Watson leaned into that kiss gladly, gratefully. "You are not traumatising," he murmured. "Going without you is what is so difficult. But," he continued, smoothing a hand down Holmes's arm, "if you think it best to start small, to ease myself back into your presence again... I shan't contradict you."

He was all too aware that things were perhaps still uncertain between them, and had concluded it was best to let Holmes set the pace and the boundaries of where this might lead. His trust in Holmes was, after all, absolute.

"The damage is certainly reversible, though. I feel myself improving already."