John kept up surprisingly well with Sherlock despite his long strides due to his considerable height advantage and knowledge of the forest. Weaving his way through the dense trees John tailed him closely.
'Sherlock?' He called out. 'Where are we going?' As they had got deeper into the forest John felt more uncomfortable. The branches snagged on his jumper and scratched his face and the ground had gotten progressively more uneven.
'It's just through the trees ahead.' Sherlock told John. The twigs didn't scratch Sherlock as he brushed them aside with his plastic sword though he nearly lost his hat a couple of times. John shouted an acknowledgment the closeness of their destination settling his worries slightly. Pushing through the last boundary of trees John found himself in a small clearing filled with logs but they weren't just logs. Filling the clearing were structures and contraptions made from forest sourced materials. Once again John found himself standing speechless while Sherlock looked out proudly on his handiwork.
'You built this?' he asked in awe.
'Yes.' Sherlock replied. 'I have been experimenting with catapults for my ship.'
'You have a ship?' John looked excitement sparking in his eyes.
'Want to see it?' Sherlock asked him. Nodding enthusiastically John then following Sherlock to the far side of the clearing. Sherlock's ship like everything else was made of tree branches but in spite of that it was very clearly a ship. It's mast stood tall with a bed sheet sail and a wooden wheel stood at its bow, painted on it's side the S.S. Sherlock. It would be quite impressive to anyone and especially an 8 year old. To John it was perfect.
'Did Mycroft help you?' he asked, though he doubted Sherlock had even told him about it.
'Obviously not.' Sherlock said indignantly. 'Mycroft is boring.' John laughed and Sherlock readjusted his Captains hats and climbed aboard. John just continued to look in awe at the the boat. When Sherlock reappeared from inside of the boat he had armfuls of rope and logs, he carried on without speech making his way to an incomplete catapult. John followed close behind him intrigued to find out what he was doing. Sherlock looked around to John after placing the materials on the ground and straightening his hat.

'This is going to be the strongest catapult yet.' Sherlock told John. 'In the library I researched the strongest materials I could source from nearby in a survival book. This is the strongest wood I could find and I borrowed outdoor furniture varnish from Mycroft's shed.' Sherlock smiled to himself. John smiled too. 'You can help me build it next time.'

'Next time?' John said confused snapping out of his awe induced trance. Sherlock pointed to the darkening sky and the setting sun and John's face twisted into a panic. It had been nearly time for him to leave when he had left with Sherlock and glancing down at his watch he saw he was fifteen minutes late already. 'I-I've got to go.' John said looking up to see Sherlock already at the bushes.

The way back seemed quicker or maybe it was his haste but John arrived at the edge of the forest in no time at all. Looking out at the park he saw Mycroft speaking to his mum, no doubt apologizing for Sherlock again, John thought. The sky was a pink purple haze now and the stars began to shine out through the atmosphere.

Before long Mycroft was telling off his younger brother for sneaking off; again, and John was asking if Sherlock could come and visit soon. As they parted ways both knew that they had made a friend that day and despite both John's mum and Mycroft's initial scolding they were happy that this was the case.


Authors Note: Here is a meaningful thought, this is dedicated to a friend of mine for their birthday :)

Thanks for reading! I hope you like it! :)