A/N:This story started as response to a challenge in Mrs Hudson's kitchen by AleesNox, it was:
A Sherlock story about winter that mentions ice, snow, cold wind or some other seasonally appropriate weather as an integral part of the story. (Bonus points if you mention Sherlock's coat.)
Then I had a few inspirations wacked in my head by my muse (blame her for the little weird part in the second segment) and an idea from my sister. And after that the story took a life of it's own and decided to encompass the second challenge for Christmas as well...
I don't own own the characters of BBC Sherlock, I just involved them with a few snow balls!
Snowballs:
A flock of sparrows were fluttering cheerfully in the snow, picking crumbs in the brilliant winter morning. They were passed unnoticed by the consulting detective and his companion. John was listening to Sherlock as he told him his deductions.
"Therefore our witness is a thrill seeking teenaged skier named Chuck and he has come to this god-forsaken place to have a good slide. We must find him quickly and return him to London, the success of the case depends on it."
"So all we need to do is to find the best snow covered hills and wait for him to show up."
"Well, John, I wouldn't s-" *PLUNK* Sherlock's face turned to the right by the force of the impact. Bits of snow clung to his hair and face. He whipped around to glare in the direction the offending snow ball had come from. His eyes caught sight of a scrawny teenaged boy in colorful winter gear, carrying a light sleigh over his shoulder. He was snickering at them. The cheeky little hooligan was their witness for the case, and here he was taunting them!
John and Sherlock's eyes narrowed and they sprinted after him together. Sherlock's coat soared dramatically after him as he ran through the snow after his quarry. John followed him with the same enthusiasm -and less drama! - trying hard not to fall behind.
The runaway witness took a sharp left turn and disappeared behind a building. John didn't have enough time to ponder the seemingly paradoxical situation of the kid, as Sherlock slipped on a piece of ice when he tried to take the left turn. John hurried forward and managed to grab Sherlock's arm. It was no use. John's momentum sent them skidding a good ten yards from their intended turn and over a snow covered hill.
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The winter sun shone brightly in the sky, illuminating the pristine snow covered scenery. Two white figures glittered in the brilliant light.
"Are you up to this Sherlock?"
"Yes."
"Just so you know, I wouldn't have done it any differently."
"It's good to know John. I'm glad you're here to assist me."
"It's been an honor."
"No need to get sentimental John!"
"Kill-joy!" John muttered under his breath.
The two ethereal figures looked up at the winding sliding path. Their teenaged fugitive was standing on top of the hill and preparing his sleigh.
"Are you sure this will work, Sherlock?"
"Only one way to find out!"
The teenaged boy let out a whoop "Look out below!" and launched himself on the winding slope. As he reached the bottom of the hill, he was roughly caught by strong hands and pulled back and off of his sleigh. He was put upright on the ground. As soon as he found his footing he looked up.
"Aaaaa!"
John winced "that was a pretty shrill shriek for a boy your age!"
"I've been grabbed by a pair of ghosts! Are you guys going to haunt me?"
Sherlock rolled his eyes "We caught you. That means the hunt is over. Do keep up!" then something occurred to him "What do you mean by ghosts?"
Chuck opened and closed his mouth a few times until he managed to actually make a sound. "I mean you two! You're cold and covered all in white!" His voice got shriller as he went on.
A mischievous glint flickered in John's eyes. "Did you expect us to let you go that easily?"
"You're essential to the case." Sherlock interjected.
"We will not rest until we take care of our unfinished business."
The teenager shivered at this. John continued, "You'll cooperate with us or else!"
Chuck was trembling by now. "I'm sorry! I was just having a bit of fun, I didn't mean to kill you, it was an accident!" he wailed.
Sherlock stopped shaking his coat to get the snow of off it and turned to them. "What are you talking about? Who died?"
"YOU DID! That's why you're haunting me, isn't it?"
Sherlock sniffed "I think I'd remember something as important as my own death!"
"But you don't!" the teenager insisted, "You're still in shock, and you haven't come to terms with it yet!"
"I think you're the one in shock!" Sherlock said disdainfully and returned his attention to removing the clinging snow from his clothes.
John couldn't hold himself any longer and started laughing. The boy looked at him bemused "What's so funny?"
"Sorry, I couldn't resist it!" Then John cleared his throat and composed himself, "Actually, I'm not sorry at all. You caused us to tumble down a rather tall hill covered with a lot of snow. We had to fight our way out a snow ball we were caught in."
"A snow ball? Don't you think you're exaggerating a bit John?" Sherlock interrupted.
John pressed on as if the interruption hadn't happened. "I don't know how long it'll us to get all this snow out of our clothes before we freeze to death. If we freeze then I'm definitely going to hunt you down and haunt you till the end of your days, do you understand me?"
Chuck nodded his head vigorously.
"Good, now come along to the station, you had your slide. We're going back to London and you are going to testify." Then John turned to Sherlock. "Leave it Sherlock, you'll get it out in the station. Just, let's get out of this blasted wind before our noses fall off!"
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John and Sherlock sat in their train compartment. They had entrusted Chuck to a country Constable who happened to be traveling to London on that very day. John wiped away some of the fog on the window so that he could take a look outside. The view was a bit wavy, as if they were looking through a screen of water. A light snow was falling from the sky, covering the trees and buildings in a soft white dust.
"It looks like a Christmas card." John said absently.
Sherlock grunted. He was sitting on the seat facing John. He had opened the buttons of his coat but had refused to take it off completely. The dark material pooled around him and it had slightly slid off his shoulders as he began to feel warmer by degrees.
"I should send out Christmas cards." John said while staring out the window.
"Why would you want to do such a thing?"
"Because, it's what people do to show that they care about the recipient."
"Sounds boring."
"I take it you don't send out Christmas cards."
"I don't send out any cards."
Sherlock saw a devious smile spread across John's face. "You know Sherlock, sending Christmas cards doesn't have to be boring…"
Sherlock smirked "What do you have in mind John?"
"There are a whole lot of pranks we could pull by using this opportunity. I remember Harry pulled a nice prank on one of her class mates for Valentine's Day when she was in high school. We can use a similar technique for our Christmas cards."
Sherlock leaned back in his seat and steepled his fingers. "Tell me more about Christmas cards!"
What do you think? Who do you think they'll prank and how? I'd love to hear your ideas.
I also invite you to write a story of how those two will prank others for Christmas or how they're pranked!