saki101

Another vote for the magical library/mind palace!

The more I think about this part, the sadder it seems. John's anger and grief over what seems increasingly a well-planned suicide attempt vs. his powerful desire to return to the Rare Book Library and (unknowingly) Sherlock. John and Sherlock have sex, but John is not fully present (can't be), and Sherlock is trying hard to balance his (new?) physical needs against his emotions. His replies to John's words suggest he feels deeply, yet early in this part he seems almost coldly clinical: "for the work". And he knows the price he might pay for this secrecy.

So, definitely a melancholy chapter!