History Heartwarming / SherlockHolmes

* After hearing the truly tragic story of the titular lady in "The Veiled Lodger" Holmes and Watson are silent for some time.
--> Then Holmes stretched out his long arm and patted her hand with such a show of sympathy as I had seldom known him to exhibit.

** The ending reveals that Violet and Cyril, newly married, are taking care of little Sarah Carruthers until her father is released, implying that Violet has forgiven him for his part in the affair; and thanks to Holmes making a speech on his behalf at the trial, Carruthers only gets six months in prison for shooting Woodley. Especially heart warming concerning Cyril, who hasn't even met the girl before and yet agrees to take her in right after the wedding for six months.

** The ending reveals that Violet and Cyril, newly married, are taking care of little Sarah Carruthers until her father is released, implying that Violet has forgiven him for his part in the affair; and thanks to Holmes making a speech on his behalf at the trial, Carruthers only gets six months in prison. Especially heartwarming concerning Cyril, who hasn't even met the girl before and yet agrees to take her in right after the wedding for six months.

** The ending reveals that Violet and Cyril, newly married, are taking care of little Sarah Carruthers until her father is released. Especially heartwarming concerning Cyril, who hasn't even met the girl before and yet agrees to take her in right after the wedding for six months.

* In Creator/StephenKing's short story "[[Literature/NightmaresAndDreamscapes The Doctor's Case]]", Holmes is investigating the murder of an AssholeVictim who was also a devoted cat-lover -- which, as Holmes is unfortunately allergic to cats, means he's somewhat off his game. This leads to Watson eventually discovering the critical clue which blows the case wide open, leading him to deliver TheSummation. However, a chance comment from Holmes after he's finished leads Watson to realise that Holmes had, if not solved the case first, then had at least figured it out not long after Watson had started explaining -- but deliberately kept quiet so that Watson could have a turn to shine for once.

* Though its backstory, the explanation of the crime opens with a description of a man in the desert who can't find water and realizes that he's about to die. Then we find out that he's carrying a little girl who had lost her mother, who had also been on the expedition. He comforts her with the fact that she'll see her mother soon, and they fall asleep in each other's arms. When they're saved by a caravan, he resolves to adopt her. Even when he's not writing mystery, Doyle was a good writer.

** At the end of the story, he calls her a brave woman when she decides not to take her life after all.

* In "Film/DressedToKill", Holmes and Watson find a little girl bound and gagged inside a cupboard after the former hears her kicking the wall to get help. Holmes carries her out upon discovering her, and proceeds to comfort her in a fatherly way even before he and Watson untie her. Holmes continues to try and comfort her after she tells them of the theft of her music box, and it's really adorable how he fits into the role of doting father so easily despite being socially awkward. When Holmes decides to investigate further, he tells Watson to look after the girl until her, and the Watson makes a really adorable attempt to cheer her up after Holmes leaves.

* In ''The Dying Detective'', we see Watson ready to go to any lengths to save his friend's life, even if it means catching Holmes' disease and possibly dying himself. For his part, Holmes has a FreakOut when he sees Watson touching a box on his mantlepiece; we later find out that the box contained the disease and would have killed him.

* In "The Adventure of the Dying Detective", Holmes has to pretend to be ill with a deadly disease, and has to fool Watson to keep up the charade. When it's over, Holmes explains to Watson as he apologizes.
--> '''Holmes''': You won't be offended, Watson? You will realize that among your many talents dissimulation finds no place, and if you had shared my secret you would never have been able to impress Smith with the urgent necessity of his presence.
*** And when Watson asked Holmes why he wouldn't let him examine him if he wasn't actually sick:
--> '''Holmes''': Can you ask, my dear Watson? Do you imagine that I have no respect for your medical talents? Could I fancy that your astute judgment pass a dying man who, however weak, had no rise of pulse or temperature? At four yards I could deceive you.

%%Organized by book. Please put your examples under the correct heading and [[ExampleIndentation indent correctly]].

