#johnlock challenges

Sherlock stared down at John in incredulous disbelief, “I thought you’d be pleased. You’ve been complaining about your stethoscope for the past few months, and I did some research and found that this was the best one on the market, unless you’re a cardiologist. But you’re not a cardiologist. And besides, now you can throw away your old stethoscope and-“

John chuckled, “Sherlock, it’s not that I’m not pleased, it’s just I wasn’t expecting a stethoscope. It’s not very romantic, is it?”

Sherlock’s brow furrowed. “Romantic? I don’t-“

John shook his head, “Don’t worry about it Sherlock, really.”

John slung the stethoscope around his neck and held out Sherlock’s present. “It’s far less practical, but I think you’ll appreciate the irony.”

Sherlock silently accepted the box from John and moved to shake it when John interjected, “None of that “I’ll shake it and guess what it is” stuff now Sherlock, just open it!”

“Fine, fine, alright,” Sherlock mumbled petulantly, “It’s probably one of those silly ear-flap hats anyhow-“

Sherlock tore open the package and held an antique bronze magnifying glass aloft.

“A magnifying glass?”

John grinned. “I saw it in a vintage store and it reminded me of you. I suppose what this means is that while you look for clues to solve murders, I’ll be listening for heart beats and saving people.”

Sherlock nodded, “It’s beautiful, John, thank-you. Not much by way of practicality, but it’s most certainly a beautiful piece.”

John laughed and pressed a kiss to Sherlock’s cheek, “You’re welcome Sherlock. Quite the pair we make, eh? The consulting detective and the doctor. And now we even look the part. It’s almost poetic, isn’t it?”

Sherlock nodded, carefully setting the magnifying glass down on the coffee table, “Indeed.”

John paused and pulled his stethoscope off his shoulders and glanced at Sherlock.

“Y’know, Sherlock,” John started.

“Hmm?” Sherlock replied absently, his mind already someplace else.

“I should really test out whether or not this stethoscope works. And I can’t exactly test it on myself…”

Sherlock’s  gaze snapped up to meet John’s. “You want to go to work today?”

John’s brow furrowed, and he floundered for a bit. “Go.. To work? I-“

Realization dawned on his face.

“I didn’t mean I wanted to go to work, Sherlock, I meant that I should test the stethoscope on you to make sure that it works.”

Sherlock’s brow furrowed.”Couldn’t you just-“

"Let me test the stethoscope on you Sherlock," John stated, now staring expectantly at Sherlock.

"Hurry up then," Sherlock acquiesced.

John placed the stethoscope buds in his hears and stepped to Sherlock, lightly pressing the stethoscope over Sherlock’s heart.

John looked up at Sherlock quizzically and murmured, “That’s funny, I’m not hearing anything.”

Sherlock, equally confused, replied, “There must be something wrong with it, allow me to-“

John shook his head, “I think it’s just that your shirt is too thick. You’ll have to remove it, Sherlock.”

Realization dawned on Sherlock’s face. “John, I doubt that now’s the right time to-“

John halted Sherlock’s sentence with a shush and a firm “Shirt. Remove it. Now.”

John hid a smile as Sherlock began to unbutton his shirt, and tossed it to the side.

As John pressed the cool stethoscope to Sherlock’s chest, he splayed a hand on Sherlock’s stomach and gradually allowed it to inch its way upwards.

"Yes, this is much better, I can hear your heartbeat, Sherlock,” John grinned.

Sherlock, amused, gazed down at John and murmured, “While I’m glad that we’ve established that your new stethoscope works, I’m not entirely sure what your hand is doing on-“

John’s hand had made it’s way up to Sherlock’s neck, and John smiled innocently up at Sherlock. “I’m just taking your pulse too, Sherlock. Nothing wrong with that.”

In a swift movement, John took off his stethoscope and slung it around his shoulders once more, all the while looking at Sherlock appraisingly.

"I suppose while I have my stethoscope out I may as well conduct a physical on you, Sherlock, just to ensure you’re healthy?"

Once again, Sherlock’s eyebrows shot upwards. He’d opened his mouth to reply, but once John’s cool hands had brushed his chest all rational thought had seemed to fly out the window.