Work Text:
John shut the door to 221b forcefully. Sherlock had already flopped down on the sofa. They just came back from solving a case of a triple homicide. To catch the killer Sherlock jumped out of a driving cab, ran after the suspect into a backallay and followed him up on a roof were they both ended up dangling from the edge. John was not at all happy with his friend and it was obvious in his body language that he intended to have words with said friend over his earlier actions.
"What in heavens sake were you thinking."
"Oh John, there would be no use explaining how my brain functions. We caught the killer and that's all that matters."
"Sherlock, that's not what I meant and because of your brilliant mind you damn well know that. Stop this nonchalant act right now and explain to me why you thought it would be a good idea to run off after a serial killer. Unarmed and without backup? Not to mention ending up dangling from a roof top. You could have died up there. And for what? So the almighty Sherlock Holmes didn't waste a few minutes of time to wait for backup? So you'd be the hero of the day again? So you could proof to the rest of the world, you don't need anybodys help? Well guess what, if Lestrade and I hadn't arrived when we did you wouldn't have gotten another chance to show off. Do you even understand how close you came to dying." John was breathing very hard by now.
"Are you quite finished now, John? Even someone with as little intellectual capacity as yourself would realize that I needed to get to the suspect before he got away. Lestrade and his men were to far away and if I hadn't texted them, they still would rack their brains to find out who the killer was." Sherlock arrogantly defended his own behavior. John, used to Sherlocks superiority, didn't mind the insult of his intelligence. The complete ignorance Sherlock showed for his own safety was what bothered John the most.
"Thats not the point, Sherlock. Even you can't be that oblivious that you don't recognize the danger you put yourself in."
"I never denied that my methods were dangerous but it was a necessary risk I had to take."
"NO IT WASN'T!" He tried to hold on to his temper, he really did, but enough was enough and John exploded, "Nothing you did today was NECESSARY. It was DANGEROUS and STUPID."
"I am not STUPID, John!"
"No, normally you aren't, but it's on days like this that I wonder if you really are a grown up genius or a spoilt child, who is doing as it pleases without thinking of the possible consequences."
Sherlock growled something under his breath, jumped up and stomped to the kitchen. He really resembled a child throwing a strop right now. John took a deep breath to calm down before he followed his flatmate to the kitchen.
"Sherlock, I wasn't finished talking to you yet."
"I don't see what else there is to talk about. You are clearly overreacting and oblivious to the importance of my fast actions regarding the arrest of the perpetrator." Johns brows furrowed. His hands were shaking with rage and he took a menacing step towards the detective.
"That is quite enough. I've had it with your attitude. You think I'm oblivious to what your actions entail... Well, there is one thing I know for certain. Your behavior right now shows me, you are in terrible need of someone who takes you in hand and makes you realize the errors of your ways." John took the last few steps, that separated him from the other man so fast, that Sherlock didn't even think about stepping away from his angry friend. It was only when John grabbed him by the upper arm and tugged him towards the living room, that Sherlock found his voice again.
"What do you mean take me in hand? John... Stop dragging me along like a child... What are you going to do?"
"You're clever, Sherlock Holmes. Make a deduction...", was the only answer he received before John reached the sofa. The doctor took a seat right in the middle and pulled the gangly, taller man over his knees. The hight difference was no problem for the trained soldier. Before Sherlock had a chance to protest or get back up, John had an arm wrapped around his hips and the detectives legs securely pinned down with one of his own. The slightly younger man was trapped. Sherlock tested the hold by wiggling his body but he found his flatmates hold unbreakable. By now he had put together what John planned to do but the great Sherlock Holmes wasn't about to endure it silently.
"John, this is ridiculous. I am a grown man not a child. You made your point, now let me up, before this gets anymore embarrassing."
"Oh, you think this is embarrassing? What do you call stomping around the flat like a toddler throwing a tantrum, stubbornly refusing to take responsibility for your actions or insulting someone because you don't like what he's got to say to you? Now that is embarrassing, because it's not the way a grown man should act. Those were the actions of a spoiled brat, Sherlock. And when you're behaving like a spoiled brat, I'll treat you like one."
And with this words John let his hand fall on the upturned backside over his knee. Sherlock swallowed hard, the swat actually hurt. Right then two more swats followed the first one in the exact same spot.
"Enough, John. I already said, you have made your point. Your displeased but how will hitting me make it better?", after the initial shock Sherlock was able to verbalize his protest.
