22. From sirensbane: "Why Lestrade, I didn't know you cared!"
Inspector Lestrade did not consider himself a vain man, per se. Certainly, he did not believe his outer appearance was repulsive, nor did he consider himself uncommonly handsome, and further still, his heart and brain were all the more important than his looks. Still, he was but a mortal man, and it rankled to read his description by Dr. Watson in that rag he published. In a rare point of agreement, he and Holmes both felt the story a trifle overdone, though perhaps for different reasons.
He was admittedly a bit cool to Watson after the publication, and Holmes, damn him, noticed it, his grey eyes sparkling with amusement. Watson, more attuned to matters of the heart than the inevitable body language Holmes must've interpreted, adopted an extra pleasant and reverential tone, asking questions about cases with attention and making notes of Lestrade's answers.
After a case's conclusion a fortnight after the pamphlet was published, Watson walked Lestrade down the seventeen steps and said, sincerely, "Inspector, I hope I have not done something to offend you, and if so, I should like to beg your pardon. I respect your work and you as an officer, and I hope I have not conveyed any other messages."
Lestrade felt his lips twitch. How petty he had been. Truly, this was a decent man, a friend. "Tell you true, Doctor, it's foolish, but I've been petulant you called me rat-faced in your story."
Watson flushed. "I am deeply sorry, I ought've thought. Why Lestrade, I didn't know you cared in the least! Truly, I didn't think you'd have interest in reading it, but still, it was unflattering and unkind. Please accept my apologies. I was so concerned about what Holmes might think of it I confess I neglected to worry about anyone else."
"Oh, it's all right," Lestrade said.
"Do you think I ought to make amends with Gregson? I recall I may not have been charitable to him as well."
"Oh, heavens no," Lestrade snorted. "The man's thick enough I doubt he even could read it."
"I think I shall anyway," Watson said, suppressing laughter.