Housebound

[capt_facepalm]

Title: Housebound
Author: capt_facepalm
Rating: PG
Fandom: Sherlock Holmes (Gaslight ACD)
Characters: Sherlock Holmes, Dr Watson
Summary: Fresh air and exercise
Warning: (over-simplified psychology)
Word Count: 100
Author's Notes: July 2nd 2020 prompt: Phobias Redux

.oOOo.

‘Watson, you've been complaining about being housebound all winter. It’s a nice day. Join me for a walk.’

The weather outside our windows looked promising. People were going about their business, clearly enjoying the turn of the season.

‘I don’t think so. I haven’t the energy.’

‘That’s what you said yesterday. And the day before. You just need fresh air and exercise,’ he said, retrieving my coat.

‘Very well.’

Holmes helped me don my coat, but as I reached our threshold, I knew I could not leave. I returned my coat to its hook and I returned to my chair.

.oOOo.

Please sign the guestbook

---

Supplementary Notes: Agoraphobia is the fear of leaving home and/or the feeling of being unsafe in public spaces. Watson is mildly afflicted after a series of illnesses and slow recoveries.

Comments

[mafief]

Poor Watson. A change in routine can be hard.

[capt_facepalm]

Agreed. A person can become conditioned to their circumstances, and it can be hard to break the cycle.

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Agoraphobia is something that can creep up on you, as I have discovered in recent years (and months!). I hope Watson finds the courage and support to overcome his fear.

[capt_facepalm]

*nods* I absolutely can relate considering the recent months. Perhaps that is why I responded to the phobia prompt as I did. I did not have to go looking very far for sources.

[methylviolet10b]

Oh, OUCH. Full points for the Watsonian woe here.

[capt_facepalm]

Woe is my default. Although the Crack!Fairy may show up sometime!

[debriswoman]

Poor Watson...Holmes will have to be patient.

[capt_facepalm]

Thanks! Surely Holmes is wise enough to sense that this is a real problem.

[gardnerhill]

Poor Watson. And living in an age where such Phobias were usually dismissed as "cowardice," I can imagine he'd feel extra wretched about this.

[capt_facepalm]

Yes, poor Watson. He understands his physical limitations quite well and is accepting of them. He is utterly confounded my his mental state.