This beautiful art, “3 Years” by Marie inspired an 8k reunion story I’ve titled “Three Years” in its honour. It is a loving story where things went quite differently than what we know. The way I would have liked to see. Sharing today because I really need something to smile about. I’m tagging some people who might like to give it a try.
And what an amazing one it is. This is the reunion we all hoped for. This is how it should have been. Made me constantly switch between a heart bursting of happiness and crying ugly tears because of all the feels…
Go read if you haven’t yet. Give your Reichenbach-bruised heart some healing.
Fluff has jumped in to save the day writing Sherlock’s POV letters … as correspondence to John’s letter at the end of T6T!
After spending the majority of the week (and this past weekend) attempting to write not 6 but 7 versions of what happened next … I decided I was stuck in John’s head still, and here Fluff has Sherlock’s voice down, perfectly! She wrote a reply and made it all work (ty!!!)
To appreciate the irony in this: She is my insight to John’s POV 99% of the time - giving me perspective and clarity; and I am 99% more likely to look at things from Sherlock’s POV! Haha, so you have @fluffbyday-smutbynight to thank for the role reversal! I hope you will enjoy the back-and-forth as much as I already do!
CHAPTERS 2 & 3 ARE NOW UP!!! *SUBSCRIBE TO KEEP POSTED ON ALL UPDATES!*
Chapter Summary: A Year in the Life of Mr Sherlock Holmes. Naturally, he is intrigued by dead bodies more than dead letters. However, to Sherlock’s surprise what intrigues him the most happens to be his boss, John Watson. Interesting… that needs further study, for science, of course!
Sherlock Holmes, in the language of his insufferable brother, was ‘definitely intrigued’ about his job at the dead letter office. At twenty-eight, he had outgrown the horror of drug addiction, which was so characteristic of his younger years. He was actually on his way to work, and in ‘colossal form’ at the very thought of it.
He learnt back in his car seat and grinned at Mycroft next to him. For his first day at work, his brother had insisted to drive him; or, more accurate, to have one of his chauffeurs drive them in one of the many black limousines that seem to have super powers for ‘normal’ people.
[…]
Sherlock had heard much about the dead letters office ‘unique and particular original documents, notes and letters’, from a client who had got a letter returned to them from a brother who had died during WW2. If the truth be told, somewhat enthusiastic, because apparently, he had thought it to be lost forever. Yes, Sherlock Holmes was intrigued. That is why he asked, “Who will be there?”
“The usual staff, Sherlock,” answered Mycroft patiently, “with the addition of Dr. Molly Hooper who is a freelancer. There are Sally Donovan and Phillip Anderson, Greg Lestrade who is the head of human resources, maybe he will give you the ‘grand tour’, as you have so neatly put. Lastly, of course, Dr. John Watson, the head of the dead letters office and the one who hired you as his personal assistant. Try not to mock it up this time. Or, at least, make it one day.”
Sherlock stood up and struggled into his overcoat as the car slowed down and drew to a halt.
“I’ll try my best, brother mine. But as you know very well: I cannot promise anything.”
And with this Sherlock got out and stepped away from the car. He left his brother and his old life behind as he entered the dead letter office in London.
Chapter Summary: Three text chats give a bit of an insight in the (inner) workings of the characters. Or is it all just smoke and mirrors as office gossip so often happen to be?
#AU - Office #John Watson is Sherlock’s boss #two idiots in love #angst with a happy ending #have I mentioned ANGST #epistolary
AKA the fic in which John Watson is a fuck-up who doesn’t want to be a fuck-up anymore and also wants to fuck Sherlock Holmes. That he’s his boss happens to be the least of their problems.
A story about warzones beyond Afghanistan, second chances in life, and how to fall in love. Told in text, notes and (dead) letters.
Text Chat between Sherlock Holmes and Mycroft Holmes; or, The Holmes Brothers being chatty. It’s all about The Work, and Alan Turing. A Story in Five Parts.
E-Mail exchange between John Watson and Mike Stamford; or, Cupid is on a mission. His name is Sherlock, Sherlock Holmes. A Story in Two E-Mails.
