Chapter 52

It was a surprisingly warm and sunny day. Sherlock wrapped his arm around John's shoulders as he sighed contentedly and steered him towards the park.

John smirked. "I wonder if I can ever look at a tree again and not think of last night."

Sherlock blushed and frowned. "Please don't remind me," he said. "I still feel kind of bad about just... taking you, like that."

"If I hadn't wanted it, I would have pushed you away and punched you in the face," John said earnestly. "I needed you just as badly."

Sherlock couldn't help grinning. He gave John's shoulder a little squeeze. "It was very embarrassing," he said. "But also kind of hot in a we-really-shouldn't-be-doing-this kind of way."

"Very hot," John smirked. "Now stop talking about it before I'm pinning you against a tree."

Sherlock thought about this for a moment. "You know," he said. "There was a moment there, when I slid my hand down your pants..."

"Sherlock!" John said, laughing and pulling him down for a kiss.

"You were so hard against my hand," he purred. "That's when I realised I just had to have you."

John swallowed and stared at him. "Let's go home."

Sherlock feigned innocent confusion. "But we were walking...?"

"Yes, and so are other people, by daylight. I guess Lestrade wouldn't appreciate to get us out of the mess if I jumped you here and now. Besides, that would cost us precious time, so move."

Sherlock laughed. "Yes," he said. "That would probably be asking too much of him. But Mycroft kind of owes us a favour, don't you think?" He took John's hand and began retracing their steps back to Baker Street.

"He does, but still we'd better go home," John said. "It's more comfortable there anyway."

"Indeed," Sherlock agreed, speeding up a little.

God, Sherlock really had him thinking too much about the night before. John had already fished his key from his pocket a street before Baker Street and hurriedly unlocked the door as soon as they were there.

Sherlock found that he couldn't stop himself touching John teasingly, as he followed him up the stairs. Not that he wanted to stop. He found that John's urgency still had a very profound effect on him, and the more worked up he could get him, the better.

"Bedroom," John ordered, even though he was already pulling Sherlock along and he didn't have much of a choice. Once they were standing in front of the bed, he pulled him into a hungry kiss.

Sherlock returned the kiss with equal passion, while shrugging off his coat, letting it fall to the floor. Then he hurriedly pulled off John's jacket.

As soon as John's arms were free again, he started fumbling with Sherlock's trousers, and once he had them open, he slipped his hand in. "Ah, now I see what you meant," he breathed, curling his fingers around Sherlock's length.

Sherlock gasped, and pushed forward into John's hand as he struggled to get John's jeans open and down, without breaking the kiss.

John stroked and kissed him, knowing he wasn't very helpful in getting undressed, but somehow he felt like Sherlock had deserved a little teasing. Sherlock was almost turning frantic, when he finally got the jeans out of the way and could get his hand into John's pants.

John moaned and pulled back from the kiss. "Bed," he panted, pulling Sherlock's trousers and pants down and then pushing him backwards on the mattress. Sherlock gasped and looked eagerly up at John, only too happy to let him take charge. John quickly stepped out of his own pants and sat down in Sherlock's lap, pressing their cocks together. "Fuck," he hissed, before catching Sherlock's mouth again while he rubbed against him.

Sherlock rolled his hips beneath John, moaning into the kiss. John tightened his hand around them, groaning as he rocked against Sherlock.

"Fuck, that feels good," Sherlock muttered, grabbing John's arse with both hands pulling him even closer.

"Not going to last long like this. I'll save fucking you for the second round," John growled in his ear.

"Deal," Sherlock gasped rolling his hips one more time. Then he couldn't hold back any longer. "Oh god, John," he groaned, clinging to him.

John moaned as he felt Sherlock's come cover him and with a few more quick thrusts in his hand he was following, kissing Sherlock's neck to keep his moans down.

Sherlock lay panting beneath John, holding him close. "I love you," he muttered, as he felt John's body relaxing.

"You too," John sighed contentedly, lifting his head to softly kiss Sherlock's lips.

Sherlock returned the kiss, smiling against John's lips. "So," he said, his voice very smug. "I take it there's to be a round two at some point?"

John hummed, wiping a curl from Sherlock's forehead. "If you want, whenever you're ready... But I want your shirt off, first."

Sherlock smiled up at him. "Get off me for a moment, and I'll see to that," he said.

John gave him another quick kiss, before rolling off him and pulling his jumper over his head, then plucking off his socks. Sherlock sat up, quickly removed his shirt and used it to wipe himself clean, before tossing it into a corner of the room. "I'm going to run out of clean shirts soon at this rate," he mused.

