***A/N***
This "glimpse" is kind of silly, and not as in character as some of the others. But it was one of those ideas that once it came, it demanded to be written.
It's silly and childish this thing they do.
The first time, it's an accident. Sherlock blames John's nurturing bedside manner. John knows that's not it, because as a professional, he understands it's both unsanitary and frowned upon.
Especially when the patient in question is a six foot tall adult male with a stab wound. A fidgety, lanky man-child who, incidentally, happens to be his flatmate.
John thinks it's just too many days with too little sleep.
He's only shared a flat with Sherlock for a few weeks, and John's already stitching up a stab wound. Sherlock's cut is deep, but not dangerously so, across his forearm. By comparison, it's one of the easiest combat wounds John's treated.
John feels terrible about the whole thing. It's not his fault, Sherlock even says as much, but he can't help thinking that if he had just been quicker... More sullen than usual, John cleans the wound thoroughly, and sets to work on the stitches. Eighteen in all. John's technique is efficient, his touch gentle, and the end results are neat and precise.
Sherlock wonders at the skill he observes, despite the shoulder wound and nerve damage. He's absorbed with deciding how he can test John's full capabilities and hardly notices when John dresses the wound with military precision. It takes him a moment to realize that John does something peculiar next.
"Did you just..."
"Sorry. Oh god. I'm sorry, I don't know wh-" John lowers his chin to his chest. He takes a few purposeful breaths before dropping things haphazardly into his kit.
"It's been a long time since anyone's kissed my boo-boos." Sherlock clears his throat. He's sure John can hear the smile tugging at his lips, and he's not certain that's a response John will appreciate.
"Damn it. I'm sorry." John mumbles as he stands abruptly, tugs off his gloves, and turns to wash his hands.
"John." Sherlock grabs his sleeve. John faces him, but he's looking at the wall beyond Sherlock's shoulder, avoiding eye contact. "It feels better already." He doesn't smile. He won't. John's eyes dart to his; he opens his mouth, then closes it without speaking. "Perhaps a lollipop next time."
John huffs and repeats, "a lollipop," at the same time Sherlock declares, "cherry is my favorite." They stare at each other and Sherlock does smile when relief replaces embarrassment on John's face.
"Let's keep the next times few and far between, yeah?" John laughs.
The "next times" aren't as frequent as one might think. Sherlock is a good fighter after all. And though he destroys their belongings for the sake of science, he is a graduate level chemist, so he knows how to, on principle, avoid injury.
But there is a next time. So, John cleans, stitches and dresses the cut on Sherlock's brow. When the last plaster is in place Sherlock looks up with expectation.
John reaches into his kit. "I've got rockstars of science stickers." He holds up one featuring Pasteur and one featuring Curie. "Or lollipops."
"I want one of each."
"Pick one." John acts like he's reasoning with a child.
"Two stickers," Sherlock bargains.
"One."
Pouting, Sherlock switches strategies. "John, I'm injured." But John's not budging. "Fine. A lollipop and..." Sherlock inclines his forehead towards John and taps the bandage.
"For godsake." John rolls his eyes. "Fine." He digs in his bag and pulls out two lollipops. "Tequila worm or cherry scorpion?"
"Cherry scor-" Sherlock holds out his hand and wiggles his fingers impatiently. "This lollipop has a scorpion in it." He looks both disgusted and fascinated.
"Yes." John digs out a few more. "Green apple cricket. Banana ant..."
Sherlock is giddy. He tears the cellophane off an amber colored butter rum grasshopper.
"Let me know how it is." John chuckles as he organizes his kit. Sherlock hums, and leans forward. "Right," John sighs. He's smiling. He places a gentle kiss on Sherlock's brow.
"Feels better already."
"Git."
Five lollipops (two cherry scorpions, one each tequila worm, strawberry ant, and blueberry cricket), three stickers (Tesla, Bohr, and Oppenheimer), and as many kisses later (plus the one case that was so terrible, so ugly, three gentle kisses to the crown of Sherlock's concussed head made them both feel better), it's John who needs patched up.
Sherlock pretends he doesn't notice how pale and drawn John looks. He won't draw unwanted attention, but he's furious with Lestrade for not noticing. He rattles off an obvious deduction and casts a murderous glare at the suspect before hailing a cab.
"Home." John shakes his head when Sherlock tries to protest.
Under the cover of night, John's grey jumper and black jacket do a fantastic job concealing the blood from the long jagged cut over his left ribs. It doesn't need stitches, nothing is punctured, but it hurts and bleeds any time he breathes or moves. Which is always.
John allows Sherlock to clean the wound. Sherlock gripes about Lestrade's team, which makes John laugh then curse in pain. He guides Sherlock through dressing the cut with tight bindings to keep himself from moving.
"I expected more difficulty." Sherlock is done helping John and is digging through John's kit, upsetting the meticulous order.
"Hurts too much." John winces and holds out his hand. "Besides, if I'm going to die on a case, it's not going to be from infection."
"No one is dying on a case." Sherlock frowns as if he's considering the possibility for the first time. He places two paracetamol in John's hand.
"Thanks, but that's not what I want." John points to his kit. "I've had my eye on the banana ant."
Sherlock chuckles. He finds John's lollipop and hands him the Schrödinger sticker. "You earned two, I think."
John hums thoughtfully. "And?"
"Y-you want me to? Really?"
"Works wonders for you." John tilts his head and taps his cheek. "Here will do."
Sherlock places a careful kiss on John's cheek, then another on the top of his head for good measure.
"Feels better already."
***A/N***
If you Google "rockstars of science stickers" and "insect lollipops" you will see that both of those things are real.