Watson's Lullaby
Disclaimer - Nope, still not mine.
Summary - As the music wafted through the Brownstone, she felt the stress of the last few days finally fall away.
A/N - So...season 1 came out on DVD and a re-watch was a must; that score!
She was tired. The last several days had been particularly draining; a case that had kept both Watson and Sherlock awake for a few nights was finally closed. It was time to rest; he was in the living room, supposedly about to go to bed, and she was already tucked tightly under her covers. She was exhausted, both mentally and physically, and yet...she couldn't seem to get to sleep.
As she was attempting to find that so-sought-after-position, the one that, when you find it, leads to almost immediate slumber, she heard it. Quiet at first, almost hesitant; a violin. Sherlock had started playing his violin again early on in their...relationship...but it was still something she wasn't quite used to.
"Sherlock!" she called out from her bed. The music stopped immediately.
"Keeping you up?" He asked, still sitting on the couch down the stairs.
"Yes..but..could you come up here, please?" She asked sweetly and, hearing him stand, added "and bring the violin!". She could hear him pause and then the musical muffle that accompanies an instrument being carried. She smiled.
He rounded the corner at the top of the stairs and leaned against her doorframe, violin and bow in his hands, expression soft and a bit confused.
"What is it, Watson? I was trying to play softly; I know you do not possess my skill of sleeping amidst strange noises but I had rather hoped that my violin playing wouldn't upset your REM cycle too badly." She could tell he was trying to hide his concern of bothering her beneath the poke at her sleeping abilities.
"Actually, I couldn't get to sleep and I was wondering...would you play for me?" As she asked, she was looking down at her comforter, folding it neatly atop her lap. He stood motionless, as motionless as Sherlock ever is, for a moment and she looked up to make sure he didn't walk away.
"I mean, you don't have to...I've just always loved the sound of violins and I thought it might help me sleep." She looked at his face and saw an almost surprised expression that quickly turned into one of delight.
"I would be happy to, Watson." His tone was cheery but he spoke softly. He made his way over to her bed, stopped, and motioned to the unoccupied space next to her. "Could I sit here whilst I play? I find having my legs at the same level as my waist aids in the circulation so I can play longer.."
"Of course." She patted the spot next to her and he all but plopped into the space.
He took a deep breath, got his legs situated (shoes off, crazy socks on full display: a striped red and black for the left foot and an argyle blue and green for the right), and commenced playing. He chose a soft, slightly melancholy tune.
"That's so beautiful, did you write it?" She asked, sleepily.
"I did." He answered simply.
"Remind me to ask you what it's called in the morning.." Watson sighed and scooted down further under the covers, flipping onto her side so that she could face Sherlock. She yawned. The music floating around the room, lulling her quickly into dreamland.
As Sherlock watched her fade deeper into sleep, he softened his playing until it was silent in the room once more. Being ever so careful, he slid off the bed, padded to the door, and switched off the light. He paused in the doorway, watching her, wondering what marvels were gracing her dreams tonight.
"Goodnight, my dear Watson." He whispered and was gone.
-fin