God, this is fantastic. I love that this is bookended with John's childhood admiration for the constellations, the way he changed and his view of the stars changed as a soldier, the way you go back to them now when he doesn't know where he's going next. It makes this story feel very much like John's. And the bits of going back to normal after Moriarty - for a given value of normal, considering he lives with Sherlock. Sherlock's concern for him more evident after Moriarty. And I ADORE John taking on a few cases, just awesome.

Five seconds after that, John had resolved to follow him, no matter the cost.
Because he is John Watson and of course he will.

I just watched the Great Game and thanks for this terrific post-GG piece. Hit the spot. :D