"First of all I'm not hitting you, I'm spanking you. And I'm not doing it because I'm displeased, as you put it. Believe me, I'm not happy with the way you were speaking to me or with your behavior, but this is not about revenge, Sherlock. I'm doing this to make you realize how much danger you put yourself into and to give you an incentive to stop and think before you run headlong into danger again. Do you see the difference here? It's not about getting even, it's about taking care of you, when you can't do it yourself or stubbornly refuse to do so."
"John... please...", Sherlock stopped, swallowing around a lump in his throat.
"What? What is it?", John looked at the back of the detectives head. He now realized what a position he put himself into. He had been angry and felt self-righteous when he yanked the stubborn detective over his knee, was determined to teach him a lesson and give him the spanking he begged for. But now he truly meant what he said, he wasn't angry anymore, he was scared for the safety of his best friend. He wanted Sherlock to start thinking before rushing into action but he also knew that he had to comply and stop, if Sherlock refused and demanded to be let up. What was he thinking... This could cost him the precious friendship he developed with the unapproachable young man. Lost in his own thoughts it took John a few moments to realize that Sherlock still hadn't explained, what he meant to say.
"Sherlock? What did you want to say?"
"I... John, I... don't understand.... Why do you care?", Sherlock stumpled over the words. In this moment he sounded very young and confused, a feeling the young genius was not used to.
"Oh Sherlock, of course I care. You are my best friend and I don't want to see you killed, because you refused to take your own health and safety seriously. You mean an awful lot to me, really you do. I know you don't care abouth things like friendship but I do and I will be damned if I allow a friend of mine to get himself killed. I lost so many men in combat, you will not be one of them."
There was only silence from the man draped over Johns knee. The doctor was uncertain how he should proceed. Sherlock was a grown man after all a very proud one at that. But he didn't try to stand up or wiggle out of position anymore and there was no verbal protest either. Considering all this, John decided to go with his original plan. He raised his hand again and smacked it down on Sherlocks bottom. This time the detective stayed silent. John kept raining down smack after smack. He found a rhythm and kept going until Sherlock let a small whimper escape from his lips. John locked closer and saw the almost unnoticeable shaking of Sherlocks shoulders. Deciding to not drag it out for too long, John made the smacks harder and faster and started talking.
"Sherlock, you are my friend. I care about you very much. Actually there are many people, who care about you and don't want so see anything bad happening to you. Molly, Greg, Mrs. Hudson, Mycroft... We all would be devastated if something happened to you. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?" John waited for an answer. When none came he raised his hand and smacked it down hard.
"I asked if you understood what I was trying to tell you and I expect an answer?" The only response was a slight nod. That earned Sherlock another and again even harder smack.
"A verbal answer if you please." "Yes. Yes, John, I understand.", Sherlock answered through gritted teeth.
"You promise me, that you'll not rush into dangerous situations like today anymore?"
Two more smacks were applied to each cheek. Sherlock sucked in his breath and took a moment to answer. John, realizing that the other man needed time to catch his breath, waited patiently for the response.
"I'll try. I can't make such a promise." Sherlock almost expected to be smacked again but the anticipated rebuke never came.
"Fair enough. Try your best, thats all I'm asking. Let the police do their job and please use that bright brain of yours, before you follow a serial killer again."
Sherlock nodded and John released him from his hold. The doctor helped him up and directed Sherlock to sit down beside him. A small hiss escaped the now very subdued detective. A few tears were visible in his eyes but John didn't comment on them. Instead he carefully reached out and put an arm around his friends shoulders. He half expected Sherlock to refuse his comfort but the younger man did not only accept the one armed hug, he even leaned into it and rested his head on Johns shoulder. A few seconds of silent comfort followed, before Sherlock spoke up again.
"John..."
"Hmm?"
"You were wrong before, you know?"
John raised an eyebrow not understanding what Sherlock was referring to.
"You said I don't care about friendship. Well I did not care about friends because I never had friends before you came into my life. I am not good with feelings and emotions and talking for that matter but.... I... I mean... I am... sorry. Sorry for worrying you. I don't understand why you would care about someone like me but I appreciate it and I'll try to not give you anymore grey hairs than you already got."
Sherlock actually smiled as he carefully stood up, streched and headed for the kitchen. John shook his head, smiling fondly at his flatmate. He could hear Sherlock rummaging through the cupboards and preparing some tea for the two of them. John enjoyed the peaceful moment and flexed his aching hand. Did he really just spank is flatmate and friend? What was he thinking? Then again something in Sherlocks behavior had changed for the better. John didn't believe that the detective would stay like this for long but he would enjoy it, while it lasted. Thinking about all that happened in the last hour, John shook his head and sighed. This wasn't a normal way to spend the evening after a long day of work...But what is actually normal, when it comes to living together with Sherlock Holmes.