A/N: Historically, there are a lot of things that go up in flames during the December writing challenge – Christmas trees, Christmas pudding, decorations, pies, 221B… I decide to give this prompt a little twist therefore.
Prompt from Winter Winks 221: Up in Flames
The unmistakable reverberations of a pistol shot echoed from upstairs. "Holmes!" Watson dashed upstairs fearing the worst.
The prone form of Holmes lay motionless upon the sofa.
"Holmes!" Watson cried, alarmed.
To his relief, a faint monotone grumbled from the cushions, "life is commonplace; the papers are sterile; audacity and romance seem to have passed forever from the criminal world (1)."
Watson coughed in the smoky atmosphere. He stumbled over to the window and threw up the sash.
"Haven't we spoken about your penchant for bullet-pock embellishments? Mrs Hudson was quite clear. Patriotic or not, she wants no further holes in her flat."
"I'm bored."
"Clearly," the long-suffering doctor gave his flatmate a wan smile.
"How about your violin?"
The long thin fingers dismissed the idea.
"Why not review your old case files?"
"Done."
"A stroll? I'm sure Mrs Hudson can keep supper warm."
"I do not exercise for leisure."
"Well, you could try tidying up the flat." Watson looked pointedly over at the stack of unopened letters jack-knifed to the wooden mantelpiece.
Holmes moaned and sank deeper into the cushions.
Watson sighed and settled into his chair to read. Abruptly, he lowered the book. His ears perked up at the familiar tread of Inspector Lestrade upon the stairs.
A sudden energy seized the dormant detective, his keen mind instantly alert. "A case, at last." He sprang up. His incredible stupor instantly went up in flames. He was ablaze with life.
(1) The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge, ACD.