Chapter 51

John took Sherlock's hand and they went down the stairs, into the bathroom.

Sherlock turned on the water and used the time it took for it to run hot, to kiss John some more. John smiled against his lips, opening his mouth to give Sherlock access and caressing his neck and shoulders. Sherlock wrapped his arms around John, holding him as close as possible. For a moment he considered the feasibility of never letting go.

John gently pushed him backwards under the now warm spray, then hugged him even closer while the water was falling over them both.

Sherlock kissed John's cheeks and forehead gently. "This," he muttered, "was one of the things I missed the most. I never knew how dreadfully lonely showering could be."

John smiled up at him and stroked the side of his too-pronounced ribs. "Sleeping alone is even worse, to me. I mean, even if you're not in bed with me, but doing a late-night experiment in the kitchen or anything, it's different." He kissed his shoulder.

"Sleeping?" Sherlock grinned. "Haven't done much of that. Maybe that was why I succumbed so easily, once I had you in my arms."

John hummed and stroked his lips along Sherlock's collar bone. Sherlock closed his eyes with a pleased sigh. After a while, John pulled out of the hug, but he wasn't able to stop touching Sherlock even for a second. He took the soap and washed the taller man's back, then his hair.

Sherlock chuckled softly. "I even missed you taking care of me," he admitted. "At least a little. But now that I'm fully recovered things will have to change a little around here."

"I know," John said quietly. "I'm not nagging about you having eaten too little, am I? And I know you're perfectly capable of washing yourself. I just want to touch you, but if it's annoying you, please tell me so."

Sherlock kissed him quickly. "That's not what I meant. But you have to stop letting me take advantage of you, ordering you about and letting you do all the work. You have to tell me 'no'. Not just when I want to do something stupid or dangerous, but also when I'm being lazy or manipulating you for my own convenience."

John nodded, giving him another kiss and taking his hands. "I love you, Sherlock. I want to help you. There isn't much that gives me more pleasure than being of use to you and your work. But I'll tell you if you ever go too far. And it's still so that if you are about to do something dangerous, you have to take me with you so I can join in the fun - and protect you." He smiled.

Sherlock laughed. "I'll do my best. But then you must promise not to be so deliciously distracting." He kissed him.

"I'm not doing that on purpose, you just can't keep your hands off me," John grinned.

"That's what I mean." Sherlock flashed him a teasing grin. "Stop looking so damn shaggable."

John chuckled. "You're one to speak. And I'm not even very shaggable at the moment. Next time you want to take me in a park, bring lube." His eyes twinkled at the memory.

Sherlock frowned. "Oh yeah," he said. "Sorry about that. I can't believe I did that to you."

"Oy, don't you dare to feel guilty. It was fantastic."

Sherlock grinned. "It was, wasn't it? But I'm not sure I can ever look Lestrade in the eyes again."

John giggled and kissed his neck. "I'm so happy to have you back," he said with a fond look.

"I'm happy to be back," Sherlock said gently stroking John's shoulders and back.

John pulled him down for a kiss, then rested his forehead against Sherlock's. "Breakfast?"

Sherlock nodded. "Sure," he said.

"Good. You're free to wash my back first," John grinned, handing him the soap.

Sherlock smiled. "Turn around."

John complied, but leaned back against Sherlock and turned his head to steal another kiss. "Actually, you're free to do whatever you want with me."

Sherlock kissed him on the lips and then moved on to his cheek, his jaw and down his neck. "There's a lot of things I want to do with you, but as you said, you may need a little time for most of them after last night..." He wrapped his arms around John and let one hand slide slowly down his stomach.

"Hmmm, I'm sure you can think of some more creative ways," John mumbled, sighing happily at the touch.

"I'm sure I can," Sherlock said. He moved his hand to John's back. "In fact, you've given me some ideas." Gently, he pushed John forward, before kneeling behind him. "Let me know if you're too sore for this," he said before leaning in to slide his tongue gently over John's hole.

John gave a low moan. "'s fine," he blew out.

Encouraged, Sherlock leaned in closer, drawing small circles with his tongue, using his hands to spread John's cheeks allowing him better access.

John gasped, not knowing how to keep himself without his knees giving out on him. He pressed a hand against the wall in front of him. "Fuck, Sherlock..."

Sherlock pulled back long enough to chuckle and ask: "That good?", before continuing. As he felt John relaxing, he slowly worked the tip of his tongue inside.

"Amazing," John breathed. No-one had ever done this to him; he had only known that he wanted to do it to Sherlock earlier, without knowing how good it actually felt. He cursed again, pressing back against him.

Sherlock pushed his tongue in further and then began moving it in and out slowly. He reached a hand between John's legs and reached for his cock. He couldn't really stroke him from this position, but he needed to touch him.

"Sherlock." John kept breathing his name, moaning at his ministrations while all he could do was keeping himself up against the wall.

