July 24 - Done In

[pompey_01]

Title: Done In

Author: Pompey

Universe: ACD

Rating:G

Warnings: none

Word count: 600

Summary: Just some good ol' fashioned whumpage with a side of comfort.

Prompt: July 24 – So tired it hurts. 

______________________________________________________________________________

With an effort, I managed to keep my sigh from turning into a groan as I sat. I had no idea how many miles of Suffolk countryside we had traversed on Holmes' most recent case but I had no doubt the number had double digits. Every joint from waist to toe ached fiercely, particularly my wounded leg. My back was complaining mightily from the constant stooping and bending over tracks and potential clues. Even my arms were sore from carrying the rucksack of supplies. Ascending the stairs of the local inn to our room had been a small torture. It was a mark of just how weary I was that I could barely accept the cup of tea Holmes handed me.

 

"I've asked for hot water to be sent up," said he, "but in the meantime, have you any objection if I used up the available water for a quick wash?"

 

I managed to shake my head and concentrated not dropping my tea cup. Somehow I managed, though I cannot swear I did not drop off to sleep. Certainly it seemed less than a minute before there was a knock on the door. I took a deep breath to steel myself against the pains standing would bring me. However, Holmes hurried past me with his collar undone and face still wet to answer.

 

"Best you bathe now, Watson, before the water cools," Holmes commented after depositing the water into the little side room.

 

"What about you?"

 

Holmes merely set about pouring himself tea. "I've banished the worst of the grime and I will see to having supper sent up. Besides, if you wait any longer you'll be falling asleep where you sit."

 

I considered arguing but decided against it. It would take far too much energy and at any rate, I knew Holmes was right. I made it to my feet and when I entered, found that Holmes had already laid out my nightclothes with dressing gown and slippers. There was a bathtub, so small it was more of a wash tub, but I eschewed it. Regardless of what Holmes said, I had no intentions of using more than half the hot water. My friend was no less deserving of it than I. So I told myself, though my motives were not entirely magnanimous: I simply did not know if I had ability to stay awake for a proper bath.

 

I re-entered the main room a good deal cleaner and more tired than I had been when I left it. The innkeeper had sent up a ploughman's lunch, which, to my surprise, Holmes had already begun to eat. The surprise was mutual, for his eyebrows shot up as I entered.

 

"You could not possibly have bathed that quickly."

 

"No quicker than you," I retorted, "and there is plenty of hot water left."

 

"You needn't," Holmes began, but suddenly gave me a long, searching look and did not finish his sentence. Instead, he stood and tossed down his napkin. "I daresay the water will cool faster than the cheese will warm."

 

The door closed behind me and I considered the meal before me. I was hungry, yes, but so sore and sleepy was I that any other needs paled. Besides, Holmes had wished to catch the early train tomorrow morning. Instead, I crawled into bed and was nearly asleep by the time I had arranged my aching limbs into a comfortable position.

 

I awoke slightly, however, when I felt the weight of a blanket draped over me and the lights in the room dimmed accommodatingly.