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sherlock60Canon story: A Study in Scarlet
Title: Faded
Author: ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
sabrinaphynn
sabrinaphynnRating: G
Warnings: none
Author's notes: I used the prompt about color and also considered how much the Afghan war had taken from Watson. Watson tells us Stamford was his dresser, or surgical assistant, during his time at Bart's and they were friendly but not especially close. I imagine that Stamford was a a year or two behind Watson in training and idolized him a bit, as a professional. This is Stamford's POV.
I spotted Watson first, barely recognizing my former idol. His skin browned by the sun, certainly, but more notably, his very essence faded. The surgeon of Bart's, with his deft fingers, wry humor, and witty tales, seemed irretrievable. With his spirited ways and morbid experiments, I could only hope Holmes might be unusual enough to restore the doctor to himself.
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no subject
Date: 2012-09-02 07:12 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-02 07:16 pm (UTC)Thanks!
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Date: 2012-09-02 07:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-02 07:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-02 07:28 pm (UTC)Yeah I imagine the pre-War Watson as much more outgoing and jovial. I imagine him telling rather bawdy tales while scrubbing in and doing long surgeries to keep everyone entertained and in a good mood, distracting everyone from the eventual aching feet and backs.
When he first gets back, he is one seriously traumatized and nerve wracked puppy. He managed to get some of himself back, with time, but he will never be exactly the same. Seems he and Murray are some of the very few survivors of a terrible battle.
no subject
Date: 2012-09-02 09:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-02 10:06 pm (UTC)I just really feel for Watson here- he is so drained still from his ordeals, barely surviving, and adrift when he bumps into Stamford at the Criterion's bar. The line from BBC Sherlock came to mind, that he is NOT the John Watson he used to be. And he has yet to become the Watson we know from the later stories.
Stamford takes pity on his fallen idol and thinks of the most colorful person he knows, warns him that he is not to blame if it does not work out, and moves on his way, just hoping he has done the right thing.
Personally, it is more amazing that Holmes behaves as well as he does those first few months. But mabe he is sounding out Watson as much as vice versa. (and I wonder if HE made a list of Watson's strengths and faults, too)
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Date: 2012-09-02 10:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-03 12:14 am (UTC)IDK, I just recall the hierarchy of a teaching hospital and how one class would look up to the next for direction and instruction and thought that would work. He would be shocked at the change he sees in his acquaintance. And he'd then recall that odd man in the lab who was looking to share rooms with someone...
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Date: 2012-09-02 11:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-03 12:26 am (UTC)And I can not help but like the guy who introduced these two. He probably has no idea what he wrought!
Sunday, 2 September 2012
Date: 2012-09-03 02:56 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-03 03:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-03 04:19 am (UTC)Watson is just so very broken and frail when we first meet him, I did not trust his voice to do this bit justice. And say what you like about Holmes, he is one colorful character!
Maybe Stamford appreciated Watson's skills as a surgeon, or learned some special technique that he now uses. Somehow, Stamford feels that he owes our favorite doctor a good turn, though he is a bit hesitant about it, as if he had second thoughts.
Or, alternately....
Stamford had no idea that this would work out, he just thought it would be fun to see the elements combine and combust. I bet he was the type of lad who really enjoys mixing volatile substances together to see what might happen.
no subject
Date: 2012-09-03 07:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-03 01:05 pm (UTC)But now I have to run and get a new icon... :D
Stamford's Flatmate Matching Service, est. 1881.
Ha!
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Date: 2012-09-03 02:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-03 08:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-04 08:40 pm (UTC):D
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Date: 2012-09-04 01:34 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-04 01:59 am (UTC)It is really more that Stamford sees that the war has drained Watson's very soul of color, given all he has been through. And like any good doctor, he seeks a solution.
Or, alternatively...
Maybe he was not quite as good spirited as all that- maybe Holmes was pestering him like a little kid on a long car trip... "did you find me someone yet?!" so, to get the crazy man Holmes off his back already, he foists Watson on him.
Naaaa.
no subject
Date: 2012-09-04 07:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-04 08:42 pm (UTC)But still...
Doc Stamford's Flatmate Matching Service, est. 1881.
Ha!
;-)
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Date: 2012-09-04 08:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-04 09:05 pm (UTC)I think that Holmes, for better or worse, is a very colorful character. Pre-Afghan War Watson very well may have been equally memorable; to see a mere shell of what he used to be may have moved Stamford to find some remedy.
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Date: 2012-09-05 08:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-05 08:26 pm (UTC)Dr. Stamford is also a favorite of mine. I always wonder what happened to him.
60 for 60, week 3: A Study in Scarlet
Date: 2012-09-05 11:12 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-08 12:47 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-08 12:58 am (UTC)The mods put up that quote and this is what the brain/the Muse decided to give back.