Work Text:
At present, Holmes was exceedingly fatigued. He had perhaps been working a little too much of late, one complicated case after another. He was not yet “on the verge of an absolute breakdown”, as Watson generally described it, but he had reached his limit of tolerance for the world.
“I fear I must hide,” Holmes said simply, climbing out of the cab. “All this will not do.”
It was hardly a comprehensive explanation of his trouble. Still, Watson had known him for decades now, and nodded at once. “Yes, it has been quite an overwhelming day, or perhaps month is more accurate. I believe an evening in would do us both good.”
Holmes hummed in agreement, fidgeting with his cane in one hand as he paused to pat the cab horse with the other. Horses would always do.
Once they proceeded inside, Watson gestured for Holmes to sit in his armchair. He picked up Holmes’ favorite blanket and raised it. “I believe this would do you good, too.”
Holmes hummed once again. Watson stepped closer and wrapped the blanket around Holmes’ shoulders. He did so with great care not to otherwise touch him, for he was well aware that when always overwhelmed, Holmes often found being touched painful.
Thankfully, touching someone else was not painful, and Holmes patted Watson’s arm as thanks. The good doctor found the stimulation of contact soothing when strained, and he too had been working too much. Later, when Holmes was not so very overwhelmed, he would be certain to give Watson a long, firm hug. He could not do so now, but Watson beamed at him for even the brief touch.
As Watson poured drinks for them both, Holmes wrapped himself tighter in the blanket and leaned back, fingers caressing the crocheted weave. Mrs. Hudson had made this for him long ago, in warm greys and muted browns which did not offend the eyes even when he found the world to be too much.
The texture of it soothed him too, repeated stitches in a predictable pattern. Holmes stroked his fingers lightly across it, and savored the weight around his shoulders. He did not find hugs calming, but what Watson gained from hugs, Holmes enjoyed from his blanket.
Watson set a drink in reach, then relaxed into his own armchair. Holmes flicked a smile at him. An evening in would indeed do them both good.