Watson had initially envisioned a much more hasty sort of encounter, although Holmes seemed to be having different ideas. He couldn't complain about that. He still -- still -- could not quite manage to believe that he was here, that he would be living here, that it could be like this all the time, bad and good, but them together.

"I will return the favour," he answered, softly. He wasn't being much help as far as the undressing went, continuing to mouth and kiss along Holmes's throat, unbuttoning as it became necessary for his roving mouth. "I shan't let you come to any harm either."