From Domina Temporis: A quiet day at home


Holmes had many visitors in the year after his apparent resurrection. While there were no more criminals that could rival the fiendishness of the late Professor Moriarty, the great excitement occasioned by Holmes' return brought many cases to 221B Baker Street, and it quickly became clear that the deductive powers for which Holmes was justly famous had suffered no diminishment in his three-year hiatus. I had little time to simply enjoy the company of my friend in those days, or even to spend in my usual pursuits. Indeed, looking back at my case notes now, I find that it was not uncommon for us to spend weeks at a time without any interval between one investigation and the next.

And so it was with some relief that we found ourselves unengaged one day in mid-December. Even Holmes seemed content to remain indoors, and the heavy snowfall blanketing the world outside made it impractical to go out in any case. For my part, I spent the time writing up the details of the Singular Affair of the Aluminum Crutch, all the more singular because its owner had attempted to use it in such icy weather. Holmes remained in his usual armchair, smoking a pipe and lapsing into reverie.

It was such a change from my circumstances the year before that I could hardly see the page at times, overcome as I was by emotion. That my dear friend was alive, not dead and lost as I had thought at the base of Reichenbach Falls, seemed a treasure beyond deserving.

"Holmes," I said at last as we extinguished the lamps in preparation for retreating to our separate rooms. "I am very glad that you returned."

I did not say all that was in my mind, nor did I expect a reply, knowing as I did his distaste for sentimentality. Yet to my surprise, he responded at once.

"As am I, dear fellow. As am I."


A/N: Fluff, and possibly OOC fluff. And I don't care. This year can use some fluff!