I'm very flattered that you feel I write with subtlety! I like to work tight -- pretty short stories, fairly to the point, but I try to get the details I'd like in there without just screaming them.

I am not totally sure myself what Holmes chooses to do at the end. I kind of thought he really might just send Watson away for his own good. But your take on it is just as likely since he really does need that support whether or not he wishes to admit it. I'm pretty happy with the ambiguity I left it with. :) This may be my favorite thing I've written so far, even as dark as it is.