221B Drabbles

by tsukinoblossom

My attempt at writing short stories in the 221-B format 221 words, last word starting with B . I'm really enjoying writing and I think these will encourage me to to do it more often and present an interesting challenge. Note: These stories are not sequential, or even necessarily in the same universe. Unless otherwise specified, each drabble is a unique, complete entity.

127. Break

The first time Sherlock got sick - really sick - John was taken completely aback. He'd expected his notoriously high-maintenance friend and flatmate to get even more impossible when in the throes of a particularly bad flu. Instead, however, Sherlock was entirely the opposite.

The first thing John noticed was how pliant, how easy-going Sherlock got. He'd taken to following John around, but rather than barking orders and making ridiculous demands as was his usual, he just hovered, silently studying everything John did. Curiously, John put a cup of tea down in front of him, and he consumed it without saying anything. Inspired, John tried the same with a piece of buttered toast. Sherlock ate half of it without complaint, and only after his stomach rebelled did he prod listlessly at the second half.

"Sherlock, are you feeling alright?"

"Hmm?" Even his responses were more placid than usual.

"Are you sick? You're not yourself."

Sherlock looked up at John, eyes glassy and distracted. Doctor's instinct taking over, John pressed the back of his hand against Sherlock's forehead. He was burning up.

"Alright then, come on. We're putting you to bed."

Again, Sherlock followed without arguing, changing into his pyjamas and settling into bed. John dragged a chair in from the kitchen and sat down wearily, waiting for Sherlock's fever to break.