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I stormed out of the building and out into the fresh wintry night, feeling agitated and frustrated. Blast it all, I just could not think when all these chatternats were bustling onto my space, cloying the air with pipesmoke and words. I had tried, really, to stay and be somewhat pleasant company while Mikotoba indulged the guests. But after the eighth underhand comment about my deduction and mannerism, I truly felt I owed those scoundrels no politeness, and had decided to leave.
Why, Mr Sholmes, you seem to have a clever head and a handsome face. Should you not show a lady around perhaps? You have such fascinating tales after all.
I cursed under my breath, fogging up my own vision. I cared not for courtship, nor for swanning about with upper class folk in their strange dances. If I were to fancy someone, I’d damn well tell them, and act accordingly. To do so with some stranger was beyond me. In my cold fury, I failed to notice the telltale patter of Mikotoba’s approach until my friend put his hand on his shoulder. I started, turning rather violently until I saw my dear friend’s familiar face fill my vision, and I relaxed. In his arm, he held my coat and hat that I had left behind in my rush to leave.
“Oh, why thank you my good fellow. I had barely noticed I was missing something.” I smiled. I wanted to feel soothed by my friend's company, but, noticing the chastising glance on his face, I knew readily that the night had something in store for me yet.
“You should go back and apologize, Sholmes.” Mikotoba started. I only groaned in response, and tried to turn away. I barely got a single step in before a strong hand grasped my arm and turned me back forcefully. “I mean it, Holmes. The poor lady is in quite a state after you left like that.”
“Oh please, it isn’t as if I had slapped her.”
“You called her a wench! To her face!!” he cried out.
I couldn’t help but giggle at that. He said wench.
“That isn’t very funny, Sholmes.” Mikotoba ground out.
“Ehh, it is a little.” I shrugged.
Mikotoba only sighed, exasperated by my attitude. It was only then that I felt a twinge of guilt. He didn’t deserve my petulant mood, of course. Lord knows he has had to put up with more of my antics than any other man should. And yet, here he stood in front of me, attempting to chastise me like some child for the umpteenth time.
“I just don’t understand why you cannot be polite for a single hour while we socialize.” he bemoaned, running his hands over his face. In turn I stepped a little closer.
“Imagine if I had let her drag me off to some corner. I’d rather choke on the stuffing of a pheasant than be groped. It was self defense!” I declared. He cast me another glare, but I could see his defenses were weakening. “It would have been the same for you, and I know you would rather avoid such a terribly awkward situation.”
Mikotoba’s frown only deepened as his mouth clicked closed. “How would you know? Perhaps I would finally try my chance with one of the lovely ladies within the house.”
I only scoffed and cast a look upon him, entirely ignoring the worming feeling of unease within my gut the statement brought. “You wouldn’t, you’re much too polite for such engagements.”
And I was right, of course, we both knew it. Ever since the two of us had begun to work on cases, our names had risen to fame, and men and women alike tried their chances with us. It was awfully tiresome, seeing as I had no such interests. And from what I gathered, Mikotoba felt much the same. Truly, our adventures left little time for anything else. Secretly, I enjoyed that fact. So why would he gripe about it now? We saw eye to eye on the matter. He must have read my expression even in the dark of night, for the tension between his thick brows began to melt away.
“I know you care not for the simple matters of courtesy, but these are some very respectable people I would rather not offend. Come, we’ll apologize and then bid our goodnights for the evening. Perhaps go for a stroll and retire with some tea at the fireplace?” he offered, ever the gentleman.
How could I ever refuse him, when he asked so nicely. With one final glance skyward, I pulled on my jacket and followed him back to the grand estate.
…
“But I still don’t understand, is it really so grating for you to offer a simple kind word and a smile?”
I looked up from my perch on the settee to see my companion return to the sitting room with two cups of tea. In the soft glowing light of the fire, his handsome face looked even younger, years of stress and anguish melting away. I accepted my cup while I pondered the question.
“I simply… do not feel the need. These people will not be relevant in my life, so I do not bother. It is just as I chose my memories as well, you know that my dear Mikotoba.”
He nodded in response, standing beside me while gazing solemnly into the fire. A breath passed, before he spoke up again.
“... you’re rude to me, sometimes, too.”
I looked up sharply, hand coming up to grip the backrest of the settee.
“Should I take that as my cue to leave?” he smiled that impossibly secret smile of his, warm but completely unreadable to me. It shook me so, his sudden statement, that I leapt forward and grasped at his arm as if he would apparate right at that moment.
“No, no! My god, Mikotoba, you are-- what I mean to say is-- for the love of all that is bright and holy, don’t you even think of leaving!” I burst out, voice breaking with the sudden fear that overtook me. My mind reeled with it, suddenly overtaken. We had been acquaintanced for well over two years now, and yet it seemed nigh impossible to imagine a life without my dearest partner by my side. It must have taken him by surprise, my sudden liveliness, for his eyes widened comically and a faint blush dusted his handsome cheekbones.
“I might be… rude, as you say, but your presence is of utmost importance to me! Where would I be, without my guiding star helping me on investigations, talking to the people? Most importantly, forcing me to feast on our morning eggs every day?” I chuckled lightly, attempting at humor, and to my relief a more open and genuine smile overtook my friend’s face. He sat himself down next to me, and laid a hand over my own, which lay still upon his arm.
“Thank you, Holmes.” he murmured, before pulling me into a tight embrace. “I think you’re an invaluable friend, too.”
I sat there, stunned for a good minute. To be held like this… I just couldn’t seem to recall when the last time had been. Gods above, I barely knew how to respond. I just sat there, warm in his embrace, my own arms hanging uselessly at my side. Oh, how I wished the moment would last. My usual distaste for human contact seemed to have entirely vanished, leaving only a growing warmth in my chest.
Comfort, a small voice in the back of my head supplied. It only made me bury my face deeper into the crook of my neck, breathing in his private scent.
“...our tea has grown rather cold, hasn’t it.” Mikotoba suddenly spoke, and I couldn’t help but snort as the tension around us broke. I shifted back into my seat as Mikotoba released me from his arms, and stared resolutely into the fire as the older man went and cleaned our cups for us. He turned in not much later, and I spent a great deal more time down at my perch, smoking my pipe and trying to figure out the latest conundrum that seemed to be taking place within my own heart.