JWP 2014 #18 --- Ribbon

[alaylith]

Title: Ribbon
Theme: July Writing Prompt 2014 #18 - July 18
Prompt: Honored With a Star. A character earns or is awarded some honor. What the award is, and why, is of course up to you - as is the recipient.
Author: Alaylith
Rating: PG
Universe: BBC (S1); based on ACD's "Silver Blaze"
Characters: John, Sherlock
WordCount: 295
Summary: John receives a blue ribbon from Sherlock.


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When John wakes up the first thing he notices is a blue band sitting on the bedside cabinet.

He blinks tiredly, rubs his eyes and takes a closer look. Then he looks up to Sherlock, who sits patiently at his bedside playing (Working, John, I am working!) with his mobile phone.

"Sherlock? Why is there an award ribbon in my room?"
"As far as I know," Sherlock says without taking his eyes from the tiny screen. "This is considered an acceptable price for a winner."

"Yes, it is," John agrees. "But there was no competition nor did I win anything."
"Logically, a winner is nothing more than a person who did everything right," Sherlock continues, completely ignoring John's words. "So if a winner is rewarded, the same goes for a person doing something right."

John blinks again, trying to understand what exactly Sherlock is saying, but not quite able to yet. "So I did something right?"

For the first time in this conversation Sherlock lifts his eyes to look at John and there is a foreign expression in Sherlock's eyes.

"You saved my life," he says simply and John shrugs one shoulder. "I just pushed you out of the way."
"And you think that does not deserve to be rewarded with a price?" Sherlock asks, curiously.

John looks at the ribbon again, then looks back at Sherlock and the tiny glimpse of - John dares to think - adoration and gratitude in his eyes.
Then he smiles.

"No, but there is nothing wrong with awarding an honour, Sherlock."

They share a long look, before an answering smile appears on Sherlock's lips, understanding the difference and silence embraces them.

Until...

"Sherlock, is that the Blue Ribbon which Silver Blaze won in the last race?"
"Well..."
"Sherlock, you didn't!"

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