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John was editing the latest adventure, “The three students”, and Sherlock? Sherlock was petting him? Stroking him? John wasn’t particularly sure what he was doing. “What are you doing?” He finally asked. Sherlock immediately retracted his hands “sorry”. “No it’s fine mate just… what are you doing?”. Sherlock lowered his eyes “your new jumper, it… the texture is pleasing. Is it the same on the inside?”. John raised his eyebrows somehow he had been expecting an experiment, ‘John Watson and his response to physical touch’ or something ridiculous like that. “Oh uh….” He ran a hand over the outside of the jumper and then felt the inside “yeah pretty similar here feel” he rolled up the sleeve so that the inside was showing and held out his arm to Sherlock. Sherlock gingerly felt the material “thats nice. Where did you get it?”. John thought for a moment “uhm not sure I think it was a present from my mum?”. Sherlock looked slightly dejected “oh”.
John found his jumper to be missing most weeks after that interaction and he was pretty sure he knew who had it. Sure enough. He came home from the weekly shop one Friday to Sherlock sat on the sofa in the living room in HIS jumper. It looked quite funny on him. Somehow both too big and too small. In some areas it hung off him, he did not possess John’s broad shoulders. Yet the arms were a tad too short, due to his gangly form. John smirked, he wondered if Sherlock had ever left the house like that.
A month later, Carol Watson came to visit. “Sherlock!” John called as he opened the door to the flat “my mums here come and say hello!”. Sherlock appeared from inside the kitchen “Hello Mrs Watson, a pleasure as always”. “Sherlock! Lovely boy, hello. I have something for you”. Sherlocks eyes widened “for me?”. Carol was rummaging around in her small suitcase “ah here we go for you” she held out a small plastic bag”. Sherlock took it from her “you shouldn’t have…. I…. I’m sorry in advance I’ve been told I don’t react accordingly sometimes when it comes to presents”. Carol Watson smiled “it’s okay I raised this one” she nudged John playfully “such a moody teenager. Nothing phases me now. Open it! I hope you like the colour”. Sherlock peeked into the bag pulling out an identical jumper to johns however this time it was a dark green, not navy blue. His face lit up and he bounced slightly on his heels “I- thank you! Mrs Watson truly! “No problem at all and please call me Carol Sherlock” Carol smiled, “John told me how much you loved his jumper so I thought I would grab you one in the right size”. “Is this going to be another item of clothing I have to steal just to wash Sherlock?” John asked pretending to sound annoyed, but he too was smiling. Sherlock was running his hand over the fabric “yes Watson I believe it will be”.