* The initial interview with the young lady in "The Solitary Cyclist." Her story seems odd, but seemingly frivolous, to Holmes and he is about to dismiss her until this very frightened lady finally spits out why ultimately she came to the detective. Namely, she is being followed by a mysterious and threatening stranger in an isolated road. Suddenly, Holmes is all business and intently listening to every detail with the woman finally getting the load off her mind knowing the greatest of the detectives is on the case.

--->"You know a conjurer gets no credit when once he has explained his trick; and if I show you too much of my method of working, you will come to the conclusion that I am a very ordinary individual after all.”
--->“I shall never do that,” I answered; “you have brought detection as near an exact science as it ever will be brought in this world.”
--->My companion flushed up with pleasure at my words, and the earnest way in which I uttered them. I had already observed that he was as sensitive to flattery on the score of his art as any girl could be of her beauty.
* Though it's backstory, the explanation of the crime opens with a description of a man in the desert who can't find water and realizes that he's about to die. Then we find out that he's carrying a little girl who had lost her mother, who had also been on the expedition. He comforts her with the fact that she'll see her mother soon, and they fall asleep in each other's arms. When they're saved by a caravan, he resolves to adopt her. Even when he's not writing mystery, Doyle was a good writer.

--->"Because you are within my reach again," I said, taking her hand. She did not withdraw it. "Because I love you, Mary, as truly as ever a man loved a woman. Because this treasure, these riches, sealed my lips. Now that they are gone I can tell you how I love you. That is why I said, 'Thank God.'"
--->"Then I say 'Thank God,' too," she whispered as I drew her to my side.
--->Whoever had lost a treasure, I knew that night that I had gained one.

* In "Film/DressedtoKill", Holmes and Watson find a little girl bound and gagged inside a cupboard after the former hears her kicking the wall to get help. Holmes carries her out upon discovering her, and proceeds to comfort her in a fatherly way even before he and Watson untie her. Holmes continues to try and comfort her after she tells them of the theft of her music box, and it's really adorable how he fits into the role of doting father so easily despite being socially awkward. When Holmes decides to investigate further, he tells Watson to look after the girl until her, and the Watson makes a really adorable attempt to cheer her up after Holmes leaves.

** FriendtoAllChildren: Holmes and Watson. They're so adorable when they try to comfort the distressed child who was bound and gagged all so her music box could be stolen; Holmes clearly doesn't like that a little child was traumatized before being robbed, not due to the case, but because he clearly has a HiddenHeartofGold.

** FriendtoAll Children: Holmes and Watson. They're so adorable when they try to comfort the distressed child who was bound and gagged all so her music box could be stolen; Holmes clearly doesn't like that a little child was traumatized before being robbed, not due to the case, but because he clearly has a HiddenHeartof Gold.

** Friend toAllChildren: Holmes and Watson. They're so adorable when they try to comfort the distressed child who was bound and gagged all so her music box could be stolen; Holmes clearly doesn't like that a little child was traumatized before being robbed, not due to the case, but because he clearly has a HiddenHeart ofGold.

** FriendtoAllChildren: Holmes and Watson. They're so adorable when they try to comfort the distressed child who was bound and gagged all so her music box could be stolen; Holmes clearly doesn't like that a little child was traumatized before being robbed, not due to the case, but because he clearly has a HiddenHeartofGold.

*** What [[MomentOfClarity breaks Watson's horror-struck state]] and steels him to get out of the poisonous fumes? Seeing Holmes looking like the victims previously killed by the same method.

** Another ''The Empty House'' example: Holmes and Watson's conversation after Watson woke up from fainting due to Holmes' sudden reveal of being, y'know, [[NotQuiteDead alive]]. It's an incredibly sweet moment, as they're both concerned for the other's wellbeing in their own sorts of ways...

* Though it's backstory, the explanation of the crime opens with a description of a man in the desert who can't find water and resolves that he's about to die. Then we find out that he's carrying a little girl whose mom was part of their expedition and died. He comforts her with the fact that she'll see her mother soon, and they fall asleep in each other's arms. When they're saved by a caravan, he resolves to adopt her. Even when he's not writing mystery, Doyle was a good writer.
* John Farrier and Lucy. He looked after her in terrible conditions, even adopting her once they were rescued and settled with the Mormons. And he was willing to kill, and to die, to protect her. The fact Doyle took the time to establish that Lucy had grown into a happy young woman and that her father was a decent man made the whole business even worse.

