221B Recs

Title: Throw Cares Away
Author: Alexaprilgarden
Pairing: Sherlock/John
Length: 7,873 words
Rating: Explicit
Warnings: None
Verse: Sherlock BBC
Author's summary: Sherlock had taught John how to dance for his wedding, and that night, John had kissed Sherlock. And had gone and got married nonetheless. Now, it’s the first Christmas after. After Appledore, after the disaster of John’s marriage. After John returned to Baker Street. And it should have been so easy, so simple, once that John was back. It isn’t anywhere near simple.

Reccer's comments: This is a lovely, quiet story that allows the characters time to breathe. Set in a world where John does not forgive Mary following the events of HLV, but instead returns home to Baker Street.

Sherlock is on eggshells trying to keep John comfortable, and trying to keep his own feelings in check. There's the small matter of John having kissed Sherlock, once, during their dance lesson (in The Measure of Dreams-- a previous story which is not necessary to have read in order to appreciate this one, but a lovely read as well), the memory of which continues to prey on Sherlock's mind and leaves him helpless with longing.

The approach of the first Christmas since Appledore has Sherlock on edge. A case, some carefully chosen words, and a quiet rooftop moment put things into perspective.

On top of it all, Christmas is approaching. And as much as Sherlock tries to despise it, it still makes him sentimental. He never fails to see the momentousness of things happening at Christmas.

He’d rather not have anything happen at Christmas. Because the only thing likely to happen these days, with the small room in his mind palace and the yearning of his heart still under lock and key, is him being his usual self, abrasive with frustration. Rude and aggravating until John finally snaps at him and storms out of the flat. And this time Sherlock isn’t at all sure John would ever come back.