Then All The World Would See (How Much In Love We Are)by@a-different-equation:John Watson (33) meets Sherlock Holmes (28) and falls in love instantly. However, Sherlock looks for a different kind of fix and John is an ex of many things and people. Also, he’s his boss.
A story about warzones beyond Afghanistan, second chances in life, and how to not be a fuck-up anymore. Told in (dead) letters, notes and texts. It’s a Johnlock love story, elementary. (BBC!Johnlock, mature, ca. 25k)
Chapter Two is Up. And OMG does it look differently now. It took ages but hell, I know why I *love* epistolary. There’s not much more fun than “spying” on the Holmes’ brothers bickering & bantering (which they would deny, of course) :D
Looook, how amazing is this?? Artwork from @alifetimeaheadtoprovethat for the first chapter of my fic, ‘Consulting for Christmas’. Thank you so much, I love it! And artwork for part 2 and part 3 AND a podfic coming soon
Looook, how amazing is this?? Artwork from @alifetimeaheadtoprovethat for the first chapter of my fic, ‘Consulting for Christmas’. Thank you so much, I love it! And artwork for part 2 and part 3 AND a podfic coming soon
Looook, how amazing is this?? Artwork from @alifetimeaheadtoprovethat for the first chapter of my fic, ‘Consulting for Christmas’. Thank you so much, I love it! And artwork for part 2 and part 3 AND a podfic coming soon
I have been blocked from all FB groups just now until Sunday - someone must have reported something I posted to FB. As I don’t post anything bad or against community guidelines, I’m thinking it was probably malicious. ALL my posts are gone - my fics and the lovely reader comments, my fic and podfic recs and links for other people, the artists I promote, my FTH posts to raise money for charity… It’s all gone, and I’m not going to lie - I’m gutted. Hours and hours of labor - gone. Are they pissed about my auction entries? Who knows, but now I can’t promote on FB until AFTER it is closed. There’s nothing I can do aside from ask for you to help - please reblog my links here on Tumblr so these nasty people don’t win
In confessing to Sherlock why he’s not o.k., John thinks he will push away the one person he loves and cares about most …
For how could such a confession not?
But what if Sherlock had no idea what John was going through … until now? And knowing … he takes his time, gently … slowly … to show John that he is listening … ? And that he’s been here waiting … the whole time …
“You were distracted by something, though?” Sherlock asked, good humouredly - lighting his pipe. The glow in the room was not unpleasant. It highlighted Sherlock’s pale cheeks and sharp cheekbones … John however … was mesmerized by his hands … following them, tracing their outline … wondering … as Sherlock threw the stub into the fireplace. His right hand in stark relief to the orange blaze behind it.
John adjusted his collar. Realizing also, that it somehow had become excessively warm in here?
“Uncomfortable? Shall I open the window?” Sherlock began, hands moving gracefully to point at the window. John halted him, mid-stride.
“No, thank you,” he replied, “it’s nothing. Will pass. Felt a bit flushed, is all.”
“You look it,” Sherlock observed, keenly.
John tore his eyes away, refocusing on the paper before him … but … after a few moments, he was lost in thought again. Following those hands.
He was knocked from his reverie by Sherlock clearing his throat and raising his eyebrows in question. He hurried to cover up the manuscript, as he realized - too late! - Sherlock was coming over to read what little he had written …
Typically it was he wandering into his mind palace and ignoring John … not the other way ‘round!!
“What have we here?” Sherlock asked, lifting the light pages from off of John’s lap, and John dropping the rest to stand and join him. Gawping. Gasping. Trying to take the pages back! But Sherlock twirled, enjoying the game. Reading studiously, despite all of John’s protests!
“Seem to be a bit fixated on my ..*ehem* … ‘long, thin hands’ here, Watson?” Sherlock eyed him again with not a little kindness as he peeled away the layers between John’s conscious act and unconscious thoughts …
“Well, they are - you - are … quite-,”John stared at his feet, trying to collect his thoughts and reason. Shutting his mouth, before he should expose himself worse! And possibly be kicked out!
Just what he was attempting to write down before he had become fixated by the elegant detective’s fingers … ? He couldn’t even recall it now. Everything before him, was Sherlock.