John chuckled. "Just stay naked, then."

"Okay," Sherlock grinned. "But then you have to go pick up my things tomorrow."

"Fine. That way I can make sure you've got literally everything here and not one single reason to go back there, and I'll be certain you'll be waiting for me naked," John smirked.

Sherlock smiled and stretched on the bed. "It works for me."

John draped himself half over him again, trailing his fingertips down over his chest and stomach.

Sherlock smiled at him. "Are you actually ready for round two so soon? You must really have missed me."

John kissed his neck. "I did... Though I am intending to give myself a little more time by preparing you thoroughly."

Sherlock raised an eyebrow. "By all means..." he said.

"Indeed," John grinned, before he kissed him deeply.

Sherlock wrapped his arms around John and held him tight, their bodies pressed together as they kissed. Of all the things he'd missed, kissing John was definitely at the top of the list. John took his time, licking and nipping while his hands stroked Sherlock's face and neck. Sherlock hummed happily, his hands exploring John's back, refamiliarising himself with the wonder that was John's skin. Well... A wonder to him anyway, he thought and chuckled.

"Glad to see that I'm amusing you," John smiled softly.

"I was just thinking how truly amazing you are. It made me very happy."

John chuckled. "Good. At least that means you aren't bored." He went back to kissing Sherlock, teasingly stroking his hip.

Sherlock smiled and moved his hands down to the lower parts of John's back.

John smirked and gave a long stroke over Sherlock's hardening cock, before sitting up and taking the lube from the bedside drawer.

Sherlock watched him. "You know," he said, pensively. "Once you're fully recovered from... the tree-incident, there's one position that I haven't had you in, that I really want to try."

"Tell me?" John said, pressing lube on his fingers while letting his gaze wander appreciatively over Sherlock's body. He licked his lips.

Sherlock shook his head. "I'll wait until I can show you."

John tutted. "Always making me curious... Believe me, I'll keep you to it." He pressed a first finger between the cheeks of Sherlock's arse.

Sherlock groaned. "Believe me," he said, his voice a little choked. "I won't go back on this one. It's what I wanted from the start, only circumstances were never right."

John kissed his hip and pressed deeper. "Later," he promised. "Now relax, love."

He smiled and did as he was told, closing his eyes and enjoying John's touch.

John smiled as he saw Sherlock so relaxed and trusting, and sprayed small kisses on his lower stomach while he added a second finger.

Sherlock moaned softly and pushed down on John's fingers.

"I did miss you terribly, you know," John said quietly, nuzzling the hairs above Sherlock's cock while he moved his fingers. "You're so beautiful..."

"Yes," Sherlock purred in his deep voice. "Your beautiful body to play with."

"And to love," John added, before giving a slow lick over the length of Sherlock's cock.

The resulting moan somewhat ruined the teasing quality of Sherlock's voice as he asked: "You only love me for my body?"

"Don't be ridiculous," John smiled, before wrapping his lips around the head.

Sherlock was about to make another comment, but it was lost in the deep sigh of pleasure that escaped him.

John smirked, but pulled out his fingers before he could get too enthusiastic and have Sherlock coming before he had the chance to have him.

Sherlock moaned a complaint and looked down at John.

"Don't worry, you'll get better," John grinned, moving up his body to kiss him passionately.

Sherlock returned the kiss hungrily, pushing his hips up against John's.

John hummed into his mouth, his hand scrambling next to him to find the bottle of lube again. Pulling back, he handed it to Sherlock. "Put it on me," he whispered, his eyes shining with anticipation.

Sherlock sat up and hurriedly squirted some lube out into the palm of his hand. Then he began stroking John softly.

John moaned, bending down for another kiss until he had had enough. "I want you," he panted against Sherlock's mouth.

"Then take me," Sherlock answered.

John's eyes darkened even more and he licked his lips, almost predatory. After repositioning, he slowly pressed his cock all the way in, sighing. "God, you're so amazing..."

"You're amazing," Sherlock groaned, before catching John's lip between his own, sucking on it.

John moaned and pulled back almost completely, before sinking back in. "Fuck, yes... Sherlock..."

"John..." Sherlock muttered. "Oh god, John... I love you so much..."

John repeated his movement, licking into Sherlock's mouth. "I want your arms around me," he breathed when he broke the kiss for air. "I want to be as close to you as possible."

Sherlock wrapped his arms around John's back and hooked his legs behind his, holding him as close as he could while still letting him move. He began rolling his hips, rising up to meet John as he pushed in.

