"John, you are not listening!" Sherlock says with irritation, snapping his fingers in front of my face. "And it's not the first time. What's going on?"

I shake off the daze and glance at my companion apologetically. "Sorry. Got carried away."

"I can see that," he retorts sarcastically. "You haven't answered my question."

"I guess I'm a little tired, that's all. I had barely slept the last two days," I say honestly and wait for his reaction.

"I distinctly remember telling you that working night shifts while we're on the case wasn't the best idea," my flatmate quirks up an eyebrow. "But you didn't listen."

"That's because I need this job, Sherlock," I reply calmly, desperately trying to keep my raising temper in check. Why had I ever believed that he will understand?

"What for, John? We have enough money for both of us."

"Correction, Sherlock – YOU have enough money. And you know full well that I will never agree to live at your expense. It's the question of self-respect, you know."

Sherlock's expression hardens abruptly. "I had always thought that we are equal in this, John," he says flatly. "Had I missed something?"

I open my mouth, ready to deliver a cutting retort, and right at that moment Lestrade decides to interrupt us, clearing his throat loudly.

"Sorry for intruding upon your discussion, gentlemen, but we are kind of busy here…"

Sherlock shoots a scorching glance in my direction and turns away, following the Detective Inspector back to the crime scene. "We will continue this conversation when we get home, John," he throws over his shoulder coldly.

"Fine," I say archly. "But now I need to sleep, so I'm leaving. I will wait you at the flat."

"As you wish."

And we part ways, going in the opposite direction: Sherlock – to the crime scene with the purpose of solving the case, and me - back to the Baker Street, to think the whole situation over…

Sighing in frustration, I close my eyes and lean back into the armchair, relaxing my body completely.

Who am I kidding? It's not going to work. Not with Sherlock, anyway.

Sherlock…

To tell the truth, my recent absent-mindedness has a reason. I had finally started researching my 'subject' almost a week ago, and I have to tell you I was really shocked at first. I mean the amount of material… It can really send your head spinning.

Oh, sorry, I haven't told you what exactly my subject is, have I? Ahem… Well…

Okay, John, quit babbling. Just say it.

Domination and submission.

More specifically, me as a Dom and Sherlock as a Sub.

Funny, isn't it? The most improbable thing in the world. The thought of Sherlock submitting for anybody… Even Mycroft Holmes, his brother, doesn't have such power over his sibling. And Mycroft is the British government himself, I need to remind you.

So why I can't get that insane idea out of my head?

Oh, and let me assure you, I don't mean anything kinky. I'm straight, and Sherlock is asexual, so nothing along these lines. More like a happy, loving family, me and him. Selfish, isn't it?

Maybe. But somebody has to take a good care of the world's only consulting detective. Because behind that sparkling façade lies an abyss – dark, deep, and at the same time terrifyingly beautiful. Believe me, I know that for certain. Because I had looked right into it one day. Teetered on the edge, was nearly pulled in, but managed to hold my ground. More than that, dragged Sherlock out to safety with me, saved him. Hadn't expected him to be grateful, and he wasn't, but at least he stayed alive. And that's the main thing that counts in my book.

Alright, back to the subject. You see, the main thing between us, that I'm opting for, is trust. Which, in my opinion, definitely includes my ability to take care of him in any situation, and his willingness to accept my decision without questioning it. I think I have the caring component down pat, but as for Sherlock's acceptance… That part of the bargain definitely requires some work.

The problem is that Sherlock ALWAYS questions anything and everything. Except maybe the grand rules that he had set for himself, such as: "Rule number one: I'm never wrong" and "Rule number two: If I'm wrong, see Rule number one." When it comes to work, this logic most definitely applies to any situation. But in everyday life things are not so simple. Sometimes they require the ability to see the situation from a different perspective. And regrettably, Sherlock often lacks this ability, despite all his intelligence. Don't get me wrong, I'm not blaming him. It's just a way of voicing my major concerns, I guess.

And let's not forget the other side of the story – me. Am I able to do it? Do I have it in me – the power to tame Sherlock, to shape him into slightly different person – at least while we're at home? Is it going to affect our working relationship as well? Can it ruin us?

There are so many things to consider, so many questions to ponder that my head actually starts to hurt. Deciding to take a break and make myself a cup of tea, I close my laptop, push myself up from the armchair, turn around – and find myself almost nose-to-nose with Sherlock. Giving a startled cry, I stumble back involuntarily and glare at my sneaky flatmate. How come that I hadn't heard him returning?

Sherlock just continues to stand here, head tilted slightly to the right, his questioning gaze fixed firmly on my face. Suddenly a thought pops into my mind: How long had he been standing here? Had he been able to see what I've been reading? And if he had, then what's going on right now in that magnificent brain of his?

Finally he moves, clearing his throat quietly and holding out a hand with a cup of tea – for me, obviously. I accept it gratefully and take a sip. The tea is cold already, so I guess that fact answers my first question clearly. Sherlock blinks, stuffs his hands in his pockets – he still hadn't taken his coat off – and starts to speak. One single question and an eyebrow quirked up.

"Is there something you want to tell me about, John?"

Sorry for another relatively short chapter. I guess I'm still getting used to my new story. The next chapter will be much longer, I promise :)

Anyway, tell me what you think. Oh, and here's another question: do you want Sherlock's POV in this story? Or someone else's? (In addition to John's, of course – he is the main storyteller here).