John runs into his friend Mike Stamford on the street, and they stop for a coffee. They haven't seen each other in years.

He tells Mike that he doesn't know anyone who would want to be his flat mate, and Mike smiles.

"Here's the lab, John. Come on in."

"Bit different from my day… "

John freezes.

He jerks backwards,

Stares.

Sherlock doesn't see him.

"Mike, can I borrow your phone?"

"Sorry, it's in my coat."

John breathes shakily,

Hesitates,

Inhales deeply.

This is the start of something beautiful

He takes one tentative step forward.

"Here. Use mine."

Sherlock looks up

The microscope slide in his hand snaps in two.

They stare at each other for what feels like an eternity.

When John's mouth curves into a shy smile,

Sherlock beams.

Take me back, take me home

And I throw it all away and watch you fall into my arms again

The wounds are not so easily healed.

There is so much grief, and guilt, and hurt.

And while they both try their hardest to fix things,

It almost isn't enough.

Touches are hesitant,

And words are spoken cautiously.

But as time passes, they grow strong again.

One day, while drinking tea in 221B, Sherlock looks up and sees trust in John's eyes once more.

He gets down on his knees and vows never to break it again.

You are the earth I will stand upon, you are the words I will sing

Three weeks after finding each other at St. Barts, John moves back in.

That night, they share a bed for the first time in months.

Sherlock brushes his lips against John's forehead.

John laces their fingers together under the covers.

No more words are spoken.

John falls asleep on Sherlock's shoulder, and Sherlock is warm again.

"The world is indeed full of peril and in it there are many dark places. But still there is much that is fair. And though in all lands, love is now mingled with grief, it still grows, perhaps, the greater."

-J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings