Candy Canes
John woke up from his nap to the sharp smell of peppermint in the flat. He sat up, looking around for the source of the scent. Sherlock's chair was empty, but the indent his body left was fresh. John rubbed the sleep from his eyes and stood to stretch. He really shouldn't fall asleep when Sherlock is busy thinking about a case.
"Sherlock?" John called out, but received no answer.
He walked into the kitchen to see if the elusive consulting detective was experimenting, but again, there was no sign of the man. Just some beakers filled with red tinted liquid. Sighing, John pulled out his mobile and texted Sherlock.
Where are you? –JW
His phone went off a minute later.
BUSY – SH
Okay, busy where?—JW
John waited a bit, and when no reply came in five minutes he assumed that Sherlock was busy with the case. He sighed again, something fairly often when one was dealing with Sherlock. Instead of sulking, John went about his usual business. He got some cleaning done and even made a small meal for when Sherlock returned. John relaxed into his chair with his laptop, ready to type up the progress on the case when the door downstairs slammed. Excited footsteps ran up the steps and Sherlock stormed into the flat with a look of triumph.
"Candy canes, John!" He shouted, hanging his coat up and nearly bounced about the flat, changing into his dressing gown.
"I take it you solved it, then." John said, putting his laptop down to talk to Sherlock without distraction. He watched with amusement as Sherlock inhaled his dinner and flopped onto the sofa. The lanky man was sprawled out along the entirety of it, a look of accomplishment gracing his face.
"It was quite extraordinary. At first I was confused because the stab wounds resembled no knives that I have come across, not to mention the smell of the body. Not the usual decomposing corpse smell, you remember," Sherlock paused and John nodded, Sherlock took a breath and resumed, "the smell of peppermint hung about the room and initially I didn't make the connection but then I remembered the season and candy canes, john! The murder weapon was a candy cane! Sharpened by the act of sucking on it until a sharp point is made!"
"I didn't think they could get that sharp." John said, picking up his laptop to finish typing the case.
"It was extraordinary." Sherlock sighed dreamily.
"Er, Sherlock"
"A bit not good?"
John nodded, Sherlock shrugged. Sherlock sagged into the couch and closed his eyes. The excitement of the case was giving way to his mortal needs. John smiled as he listened to Sherlock's breathing even out, until he was completely asleep.
After he publishes the case (titled Peppermint Impalement), John stands up from his chair and goes to start the kettle for when Sherlock wakes. Before he does so, he drops a blanket onto Sherlock.
"You're a madman, Sherlock Holmes." John says, kissing him lightly on the forehead.
