Prompt from SheWhoScrawls - Watson decides to read A Christmas Carol to Holmes on Christmas Eve. What does Holmes think of it?
AN: Takes place one year after my story 'A Holmesian Carol'.
The Mystery of the Curious Change of Heart
"… was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless us every one!" Watson read cheerfully and snapped the little book shut. "What did you think of it, Holmes?"
"Rather tamer than I thought it would be, Watson," Holmes replied and began filling his pipe, seeming to be occupied with his own thoughts.
"Tamer?" Watson demanded, his confusion obvious. "It... Holmes… Tamer? It's a Christmas story, Holmes! And I don't believe it is particularly tame. Dickens wrote what is arguably THE Christmas story. I mean, aside from what is recounted in the Bible. Isn't it an interesting observation on the plight of man and a poignant commentary on social justice?"
"It could be taken as such, Watson," Holmes agreed, but his mind was clearly elsewhere.
Watson frowned at him, considering his old friend's mood quite seriously.
"Nothing is wrong, dear fellow," Holmes said with a dismissive wave of his and then struck a match to light his pipe.
"You know, Holmes, you've changed since you returned," said Watson gently.
"In what way?" asked the detective.
"Last year you were the most obstinately cantankerous soul in all of London," said Watson, leaning back in his chair and fishing out his favorite pipe. He began stuffing the mild blend of tobacco he favored into it, suffering a disapproving glance from Holmes. "And then you came knocking on my door to ask me to move back in here with you. A complete change and over a single night, too. I never asked for more of an explanation than what you gave me that morning. I don't ask for one now. But I want you to know that I noticed it. I can't help but to notice this sudden change in mood."
"You asked me if I would listen to you read 'A Christmas Carol', Watson," Holmes said sedately. "I did listen, and then when you asked what I thought, I told you."
"And your mood change in the short time it took me to read the story," Watson said and cast his spent match into the fire. "What is on your mind?"
"Memories, Watson," said Holmes. "Some good. Some… not good at all. And some are the best one can hope to have."
Watson narrowed his eyes at Holmes and wondered, but could make nothing more of what his friend had just said. He was about to speak when Holmes raised a hand with a smile and looked towards the window.
"Carolers, Watson," said Holmes, rising from his seat. "Shall we go down and listen to them?"
"You really are the most mercurial man I have ever known, Holmes," sighed Watson and rose to follow his friend out the door and down to the front of the house. "I can remember a time when you disliked carolers."