Why, to inflate your ego because you're better? I'll happily take your shoes for a day if you take mine.

[Mischievously, but Irene plays along, and settles to staring intently at him, searching, as Sherlock tends to do. Though she requires more of a true look instead of a cursory glance.]

Much of this is cheating -- I've had my eye on you for a long time, but let's try for something I've learned in the past weeks with you --

[And Irene tilts her head.]

There is absolutely nothing well-adjusted about you -- you hardly eat, you never sleep, and as for a normal healthy sexual relationship --

[She draws a finger down his chest with a grin.]

That would require time. You leave no loose ends, and nothing unanswered, but you have yet to respond to a single text from me. Something would tell me that you're afraid of connection, but I don't think that's quite right -- it's something far more complicated and layered than that. You like challenge and any of your associates, be it your landlady or your best friend or your neighborhood friendly dominatrix must be the same.

[And Irene leans forward slightly, to whisper in his ear -- ]

And you've a bit of croissant on your collar.