Wow! I can only second everything liederlady has said. I loved your first fic and this is just…a-effin’-mazing. I mean you have written a very settled in and settled together Holmes and Watson! Your characterization of them both is so..very..ACD. The way you make Holmes struggle and hesitate as he tells Watson the truth is truly Holmes. Your writing and description of the environment around them, the sound of the bees, even the light coming into the cottage so picturesque! This was very well written and a delightful read! Thanks for this insight into their lives.

This makes me wish I could transform into a bee who managed to escape the drudgery of my particular hive and live my solitary life on the wall of their cottage. Just listening to these two bickering would provide sustenance enough.

I am always pleased beyond description when John Watson is rendered as such an intelligent fellow. We, of course, know that he is. It amazes me that anyone could imagine a man as impatient, arrogant and sarcastic as Sherlock Holmes could suffer a fool as a flat-mate. Rather, he would require someone as brilliant, albeit in a less showy manner, as himself. Watson is brilliant–even ‘conductors of light’ possess a glow of their own.

And speaking of glowing–your talent with imagery is exquisite. The split-second description of the door to the cottage, lined in a golden glow from the hearth within, was subtle yet masterful. Beautiful, beautiful work. What a lovely way to begin a year!

‘”They work very hard in accordance with their nature and something astonishing and strange is the result. I am what I am. I hope that you can love me all the same.”’

Superb, and really epitomises your Holmes.