Breathless after that kiss, Watson brought his hand to Holmes's cheek while he gasped and sought for words. He rubbed his thumb over the ridge of cheekbone.

"You might, yes," Watson managed. He lifted his mouth to Holmes's again, kissing him with a certain amount of desperation. The desire in him for more than simple kissing and touching was certainly being wakened now, and while he'd been faintly concerned that that sort of thing was not entirely welcome just then, Holmes's words now were reassuring and very welcome.

"It was very difficult. Traumatising, even." A ridiculous thing to say, but it was easy to joke about it, even in hoarse, half-whispered words.