Fill attempt 1/3
anonymous
December 18 2011, 03:58:10 UTC
Oh good lord I've never shown anyone a piece of fiction that I've written in my life before (well, maybe in School but I must have blocked it out of my memories) and I am definitely going to regret this - even on anon I'm so embarrassed right now! - but oh well, here goes...
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"Sherlock, please! This is ridiculous." John huffed with exasperation as he circled the couch in a futile attempt to avoid his roommate's advances. "Come on now John - I would have thought you of all people would appreciate a bit of Christmas cheer!" Sherlock lunged at him again, holding the bright red santa hat and aiming squarely for John's head. "And I would have thought you would be the last bloody person to give a damn!"
John had spent the better part of a year watching Sherlock scoff and belittle the vast majority of the things that ordinary (which to him meant 'boring') people found important. Yet here was the 'Great Sherlock Holmes', his face lit up like the enormous tree he had insisted they decorate and let take up half their lounge room, running about trying gleefully to decorate his flatmate as well. He had spent the last week practically skipping around the flat attaching huge amounts of tinsel, lights and ornaments to anything that would hold them, which John had found more than a little unusual. Why on earth did he suddenly care about this tradition? And why did it have to be Christmas, of all things? John sighed and turned to face him - "Honestly Sherlock, what has gotten into you? What is it about this holiday?"
"Look, John, Christmas is the only time of year when the majority of the population stop being completely boring with their trivial concerns and worries, and actually produce a measurable - and I have attempted to measure it, interesting experiment that one - quantity of community spirit. I suppose I find some sense of enjoyment in 'joining in'. I mean even Lestrade is affected, he always lets me in on the best cases when it's this time of year. And, well… " Sherlock glanced at John before hurriedly continuing - "I've found a lot of really interesting murders tend to happen around this time, not entirely sure why…" "Right, of course. You like Christmas because of the murders." John rolled his eyes, as he dodged another incoming attack of the santa hat. "Mostly the sense of community spirit thing, though" Sherlock added, not entirely convincingly.
"Anyway, I've noticed you have been abnormally tense over the last couple of weeks - I really think you should relax and enjoy this. It will be good for you!" "And here I thought I was the doctor…" John groaned with the realisation that he had found himself suddenly backed into a corner, with no place to escape the outstretched arms headed towards him. Sherlock flashed his huge grin that he had noted only John could get him to produce, and triumphantly fit the santa hat firmly onto the doctor's head. "There, that's better, now we match - let's go and get a photo near the tree!" As John begrudgingly followed him across the living room, Sherlock looked back - "So. Why do you dislike Christmas so much?" "Can't you deduce it?" John looked up at him, flicking his head to get the damned ball on the end of the hat out of his eyes. "Of course. But I have become aware that, although you normally find my deductions understandably brilliant, in personal matters such as these you don't always appreciate them. And I have also noticed that I do enjoy letting you tell me about yourself in your own words. I find it oddly relaxing." "Ha. Well, this time I give you permission to deduce away. Lets see what you've got."
Fill attempt 2/3
anonymous
December 18 2011, 04:04:05 UTC
Sherlock turned to directly face the doctor, and this time let himself see the reasons behind the tension in his stance, and the frustration in his eyes. "Your sister is the most obvious reason behind your disdain for the season - a time like Christmas brings family and friends together, often in large social gatherings - and often with a liberal supply of alcohol at hand. You have a strong sense of wanting to protect those close to you, and also of duty of care, so you would have found it stressful both trying to keep Harry under control and keep her from embarrassing or hurting herself. Although you are unlikely to have cared about other people's opinions or judgement of Harry or your family, you have told me that she does - and that she is prone to depression after sobering up. That would have been left as your responsibility to deal with - and as you do truly care about her this would have been difficult for you."
John nodded, keeping his eyes on Sherlock - "Yes, you're right about that. Christmas with Harry never was much of a laugh." "There's more though - Harry is in Scotland this year so you don't have to worry about spending the day with her. And you've been with your sister for what I'm sure are countless social events and yearly gatherings, however this is the first where I've seen your continued personal enjoyment of it affected." John shifted slightly, looking into Sherlock's eyes as he watched his friend read him like a particularly interesting book. Sherlock tilted his head, bringing his eyes together as he looked over John. "Your stance tells me you are slightly favouring your right leg again, which you haven't done since the case several months ago with returned soldier. This is undoubtedly related to the fact that your last few Christmases were spent in Afghanistan, which would not have been the most festive of locations. There may have been a specific incident which has caused your memory of the day to be permanently associated with something traumatic - or perhaps it was merely an environment where celebration wasn't a priority." John sighed, as he moved around Sherlock and went to sit in his chair by the fireplace (which was of course absolutely covered in tinsel and he absentmindedly brushed a stray piece off his shoulder). "You're mostly right - I was never there for a traumatic event on the day itself, but the year before I arrived my platoon had been attacked by a suicide bomber on Christmas Eve, and there were some serious injuries. They had to spend Christmas day trying to stop their commander from bleeding out." "They didn't succeed, I take it." "No… they didn't. So, the following years, which I was there for, were understandably not the best of times - unhappy memories, the fear of a repeat attack, and all that." John looked away then, and kept his eyes on the over-sized Christmas tree as the hundreds of lights danced and flickered.
