Prompt from sirensbane: "Watson, I had the strangest dream..." Perhaps not my best work, but as I've had a headache for the last several hours, it's certainly heartfelt!
"Watson, I had the strangest dream..."
I barely glanced up as Holmes came wandering into the sitting room, still shrugging into his dressing gown. He'd finished his latest case just the day before, and was still in the state of satisfied contentment he often had after a successful case, not yet drawn into the dark pits of idleness and ill humour.
"I dreamt I was in London, at Scotland Yard, and a tiger came towards me and told me to follow it. I don't know why, but I did, and it took me into a battle, with guns firing all around. There were bodies everywhere, including many people we know, but–" His sharp eyes cut towards me. "You aren't listening."
"You had a dream about a tiger and a battle. I am listening, just..." Lost for the right words to explain, I gestured towards the window, where the rain was pouring down, as it had been since the early morning. "Perhaps the guns in your dream came from the rain?" I asked, trying to show my interest, even though I truly felt far from it.
Holmes was not fooled. "The storm is causing you pain because of your old war wounds."
"Yes," I had to admit, "but I am still happy to listen to you."
Holmes' eyes softened. "Watson, you are in pain. I can do without idle conversation for an afternoon. Rest."
I gave my friend a grateful smile and closed my eyes. Soon, I heard the sounds of Holmes' violin. The pain was still as terrible as when I had first awoken in the early hours, but at least now, I had someone to distract me.