Resident Patient: Morning

[azriona.livejournal.com]

Canon Story: Resident Patient
Title: Morning
Author: azriona
Rating: PG
Warnings: None
Author's Notes: It struck me that this is the fifth story, but the second time that Holmes wakes Watson, and Watson doesn’t seem overly perturbed by his presence. Watson’s lack of concern for his own privacy made me wonder. Feel free to read as slash or not.



The first time I awoke with Holmes's eyes fixed on me, I was startled and shy. The second time, annoyed and gruff.

Now, I do not mind the sentinel who watches while I slumber. Perhaps because his eyes are the last I see at night, it is fitting that they are also the first I see at break of day.

Comments

[hisietari.livejournal.com]

Ah, interesting. I guess it is disturbing at first, but Holmes never bumps into his bedroom just to check if there are any unregistered aliens on the curtain rail. He has his reasons.

[azriona.livejournal.com]

True, he's always there for a reason. But I have to wonder - this has to happen a lot if Watson's not going to react very much. Which means Holmes is finding a lot of reasons to go into Watson's room, to the point where it's just expected that he'll be there some of the time when Watson wakes up.

Of course, I'm looking at that particular idea with my shipper goggles firmly in place, so I'm probably biased! :)

[hisietari.livejournal.com]

Yeah, from that point of view it's probably the only explanation, haha. I'm just such a boring, unemotional type, I always see them as pals who've stuck around each other so long, hardly anything can shock them about each other anymore. Concerning Holmes, I think he's always putting his work first, and everything else (including bedroom privacy) comes later. He may have no idea that his intrusions might be interpreted differently.

Another thought - I've often wondered about the connotation of privacy in Victorian times. People had servants who'd basically live their lives invisibly in their homes with all-access-keys, servants had no real places of themselves, etc. Sometimes I wonder if anybody could be really private at all.

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

As an army doctor I imagine Watson got used to being woken by all and sundry at strange times.

But I think your interpretation is the best.

[azriona.livejournal.com]

At the Downton Abbey level? Probably not. But I haven't had the impression that Watson and Holmes were at the level of society which would require overly attentive servants. It seems like the most we've seen mentioned in the books are Mrs Hudson the housekeeper (who I don't think would have included turn-down service in her duties) and a pageboy who sometimes shows people into their sitting room (who also wouldn't have likely woken them up or helped them to dress).

Without the slash-goggles, I think your interpretation of being past the point of shock is probably right, especially at this point in their relationship. Figure by the time of this story, they've been flatmates for three or four years, or thereabouts? Yeah, I don't think Watson would have been too shocked with Sherlock waking him up in the morning. :)

[azriona.livejournal.com]

It's surely a more romantic interpretation. :) Thanks!

[hisietari.livejournal.com]

Never seen DA to be honest, but I thi~nk I know what you mean. That remark was rather on a more general level. I think that the complete seclusion we often have today (well, had, until total technical surveillance became en vogue) is a postmodern thing, and that in former times, when some families lived in one room with 3-4 generations etc., it wasn't quite that much a lifestyle. If you shared an apartment with somebody, I guess after a while it would be normal to breach personal boundaries when there was a perfectly reasonable explanation. If I recall that correctly, Watson was used to the odd style of Holmes's bedroom in "The Dying Detective", too.

[spacemutineer.livejournal.com]

The idea that Watson is comfortable with having someone guard him as he sleeps is interesting. Perhaps it is a familiar setup from his time in the military. Clever, sweet angle.

[azriona.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[debriswoman]

I would take it as an illustration of how comfortable they are with each other. And I would agree, there is usually a good reason why Holmes act the way he does. You make an interesing and ambiguous point:-)

[azriona.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[bwblack.livejournal.com]

"I do not mind the sentinel who watches while I slumber"

I love this description of Holmes! I love it dearly!

[azriona.livejournal.com]

Thanks! :)

[firthivated.livejournal.com]

Awww, What a lovely picture. Thank you from the bottom of my slashy heart!

[azriona.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! Thanks for the comment. :)