"So it has been awhile then." John turned back to Sherlock - "Sorry?" Sherlock walked over to the chair and perched awkwardly down on the table beside it. "It's been awhile since you had a Christmas to look back on fondly - well over a decade I'd say, assuming Harry has been drinking since at least her early twenties." "Well, yes. Awhile… you could say that". Sherlock smiled then, a small glint of light catching his eye. He jumped up, grabbing John by the forearm and pulling him up too. John looked a bit startled as his friend held him by the shoulders and looked determinedly into his eyes. "Sherlock, what are you - " "John, I've found a new case. It's very important. And I think we'll find this one is going to be fun."
Fill attempt 3/3
anonymous
December 18 2011, 04:08:13 UTC
"Okay…" John watched as Sherlock looked at him with his 'detective face' which meant only one thing - "I take it that I'm the case then?" "Excellent deduction!" Sherlock grinned as he straightened up the hat on John's head. "I believe it is crucial to the continuing health and happiness of one Dr. John Watson that we perform a series of experiments - starting immediately - in order to determine the most effective methods of producing suitable quantities of 'Christmas Cheer'". John raised an eyebrow and gave Sherlock his best 'you're being ridiculous' face, although he couldn't help but smile a bit as Sherlock gleefully started to list off various activities to add to the investigation. "Of course, we'll start with the shopping - it has been found that most people experience an endorphin rush when purchasing items - particularly ones to give to others, the 'gift of giving' I believe they say - and the activity of wrapping them up can often be quite enjoyable as well." John had to admit he did like to buy things for people besides himself, especially Sherlock - even if it was just the milk. "We'll have to perform various sample tests to find which pudding recipe you find most appealing, as well as whether you prefer turkey or ham as your dinner of choice". "We will also sample the various styles of Christmas music to see which makes you experience the greatest levels of cheer. Oh! And we might even try carolling ourselves - I do have quite a pleasant voice." John somehow couldn't imagine Sherlock singing carols cheerfully at strangers… although he was starting to want to find out what that would look like.
"It's very important that we find the most effective ways to make this Christmas a pleasant and memorable one for you - it's high time you had that. Perhaps we could also - " "Alright, alright, one thing at a time! You've already got me wearing this hat - which quite frankly itches and makes me look like one of Santa's elves - yes, don't laugh, I know I'm small - can't that be enough for today?" Sherlock looked at John (yes, honestly, he did seem somewhat elf-like - quite adorable really!) and with considerable satisfaction noticed his stance had already begun to even out, while the tension was rapidly leaving his face. "Well, it really would be better to begin the tests immediately, however if you'd prefer we spend the rest of the day watching some movies - I've heard 'It's a Wonderful Life' is quite good, Mrs. Hudson mentioned it the other day as something we might enjoy 'curling up in front of'. A bit of an odd phrase I thought, we're not cats. Anyway, I'd be willing to delay finding ways to get you into the Christmas spirit until tomorrow - if you agree to watch the movie with me tonight." "Sherlock, its a Christmas movie - it's not really delaying the great case of the 'Christmas Cheer' if we're watching a feel-good Christmas movie." John couldn't deny it was tempting though, he had finished writing up the latest case yesterday, and it was freezing outside - a night in front of the telly watching Sherlock pick apart yet another classic movie sounded quite nice. "Oh come on John, it'll be fun! I'll even try not to comment on what I'm sure are an astounding number of inaccuracies in both plot and character development." John finally let himself fully relax, and he smiled - "No, it's fine, I don't really mind when you do that anyway. I have to admit, watching popular entertainment with you always provides a new and… interesting perspective." "Excellent! I'll go and get the movie from Mrs Hudson - you'll make the tea?" John laughed, and grinned back at Sherlock - maybe this year Christmas wouldn't be so terrible after all. "Don't I always?"
