Watching Mycroft take charge of his younger brother was slightly bizarre. My friend obeyed every command he was given without a single complaint. I knew this was a façade they were putting up for their parents but a submissive Sherlock Holmes was a difficult concept for my mind to wrap around.
Mr. and Mrs Holmes were certainly pleased; they positively doted on Mycroft and almost behaved as if they did not have a second son. It was Mycroft this, Mycroft that, and I had to excuse myself from the afternoon tea for I could no longer tolerate the favouritism (Mycroft, if you are reading this, please note that I mean no offense to you).
After dinner that evening, my friend suddenly disappeared. I searched for him high and low – and I think I may have gotten lost at some point in that mansion – but he was nowhere to be found. It was not until I crossed paths with his brother that I discovered of his whereabouts.
"Looking for Sherlock? I saw him sneaking into the backyard smuggling a blanket underneath his coat," Mycroft informed me. "I suspect he is going to watch the meteor shower that's supposed to occur tonight."
I was startled. "Really?" I replied.
"Really. Go on; I do believe your company will be welcomed."
I thanked him before finding my way to the back door. It was a beautiful night, with the stars twinkling brightly against the black sky, and a cool breeze gently swept everything in its path. I went to the remote corner Holmes and I had visited the other day and, sure enough, I found him lying on the ground on a big blanket.
"You have no interest in the solar system yet you want to watch a meteor shower?" I asked amusedly.
Holmes looked at me. "Anything to get out of that house," said he.
"Fair point. Do you mind if I join you?"
"Not at all."
I lay next to him. We kept silent for a small while, enjoying each other's company.
Finally, Holmes said, "I suppose my brother told you where I was?"
"What else?" I said.
My friend nodded his acknowledgement of my answer.
"Do you know why I do not study astronomy?" he asked.
"Because you deemed it as useless information," I replied, somewhat irritably.
"Yes," Holmes laughed. "But that is not the only reason."
"What is the other reason?"
"It's unstimulating."
"As simple as that!"
"What did you expect, Watson? That I have been beaten over the head by a telescope?"
"Have you?"
"Of course not!"
"I was just making sure. So astronomy is boring and useless to you."
"As I said."
"I won't bother arguing the point with you, then."
"Because you know you won't win?"
"Obviously."
"Watson?"
"Hmm?"
"Why are we having this conversation?"
I laughed. "Because that is what friends do: they have seemingly meaningless discussions. A discussion, I may remark, that you started."
"And you continued it."
"A distinct touch, my friend."
"I thank you."
We fell silent again. Somewhere in the distance a cricket was chirping. I was so relaxed that I closed my eyes, letting the sounds of nature calm my senses further.
"You're not falling asleep now, are you?" Holmes asked lightly.
"No," I replied, cracking an eye open to look at him. "Why?"
"Because it's starting," Holmes said, pointing upwards.
I turned my gaze to the sky. Little balls of light were streaking across the dark overhead. I watched in awe, feeling like a child discovering the world for the very first time.
"It's beautiful," I whispered.
"I guess it is," Holmes said indifferently.
"Holmes?"
"Yes, Watson?"
"Are you still certain that you wish to remain here for the rest of the week?"
"Yes," Holmes said after a moment of hesitation. I did not believe him.
The shower continued, capturing our attention once more. It was the first peaceful moment we had had all week. I wanted to hope that it would last but I knew deep in my heart it was far too much to ask for. I knew it all too well.
The sound of birds singing roused me from my sleep. My eyes fluttered open and I found myself face to face with Holmes, his slumbering for only inches away from mine. Questions erupted in my sleep-induced mind: was I sharing a bed with Holmes? How and why did that happen? A part of me feared finding out.
I took in our surroundings, and noticed we were still outside. I sighed in relief; we must have fallen asleep during the meteor shower. A blanket was covering us both, brought by someone during the night – I suspected it was Mycroft. A surprisingly thoughtful gesture, nonetheless.
I rolled over onto my side to face my friend again. He seemed so at peace, so – so – unguarded. He looked as if nothing had hardened him over the years. I wished, for his sake, that he would always be like this.
Holmes suddenly stirred and slowly opened his eyes. He regarded me groggily for a moment before smiling sleepily.
"Good morning, Watson," Holmes said softly. "Have you been awake long?"
"Good morning. And, no, I haven't," I replied serenely.
"I thought not. I see Mycroft brought us a blanket."
"You believe it to be him as well?"
"Are you capable of imagining my parents being so considerate?"
"Unfortunately, no."
"There you have it. Unless this blanket fell from the sky this is my brother's doing."
I placed myself in a sitting position and Holmes mimicked me. It was a lovely morning, with blue skies and an abundance of sunshine. But the good weather did not ease the sense of foreboding inside me. Something was brewing, and I wished I knew what it was.
"Holmes, I do think we should return to Baker Street today," said I.
"Why, Watson? I understand that our stay has yet to be a pleasant one but I have made it clear that I want to remain," Holmes replied.
"Something is wrong. I can feel it."
"Something has been wrong since Saturday. Times two, mind you."
"It's worse, Holmes, and I am under the impression that it involves you and your family."
"Watson, you are speaking in riddles."
"I thought riddles were a specialty of yours?"
"Very amusing."
"I'm serious, Holmes. Let's cut our visit short."
"No. I gave my word that I would be here until Saturday and I always keep my word. Even when it is given to people I am not particularly fond of."
"But –"
"Enough, Watson! My answer is final!"
Snatching the blanket covering us, Holmes stood up and stalked off. I watched him go, saddened. I was only trying to protect him from the worse of heartaches. But, I supposed, some things could only be comprehended by experiencing them. Picking up the blanket that had been lying underneath us, I followed my friend into the mansion.
A bit of a random chapter but I wanted to give Holmes and Watson a small break from the rough week they've been having.
Thanks for the reviews!
