Inspired by pictures

[rabidsamfan]

It wasn't until after midnight that I dared venture deeper into the damp cellar where Holmes had been imprisoned, leaving the lantern behind me. He was calmer, or more exhausted, by then, and had grown accustomed enough to dim light to keep his eyes open for minutes at a time. They glittered at me as I crept closer, inch by careful inch, waiting again and again for the tension to leave his shoulders.

I talked softly the whole time, although I can not vouch for what I said. Lestrade swears I was reduced to nursery rhymes by three in the morning, when at long last Holmes allowed me to settle beside him and gather his cold, half-starved body to my own. For a moment he stiffened, and I held my breath, wondering if he would take another fit, but instead he rested his head against my chest, as if listening for my heart. "Watson," he whispered, and I felt the fear running out of him, felt the sleep he so needed overwhelm his last defenses. I kissed the top of his head, too glad to hear his voice to think twice about the gesture.

"Yes, Holmes," I said. "I'm here."

This droubble never made it as a top entry over at cox_and_co because it was response to a picture posted here and follows in the proud tradition... well... maybe not exactly tradition, of a story which some of you saw in the earlier version called Haunted, also done in response to artwork that ate my brain.

Comments

[lame-pegasus.livejournal.com]

How lovely. And sad. And very, very moving. Well done, dear.

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

Thank you. The picture did sort of ask for it, didn't it?

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

Among other features of this nifty drabble, I definetely hear echoes from another fandom. *grins at you*

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

Echoes? Me? Echoes?

(I'd love to know what you think of "Haunted" by the way, if you get a chance to read it.)

[surgicalsteel.livejournal.com]

Lovely and poignant and oh, my that tugs at my heart. And fits the picture that inspired it beautifully.

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

Thank you. It was one of those droubbles that practically wrote itself, once I'd seen the inspiration for it.

[elycia.livejournal.com]

ooooo! What a delicious combination of sinister circumstance and caring address! I love the nursery rhymes and how Holmes finally recognizes his friend and saviour and then relaxes. You write so very well in this universe! Thanks for sharing it with us.

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I do love hurt/comfort -- especially the comfort part. I've no idea what the rest of the story might be, but I had fun writing this bit.

[slipperieslope.livejournal.com]

That was wonderful... and a very touching, poignant mental picture you drew for me. I don't need the drawing but I will go look anyway. Thank you!

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

It's a marvelous drawing, though. Can you blame me for writing about it?