Re: Fill attempt 3/3mahmficDecember 23 2011, 02:38:55 UTC
Thank you for filling my prompt, anon! Sorry it's taken me a while to get around to reading it. favorite line: "Look, John, Christmas is the only time of year when the majority of the population stop being completely boring with their trivial concerns and worries, and actually produce a measurabl-
just that he's like people aren't boring this time of year. i love it.
Re: Fill attempt 1/3
anonymous
December 18 2011, 04:27:36 UTC
ah crap I meant 'flatmate' in that first paragraph... they are flatmates! I always do that, if I said roommate anywhere else please mentally exchange it for flatmate lol :(
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"Sherlock, please! This is ridiculous." John huffed with exasperation as he circled the couch in a futile attempt to avoid his roommate's advances.
"Come on now John - I would have thought you of all people would appreciate a bit of Christmas cheer!" Sherlock lunged at him again, holding the bright red santa hat and aiming squarely for John's head.
"And I would have thought you would be the last bloody person to give a damn!"
John had spent the better part of a year watching Sherlock scoff and belittle the vast majority of the things that ordinary (which to him meant 'boring') people found important. Yet here was the 'Great Sherlock Holmes', his face lit up like the enormous tree he had insisted they decorate and let take up half their lounge room, running about trying gleefully to decorate his flatmate as well. He had spent the last week practically skipping around the flat attaching huge amounts of tinsel, lights and ornaments to anything that would hold them, which John had found more than a little unusual. Why on earth did he suddenly care about this tradition? And why did it have to be Christmas, of all things? John sighed and turned to face him - "Honestly Sherlock, what has gotten into you? What is it about this holiday?"
"Look, John, Christmas is the only time of year when the majority of the population stop being completely boring with their trivial concerns and worries, and actually produce a measurable - and I have attempted to measure it, interesting experiment that one - quantity of community spirit. I suppose I find some sense of enjoyment in 'joining in'. I mean even Lestrade is affected, he always lets me in on the best cases when it's this time of year. And, well… " Sherlock glanced at John before hurriedly continuing - "I've found a lot of really interesting murders tend to happen around this time, not entirely sure why…"
"Right, of course. You like Christmas because of the murders." John rolled his eyes, as he dodged another incoming attack of the santa hat.
"Mostly the sense of community spirit thing, though" Sherlock added, not entirely convincingly.
"Anyway, I've noticed you have been abnormally tense over the last couple of weeks - I really think you should relax and enjoy this. It will be good for you!"
"And here I thought I was the doctor…" John groaned with the realisation that he had found himself suddenly backed into a corner, with no place to escape the outstretched arms headed towards him.
Sherlock flashed his huge grin that he had noted only John could get him to produce, and triumphantly fit the santa hat firmly onto the doctor's head. "There, that's better, now we match - let's go and get a photo near the tree!"
As John begrudgingly followed him across the living room, Sherlock looked back - "So. Why do you dislike Christmas so much?"
"Can't you deduce it?" John looked up at him, flicking his head to get the damned ball on the end of the hat out of his eyes.
"Of course. But I have become aware that, although you normally find my deductions understandably brilliant, in personal matters such as these you don't always appreciate them. And I have also noticed that I do enjoy letting you tell me about yourself in your own words. I find it oddly relaxing."
"Ha. Well, this time I give you permission to deduce away. Lets see what you've got."
Reply
"Your sister is the most obvious reason behind your disdain for the season - a time like Christmas brings family and friends together, often in large social gatherings - and often with a liberal supply of alcohol at hand. You have a strong sense of wanting to protect those close to you, and also of duty of care, so you would have found it stressful both trying to keep Harry under control and keep her from embarrassing or hurting herself. Although you are unlikely to have cared about other people's opinions or judgement of Harry or your family, you have told me that she does - and that she is prone to depression after sobering up. That would have been left as your responsibility to deal with - and as you do truly care about her this would have been difficult for you."
John nodded, keeping his eyes on Sherlock - "Yes, you're right about that. Christmas with Harry never was much of a laugh."
"There's more though - Harry is in Scotland this year so you don't have to worry about spending the day with her. And you've been with your sister for what I'm sure are countless social events and yearly gatherings, however this is the first where I've seen your continued personal enjoyment of it affected." John shifted slightly, looking into Sherlock's eyes as he watched his friend read him like a particularly interesting book.
Sherlock tilted his head, bringing his eyes together as he looked over John. "Your stance tells me you are slightly favouring your right leg again, which you haven't done since the case several months ago with returned soldier. This is undoubtedly related to the fact that your last few Christmases were spent in Afghanistan, which would not have been the most festive of locations. There may have been a specific incident which has caused your memory of the day to be permanently associated with something traumatic - or perhaps it was merely an environment where celebration wasn't a priority."
