When Sherlock was finally allowed to do cases, things started to fall into place a little bit faster, it seemed.

He had somehow managed to get out of Mycroft's place, and even though he knew only too well that his brother was constantly breathing down his neck he didn't mind terribly; he had been clean for a couple of months now and wasn't planning on going back –well, not seriously thinking about it, at least, just cravings, that's all- so he wouldn't have to answer to him anymore.

Sherlock was also still on therapy, as much as he hated it. At least Mycroft was paying the bills. The doctor turned out to not be a complete idiot, and according to him they were making some 'progress' but Sherlock found that cases were a much better treatment for his problem. He would get other things out of his mind when he was working, and in any case the doctor was glad that he had found a 'hobby' to entertain himself.

He had gotten an apartment of his own as well, and his most recent acquisition was his brand-new roommate. He wasn't planning on getting one, but Mycroft simply didn't want him to move out quite yet and refused to pay the rent for him. Sherlock took it as a drawback at first but it turned out John was somehow… different from other people, as normal as he looked. Sherlock couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he was rather enjoying having him around. And that was a lot, coming from him.

Sherlock was sure that when John and Mycroft met, John had been informed of his roommate's… situation, so he was actually surprised for once in his life to find that he had absolutely no idea about it. After Lestrade's so-called drugs bust Sherlock became painfully aware that John had been meaning to ask him about it, and knew that he wouldn't simply let it go. When he first brought it up, John begun by saying something like that they were friends, apparently, and friends were supposed to worry. The conversation seemed endless and Sherlock wasn't really sure of why he felt so embarrassed to be talking about it with John. He had done it before, with Mycroft, Lestrade, even his doctor… but this was something else entirely.

-I don't see why this is so important to you. I have told you; it was merely a form of entertainment. It is also a thing of the past, so you do not need to worry anymore.

Sherlock sat there looking at the empty space with his violin in his hands, praying to every deity he could remember that John would magically forget about the whole thing. John didn't seem to find the right words for a while, but it didn't look as if he was dropping the matter any time soon.

-Look, Sherlock, I'm a medical man. I know these things don't simply 'go away'.

He sighed and continued.

-I just wanted to let you know that if you ever need anything…

-I don't.

-I know you don't,but if you ever do…

-I. won't.

Sherlock's answer was final and apparently John got the hint. He smiled sadly and left Sherlock to his violin.

Later that same afternoon there was a knock on John's bedroom door. He opened to find Sherlock on the other side, visibly anxious about something. John was about to ask him what was wrong when with a firm 'don't talk' Sherlock grabbed him by the arm and took him hastily to his own room. John didn't dare to say a word while Sherlock opened his sock drawer and started looking for something inside it. When he finally found it he turned around to face John. His eyes were fixed on the ground when he started speaking.

-John… just, please don't say anything.

He held out his hand and put the small bag on John's open palm.

-I was not going to use it. I had it… just in case.

His gazes met at last, and John could only manage to smile and nod. When he put the bag in his pocket Sherlock even looked mildly relieved. John opened his mouth to say something but before the first syllable would come out Sherlock cut him with a 'don't'. John nodded again and walked back into his room.

When Sherlock heard the 'click' of John's door closing he allowed himself a little smile. He concluded that it was comforting to have John around, just in case.

Fin.