* In ''The Dying Detective'', we see Watson ready to go to any lengths to save his friend's life, even if it means catching Holmes' disease and possibly dying himself. For his part, Holmes has a FreakOut when he sees Watson touching a box on his mantlepiece; we later find out that [[spoiler:the box contained the disease and would have killed him]].

*** What breaks Watson's horror-struck state and steels him to get out of the poisonous fumes? Seeing Holmes looking like the victims previously killed by the same method.

* In ''Film/SherlockHolmesFacesDeath'' it is revealed that the culprit [[spoiler: Dr Sexton]] was murdering the Musgraves in hopes of inheriting their estate, which abiding by a newly discovered ancient document could be worth millions. [[spoiler: Sally]] is left the remaining inheritor, but realising that people living and working in the estate could lose their livelihoods if it was confirmed, burns the document without a second thought. Holmes later laments to Watson how impressed he was by this blunt act of selflessness, hoping it to be a sign of better times:

* ''A Study in Scarlet'': Holmes being taken aback and flattered at Watson's praise of his detective skills, contrasting sharply with Lestrade and Gregson alternately sneering at his ideas and being resentful when he is right.

** And then later that same day:

** Though it's backstory, the explanation of the crime opens with a description of a man in the desert who can't find water and resolves that he's about to die. Then we find out that he's carrying a little girl whose mom was part of their expedition and died. He comforts her with the fact that she'll see her mother soon, and they fall asleep in each other's arms. When they're saved by a caravan, he resolves to adopt her. Even when he's not writing mystery, Doyle was a good writer.

* ''The Sign of the Four'': Holmes plays Watson to sleep with his violin.
** Watson and Mary holding hands outside Pondicherry Lodge, and confessing their love for each other, also after they open the jewel-box, with an especially touching speech by Watson:

* ''The Three Garridebs'': When Watson is shot, we see what may be [[TheStoic the only instance in the canon]] of Holmes truly shaken. "You're not hurt, Watson? For God's sake, say that you are not hurt!"
** Watson's commentary clinches it:
---> It was worth a wound -- it was worth many wounds -- to know the depth of loyalty and love which lay behind that cold mask. The clear, hard eyes were dimmed for a moment, and the firm lips were shaking. For the one and only time I caught a glimpse of a great heart as well as of a great brain. All my years of humble but single-minded service culminated in that moment of revelation.
** And, just to wrap it all up, we have this:
---> "By the Lord, it is as well for you. If you had killed Watson, [[BewareTheQuietOnes you would not have gotten out of this room alive]]..."
* ''The Devil's Foot'': Surprisingly, the scene in which Holmes and Watson [[ProfessorGuineaPig test Holmes' theory about the titular substance on themselves]] provides a couple.
** What breaks Watson's horror-struck state and steels him to get out of the poisonous fumes? Seeing Holmes looking like the victims previously killed by the same method.
** Holmes loses his composure after Watson has saved them both from the titular drug/nerve gas and admits that he should never have subjected his friend to it.
* The ending of ''The Yellow Face'' when Grant Munro decides to adopt his wife's biracial daughter into the family.

