Sherlock Holmes - Summer Precautions
Title: Summer Precautions
Author: ladylovelace
Rating: G
Pairing: Holmes/Watson (implied)
Disclaimer: Not mine. I also have no idea who invented Zinc cream, but I don't own that, either.
Summary: Holmes has a new invention. Watson has a bone to pick.
Spoilers: None.
Warnings: None.
Word Count: 580
Author's Notes: Written for the schmoop_bingo prompt 'sunscreen'.
“Holmes, what have you got on your face?” Watson looked up over the top of his newspaper to see the detective with streaks of what looked like a white cream on his nose and cheekbones. It was perhaps not the strangest thing he had seen on Holmes' face, but it did merit a raised eyebrow.
“Ah, Watson! I was hoping you'd ask; do you remember last summer?” Holmes grinned and dropped himself into the chair next to Watson.
“In a vague sort of way, yes. It was rather featureless.” Watson went back to his newspaper.
Undeterred, Holmes continued, “so you don't remember my refusal to go outside again after the first week?”
“No,” Watson turned the page, fully intending to ignore Holmes until he made his point, “but as that isn't terribly unusual for you, I'm not likely to, am I?”
“You are still upset with me.” Holmes picked up the tea that had been poured for him and sipped casually.
“Brilliant observation, Holmes. Time and again you astound me with your amazing ability to state the obvious as though it is in some way important.”
“All I said, my dear Watson, is that you had gained a little weight recently. I did not make a judgement that this was a bad thing. If you hadn't stormed off quite so quickly, you might have heard me saying what a good thing I thought it was. You are beginning to look much more healthy. I might even call you recovered.”
Watson stared for a long moment, residual anger slipping away quickly, but still unwilling to give in. “You could easily have said 'you look well' when I undressed, instead of waiting to poke at me and call me fat.”
“I never called you fat. I don't believe that for a second.” Holmes looked at his friend sincerely.
The doctor set down his newspaper and folded his arms, unwilling to agree that he had reacted hastily just yet. “Right, fine. But you still have making up to do.” He allowed.
Holmes smiled gently, and this should perhaps have worried Watson more than it did. “Actually, that brings me back to my invention. What you have observed on my face is directly relevant to your current state of health, and how it correlates with the weather.”
“I don't follow.” Watson was now intrigued, but fighting to hide it. Holmes grinned.
“It is a cream composed chiefly of zinc. In theory, it will prevent harsh sunlight from burning the skin.”
“That doesn't have anything to do with me, though.”
“On the contrary. The last time either of us went out in the summer sun, we were both quite badly burned. This,” he pointed at his face, “is designed to prevent that.”
“And yet, I am still in the dark as to your purpose. That is the reason for wearing a hat.”
“But you cannot wear a hat swimming, and I was hoping to show you off at the shore this summer.”
Watson looked for signs that Holmes was joking, but none presented themselves. “You are quite serious, aren't you?”
Holmes nodded. “Quite serious, yes.”
The doctor remained in silent shock for long moments, working this piece of information through his mind. Eventually, he came to a decision about it, and smiled. “That is possibly the nicest thing you've ever said to me, Holmes.”
Author: ladylovelace
Rating: G
Pairing: Holmes/Watson (implied)
Disclaimer: Not mine. I also have no idea who invented Zinc cream, but I don't own that, either.
Summary: Holmes has a new invention. Watson has a bone to pick.
Spoilers: None.
Warnings: None.
Word Count: 580
Author's Notes: Written for the schmoop_bingo prompt 'sunscreen'.
“Holmes, what have you got on your face?” Watson looked up over the top of his newspaper to see the detective with streaks of what looked like a white cream on his nose and cheekbones. It was perhaps not the strangest thing he had seen on Holmes' face, but it did merit a raised eyebrow.
“Ah, Watson! I was hoping you'd ask; do you remember last summer?” Holmes grinned and dropped himself into the chair next to Watson.
“In a vague sort of way, yes. It was rather featureless.” Watson went back to his newspaper.
Undeterred, Holmes continued, “so you don't remember my refusal to go outside again after the first week?”
“No,” Watson turned the page, fully intending to ignore Holmes until he made his point, “but as that isn't terribly unusual for you, I'm not likely to, am I?”
“You are still upset with me.” Holmes picked up the tea that had been poured for him and sipped casually.
“Brilliant observation, Holmes. Time and again you astound me with your amazing ability to state the obvious as though it is in some way important.”
“All I said, my dear Watson, is that you had gained a little weight recently. I did not make a judgement that this was a bad thing. If you hadn't stormed off quite so quickly, you might have heard me saying what a good thing I thought it was. You are beginning to look much more healthy. I might even call you recovered.”
Watson stared for a long moment, residual anger slipping away quickly, but still unwilling to give in. “You could easily have said 'you look well' when I undressed, instead of waiting to poke at me and call me fat.”
“I never called you fat. I don't believe that for a second.” Holmes looked at his friend sincerely.
The doctor set down his newspaper and folded his arms, unwilling to agree that he had reacted hastily just yet. “Right, fine. But you still have making up to do.” He allowed.
Holmes smiled gently, and this should perhaps have worried Watson more than it did. “Actually, that brings me back to my invention. What you have observed on my face is directly relevant to your current state of health, and how it correlates with the weather.”
“I don't follow.” Watson was now intrigued, but fighting to hide it. Holmes grinned.
“It is a cream composed chiefly of zinc. In theory, it will prevent harsh sunlight from burning the skin.”
“That doesn't have anything to do with me, though.”
“On the contrary. The last time either of us went out in the summer sun, we were both quite badly burned. This,” he pointed at his face, “is designed to prevent that.”
“And yet, I am still in the dark as to your purpose. That is the reason for wearing a hat.”
“But you cannot wear a hat swimming, and I was hoping to show you off at the shore this summer.”
Watson looked for signs that Holmes was joking, but none presented themselves. “You are quite serious, aren't you?”
Holmes nodded. “Quite serious, yes.”
The doctor remained in silent shock for long moments, working this piece of information through his mind. Eventually, he came to a decision about it, and smiled. “That is possibly the nicest thing you've ever said to me, Holmes.”