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[lightconductor]

If you have a message for me, Dr. John Watson, please leave it here. I shall certainly get back to you as soon as I can.
- JW

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[pineapplesalmon]

Going back is always inevitable.

"You and I are of the same mind." César sits down in his chair, now pulled near the table so he can serve them both. "It has the feel of my ancestral home. Very different in many aspects, but similar in that it had life to it."

[lightconductor]

Watson laughs, just a little. "You have an ancestral home. I don't know what to make of that. We're all rather on equal footing here, and sometimes I forget that you and I were of quite different classes."

[pineapplesalmon]

"I'm only wealthy on my father's side. My mother's side was middle class, which caused quite a stir when father married someone only he considered his equal. I wouldn't exist if my father had bought into that bull. Both of them made sure that the luck of my birth didn't go to my head and that having such opportunities meant that I had the obligation to give back." César has opinions, and it's not often he talks about... his past.

But he's married. There's safety in that. He's feeling nostalgic.

[lightconductor]

"Ah. I do like a story like that. Romantic. Thoughtful of them."

Watson sighs a little. "We had money, for a while, when I was growing up. But what there was is long since gone. What my father did not fritter away, my poor brother did. There was enough to get me through school, for which I'm thankful, but nothing beyond that."

[pineapplesalmon]

César nods and smiles. Of course, there's a whole terrible side to it, but Watson already knows about how his father had to flee for his life and found their mother that way. Love and life find a way.

"Your poor brother, indeed." César agrees solemnly. "Enough to get you through school, but not enough to open a practice. Business takes capital."

[lightconductor]

"And thus, the army. Thus, this."

He rubs his temples, but shakes his head after a moment. "But there's no point in agonising about it. None of my life turned out as I wanted, but... my life would have been very different indeed if I'd had money. Easier, but... perhaps less exciting."

[pineapplesalmon]

"You wouldn't have met Holmes, for one." César states with a soft laugh. "Or Mary."

Both of their names are said with affection.

[lightconductor]

"Sometimes it all seems such a remarkable coincidence. Makes one believe in Fate." Watson shakes his head. "Though it's all rather academic a question. None of that can be my life anymore, it seems."

[pineapplesalmon]

"Indeed, it makes one wonder, even as we grieve for what we no longer have." César hears his alarm go off and removes the strainers from the tea as he speaks, then he looks up with a sad smile as he offers Watson his tea cup and saucer. "But I look in your eyes and find peace."

[lightconductor]

Watson takes the cup gratefully, smiling. "You've been listening to me too much, if you have sentimental nonsense like that coming out of your mouth." But he's glad for it all the same, and his fingers briefly caress César's as the tea is transferred. "I love you."

[pineapplesalmon]

César smiles as he holds his hands still to let that caress linger for as long as possible. "I love you, too." He laughs. "But poor Johnny. He's married to two sentimental fools. How ever will he survive?"

[lightconductor]

He settles back with his cup of tea. "We can only hope he secretly enjoys it. Otherwise, I don't know what we are to do." A small laugh. "He's rather stuck with the two of us now, after all."

[pineapplesalmon]

César picks up his own cup; he's letting it cool before he drinks it but enjoys the warmth in the meantime. Also, for the record, he totally stole this tea set at the end of the excursion so Watson could have proper English tea whenever he wants because he deserves it.

"He is quite stuck with us, isn't he?" César quips back, grinning widely. "He more than secretly enjoys it. I should start writing him some purple prose and see how much I can make him groan while smiling."

[lightconductor]

What a very sweet gesture for the odd occasion where he wants tea instead of his usual coffee.

"If you take up writing, you will have to let me see, of course. Poetry or prose?"

[pineapplesalmon]

Or when he offers tea for someone who needs a listening ear. César keeps his tea things mostly in the room for that reason.

"Prose, of course. I want Johnny to be able to breathe and not die from laughter."

[lightconductor]

Watson chuckles, warmly. "We don't want that, do we?"

He stretches, rubbing at his leg idly. "As fine as this place is, I admit the weather is a bit cold and wet for my taste, even with the help of the fireplace."

[pineapplesalmon]

"We wouldn't."

César's replies back, before he can stop himself. "I'm certain I can help warm you up if you'd like."

He freezes, deer in headlights, then smiles dumbly and innocently.

[lightconductor]

He guffaws, in a sudden burst of laughter. "Come here. Come sit with me. Your warmth and presence is always a gift." He extends his free hand in invitation, shifting slightly on the sofa.

[pineapplesalmon]

César laughs, too. He stands up and takes Watson's hand, carefully carrying his tea saucer in the other. The smile across his face is radiant.

"Just throw your legs over mine if you need to stretch out."

[lightconductor]

"Oh, I think I rather like the idea of my feet in your lap."

It feels cosy and comfortable, and indulgently lazy, which is perfect for his current mood.

[pineapplesalmon]

"I will even rub your feet if they are in my lap. I like cooler tea, so you'll have my hands to yourself for several minutes." César is feeling just as indulgent.

[lightconductor]

"Oh, true luxury," he chuckles. "Well. If you plan to spoil me in this way, make yourself comfortable, and I will."

[pineapplesalmon]

"Then I shall." César puts down his tea and does just that, making sure he's right where he needs to be, and putting a pillow between them to support behind Watson's knees.

[lightconductor]

Watson shifts comfortably, feet up, and he lets out a sigh of pure contentment.

"Thank you," he says. "I know I can be an absolute bear when I hurt, but... this does make things easier."

[pineapplesalmon]

César smiles indulgently at him as he begins to massage his right foot, gently to start. "You're welcome. And I don't mind." He looks down at the foot he's rubbing. "You're kind to me when I need it, so it's easy to do in turn."