John had enough of flatmate’s arguing, “I doubt that this is going to be ‘easy,’ as you put it. I haven’t had an emotionally healthy relationship in over a decade and you are, well, you.”

He rose to his feet. Ignoring the pull of his stitches and the ache in his ribs, he straddled his flatmate.

“Now,” he ordered, using his military voice, “you are going to close that beautiful mouth of yours and let me snog you, and then you are going to tell me more about how you are in love with me.”

“But-“

John silenced him with a kiss.