Sherlock doesn't dignify that with a response. He will admit that he's petulant, but not, as it happens, while he is being so. He's well aware that he's a difficult man to live with, but John knows what he signed up for and he's still here beside him. Besides, right now, he feels that his actions are justified. How hard is it for John to just admit he was wrong when he was so clearly wrong? Not that Sherlock thinks he's a pervert. The term pervert rubs him wrong, it points to some certain subset of interests, interests that are different from what is usually considered to be normal and claims that they're somehow shameful and deviant. John does like the feeling of a rope against his throat. To what end, Sherlock doesn't know yet, but he clearly likes it to some degree, but that doesn't make him a pervert. Sherlock isn't passing any judgment. It's simply a fact.
The meal is mostly silent. He makes a few attempts at conversation and where he might sometimes not realize John isn't answering until hours later, right now he notices straight away. Clearly, Sherlock isn't the only one being petulant about this. He finally stops even trying and the meal is finished in silence. Back in the flat, Sherlock is wondering what ground can be won back tonight or if he ought to regroup and try again another day from another direction. John's announcement that he's going to bed should make up his mind to let it all drop for the night, but on the contrary it does the opposite.
It makes him want to insert himself like a wedge between John and bed, to keep him here. It's childish and this time he's well aware of that fact, but he thinks that their conversation had been almost on the edge of something but fallen short because Sherlock didn't know how to navigate like this. All he could do was chip away at another person's truth when what was likely needed was give and take. That was so foreign to him, and even if it wasn't, he hardly knew what to say.
"I've been thinking," he begins as if he hadn't heard John speak at all, "We both could do well to stay sharp when it comes to fighting off would-be attackers." That much was clear from how much ground the Russian had gained when he'd jumped on John. Sherlock's actually putting it fairly delicately. Stay sharp could easily have been phrased get better. Not to say that John is incapable, but the Russian had had the advantage of size, weaponry and surprise.
"It would be pointless if we knew when it was coming, however. We would have to take turns attacking each other at random. There would need to be agreed upon parameters..." he trails off.
no subject
The meal is mostly silent. He makes a few attempts at conversation and where he might sometimes not realize John isn't answering until hours later, right now he notices straight away. Clearly, Sherlock isn't the only one being petulant about this. He finally stops even trying and the meal is finished in silence. Back in the flat, Sherlock is wondering what ground can be won back tonight or if he ought to regroup and try again another day from another direction. John's announcement that he's going to bed should make up his mind to let it all drop for the night, but on the contrary it does the opposite.
It makes him want to insert himself like a wedge between John and bed, to keep him here. It's childish and this time he's well aware of that fact, but he thinks that their conversation had been almost on the edge of something but fallen short because Sherlock didn't know how to navigate like this. All he could do was chip away at another person's truth when what was likely needed was give and take. That was so foreign to him, and even if it wasn't, he hardly knew what to say.
"I've been thinking," he begins as if he hadn't heard John speak at all, "We both could do well to stay sharp when it comes to fighting off would-be attackers." That much was clear from how much ground the Russian had gained when he'd jumped on John. Sherlock's actually putting it fairly delicately. Stay sharp could easily have been phrased get better. Not to say that John is incapable, but the Russian had had the advantage of size, weaponry and surprise.
"It would be pointless if we knew when it was coming, however. We would have to take turns attacking each other at random. There would need to be agreed upon parameters..." he trails off.