A/N: Woops...okay, I'm not a sadist, let's clear this up. I know I SAID this would be a light-hearted one, but the one I was thinking of is giving me some trouble so I'm shelving it for now. This one...yeah, it's a bit dark. heheh, sorry about that.
"Didn't mean to startle you, Mr. Holmes."
"Who the devil are you?"
"I thought you knew everything." He sounded disappointed.
"Not everything, no. Just most of it," I replied, sponging off my sleeve. Thankfully it wasn't acid. "Offhand I'd say your mother brought you to see Dr. Watson, and you sneaked up here while she was speaking with Mrs. Hudson."
"That's right. I hoped you would be doing your experiments—I've an interest in chemistry m-myself."
"Would you like to sit down?"
"But then I won't have nearly as good a view. And I want to see you add the sodium bicarbonate."
"Are you planning on attending University?"
"I was, but…there's no hope for that anymore."
"Why?"
He looked away. "Every doctor says I have three weeks left. My mother says there's hope, but I know the truth…it's funny, Mr. Holmes. A person can be certain about their future, and then…everything changes." He coughed painfully into his sleeve. "I'm sorry. It's not contagious," he explained, colouring.
I waved my hand in dismissal. "Have you ever conducted an experiment yourself?"
"No."
"Come here, then, and I'll walk you through this one."
"I can never repay you for this," he whispered, settling himself in my chair.
I steadied his thin arm as he picked up the beaker. "Think nothing of it, my boy."
A/N: I think I sort of depressed myself with this one....Sigh. Oh, and I figured Watson mostly made housecalls, but this is a different situation. Anyway, reviews are always welcome! Oh and KCS, I said "sneaked," not "snuck." That's the correct grammar, right? So there's my present to you! Merry CHRISTmas!!! ^.^