The Adventure of the Illustrious Client: Scared

[methylviolet10b]

Author: methylviolet10b
Rating: PG
Character(s): Sherlock Holmes, Doctor John Watson
Summary: Even from his sickbed, Holmes sees.
Warnings: Spoilers for ILLU.
Word Count: 60, plus a quote from the original text in italics.
Author's Notes: 60 words of my own inspired by one of the canon stories.
Disclaimer: I don't own them.

ILLU – Scared
The room was dark. My head still rang from the blows, and morphine sang its torpid song in my veins. Yet I knew instantly when Watson entered my room. Shock, anguish, and worry etched deep lines into his face. His normally steady hands trembled, and when his head drooped, I saw as never before the age-whitened strands among the brown.

"All right, Watson. Don't look so scared," he muttered in a very weak voice. "It's not as bad as it seems."

Comments

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

It's interesting to see this scene from Holmes' angle - the way he runs through his observations. Even in this situation he's making a deduction. But is there also a suggestion that Watson's fear scares Holmes too? He's not used to seeing Watson afraid.

[methylviolet10b]

Yes, I think Holmes would be very unsettled by Watson's fear and emotion, even if he wasn't already suffering from concussion, contusions, and blood loss.

Thank you!

[spacemutineer.livejournal.com]

I was going to say, "Poor Watson", but really, poor both of them. This must have been hard on them both, to see such vulnerability in a man who was until this point, more or less untouchable. Time is moving on, and they both know things are changing.

[methylviolet10b]

The sudden reminder of Holmes' fallibility - and vulnerability - has to have been deeply disturbing to both of them. Really, ILLU is very sad on so many levels.

Thanks!

[debriswoman]

Difficult for both of them to deal with.

[methylviolet10b]

Very difficult, I think, and for many of the same reasons at the core.

Thank you!