John woke in the morning to find Sherlock sleeping next to him. He probably deserved the rest because as well as the five days that they have been here, he had no idea where Sherlock had last slept and as much as Sherlock tried to deny it, he was human. John took the time to properly look at Sherlock; he looked so much younger asleep. His curls were ruffled and his face relaxed instead of the tense look or frown he usually wore. John couldn't believe that this man, the world's only consulting detective and with a brain capable of understanding things that John could never even dream of liked him, a boring army doctor. Just then, Sherlock woke and his eyes lit up like a child's would.

"It's Christmas," Sherlock announced gleefully and they both went to the kitchen to see everyone else.

After a quick cup of tea, then moved to the lounge where the presents under the tree were. They each selected a gift with their name on it and took it in turns opening them. Mycroft gave Sherlock a new violin, Sherlock gave his parents a set of books, brainteasers and DIY manuals, Mr and Mrs Holmes gave John a new watch and John gave Mycroft a new umbrella. Next, they cleared up last night's mess and Mrs Holmes started on the roast.

John and Sherlock took the time to go out for a brisk walk and it was icy enough that their breaths came out as visible puffs. There was a lone robin, hopping from branch to branch ahead of them and the hedges next to them were topped with snow. It had probably rained last night as there were puddles of glass-like ice dotted along the lane. They didn't pass anyone else on the way and it seems like they had the whole world to themselves. Sherlock wrapped his arm around John who relaxed into the touch. They turned onto a patch of grass and the frost crunched underfoot. The sound echoed into the air around them and Sherlock laughed with delight. John loved it when Sherlock laughed as it rarely happened. They returned to the house to find lunch nearly ready however there was just enough time to open the rest of the presents.

Mycroft gave his mother a new apron, his father a new laptop and John a few discounts to restaurants.

John gave Sherlock printed copies of all of Lestrade's cases in priority and difficulty order and Mr and Mrs Holmes a few CDs they had wanted.

Mr and Mrs Holmes gave Sherlock a subscription from a science magazine he had liked and Mycroft a tin of biscuits and chocolate.

Sherlock gave Mycroft all the cameras he had collected from the flat over the last couple of years and some board games they both liked and John several jumpers and some DVDs he had asked for.

After that, they sat in the dining room to eat their meal. They pulled the crackers, told really bad jokes and even Mycroft put on the paper crown. There was roast beef with creamy and crispy roast potatoes, boiled peas and carrots, buttery Brussels sprouts and flavoursome gravy. Sherlock didn't participate in the conversation and John almost laughed when he caught Sherlock reading the casebook under the table. The conversation turned to John's life pre-Sherlock and he recounted his dull life of average grades, studying at St Bart's and then the army. When he talked about getting shot, he gripped Sherlock's hand but managed to finish his life story.

Next was a beautifully-decorated Christmas cake that tasted even better. The raisins were succulent and there was a perfect ratio of icing to cake.

At 3 pm, they put the Queen's speech on and John had to stop himself standing to attention like the Beefeaters on the TV were! The Queen talked about how another year has passed and John thought back to this time last year. There has been a party in 221B with Molly and Lestrade and Mrs Hudson and John hasn't even realised his feelings for Sherlock. Before he knew it, John had daydreamed away the whole speech and a Christmas film has been put on. He leaned into Sherlock who wrapped an arm around him and with a dark, warm room and a full stomach, he fell asleep. He was safe and happy with Sherlock.