holmes_minor | Fic: Moonlight on the sea: Gen

Title: Moonlight on the Sea
Rating: Gen
Length: 500
Notes: Inspired by Nocture in B flat major by Maria Szymanowska
Summary: Watson and Holmes take an evening ramble to the Sussex shore.

It was exactly the same, and yet it was wholly different.

It was exactly the same in the sense that Holmes and I had always enjoyed an evening ramble. In our former life, we had wandered the streets of London, talking and observing and thinking. We walked at a brisk urbane pace, and we savoured the city’s nocturnal life, sometimes as participants but more often than not, as mere spectators. So,it was exactly the same in that Holmes and I took an evening ramble.

It was very different in that Holmes and I no longer called the great metropolis ‘home.’ These days, we launched upon our evening ramble in rural Sussex from the back door of our cosy cottage. We no longer had pavement under our soles but rather bucolic soil under sturdy boots. Our pace was slower because of this, we assured ourselves, and not being of any inherent slowing of our natures due to age. But our pace was also slower because we were traveling with only our own lantern, when we chose to bring it, or the moon. No streetlamps were available or lights from homes or shops.

The sounds were different, of course, but nature can be boisterous, too, so it was never a silent night despite being so far from omnibuses and hansom cabs.

On the night I am thinking of, Holmes and I rambled out the back gate and over meadows toward the downs. I was surprised that we met no one on our journey. It was such a clear night. The moon was full and brightly shining, making our steps surer and swifter than they might have been.

Nevertheless, Holmes and I held each other tightly as we made our way down one particular stretch of steep, slippery slope. I have never been sure who was anchoring whom on these occasions, but we made it to the bottom with injury or mishap.

Then, at last, we were on the shore.

Moonlight on the sea is one of the loveliest sights imaginable. I soaked in the beauty of it and then went about my customary hunt for curious shells. I breathed in the air. It is trite to remark upon it, but, yes, so very different from London air, and so very much better! The breeze ruffled my hair, and I closed my eyes and smiled.

At one point, I noticed that Holmes had removed his boots and socks and had his bare feet in the tide. It was a warm summer night, so I followed suit.

It was romantic, walking along the shore, holding hands, boots tied and slung over our shoulders. I was looking for shells. Holmes was humming something pretty.

I saw one boat and wondered about its purpose. Holmes and I exchanged a glance, but neither of us proffered theories aloud as to its aim and operator. It was too lovely a night to think about smugglers or pirates.

Such a gorgeous night of sea, sand, and night’s silver sun.