Classic Sherlock Holmes fanworks exchange

This is wonderfully atmospheric and lovely -- your versions of the characters are so delicately drawn. I love that first boxing scene and Holmes's gentle warning to Watson not to try to express his love through that kind of risk, as Holmes's priorities might lie elsewhere (and I love Watson's overflowing faith in Holmes's talent seeking new ways of public expression -- he is just so smitten!) And throughout I like both Watson's passion and his insecurity, they feel very real for a new relationship which, by necessity, lies outside the socially sanctioned modes of commitment and social/legal recognition. It feels right to me that Watson might miss those markers/rituals/reassurances of courtship and marriage in a way that Holmes does not. Holmes never questions his power to fascinate, but Watson of course doubts his own long-term attractions to a mind like Holmes's. I liked the way you wrote that slight tension running through the relationship.

I also enjoyed the academic mystery, and that the prize was of historic rather than monetary value. Very unusual and interesting! But I hope the professor who commissioned that theft sleeps poorly for the rest of his days -- he could very, very easily have killed a lot of people with those stratagems to stop the trains.

And of course, the professor who carried out his commission seems ominously familiar :)

Thanks so much for this lovely tale!