It's really not fair," Sherlock said. "You being so close, touching yourself and all I can do is lie here..."

John moaned and flicked his thumb over the head of his cock.

"John," he said, drawing out the name, just a little. "All I want to do is touch you, feel you, make you mine..."

"I'm yours," John whispered, eyes closed and his full attention on one part of his body. He rolled on his back, very close to coming, his back arched.

"I know..." Sherlock kept the smugness out of his voice, but not off his face. It was quite thrilling to have this kind of effect on John he realised. Thrilling and more than a little arousing. There was a new aspect he would have to consider at some point. But not now. Right now all his senses were focused on John.

John thrust up in his hand and his orgasm took over. "God, Sherlock."

Sherlock trembled at the sight and sound of John. He had done this to him. "Oh God I love you," he said, his voice back to its normal level.

John was only able to pant and fumbled for some tissues. Once he had cleaned himself up a bit, he rolled on his side again, close to Sherlock, and kissed him.

Sherlock returned the kiss eagerly, all drowsiness gone.

"I love you too," John breathed after a while, nuzzling Sherlock's nose.

Sherlock smiled and studied John. "That was... good," he concluded.

"Glad you agree," John smiled back. He stroked Sherlock's cheek. "Do you want to get up now?"

Sherlock considered. "Soon. Cuddle first."

"Hmm, good." John curled against Sherlock and carefully laid an arm around him.