Sherlock continued until he felt John's legs trembling. Then he pulled back. With his hands on John's hips he turned him around, and then pushed him back against the wall, following to take his cock in his mouth.

John's left hand scrambled into Sherlock's hair, just to have something to hold onto, rather than to push him. He was panting heavily, ridiculously close to coming if you thought about the fact that he had just asked Sherlock to wash his back.

Sherlock sucked hard as he moved his head. He had no time for finesse, he just wanted to taste John and feel him come. He needed it.

Soon, with his knees almost buckling and his head thrown back, John was coming down Sherlock's throat, moaning loudly and tugging Sherlock's hair harder than he realized. "Oh, Sherlock..."

Sherlock swallowed and then pulled back, smiling up at John. "Still want me to wash your back?" he asked teasingly.

John was leaning against the wall, panting. "Always. But let me take care of you first?"

Sherlock shook his head. "I can wait." He got to his feet and turned John around, beginning to slide the soap over his skin. He leaned in and kissed his shoulder gently.

John hummed, resting his head on his arms against the wall. Sherlock's hands simply felt too good to protest, even if he had wanted to. "I love you," he mumbled.

"I love you too," Sherlock purred, kissing his way across his back to his other shoulder. He put away the soap and used his hands to ease the muscles in John's back.

John sighed, leaning back and feeling relaxed. "Tell me what you'd like me to do with you in a minute."

"I want you to hug me, and kiss me and tell me you'll never let me go," Sherlock answered, kissing his way up John's neck. "And then I want you to go and make us breakfast and I promise I will eat some."

John slowly turned around and stepped closer to him, smiling. "And don't you want me to return the favour?" he asked, waving his hand in the direction of Sherlock's groin.

"It can wait," Sherlock said and kissed him. "We'll have plenty of time later. Right now, I just want to enjoy your company."

John wrapped his arms around him and pulled him into another gentle kiss. "I love you and I'm really not letting you go again. I want you to be mine and I promise that I'm all yours."

For a moment Sherlock wondered at the strange tightening of his throat and stinging sensation at the corners of his eyes. Then he smiled and returned the kiss eagerly.

John grinned and stroked his cheek.

Wrapped in a dressing robe, John cooked them breakfast. Sherlock had had to borrow one of his robes, which was of course too short and resulted in a rather distracting sight, but still John didn't burn anything and they ate with their feet entangled, enjoying each other's company.

Sherlock was terribly distracted, and as a result, he ate quite a lot more than he had intended. Suddenly he realised his plate was empty. He looked at it with a bemused chuckle.

John smirked. "Glad to see you have an appetite."

"So am I," Sherlock said, smiling at him.

John leaned towards him for a kiss. "Even the weather seems happy that you're back. We should go out."

Sherlock was feeling so content, he would have agreed to anything John suggested. "Sounds lovely," he said, kissing John back.

John got a little carried away in the kiss, before he remembered to pull back. "Let's get dressed, then."

Sherlock nodded and got to his feet. After one more quick kiss, he went to his room to see what he could find to wear. He really ought to see about getting the rest of his things home. He stopped in mid-movement. Less than twelve hours ago, he had been determined to sneak out once again. But now, this was unquestionably his home. Their home.

John returned downstairs from what wasn't his room anymore, dressed in jeans and a soft, warm jumper. "Did you find something?" he asked, walking into their bedroom.

Sherlock grinned and turned to John. The suit had once been nice and still fit well, but it was pretty old, and a little frayed at the edges. "I'm afraid it's the best I can do at the moment," he said.

John giggled. Sherlock always looked so impeccable, but this suit made him look a little more rough. "Perhaps we should walk to that flat and get your stuff."

"Another time," Sherlock said with a laugh. "I don't plan on keeping this on longer than I have to." He thought for a moment. "I'll go get my stuff next time you're at work. We can share the cab home."

"Good," John smiled. "Tomorrow, then." He reached out to take Sherlock's hand.

Sherlock nodded. "Besides," he said. "This won't be so bad, once I've got my coat on."

John smirked. "You and your coat. Come on."

"I thought you liked me in my coat," Sherlock said teasingly, taking John's hand.

"I always like you," John grinned.

"With or without the coat," Sherlock grinned too.

"Even naked," John chuckled.

Sherlock smirked. "Okay," he said, and moved to get undressed. "But it'll be a little cold outside."

"Oh, you," John laughed, pulling Sherlock's hands away from his shirt buttons. "I only want you naked after that walk," he clarified, pressing a kiss on the corner of Sherlock's mouth. "Probably for the rest of the day."

"Deal," Sherlock grinned. He took John's hand again and hauled him towards the door. "Let's get out, so we can come back."

Laughing, John followed, pressing a kiss on Sherlock's cheek before he opened the door to get out.