John turned his head towards the stairs.
"Sherlock?" his voice was hoarse, roughened by dust and choking smoke.
The younger man swallowed hard, his eyes taking in all the cuts and grazes, the dirt ground into them still.
Mrs Hudson had quietly retreated and Sherlock slowly descended the remaining stairs until he could pull the smaller man into his arms.
"I was scared." He admitted, resting his cheek on John's dusty hair.
"Me too." John's arms slipped around Sherlock's waist. "I lost my stick, my phone wouldn't work… if it hadn't been for Kallie and Bernie…." His voice trailed off and he pulled closer, a violent shudder running through him.
"John?"
"For a moment I was back in Kandahar, I couldn't hear, I was terrified." He drew a deep breath, choking slightly on dust and emotion. "I wanted to come home, but I didn't feel safe."
"You're safe now John, I've got you." Full cupids bow lips placed a soft kiss on John's head. "Come on, let's get you upstairs."
They ascended slowly, closing the flat door softly behind them.
Reluctantly John extricated himself from Sherlock's embrace, and turned towards the bathroom. As Sherlock went to follow John stopped him.
"Let me have a minute…. Please?"
He left Sherlock standing outside the locked door listening to water running into the basin.