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.

216. Berries

Foraging through the pantry, Sherlock stops, leans over, and stares pointedly at John.

"What is it with you and jam, John? Do we really need eight - no, nine jars?"

Methodically, Sherlock removes each small jar, lining them up on the counter before studying them as if they contain the answer to some clever puzzle that's troubling him.

"They're all different." John shrugs, walking across the kitchen. He stares at the phalanx of little pots, all with their metal caps and fancy labels before picking up the red currant, pursing his lips pensively.

"It reminds me of being a kid. Grandma used to make all kinds of fruit spreads and things while Harry and I were out there spending the summer with her. We'd go out into the fields behind her house and pick wild strawberries, get tangled up in the raspberry canes. We never bickered then, Harry and I. I think without our folks arguing, and before she started drinking..." He trails off.

Sherlock, surprisingly, is keeping his mouth shut, a strangely melancholy look on his face. He just nods, encouraging John to keep going.

"And I guess preserves are the closest I can get to that feeling, you know? The breeze in my hair, Harry and I getting along, the taste and feel on your tongue of sun-warmed berries."