Title: Making the Connection
Story Summary: A non-chronological collection of short chapters based on one word prompts, includes (pre-)slash for Johnlock & Mystrade
Chapter Summary: John is not quite sure that he heard right when Sherlock asked him to punch him in the face. Scene filler for Scandal. Prompt: Splash
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Moffat, Gatiss & SACD.
A/N: When I started writing this chapter I was suffering from writer's block, but as I went along it just sort of started to play out in my head and I have to say I'm rather pleased with the result. This is the daily prompt from oneword(dot)com, because the three prompts that I still have lined up from you guys have yet to inspire a pretty plot bunny. Please bear with me. Also: I'd just like to quickly thank Larilie for a very nice late-night conversation yesterday.
"Punch me in the face", his friend tells him and gestures towards his cheek.
He can't help but frown. Did he just hear that right? "Punch you?"
Sherlock looks annoyed. "Yes. Punch me, in the face." He gestures to his cheek again and frowns as well when he adds sarcastically: "Didn't you hear me?"
"I always hear 'punch me in the face' when you're speaking, but usually it's subtext." His reply is dry and he only states it because it's the witty thing to say, not because it's true, but Sherlock doesn't need to know that, does he? Because to be honest he has been a pain in the arse lately.
The other man is clearly frustrated now because he doesn't move an inch. "Oh, for god's sakes", Sherlock mutters under his breath before he throws the first punch.
It catches John off guard, makes him stumble backwards and groan in pain. When he straightens up he is genuinely angry. What is wrong with that man? He's had enough of his erratic behaviour. After months of assisting him with cases, being nothing but bloody loyal the entire time, establishing the most normal relationship this madman has with anybody all he gets is a punch in the face? Well, retribution is in order, because he asked for it. Literally.
So that's exactly what John's going to do. Instinctively he chooses his weaker right instead of his dominant left, aims for the cheek that Sherlock was gesturing to instead of his eye or his jaw where it would do some real damage. But despite all that the force of his punch sends Sherlock to the ground and somehow that makes him feel just a little bit better. He rubs and stretches his knuckles because they hurt like hell, he's not used to it anymore.
Sherlock gets up from the ground and actually thanks him. His punch added the desired 'splash of colour' to his friend's face, but somehow it isn't enough. All this built up frustration makes John lash out, he jumps Sherlock and throws him to the ground again.
They struggle and bloody hell, how come a man as slim and lanky as Sherlock can manage to actually struggle his way up even though he's practically lying on top of him, pinning him to the street? Where does that strength come from?
Somehow they end up with Sherlock being doubled over, John keeping him in the tightest headlock possible from behind. He feels his flatmate's hands on his arm, frantically trying to loosen his grip.
"Okay! I think we're done now, John!" His voice is choked but John is so tired of being ordered around by this tease, it's time to show him just exactly what he's made of.
"You wanna remember Sherlock, I was a soldier, I killed people!" He says it through gritted teeth because it's surprisingly hard to keep the upper hand in this struggle.
"You were a doctor!" Of course the sociopathic know-it-all didn't have to think a second for a comeback.
"I had bad days!" He tries to tighten his grip, but Sherlock catches him off guard yet again and throws himself back against his chest so that he looses his grip and stumbles back a few steps.
Immediately Sherlock spins around and holds his hands up – half in defence, half in capitulation. John stares at him, panting. Most of his built up frustration and anger has subsided and is instantly replaced by the thought that this might be as close as he ever gets to hugging Sherlock Holmes.
The notion makes him chuckle and he sees Sherlock mustering him with confusion in his eyes. Of course he doesn't understand the absurdity of this situation. Now John actually shakes his head and laughs because he realises that he's behaving like a kid in primary school, fighting with the person he likes. Back then he pulled the girls' hair, now he nearly chokes the man. He's such a cliché it's ridiculous.
"What? What's so funny about you almost choking me to death?" Sherlock wants to know, his annoyance at missing something visible on his face.
"Oh please, don't flatter me. You're stronger than you look. There's now way I could've actually choked you." Sherlock's cheek is bleeding and he feels the sudden urge to go over there and wipe the blood away with his thumb and kiss it better. No, he's given into enough of his urges today already.
"You might've had a better shot if you had punched me with your strong hand." It's a dry and simple remark, but it makes his head jerk. Because Sherlock noticed and John can't help but wonder: does he know?