The Exception // SHERLOCK x READER //

Chapter 7

3rd Person

"So, you've got a nice place," said (Y/n) just before sipping on her tea. "It's filled with...'interesting' things!" She said after spotting the skull on the mantle along with other miscellaneous embellishments.

Sherlock nearly let a smile slip, but kept his composure the same. "I see what you did there," he said plainly.

"What is it that you do by the way if you don't mind me asking?"

He paused before answering. He had not realized how little she knew of himself despite spending majority of yesterday together in her own shop. "I'm a consulting detective and a very good one at that," he stated vainly before taking a long sip of his tea. "Police, private detectives, or anyone, really – if they can't solve the case, they come to me."

"Oh...oh!" (Y/n) interjected; she had never heard of a 'consulting detective' before. "That's amazing, really, I couldn't imagine doing that kind of work – "

"And why not?" asked Sherlock, genuinely curious. "It's only simple deduction which requires logic and common sense. It actually surprises me how most seem to overlook the obvious."

(Y/n) was at a loss of words. She did not know how to answer such a question with complete honesty. Should she flat out say it? "Well, you see, I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed" She laughed at her own deprecation, clearly anxious over the topic. "But, it's to be expected, I guess. I've not had much to boast about or to look back on." (Y/n) took sip from her mug to stop herself from talking further, and to also prevent Sherlock from seeing the embarrassing shade of pink that clouded her cheeks.

She had always believed she was a failure. Her family, friends, and past significant other had always told her so, no matter what she dedicated her attention to. Whatever it was, it was never enough for them.

But, Sherlock only squinted his eyes at her response. "Then let's test it now," he said, setting his mug aside. "Try and analyze me. Tell me what you think you know."

"But I couldn't assume – "

"Try. Me." He sternly said, leaning forward.

(Y/n) disliked the deep tone he used; it reminded her of her ex-boyfriend, someone she didn't want to remember. The last thing she needed was to say something wrong and suffer its consequences. But, she also didn't want to make Sherlock angry with her by not cooperating, so she gave in. "I mean, you seem... eccentric in your own way? And by the looks of it here, pretty knowledgeable especially intelligent enough to be a detective." She looked back to Sherlock with a grimace across her features. He still remained motionless as if waiting for (Y/n) to go on. "...You also are stubborn, hard-headed, and always assessing the situation even if it doesn't call for it..."

"All situations call for assessment," he added sternly. "If not, we'd simply be lying to ourselves, ignoring the details that may prove to be so crucial." He fell back into his seat, crossing his leg over the other. "Is that all you've got to say?"

(Y/n) knew he was disappointed. "Uh... that you've got piercing eyes and bed-head hair?"

Sherlock snapped his attention back to (Y/n) with squinted eyes.

"What, it's cute!" corrected (Y/n) in defense. "It was meant as a compliment, alright?" She huffed and crossed her arms. "You apparently didn't like what I had said before, so what did you want me to say?"

At this, he simply chuckled to himself with a smirk etched on his face. "I didn't want you to say anything." He fiddled with the lace that hemmed the pillow that sat beside him. "I was only curious to hear," he said, flicking his eyes back onto (Y/n).