Title: Undeserved
Fandom: Sherlock Holmes (ACD canon)
Rating: PG
Length: 385
Summary: Holmes has just come back from death. Watson takes care of him.


As soon as Holmes and I had eaten after the successful capture of Colonel Moran, I insisted that he have a bath. He agreed, requesting that I join him.

“I have missed you, my dear,” he said softly. “I have so often longed to have you hold me and care for me as you always do.”

I smiled. “Of course, I shall join you, my love. I have missed you terribly and longed for the same things.”

We set up the bathtub behind a screen and the page set to bringing up pails of hot water from the kitchen. The affair took quite a long time, but at last the tub was full. We both stripped and settled ourselves in the tub. I was behind Holmes, my legs on either side of his hips. He relaxed back against me with a contented sigh, and I wrapped my arms around his waist. For some time, we just sat there, enjoying the intimacy. It was comforting to feel the rise and fall of his abdomen as he breathed, tangible evidence that he really lived and had come back to me.

“Would you like me to wash you?” I asked.

“Please,” he replied.

I took up the soap and worked up a lather. Carefully, I massaged the suds over his back, then reached around to do the same for his chest and belly. I then worked down each arm, from shoulder to fingertips. When I was finished, I guided him down into the water. He looked up at me, and I was surprised to see tears shining on his cheeks.

“Whatever are you crying for?” I asked, caressing his cheeks with my thumbs.

“I do not deserve this,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “I have hurt you so badly, John. I do not deserve your forgiveness or your love, though I have been so presumptuous to ask for both.”

I shook my head. “You silly man. Yes, you hurt me, but do you think I care for you so little that it makes any difference? I understand why you did what you did. You have come back to me, and that is the most important thing.”

He let out a shaky breath. “Thank you.”

“Now, let me wash your hair. Then we shall go to bed.”