John sighed, as he moved around Sherlock and went to sit in his chair by the fireplace (which was of course absolutely covered in tinsel and he absentmindedly brushed a stray piece off his shoulder). "You're mostly right - I was never there for a traumatic event on the day itself, but the year before I arrived my platoon had been attacked by a suicide bomber on Christmas Eve, and there were some serious injuries. They had to spend Christmas day trying to stop their commander from bleeding out."
"They didn't succeed, I take it."
"No… they didn't. So, the following years, which I was there for, were understandably not the best of times - unhappy memories, the fear of a repeat attack, and all that."
John looked away then, and kept his eyes on the over-sized Christmas tree as the hundreds of lights danced and flickered.
"So it has been awhile then."
John turned back to Sherlock - "Sorry?"
Sherlock walked over to the chair and perched awkwardly down on the table beside it. "It's been awhile since you had a Christmas to look back on fondly - well over a decade I'd say, assuming Harry has been drinking since at least her early twenties."
"Well, yes. Awhile… you could say that".
Sherlock smiled then, a small glint of light catching his eye. He jumped up, grabbing John by the forearm and pulling him up too. John looked a bit startled as his friend held him by the shoulders and looked determinedly into his eyes. "Sherlock, what are you - "
"John, I've found a new case. It's very important. And I think we'll find this one is going to be fun."
Reply
"Excellent deduction!" Sherlock grinned as he straightened up the hat on John's head. "I believe it is crucial to the continuing health and happiness of one Dr. John Watson that we perform a series of experiments - starting immediately - in order to determine the most effective methods of producing suitable quantities of 'Christmas Cheer'". John raised an eyebrow and gave Sherlock his best 'you're being ridiculous' face, although he couldn't help but smile a bit as Sherlock gleefully started to list off various activities to add to the investigation.
"Of course, we'll start with the shopping - it has been found that most people experience an endorphin rush when purchasing items - particularly ones to give to others, the 'gift of giving' I believe they say - and the activity of wrapping them up can often be quite enjoyable as well." John had to admit he did like to buy things for people besides himself, especially Sherlock - even if it was just the milk.
"We'll have to perform various sample tests to find which pudding recipe you find most appealing, as well as whether you prefer turkey or ham as your dinner of choice". "We will also sample the various styles of Christmas music to see which makes you experience the greatest levels of cheer. Oh! And we might even try carolling ourselves - I do have quite a pleasant voice." John somehow couldn't imagine Sherlock singing carols cheerfully at strangers… although he was starting to want to find out what that would look like.
"It's very important that we find the most effective ways to make this Christmas a pleasant and memorable one for you - it's high time you had that. Perhaps we could also - "
"Alright, alright, one thing at a time! You've already got me wearing this hat - which quite frankly itches and makes me look like one of Santa's elves - yes, don't laugh, I know I'm small - can't that be enough for today?"
Sherlock looked at John (yes, honestly, he did seem somewhat elf-like - quite adorable really!) and with considerable satisfaction noticed his stance had already begun to even out, while the tension was rapidly leaving his face.
"Well, it really would be better to begin the tests immediately, however if you'd prefer we spend the rest of the day watching some movies - I've heard 'It's a Wonderful Life' is quite good, Mrs. Hudson mentioned it the other day as something we might enjoy 'curling up in front of'. A bit of an odd phrase I thought, we're not cats. Anyway, I'd be willing to delay finding ways to get you into the Christmas spirit until tomorrow - if you agree to watch the movie with me tonight."
"Sherlock, its a Christmas movie - it's not really delaying the great case of the 'Christmas Cheer' if we're watching a feel-good Christmas movie." John couldn't deny it was tempting though, he had finished writing up the latest case yesterday, and it was freezing outside - a night in front of the telly watching Sherlock pick apart yet another classic movie sounded quite nice.
"Oh come on John, it'll be fun! I'll even try not to comment on what I'm sure are an astounding number of inaccuracies in both plot and character development."
John finally let himself fully relax, and he smiled - "No, it's fine, I don't really mind when you do that anyway. I have to admit, watching popular entertainment with you always provides a new and… interesting perspective."
"Excellent! I'll go and get the movie from Mrs Hudson - you'll make the tea?"
John laughed, and grinned back at Sherlock - maybe this year Christmas wouldn't be so terrible after all. "Don't I always?"
Reply
favorite line: "Look, John, Christmas is the only time of year when the majority of the population stop being completely boring with their trivial concerns and worries, and actually produce a measurabl-
just that he's like people aren't boring this time of year. i love it.
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