Day Six: The word is 'flame.'
John knew better than to question it. Sherlock would have some ridiculously long-winded explanation that, against all reasoning, would somehow sound completely logical. It's for a case, he said.
Of course it was for a case. It always was.
But that didn't explain exactly why they were in a heavily wooded stretch of the English countryside or why John was currently putting his survival skills to use by building a fire before darkness fell.
Nope, he didn't have a clue. Sherlock had requested that John gather the necessities for a short camping trip. Imagine, Sherlock camping. John, of course, obliged, despite his confusion. Sherlock was vague about the details of the case. Something about a ritualistic murderer hiding out. John just tagged along as usual.
So here they were. Dusk was rapidly approaching and the area where they'd set up camp was shrouded in shadows. Only the red-orange glow from the small campfire prevented John and Sherlock from stumbling around in the dark.
Sherlock was seated on a log, somehow managing to look as posh as ever in a hooded sweatshirt and jeans. John hadn't thought Sherlock owned such casual clothing and half-expected him to wear his usual tailored suit and too-tight button down. That would have been a sight to see.
Grinning over that image, John poked at the fire one more time and turned for a bag of marshmallows. Case or not, he intended to enjoy this trip.
Sherlock was quietly observing their surroundings and they sat in companionable silence while John roasted a marshmallow. When the sugary confection was toasted to a light brown, John waved the stick to get Sherlock's attention and offered it to him.
Sherlock looked at it blankly.
"What, seriously?" John was incredulous. "You've never roasted a marshmallow?"
"I must have deleted it," Sherlock smirked. "And I'm sure Mummy never allowed it when I was a child."
"Right then," John put a marshmallow on the stick and handed it to Sherlock. "Hold it over the fire and roast it until it's brown and gooey."
"That's revolting."
John popped his own marshmallow into his mouth and grinned. "Yeah, it is. But you have to try it." He took a seat next to Sherlock on the log and leaned back, watching the flames dance under Sherlock's roasting marshmallow.
"I don't see the purpose in this," Sherlock muttered.
"You wouldn't," John said agreeably. "But it's a camping necessity, I promise."
Sherlock huffed and quickly jumped up when the marshmallow caught fire. "John!"
John stifled a laugh and blew out the flame.
"This is entirely inedible," Sherlock poked at the charred blob—yes, blob—and frowned. John plucked the stick from Sherlock's hand and removed the blackened skin from the marshmallow, revealing the gummy white center beneath.
"There," he handed the stick back to Sherlock.
"I don't eat during cases," Sherlock looked at the remains of the marshmallow with revulsion.
John rolled his eyes. "Just try it."
Sherlock sighed and took the sticky mass between his index finger and thumb. He looked at it suspiciously before eating it with a grimace.
"See, not so bad, right?" John teased. "You have a bit…" he leaned forward to wipe a spot of marshmallow from the corner of Sherlock's mouth. John flushed when he realized what he'd done and glanced up at Sherlock.
Sherlock gazed at him with curious intensity.
It should have been surprising. It should have been awkward and new and strange. But they had been dancing around this for weeks and when Sherlock pressed his mouth to John's, it was just right. They fit.
John nipped at Sherlock's lips and deepened the kiss. Sherlock pressed back, grasping John's waist, tongue tangling with John's. The flavor was intoxicating; sweet and warm and Sherlock.
John gradually pulled back from Sherlock and gave him several light kisses before retreating entirely. He still held Sherlock close and gave him a small, questioning smile.
Sherlock, looking lightly flushed and thoroughly snogged, smirked at him. "I'll concede that perhaps marshmallows aren't 'so bad,' as you put it," and pulled John back for another kiss.