* ''The Empty House'': Holmes explains that part of the reason he chose to reveal himself now is because he learned of the death of Watson's wife, and "Work is the best antidote to sorrow, my dear Watson."
** The entire first half, where Watson tries his own detective work. Just... bless him.
** Another ''The Empty House'' example: Holmes and Watson's conversation after Watson woke up from fainting due to Holmes' sudden reveal of being, y'know, [[NotQuiteDead alive]]. It's an incredibly sweet moment, as they're both concerned for the other's wellbeing in their own sorts of ways...
*** Also in that scene is the fact that Holmes ''apologizes'' to Watson when he makes Watson faint.
* ''The Six Napoleons'' where Lestrade and Holmes are finally reconciled.
--> "'We're not jealous of you at Scotland Yard. No sir, we are very proud of you, and if you come down tomorrow, there's not a man from the oldest inspector to the youngest constable who wouldn't be glad to shake you by the hand.' 'Thank you!' said Holmes and as he turned away it seemed to me that he was more nearly moved by the softer human emotions than I had ever seen him.
** Not to mention Holmes getting all soft-hearted when Watson and Lestrade heartily applaud after he presents the pearl.
* ''The Solitary Cyclist'': Carruthers throws the entire evil plan away out of love for Violet in his confession
* At the end of ''The Blue Carbuncle'', which takes place during Christmastime, Holmes and Watson finally corner the man who stole the jewel. After admitting everything and falling completely apart for guilt, Holmes, seeing that jail would ruin his mental state completely, [[LetOffByTheDetective lets the culprit go free]].
* ''A Scandal in Bohemia'': Holmes tells Watson, "I am lost without my Boswell."
* In ''The Lion's Mane'', Holmes is on his own, having retired and moved to the country while Watson stayed in London. They see each other on weekends, but it's clear that the detective misses his Boswell.
* In ''The Man with the Twisted Lip'', where Watson goes to retrieve a patient from an opium den and runs into Holmes there. It's quickly revealed that Holmes was only working a case, but Watson's initial freakout shows how much he cares about his prickly partner.
* John Farrier and Lucy in ''A Study In Scarlet''. He looked after her in terrible conditions, even adopting her once they were rescued and settled with the Mormons. And he was willing to kill, and to die, to protect her. The fact Doyle took the time to establish that Lucy had grown into a happy young woman and that her father was a decent man made the whole business even worse.
* In ''The Dying Detective'', we see Watson ready to go to any lengths to save his friend's life, even if it means catching Holmes' disease and possibly dying himself. For his part, Holmes has a FreakOut when he sees Watson touching a box on his mantlepiece; we later find out that [[spoiler:the box contained the disease and would have killed him]].

No use hiding those tears, [[TheWatson Watson]].

-->"You know a conjurer gets no credit when once he has explained his trick; and if I show you too much of my method of working, you will come to the conclusion that I am a very ordinary individual after all.”
-->“I shall never do that,” I answered; “you have brought detection as near an exact science as it ever will be brought in this world.”
-->My companion flushed up with pleasure at my words, and the earnest way in which I uttered them. I had already observed that he was as sensitive to flattery on the score of his art as any girl could be of her beauty.

-->''"Because you are within my reach again," I said, taking her hand. She did not withdraw it. "Because I love you, Mary, as truly as ever a man loved a woman. Because this treasure, these riches, sealed my lips. Now that they are gone I can tell you how I love you. That is why I said, 'Thank God.'"''
--> ''"Then I say 'Thank God,' too," she whispered as I drew her to my side.''
--> ''Whoever had lost a treasure, I knew that night that I had gained one.''

--> It was worth a wound -- it was worth many wounds -- to know the depth of loyalty and love which lay behind that cold mask. The clear, hard eyes were dimmed for a moment, and the firm lips were shaking. For the one and only time I caught a glimpse of a great heart as well as of a great brain. All my years of humble but single-minded service culminated in that moment of revelation.

--> "By the Lord, it is as well for you. If you had killed Watson, [[BewareTheQuietOnes you would not have gotten out of this room alive]]..."

-->''"I don’t like it, Holmes."''\\
''"My dear fellow, you shall keep watch in the street. I’ll do the criminal part. It’s not a time to stick at trifles. Think of Mycroft’s note, of the Admiralty, the Cabinet, the exalted person who waits for news. We are bound to go."''\\
''My answer was to rise from the table.''\\
''"You are right, Holmes. We are bound to go."''\\
''He sprang up and shook me by the hand.''\\
''"I knew you would not shrink at the last," said he, and for a moment I saw something in his eyes which was nearer to tenderness than I had ever seen. The next instant he was his masterful, practical self once more.''

* The finale of ''Blue Carbuncle''. The RunningGag of Watson never getting a chance to sit down and eat while Holmes is working a case has been well established. They just solved the mystery and are about to sit down to eat at midnight, having not eaten all day, when Watson refuses to eat - he cannot in good conscience sit down for Christmas Dinner when he knows that there is an innocent man in prison they have the means to clear. The final scene of the episode of Jack Horner being released from prison and reunited with his family.