Gently, tenderly, Sherlock ran his hand through John's hair. They still had a lot to talk about, and Sherlock still had dozens of questions, but they could wait. Between explaining about Merlin and Arthur, and thier tumble into bed, it was almost morning.

"Sleep, John." He whispered into the man's ear, still gently petting John's hair. He wasn't tired, and he was fascinated by the idea of watching the man sleep. He had seen him asleep before, but never like this.

Never this intimate.

Sherlock continued to gently rub at John's hair until his breathing evened out and he was asleep. He pulled his hand away and watched, observed, marveled at the man in front of him.