He was turning red again. The sound in the room, zooming down to his own breathing! What had he been thinking of?!! Allowing himself to daydream like this?!! He couldn’t say it out LOUD!
He could feel the tips of his ears. His nose. Reddening again … The burning in his cheeks … a private tell that Sherlock knew intrinsically. He had mentioned it many a time, when John was flirting with a cute barmaid or bank teller. There was nothing he could truly hide from his best and closest friend? Even if he wished it to be so?
To his surprise, Sherlock stepped closer …
Bending forward to whisper in his ear …
“And what exactly were you imagining my long, thin hands capable of?”
The warmth began pooling in his belly, mind racing towards places he was not allowed to go! Mary had just left him, or rather - kicked him out! After reading his last issue in ‘The Strand’ and coming to her own conclusions on the matter!!
He shut his eyes tight and tried to squeeze it out. Shut it out. Slam the door. Just as he had with Mary - but Sherlock …
Sherlock …
And those delicate, sensual fingers … came closer.
His breath held … he felt Sherlock’s hand press gently against his lips … shushing him. Pads held there. Kissable. Soft. The hands of a gentleman.
He whispered again in John’s ear,
This time, the warm puff of air trailing down into his collar and teasing his neck with endless possibility … as he begged, “please, tell me?”
(Gloriously beautiful art commissioned from @willietheplaidjacket, based on @roquentine19’s favorite picture of BC. And then I wrote a ficlet based on it for this month’s @hiatustory prompt, bed sharing.)
~
He had been walking the shadowed streets of Edinburgh for hours, and the problem remained unsolved:
He was a coward.
It had been the perfect accidental setup. Their train had been severely delayed, and they’d arrived at the hotel far past their guaranteed reservation time. The only room left contained one queen bed. They’d taken it, of course; what choice did they have? It’s not as if they hadn’t done it before. Well, Before. Which was the problem. Everything had been Before, and now it was After, and there had never been a During.
Sherlock desperately wanted a During with John, and sometimes he thought maybe John wanted it too. There had been several moments over the last few months where he thought John was about to say Something, but there was always an interruption in the form of Rosie or Mrs. Hudson or a text from Lestrade, and the moments had all passed. But there was no couch or chair in their tiny hotel room, and barely any floor space, so they’d have no choice but to share the bed and maybe this thing that Sherlock so desperately wanted might…happen.
So naturally when John had gone into the shower, Sherlock had thrown on the Belstaff and fled.
Where’d you go?
Needed a walk. Don’t wait up. –SH
Then Sherlock had walked, and walked, and walked. He’d stopped at one point and had two fingers of Scotch in a pub, and then he’d walked some more. He was cold and he was tired and he was lonely and he was so, so afraid. He was afraid of going back to the room and he was afraid of staying away; he was afraid of John finding out and afraid of holding this secret close to his chest forever.
He was afraid that John would decide Rosie needed a mother, or that Sherlock was unfit to be in Rosie’s life. He was afraid that now that he’d realized how lonely he was, he would never be anything else.
He wasn’t used to being afraid, but everything having to do with John Watson was a rare exception to the way he lived the rest of his life.
He took a deep breath, turned the key in the lock, and pushed open the hotel room door. He would use the bathroom, put on his pajamas, and just…get into the bed.
The room was dimly lit by both the bedside lamp John had obviously left on for him and the television that was quietly displaying the end of Rear Window, and John was asleep. His head was at the foot of the bed–wanted to be closer to the screen without having to sit in the desk chair–and he was sprawled out on his back–fell asleep watching the movie on his stomach; flipped over to his customary sleeping position sometime after. Sherlock found himself crossing not to the bathroom as he’d intended, but directly to the bed, where he stared down at the wonder that was John Watson.
Sherlock relished the rare chance to look his fill unnoticed. John was always beautiful to him, but in sleep, with his edges softened and his cares laid aside, he was at once the entire world and the only thing Sherlock had ever truly wanted. It was so easy to imagine crawling in beside him and curling up with his head on John’s good shoulder, letting their breathing patterns syncopate as they slept. It was equally easy to imagine waking John with his mouth, either with a gentle kiss on the lips or by tugging down his pants and–
John stretched in his sleep, one hand coming up behind his head, and as the muscles in his bicep shifted, Sherlock swallowed hard. He’d spent hours, days, years cataloging everything those hands could do, and twice that time fantasizing about the things he wanted them to do. He let out a quiet sigh, briefly letting his eyes fall shut as he thought about the way John’s hands might feel on his skin.