John moaned, his thrusts now taking a better angle. "Perfect..." Sherlock groaned in agreement continuing to meet John's thrusts. "I love you," John groaned, not able to restrain himself enough to keep up the slow rhythm.

Sherlock gasped and matched John's movements. "You too," he panted. "Keep doing... that..." he closed his eyes surrendering completely.

John was planning exactly that - not that there really were any plans on his mind, only pleasure and Sherlock. "Close," he gasped a little later, pressing his lips on Sherlock's again.

Sherlock nodded. "Touch me," he muttered, letting his arms fall away from John's back.

"God, yes," John moaned, wrapping his hand around Sherlock's cock to stroke him firmly.

Sherlock groaned and tilted his hips taking John even deeper. After a few strokes he cried out his name and came, clinging to his shoulders.

John followed almost immediately with an animalistic sound, holding Sherlock close.

Sherlock took John's face between his hands and pressed soft kisses to his cheeks and forehead, still panting. "I love you so much," he whispered.

"I love you too, Sherlock. You are everything," John answered, stroking the other man's face and pressing a soft kiss to his lips. "Everything..."

Sherlock wrapped his arms around John again, holding him tight. "How did I ever deserve this?" he muttered to himself.

John pressed a kiss to Sherlock's neck. "I could ask the same question. You are a genius, brilliant and beautiful and thrilling and amazing. I'm just... normal. I'm the lucky one here."

"I'm arrogant, and socially tone deaf, I'm manipulative and lazy, and act like a child when I get bored or ill. You on the other hand are kind, loving, gentle, wise and such an amazing lover that it defies logic."

John smiled up at him. "It's not like I'm always that pleasant, and you've seen that too. You can't call yourself lazy while you are so passionate about your work. I am honoured to be the object of your passion as well. And everyone acts like a child when they're bored or ill. You just a little more," he grinned, fully expecting a tickling attack from Sherlock.

Sherlock was tempted but restrained himself. Instead he kissed John. "Thank you."

"Thank you," John said earnestly, returning the kiss.

Sherlock sighed and closed his eyes for a moment. "This really is almost too good to be true, isn't it?" he mused.

"No, it isn't. It's true, and neither of us is going to leave, and I love you," John said, pressing a kiss on Sherlock's cheekbone.

"I love you too," Sherlock said, smiling.

"So, what have you been doing all this time? Any exciting cases I should know about?" John asked, admiring Sherlock's face.

Sherlock shrugged. "Not really. The only really interesting work was helping Gryffydd write the history of the books. Even within the restraints Mycroft had placed on us."

"Right, I had heard you went to Cardiff. How was Ian?" John wondered how the young man had reacted to having Sherlock in his own house. Perhaps he had left, not wanting to be confronted with his feelings?

Sherlock hesitated. "He was... fine."

"Did he talk to you about... you know, his feelings?"

"Not directly." Sherlock thought for a moment. He didn't want to keep things from John ever again. He cleared his throat. "John..." he began. "There's something I have to tell you."

John frowned. "That sounds... ominous."

Sherlock sighed. "Something happened in Cardiff." He saw the change in John's eyes and hurried to add. "Nothing bad. Just... stupid..."

"What happened?" John asked softly.

Sherlock closed his eyes. It might be cowardly, but it made it easier. "I let Ian kiss me."

"Ah. Well, we weren't together, so you were free to kiss everyone you liked," John said, although his eyes shifted to a point on the pillow, next to Sherlock's head. "I'm glad you tried to get over us. I know I couldn't."

Sherlock sighed. "I was an idiot," he muttered. "And not in a good way. I didn't really like him at all. I just thought it would be easier. Less complicated. But it was completely empty. I found out I want complicated... because... well, because complicated means you." He bit his lip, not sure he made any sense.

John turned his gaze back to Sherlock with a small smile. "Well. As long as you're not going to repeat that experiment to get conclusive results..."

"Actually," Sherlock said, smiling back, "there is a much more efficient counter-experiment, that should put all doubts to rest." He kissed John, a little hesitantly.

John quickly took over to control the kiss, making it intimate and hungry, to be certain that he had completely reclaimed Sherlock's mouth.

Sherlock surrendered quickly and let John have his way with him. When he finally got a chance to breathe, he gasped: "Definitely want you, yes..."

John smirked and kissed him again.

(Dear readers, at this point we feel it would be unfair not to warn you: there is only one chapter left, before our story is finished. Along with it we will be publishing a commentary about how it came to be and tying up some of the loose ends. But do not despair. We already have something new for you. See you on the other side.)