Fic: In the Low Light of a Kitchen: G

[happyeverafter72]

Title: In the Low Light of a Kitchen
Wordcount: 241
Pairing: Holmes/Watson
Rating: G
Author's Notes: A moment of calm affection in the kitchen of a cottage in Sussex


In the low light of a kitchen in Sussex, the retired detective waited for his doctor to return. He clasped a mug of tea in front of him on the table, a pencil and the paper lying by his elbow, the crossword long since completed. He smiled when he heard the garden gate click. His knees creaked slightly when he got up, too long spent in one position.

He smiled softly when his lover came through the door, laden with shopping bags. “Your trip to the village was successful, my dear?”

“Yes, I got everything we need,” the doctor replied. “Did you do what you wanted to?”

The detective nodded, taking one of the bags. “I began work on my new monograph and completed the crossword. Would you like some tea?”

“I would love some,” the doctor said as they made their way into the kitchen.

He watched the detective in the golden light, his soft, grey hair tinged with the colour of the light. He smiled to himself, moving to switch on the gramophone and then to wrap his arms around his lover’s waist.

“I love you,” he whispered, softly kissing the detective’s cheek. “Will you dance with me?”

Leaving the tea preparation, the detective turned and wrapped his arms around his doctor. They swayed to the music, their feet tracing a pattern on the floor. Quietly, the detective began to sing, a song about love and peace and happiness.

Comments

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Aw. A lovely Sussex scene! Thanks for sharing. Love the detail about the crossword. These two are so romantic!

[happyeverafter72]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[smallhobbit]

That's lovely - a sweet retirement scene.

Welcome to the comm. I've added an author tag for you.

[happyeverafter72]

That's great. Thank you!

[scfrankles]

What a sweet and peaceful interpretation of the prompt. I particularly loved that little detail of Holmes's knees creaking in an echo of the clicking of the gate ^___^

And echoing Small Hobbit - welcome to the community!

[happyeverafter72]

Thank you! Fluff is what I do. And thanks for the welcome too. I'm planning on doing all the monthlies this year.

[gardnerhill]

Awwwwwww.

And of course Sherlock Holmes would love that brand-new 1920s game, the crossword puzzle.

[happyeverafter72]

Thank you! Of course he would love crosswords, although they certainly wouldn't always be clever enough for him.

[ingridmatthews]

How sweet! So nice and comforting.

And I thought this community was for 'canon' ACD only, but I'm glad to see that H/W is allowed. So thank you for correcting my error.

[happyeverafter72]

Thank you! I think by 'canon' they mean that the characters should recognisably be those from the canon, rather than any other version.

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Hi, as part of the Snowflake Challenge, I remixed this into poetic form. This is a rondeau, which is a French form.

In the low light of a Sussex kitchen, there’s a table, a mug of tea.
At the table’s sat, round the cup is clasped, an old sleuth waiting, patiently.
By the elbow, there’s pencil and paper, a crossword puzzle completed.
Beneath the table, there’s a latent creak sleeping in a knee long-seated.
Outside, a garden gate clinks in its way, and in its way, a heraldry.

At last, the forbearing hour is over, first, there’s homecoming pleasantry,
then aid, in burden halved and proffered tea, then follows the inquiry,
and, thus, laden with shopping bags, a prodigal love is greeted
in the low light of a Sussex kitchen.

Distracted by the gold in silver crown, the old doctor smiles tenderly,
then sets to work on the old gramophone, which fills the ether musically.
In the air, there’s declaration of love, an invitation entreated,
on the floor, a pattern traced by old feet, bodies swaying un-conceited.
and as they dance, the old sleuth sings of love; he sings of love to love, does he,
in the low light of a Sussex kitchen.

[happyeverafter72]

This is so beautiful! I'm absolutely thrilled that you did this from my little scene. I love it.

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Thank you! I liked the opening line so much, it suggested a rondeau, and when I delved into it the rest came fairly easily, so kudos to you for writing so poetic a scene!