When he opened them again, John was gazing up at him.
It was too late to school the emotions away from his face, and he knew that everything he felt was plainly visible for John to see. He was so tired of hiding, so tired of running. John would see, and John would react, and at least then Sherlock would finally know. He was so wrapped up in this revelation that it took him a long moment to see that John, too, was done hiding.
Description: John has an issue. He loves being back at Baker Street now that his marriage is over. The only thing is, he doesn’t fancy going the rest of his life without ever having sex again…
Review: John proposes a friends with benefits situation once he realizes he doesn’t want to date anymore for fear of Sherlock worrying that he’ll leave him again, and that is not something John wants to risk. Doesn’t want to have one-stsnds for the rest of his life either. Sherlock accepts his offer and cue the pining John and Sherlock indulging in his new-found enjoyment of sex.
Description: Working a case involving a bomber in London, all Lestrade knows is that something big happened with Sherlock and John in the autumn leading up to John’s recent divorce, but so far no one has yet seen fit to fill him in…
Review: Told from Lestrade’s POV of Sherlock and John’s misunderstandings post Mary. I love outside POV fics cause they really highlight how couple-y they are, and when they fight everyone feels the rift in the universe. Three Garridebs moment!
Description: John was Sherlock’s friend with benefits, but for John… Sherlock was everything. Only… Sherlock is a alpha and John is a beta. John always knew this arrangement between them couldn’t last. One day Sherlock would find an omega to mate with and then he’d have to let Sherlock go, no matter how it would destroy him. Omegas were the intended bond mates to alphas. Being a beta, John knew he held no place in Sherlock’s life, apart from being a second, and that would destroy him. That dreaded day came too soon. John was left with two choices… Become Sherlock’s second, or leave. John wasn’t a runner, but this… John couldn’t take this, so he accepted Mycroft’s offer and left Sherlock before the alpha could leave him.
Review: I’ve been wanting to read an omegaverse fic where they’re not “biologically compatible” so I was glad to find this fic! Sherlock has a secret upcoming arranged marriage and when John finds out he leaves, allowing Mycroft to hide him from Sherlock so he doesn’t get his feelings hurt all over again. Little does John know that Sherlock never actually married her.
Description: After solving a case for a major celebrity, Sherlock gets himself asked out. When John asks, he discovers that Sherlock has no intention of going, at least not until John agrees to coach him through whatever he might need to know for his date…
Review: I enjoyed every second of this fic. I’m a sucker for fics about Sherlock with other men and John being supportive yet jealous. Can’t get enough of it, there needs to be more. I particularly enjoy with this one how long the fic is and John’s struggles with his himself between wanting everything for Sherlock and letting himself indulge during their “coachings.” I also surprisingly liked the OC male character, which is always nice! Can’t recommend this one enough.
Description: Sherlock has a complicated relationship with drugs, but John gives Sherlock an ultimatum. What John doesn’t realize is what lengths Sherlock might have to go to in order to replace them. What Sherlock doesn’t realize is that John is okay with that.
Review: This is a really interesting set of fics. The series is marked incomplete and was last updated in 2013 so I doubt it will continue, but I enjoyed what’s posted. Sherlock gives up drugs and replaces it with a BDSM relationship with John, but then a case comed along to drudge’s up both Sherlock’s and John’s pasts. I really hope that this series will update because we dont get to see the conclusion of the case, but I loved seeing the progress of John and Sherlock’s relationship. There are a lot of extensive descriptive scenes, and internal thoughts, so this is a good one for you if you like character studies.
Description: They’re sitting in the living room one night after finishing their curry takeaway when Sherlock looks up from his violin. “John,” he says, “would you come hug me, please?”
Review: This is so incredibly cute and sweet for such a short fic. I adore these two.
Description: Set toward the end of The Lying Detective. With Ella’s help, John decides to start actively pursuing what he wants in spite of the demons standing in his way.
