Watch and You’ll See
"John takes up birdwatching. Sherlock is baffled but supportive."
Thanks to @stellacartography for the prompt!
Fandom: Sherlock (TV)
Relationship: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson
Tags: Established Sherlock Holmes/John Watson, Birdwatching, Cheek Kisses, Reassurances, John’s new hobby, Sherlock Holmes Loves John Watson, Angst
Read here on ao3.
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“You didn’t have to come with me, you know,” John says as they stroll down the path.
“I didn’t,” Sherlock confirms. “However, this new… hobby of yours leaves me no choice but to find answers.”
John only rolls his eyes, the conversation morphing into silence.
Sherlock eyes the book titled Birds and All You Need to Know in John’s hand, a bag slung around his shoulder. Sherlock just doesn’t understand and it’s bothering him considerably. John Watson is a veteran, a man who’s killed several, a professional doctor, and, in all honesty, a dangerous man in some situations.
And he’s taken up birdwatching.
Yes, he’s also taken up blogging as well, but his therapist requested that, and he’s gotten quite the following. So, Sherlock can’t ponder why John would dive into a hobby such as watching birds; a calm and overall observant activity on which one must focus.
It started as a slow process. On days when they didn’t have a case, John would slip out of the flat without a word, a slim bag over his shoulder. Then, the bag turned into an obvious organizer for supplies. Sherlock could make out the outline of a binocular, but that’s all. Once he finally confronted John and asked where he was headed at least two times a week, John casually responded, “Birdwatching,” with a happy-go-lucky smile on his lips.
Sherlock blinked, baffled by the statement.
Now, John has taken his hobby to the next level and decided to take a day trip to Sussex, where there is more nature to be appreciated. John only mentioned that he was off for the day and that he probably wouldn’t be home until late afternoon, but Sherlock was having none of it.
This was piquing his interest.
Sherlock insisted on accompanying John, which John first protested, but Sherlock didn’t care for his argument.
They sit on a bench that overlooks plenty of branches and slim trees. John sighs, setting his bag down and grabbing his binoculars from inside.
“Again, you really didn’t have to come,” John says again as if that will get Sherlock to disappear.
Sherlock can tell John expects him to poke fun, to laugh at such a contrasting hobby to which he would usually have. But Sherlock does nothing of the sort.
Instead, he leans forward and kisses the doctor’s cheek. “You are ridiculous sometimes,” Sherlock says. He then takes the book from John’s hands and begins observing the hardcover.
John continues to stare at him in bewilderment.
“Tedious… but probably factual,” Sherlock murmurs. He then looks at John. “Do you have a notepad?”
John blinks, then nods slowly. He gets out a notepad and a writing pen from his bag, handing it to Sherlock. Sherlock sees that John has already scribbled down on each set of paper, filling up almost half the notepad.
Sherlock feels warmth overtake his chest.
It’s… quite adorable, really. John is so dedicated to this activity and it shows in his writing, each category of birds having notes of specifics under them.
Sherlock hides his smile, eyes settling on John.
John huffs a laugh as he sees Sherlock’s expression. “Yeah, yeah. Laugh all you want, you git,” he says as he reaches for his notepad.
Sherlock holds it out of reach with ease. “I’m doing no such thing,” Sherlock tells him. “Now, I suggest you start before it gets dark.”
“What, so you can take pictures and send them to Greg?” John questions.
“Who?”
“Never mind. Just- Sherlock, it’s embarrassing.”
“Why should it be?” asks Sherlock. “I’m simply watching you enjoy something that you’re fond of.”
“Sherlock-”
“John.” Sherlock’s voice is, for once, genuine. “Please. I’m… glad you have something to pass your time with. There’s no need to be embarrassed.”
John smiles gratefully at him.
For the rest of the day, the two men observe different birds, Sherlock admittedly finding this hobby fascinating as well. The majority of it consists of observations, so why wouldn’t he? Sherlock also can’t be blamed for correcting John’s monitoring throughout their experience or slipping the notepad out of John’s hands to write his own set of notes.
And he can’t be blamed for staring at John in awe every time the blogger acquires a glint in his eye when he sees a new bird, or when he pats Sherlock’s arm excitedly when a bird appears close.
All the more reason to love John Watson.
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