Parsimony

by Queerasil

The Law of Parsimony states that the simplest explanation is usually the correct one. But there's nothing simple about Sherlock Holmes. Turns out, there's nothing simple about John Watson either. (Also known as, "Starts out as fluff but eventually disintegrates into smut and other delightful things of a semi-naughty nature")

4. Chapter 4

*Note: Minor-ish character death.

John borrows Sebastian's gun. (Not the big, unsexy rifle. John borrows the small and elegant antique handgun Richard bought Sebastian for his 32 birthday. It's a token of Richard and Sebastian's mutual affection for each other, and John intends to annihilate it.)

John blindfolds both Richard and Sebastian and orders them to kneel in front of him. Richard obeys, like a good pet, and Sebastian follows along uneasily.

John points the gun at Richard's face. In barely a whisper, he speaks. "I have a gun pointed at one of your faces. There are six chambers in this gun, five are empty, and one - as you might guess - is full."

John pauses to let the full gravity of his words sink in. Sebastian hides a grimace and Richard can barely contain his fear.

"So the question is, my pets... How much do you trust me?"

John pulls the trigger.

Richard squirms and flinches for the bullet that will never hit him.

It's just a game. It's always a game.

John laughs and laughs and laughs and laughs.

John points the gun at Sebastian and gives him the same ultimatum.

John pulls the trigger and watches as the bullet tears through the soft flesh of Sebastian's chest.

Sebastian dies. Richard cries. John laughs and laughs and laughs.

For the first time in weeks, John feels relief.

John and Sherlock are called in to investigate the crime later that night.

John watches, mesmerized, as Sherlock pours his eyes over the body that John put there. Sherlock is fascinated, bewildered, and almost joyful for the distraction Sebastian's corpse provides.

Sherlock runs his gloved hand along the military tattoo on Sebastian's shoulder. John shudders internally at the thought that he too once touched the same spot so passionately.

"Military..." Sherlock mumbled to himself before his eyes fix on John. For a brief, glorious moment, John feels a delicious combination of arousal and fright.

It fades when Sherlock asks him if he knows what the military symbol might mean.

John keeps Sebastian's gun. It's a twisted brand of sentiment, but John loves it. Sometimes, at odd hours at night, when John can't sleep, he takes the gun out and puts it in his mouth and thinks hard about pulling the trigger.

But then he remembers he owes Sherlock a fall.