Review: This series has two installments, one from John’s POV and the other from Sherlock’s. I love both of them, they add to each other and isn’t just a retelling of the same story. There’s a special place in my heart for fics that center around therapy, Sherlock and John trying to help themselves be better with each other. So this fic was such a joy to read and I probably will again.
Description: John and Sherlock go to New York to attend a conference run by the National Defence of Traditional Marriage Coalition in order to investigate the potential bombing of the annual Manhattan Pride parade. As the conference unfolds, John finds himself repulsed by the toxic ideology being presented, which becomes relevent to his own unacknowledged issues and his friendship with Sherlock…
Review: The reverse of fake relationship for a case with a friends to lovers trope. Instead of pretending to be in a relationship, they have to make doubly sure they don’t accidentally come across as one, even though they aren’t (yet). I love this author and am always excited whenever they post an update. I really enjoyed the 180 approach to fake-it-for-a-case because the angst is different and kind of refreshing in a way, especially since they aren’t in a relationship at the beginning.
Description: Ten years after sending John off to the army, Sherlock finds him again in the worst way.
Review: John and Sherlock drift apart after John goes off to the army, but Sherlock will wait forever for him. He finds out that John is homeless and had been for years after he’s been discharged, and is hurt that he was never told of John’s return. He tried to convince him to move back in with him. I haven’t read any homeless John fics before so this was a nice change! I liked how both John and Sherlock’s feelings and motivations were talking about and acknowledged.
Description: As Sherlock and John renovate Baker Street with Rosie underfoot, Sherlock can’t help but wondering how he could possibly convince John to just stay indefinitely…
Review: So sweet and adorable. Pining Sherlock has a taste for domestic bliss, and John tries to figure out what’s best for Rosie while navigating what he wants. I love everything by this author, this fic included. Fluffy with a hint of emotional angst!
You, sir, are guilty as sin, and I- no, we, my partner and I - despise you. But mark my words: The queer community is stronger than people like you. We’ll survive and thrive and continue to live and love.”
In the same minute, the door opened. The police, led by Greg, rushed in. As the handcuffed prisoner was led away, my partner called after him:
“History will forget your name.”
And it was a prophecy. For once, Sherlock Holmes asked his brother for help. No newspaper, no online outlet, no social media post mentioned Mr X by name. There was an anonymous donation for the Trevor Project. Apparently, the sum was quite lofty. Last, and as far as anyone reading the paper was aware, unrelated to anything in particular, there was a big photo of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson at London’s Pride.
The Scarlet Crossby@a-different-equation: Someone is crucifying male prostitutes in London. Can Sherlock Holmes and John Watson catch the killer before the beginning of Pride Month? (BBC!Johnlock, mature, ca. 8k, COMPLETE)
I’mnot having a plot bunny for a new Johnlock fic, nope, I don’t have time.
No, I am not writing an adventure story set in the Rocky Mountains. Or a gay couple as a mirror: a writer and a scoundrel (with a heart of gold, and also looking for gold) who stage a scary mystery.
Description: The ink and watercolour painting in landscape format shows Sherlock and John in front of the living room windows at nighttime with streetlight illuminating the curtains from below. Sherlock is shown naked from the waist up, his arms outstretched. He is facing the viewer. On his skin are a number of red marks showing a circle and a cross in various places, such as his throat, arms, chest, sides. He is gazing sideways towards John who is standing behind him and looking at him over Sherlock’s left shoulder. John is wearing a blue shirt. Both of his arms are raised with index-fingers pointing towards two red marks on Sherlock’s flanks, as if he’s about to stab him with his fingers.
“I beg your pardon?” Some phrases I have copy + paste from him. My intonation was still off, as I would never reach Sherlock’s deep baritone. A smile appeared on his face.
And it widened as he loved to show off, still did. “Caesar cypher using a left rotation of three places, equivalent to a right shift of 23. I should have seen it earlier, as it’s not the most advanced technique. Historians suspect Ceasar to have invented it, hence its name. Decoded NLOOHU IURO EHUOLQ reads Killer from Berlin. ”
My reply was cherished by Sherlock since day one, too: “Brilliant!”
