This is in response to the Sherlock December Ficlets Tumblr prompt, peppermint, which I've changed to mint.


As Sherlock and John exited the elevator and stepped down the few steps in the entryway towards the front door of the building, Sherlock detoured to the wooden mailbox cubbies situated in the space under the stairs. Not knowing what could be so important, John continued on to the door and exited the building.

In the time they were interviewing their latest client in one of the fourth floor flats, it had dropped drastically in temperature, the sun had hidden behind ominous clouds and the wind had picked up. Deciding it would be better to wait in the relative warmth of the building, John turned around to go back inside but the automatic locking door slammed shut.

Knowing Sherlock like he did, John didn't bother knocking on the door to be let in. It would be a waste of energy. Instead, he shoved his hands deep into his pockets and hoped Sherlock wouldn't take long. As a chill ran through him, he decided a warm drink was in order before they made the trek to wherever Sherlock deemed necessary to go to next.

After waiting for a delivery truck to pass, John stepped off the sidewalk into the alley of a street. He looked to his right but just saw what looked like the backside of buildings turning out of sight. Looking left, he saw signs for a pub, a Pret and a Costa. He smiled just as the door to the building opened and Sherlock stepped out.

"Did you find the mailbox cubbies interesting?" John stepped back on the sidewalk and began walking in the direction of the coffee house.

Sherlock followed. "You'd be amazed at what you can learn from a person's mail, or lack thereof. For example, there were actually two flats in that building that were vacation rentals." As they got to the small intersection, John continued straight instead of turning left. "John, where are you going? We have to go up this street if we want to get a taxi."

John stopped and turned toward Sherlock. "I don't know where you have in mind to go next, but our first stop is definitely going to get something warm to drink."

"I don't want anything to drink," Sherlock replied.

"But I do. Come on." John turned back around and picked up his pace to the Costa. "And we're staying there to drink it too."

Sherlock gave a huff. "Fine. I just don't want you telling me we have to stop the investigation later because you're hungry."

John sighed in relief as the warmth from the shop enveloped him. "Go get us a seat. I'll place the order." He walked behind the last person in the queue hoping Sherlock would listen and not leave. Five minutes later he had the order and happily found Sherlock at one of the few tables by the front windows.

"What is that?" Sherlock asked as John placed the circular tray holding two large mugs topped with whipped cream and sparkly crumbs, two spoons, and a slice of loaf cake onto the table.

"Mint hot chocolates and a slice of their holiday clementine drizzle loaf cake." He began taking the items off the tray when he spotted Sherlock's raised eyebrows. "What? You told me not to bother you about being hungry later."

Sherlock looked to the hot chocolates with hope. "That doesn't explain the two hot chocolates. You can't be that thirsty?"

"No, you idiot," John laughed. "One is for you." He finished emptying the tray and realized he forgot napkins and a fork for himself. After returning to the table with the items, he went to dig into his loaf cake but paused as he looked at it. "Sherlock, where did my frosting go?"

Instead of answering, Sherlock picked up his mug of hot chocolate.

It was then that John noticed that Sherlock's mug was half empty as well. "Like mint hot chocolate as well as frosting do you?" he asked amused.

Sherlock took a large gulp of his hot chocolate, resulting in giving himself a whipped cream mustache. "Well, you're always on about me not eating, aren't you?"

John passed a napkin over to Sherlock. "You've got a mustache." He took a sip of his own hot chocolate. "God this is good. Now I can see why you've almost finished yours already." He wiped his own mouth with a napkin and dug into the cake. "Not bad either." He pushed the plate between him and Sherlock. "Since you've eaten the best part already, you can have some of the cake if you'd like." Surprising John, Sherlock took John's fork and took a bite of the cake.

A few minutes after finishing their hot chocolate and the slice of cake, Sherlock declared the detour done and led them back to Baker Street so he could do some research. While Sherlock was on his laptop, John made a mental note about Sherlock's surprising reaction to the hot chocolate and the loaf cake. It would definitely come in handy for future days this time of year when he needed to get Sherlock to eat or drink.