John, looking down at him, smiled. He took a long look at Sherlock lying on his back, knees raised, grinning at John, his fingers playing absently with the hem of John’s shirt which had come untucked during his wild dive onto Sherlock. John could see many things; contentment, confidence, wisdom, a trace of smug self-satisfaction, but most evident of all, deep love in Sherlock’s face as he stared back.

He stilled Sherlock’s restless hands with his own and said slowly, “You are right Sherlock, I should have listened to you sooner.” He squeezed Sherlock’s fingers, “If I was any good at being your Alpha I would listen to you and accept your wisdom as equal to mine. I was being patronizing and for that I’m sorry. From now on we are partners, different but equal in this relationship.”

“If that’s your way of saying you want me naked and in bed, John, then I accept.” He smirked at John.

John grinned back and rose from the edge of the sofa. Still holding Sherlock’s hands, he tugged him up and growled, “Then get! Into bed now!”

He saw Sherlock almost shiver in delight his order. He chuckled and began to push Sherlock gently down the hall and into the bedroom where he followed and closed the door behind them.