Fic: Birdwatching: Gen

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Title: Birdwatching
Rating: Gen
Length: 300
Notes: Sussex AU
Summary: Watson gives voice to something he's been wondering for a while


“…no, I’m mistaken, the crest is different, not markedly different, mind you, but different, Watson, if you would consult our valuable resource, The British Birdwatchers Journal and Guide, if I’m not confused on page forty-three…”

“Holmes.”

Something in my tone made him drop his binoculars and turn his attention to me.

“Yes?”

“Do you enjoy birdwatching?”
“It’s a very respectable hobby for a gentleman of advanced years who had retired to the Sussex countryside.”

“Yes, yes, but do you, truly, like it?”

Holmes frowned. His gaze wandered from mine, and he fell into a short but contemplative silence.
I thought about Holmes’ announcement, made so long ago in our Baker Street rooms, that he would retire to the countryside and take up beekeeping. Along with texts on the apiary science, there appeared books on ornithology, too, but while Holmes would, on occasion, wax poetic about hives and the nature of bees, he never mentioned birds. He did, however, invest heavily in several sets of binoculars, always bought in pairs. Indeed, we were in possession of the most advanced instruments that could be found in London. It was a question that had risen in my chest from time to time; and now, listening to Holmes on this sunny day in late winter, I finally gave voice to my pondering.

“No,” he replied finally. “I don’t give a dash about that feathered thing’s crest.”

“Then why are we here?” I asked good-naturedly.

“Because I think something very sinister is happening at the Banyon farm, just over there.”

“Birdwatching is an excellent cover for snooping and spying on one’s rural neighbours.”

Holmes turned slightly pink, then raised one eyebrow and shot me a look.

“Thank you for trusting me with the truth, my good man,” I said. “As always, I am with you.”

Comments

[debriswoman]

Oh, well done , Watson!

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Yes, a bit of prolonged deduction on his part, but he got there.

[smallhobbit]

Such a respectable occupation for a retired gentleman - the perfect excuse for visiting all sorts of out of the way places.

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Of course, I stole the idea from Miss Marple!

[acorn_squash]

I just love how long it took for Holmes to admit that

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Yeah, and that (in my mind) it probably took Watson at least a couple of years to put it all together.

[gardnerhill]

There's plenty of birds-and-bees going on in Sussex already, without adding birdwatching to the beekeeping.

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Very true!

[scfrankles]

It is kind of poignant that even though after all these years, Holmes is still keeping the details of cases close to his chest, Watson doesn't judge him for it. Just completely accepts that's the way Holmes is and offers to help ^_^

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Yes, and Watson still figures it out with (a long) time. The idea that Holmes might be planning this retirement diversion for a while despite his prejudices again the rural area.