This originally was going to be just a macho type drabble to show off Holmes, but then it took a life of its own when Watson whispered in my ear. :D



Contest

The pub was bawdy and raucous to the ears and every patron inside crowded each other so that there was no sense of personal space to be had. A gathering of men around a single table shouted and beer sloshed from their stained mugs as they cheered on the two men sitting at said table, locked in a contest of strength and will at the hands, their free ones holding onto the wooden table for leverage. On one side was a tall and thin man with dark hair and determined gray eyes that smiled mockingly at his opponent. The only sign of concentration was a slight crease at the corner of his lips. The man he faced was much bigger than he, not in the terms of height but muscle and he grinned wickedly from a scar puckered and red bearded face and determined dark eyes. He had no hair on his clean scalp and the sweat that perspired on the skin gave it a shine akin to a shoe shiner that knows his trade.

The lesser muscled man smirked and reached for the glass of beer and took a long draught while his muscle strained arm held his bigger opponent in place. "I thought this was a contest, old chap?" he said arrogantly and his opponent snarled in reply. Force was applied to the arms and the crowd gathered around them grew louder as the taller man's arm began to bend backwards against his will.

"Holmes, stop toying with him. I want my money," his companion said from behind him. Holmes simply rolled his eyes.

"All in good time, Watson," he answered and watched as his arm slowly descended toward the table but then suddenly stopped just inches from the beer stained wood. He gave his opponent a grin and much to the man's surprise, began to slowly bring their arms back to the center and away from the table.

As their arms travelled upward once more, Holmes spoke nonchalantly to his companion as if they were merely discussing the weather and he wasn't busy arm wrestling. "Tell me, old boy, I've noticed that your activities as of late have become rather… peculiar, almost sinister even. I take it you've found an interest outside of our cases?"

"Yes," Watson answered while he watched Holmes bring his opponent's arm toward the table, but 'Muscles' wasn't about to give up and lose to his friend so easily as evident by the sudden discovery of strength that was bringing the arms back again. "You remember Miss Mary Morstan from The Sign of Four case, right?"

Holmes smirked ever so lightly as he checked Muscles. "Ah the delectable Miss Morstan, how could I forget? You've been seeing her I take it?"

"Yes, Holmes, for the last year," Watson answered a bit in frustration. There are times he could not understand how a man like Holmes could notice everything and yet nothing at all.

"Ah that explains a lot." Holmes narrowed his eyes as his opponent strained against his arm and he found himself having to actually put some serious effort to keep himself from losing.

"I intend to marry her, Holmes."

"What?!" Holmes arm came down hard and suddenly against the wooden table.

There went this weeks rent.