What is John thinking here?

 (Sherlock Meta by Ivy Blossom)

You’ve been reading John’s blog. The story of how you met. 

I’m a bit irritated that I don’t know what John’s thinking here. I mean, clearly he’s surprised that Sherlock considers his blog useful on a personal level. He didn’t know that. Generally John’s blog seems to be only irritating or amusing to Sherlock, though it’s in the end their main source of advertisement and therefore revenue. John has argued with him to recognize the value of his blog for that reason I don’t think he would have guessed that Sherlock would value it for another.

It’s a sad statement on so many levels. John is describing reality, and Sherlock keeps calling him romantic. Sherlock thinks John paints him as “so much cleverer” than he actually is. He wants to live up to John’s image of him, not only morally, but intellectually. John surely thought he had that side covered!

I don’t know what John’s thinking here, but I think he’s…I don’t know, touched? The way he was during Sherlock’s speech, perhaps. Maybe that’s not a strong enough word. He’s having a strong feeling. I’m struggling to find the right word for it. Gratefulness, affection. Touched. Is that the right body language?