Prompt from Riandra: Pub brawl
"Good evening, Lestrade."
I winced, as much from embarrassment as the pain from my bruises. "Good evening, doctor."
"I must admit, I hadn't expected to find you here." Watson opened his medical bag, pulling out a small bottle and a roll of bandages. "Holmes didn't tell me he would have company tonight."
"He said you would insist on it," I said wryly, and Watson chuckled. It was well known at Scotland Yard that the doctor would follow Holmes everywhere, never letting him go into danger alone. It was much less well known that these days, even when Watson could not accompany him, Holmes would still often choose to take a companion. Those of us who did know joked that he was wary of the doctor's wrath should he come home injured due to being alone. None of us would ever express how touched we were to be chosen as a trustworthy companion of the great detective.
Nevertheless, as Watson wrapped up my bloodied knuckles, I wished that Holmes hadn't chosen me as his companion the night he decided to start a pub brawl.