sherlock60 | The Yellow Face: Truth and Doubt (Reply)

Author:

methylviolet10b
Rating: PG
Character(s): Sherlock Holmes, John Watson
Summary: Holmes reflects on the lessons learned from Effie, Lucy, and Grant Munro.
Warnings: Slight spoilers for YELL.
Word Count: 60, plus two quotes from the story itself, in italics. Plus an extended-play version. What can I say? This one got away from me.
Author's
Notes: 60 words of my own inspired by one of the canon stories.
Disclaimer: I don't own them.

YELL – Truth and Doubt

Any truth is better than indefinite doubt.

Our journey to Baker Street was silent. I was consumed by my observations. Where doubt existed, love and trust withered.

How many times had I concealed the truth from Watson in the course of our cases? Demanded his unquestioning faith?

How long until Watson’s trust became doubt?

By the time we reached our rooms, I knew what I must say.

"Watson…if it should ever strike you that I am getting a little over-confident in my powers, or giving less pains to a case than it deserves, kindly whisper 'Norbury' in my ear, and I shall be infinitely obliged to you."

Extended-play version (100 words):

Any truth is better than indefinite doubt.

I plucked Watson’s sleeve, and we quietly withdrew, leaving the unique little family to their privacy – and their newfound happiness. We were both quiet on our return trip to Baker Street. I could not say what preoccupied Watson’s thoughts, but I knew what consumed mine. The lesson was impossible to mistake: where doubt existed, love and trust withered.

How many times had I concealed the truth from Watson in the course of our cases? Demanded his unquestioning faith?

How long until Watson’s trust became doubt?

By the time we reached our rooms, I knew what I would say to him.