Chapter 5
A little while later, the pair of them were on the couch together. John had already sent a text to Harry, letting her know that they weren't to be disturbed. He was aware of the fact that Sherlock had very little idea of what to do, so he wanted this time to show his friend how nice it was to just sit and relax.
As it was, he had coaxed Sherlock to sit against the back of the couch and was leaning against him, arm around his flat stomach. Sherlock really should eat more, he thought; maybe he could get that into the detective's head.
"So what's the purpose of this?" Sherlock asked him, looking around in confusion. "What exactly are we doing?"
John looked up at him. "Sherlock...have you never...you know...cuddled on the couch with someone?" he asked. "Never?"
"I've never had a relationship," Sherlock reminded him.
"You didn't even do this with your mother when you were a kid?"
Sherlock shook his head. "No. My parents were not particularly affectionate. I'm sure you can see that in myself and Mycroft."
"You've changed," John pointed out softly. "I think you have, anyway." He then smiled. "What we're doing now is something that all couples do. The ones that love each other, anyway." He gave a gentle squeeze. "Even you have to admit that this feels good."
Sherlock thought about it; there was some sense to what John was saying. He did feel rather relaxed despite not being focused on a case. Usually he hated not working, but this...it calmed him. Perhaps John could give him something new to focus on. "Well...it has its merits," he agreed, nodding.
"Good," John said, and then he rose up to kiss his friend. Sherlock's lips were surprisingly soft, which he hadn't really expected. But then again, Sherlock kept surprising him. The way he was kissing back right now...John could tell that he was making every effort to learn as much as he could. It was clear that Sherlock wanted to make the effort, and he appreciated that. "You're a natural at this, you know," he said when they broke apart.
Sherlock shrugged. "It's easy enough to pick up. But...the feelings I get when you kiss me...they're unusual. I can't describe it properly, but...it's the same feeling I get when I have a case, or when...I used to do drugs."
"It's adrenaline," John told him. "And it's perfectly normal." Feeling a bit more confident, he pressed his lips to Sherlock's exposed neck and planted a kiss there. "I know I've never told you this before, but...you're very attractive, Sherlock. Not just with your looks, but...everything about you. I can't help but think about how much I want with you..."
"You mean...intercourse?" Sherlock asked cautiously. Part of him did want to go to that level with John, but he had no idea of what to expect from it. He knew that John would be able to help him, though.
"Well, yeah," John admitted. "I do want that...do you?"
"Yes," Sherlock replied, nodding. "But I will admit I am at a loss as to how to go about it."
"Don't worry," John assured him. "I'll help you. And there's always the internet if we need information. But nothing has to happen until we're both ready. I know we're not there yet, Sherlock. It's too soon."
"Absolutely. I think we should...get to know each other in this context before we can...go to that level. They say that people need to know each other before crossing that line. Otherwise, if they do it too soon...they break up. I don't want that."
"God, me neither. I've wanted this for so long...don't wanna lose it now." John smiled up at his partner. "We'll take it slowly, at our own pace until we're ready to go further."
"Sounds like a good plan." Sherlock smiled a little; he couldn't help it when John was looking at him with such love. It was infectious and while he didn't understand all of it, he liked it. Maybe that was normal.
They kissed a few more times and John's hand found its way to the hole between two buttons of Sherlock's shirt. The detective squirmed when he felt John's touch.
"What?" John asked, alarmed that he scared his friend. Sherlock shook his head.
"I just...your fingers are cold..." he explained, his cheeks colouring. John grinned.
"Are you ticklish?" he asked, seeing Sherlock going redder. "Oh my God, Sherlock...I never would have guessed..."
"Don't you dare," Sherlock warned when John's look turned wicked. Before he could protest further, John had used his considerable strength to pin him down and was tickling him. John had never really heard Sherlock laugh a lot before, and it was music to his ears. He enjoyed seeing the man he loved so happy.
He eventually had mercy on his helpless flatmate, smiling down at him. "It's nice to see you like this," he said softly, taking Sherlock's hands. "When you're not worrying about things. It's good to see you...acting normal, you know?"
Sherlock nodded, smiling up at him. "It feels good, being like this with you. Good to relax, I suppose."
"Yep." John sank down and lay on top of him, head on his chest. He felt Sherlock's hand wander to the wound on his shoulder and looked up at him. "It's okay, if you want to see it..."
He allowed Sherlock to pull his shirt down from his shoulder and look at the wound. It was a blemish on his doctor's skin that he hated for being there. He felt a protective surge run through him and looked into John's eyes.
"John...I promise you that I'll do everything I can to make sure that nothing like that happens to you ever again," he said in a rush, trying not to trip over his words. John was truly touched by this, and he brought their lips together once more.
"You can't promise it won't, but I appreciate what you're saying," he replied. "I love you too, Sherlock."