John stood as still as a statue. His eyes were on the floor and his fists were clenched so tight that his knuckles were chalk white. He looked angry- no, Furious! Sherlock readied himself for another punch to the face. He took a deep breath
"John." He said and the shorter man looked up at him "If you want to punch me again, just allow me to prepare myself" Sherlock screwed his eyes shut; clenched his jaw and turned his face slightly so his cheek was exposed "Go on. Get it over and done with…" He urged, expecting a fist to be hurled at him any second. But what he didn't expect, was for John Watson to start talking calmly
"I don't want to punch you Sherlock" The former dead man opened his eyes in surprise to see John standing a little closer with tears in his eyes "I don't want to punch you, because I forgive you" John put on a wonky smile and managed a steady laugh. Sherlock felt his heart lift.
John forgave him.
The Detective looked up as John inclined his head to the left ever-so-slightly.
"Sherlock, you're crying" he said. Sherlock frowned and he lightly dabbed a finger across his cheek and pulled it away to find it wet. Sherlock stared at his finger.
John was right… he was… crying. He wiped his eyes harshly and John stepped a few inches closer
"Take it easy," he whispered gently.
The worry and sympathy in John's eyes and voice made more tears build up and Sherlock's vision blur. Sherlock didn't notice the shorter man before him finally move even closer so that they were merely inches away from each other.
The next thing Sherlock knew, he was in the warm embrace of John Watson. The blonde hugged him tight and something in Sherlock finally snapped. He had tears sting his eyes and he buried his head in John's shoulder and gripped his doctor tighter. He tried not to, but he couldn't help the tears he refused to shed over the years, finally rain down. John didn't push him away, he didn't say anything, he just hugged his dear friend tighter and, not once, did he let go.