221b_recs | Entries tagged with content: addiction

Title: Unwind
Author: illwick
Pairing: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson
Length: 450K+
Rating: Explicit
Warnings: Some very rough sex, including scenes gone awry; check individual tags
Verse: Sherlock BBC
Author's summary: None provided by author, but this follows John and Sherlock post-series 4 as they expand their relationship to include BDSM practices.

Reccer's comments: On the surface, this looks like lots of filthy smut. And it is. But it's also so much more than that. The installments range from pure PWP to hurt/comfort, fluff, and casefics. Throughout, John and Sherlock deepen and reinforce their emotional connection through an exploration of a variety of kinks. They also work through issues from both their individual pasts and the trauma they've been through together. With very smart, sophisticated writing and consistently high emotional payoffs, this series definitely delivered far more than I expected.

The author is still adding to the series, but each installment can be read as a standalone.

rachelindeed

Title: The Men Who Talked Between the Words
Author: Odamaki
Pairing: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson, Mycroft Holmes/Greg Lestrade, brief John Watson/Mary Morstan, Harry Watson/OFC, James Sholto/OMC, Billy Wiggins/OFC
Length: @460,000 words
Rating: Explicit
Warnings: past abuse (including implied/referenced child abuse), implied/referenced suicide (not of any character from the TV show), implied/referenced drug use
Verse: Sherlock BBC
Author's summary: John expected to be a father some day; he expected to have the house, and the wife and the nice suburban job. Sherlock never expected to have children, in part because he never expected to make it past 30. As it turns out, you don't get a choice. Crammed into Baker Street with a baby, John struggles with single-parenthood and his own fears, while Sherlock treads the fine line between doing too little and saying too much.

Reccer's comments: It's hard to think of what I can say about this fic that hasn't already been said. Four years in the making, of a length comparable to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, this story took extraordinary commitment to create and the end result is simply astonishing. I've been reading Holmesian fiction for quite a long time, and I've never run across another story that felt quite like this one. There's something so authentic and keenly observed about the details. There's a realism here that reaches out and never lets me go. The characters - both the main and the secondary ones - have such distinct voices, and their lives and relationships are deeply grounded and believable.

This is a realistic parentlock fic, and it's the deliciously slowest of slow-burn romances, and that heart of the story is beautiful. But that's really not all there is to it. Odamaki doesn't allow Sherlock, John, and the baby to live in a bubble. The story is full to bursting with the many other people who know them, who affect and are affected by them. Both Sherlock and John have important inward work to do before either is ready to think about romance. It's a story about growth, about healing, about hard-fought and hard-won maturity. About friendships and familiar places that won't stay neatly unchanged, and about painful habits and histories that won't fade away without long and deliberate effort.

When I think of this fic, the love story and the family Sherlock and John make together stands at the center. But I also think of Sherlock and Molly's quiet happiness working on her research together at Barts; James Sholto walking John through his fledgling orchard; Billy playing chess in hospital; Harry lounging with her girlfriend on the couch; Greg's tiepin; the moms in John's playgroup; the voice at the other end of a helpline.

This is a compelling fic about love and family, but it's also about all those other nooks and crannies of life that too often get left out of love stories. There's a village of vivid people wrapped up in this story, and I love them all.

(Also, I should add: 1) the story is complete. It ends at chapter 27. There are still new chapters going up, but they are 'bonus material' like deleted scenes and FAQ responses from the author. 2) The story goes AU after series 3, and incorporates no elements of series 4. The baby is a girl, but she is not the canonical 'Rosie' of the TV show).

amindamazed

Title: Transports
Author:

ancientreader|

ancientreader
Pairing: John/Sherlock
Length: 136K
Rating: explicit
Warnings: childhood sexual abuse, show-typical violence, character death (not John or Sherlock)
Verse: BBC
Author's summary:
[part 1, Curriculum Vitae] How to become a consulting detective.
[part 2, The Beginning of Knowledge] Jim's lessons are hard to unlearn.

Reccer's comments:
This AU examines Sherlock's troubled relationship with his "transport" and with self-acceptance by having him grapple with the effects of sexual trauma and progressive physical disability. (To clarify, those two life events have entirely independent origins. Sherlock deals with both, but they had nothing to do with each other at the outset.) Although the fic has the "Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings" tag, the author provides notes and content warnings at the chapter level. It's a roller coaster ride of angst to be sure, but there's wisdom, warmth, and humor throughout. And a happy ending. I actually thought I'd found it via rec here, and I was surprised to discover I was mistaken.

( Read more... )

( And here's a non-random sample )

rachelindeed

Title: To Join These Men in Holy Matrimony
Author: a_candle_for_sherlock
Pairing: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson, Sherrinford Holmes/OMC
Length: 10,000 words
Rating: T
Warnings: family estrangement, period-appropriate homophobia (including internalized)
Verse: ACD Holmes
Author's summary: Sherlock Holmes is a contradiction, an enigma, a force; at once the most generous spirit and the most self-contained man I have ever known. I've known more of him, I think, than anyone on earth. Yet for years I'd learned nothing about his boyhood, nor his fears, nor his future hopes, nor his father’s name. I never felt it as a lack until I knew he loved me.

Reccer's comments: Hello, everyone! I'm so happy to be a recc'er here with so many great new fanworks to look forward to this month as part of both the inktober art challenge and the ACD Holmesfest exchange! It's going to be an amazing October :) I want to start my recs, though, with this gorgeous new story from a_candle_for_sherlock, whose ACD fics consistently amaze me with their beauty, elegance, complexity, and tenderness.

This fic introduces us to the third Holmes brother in an unexpected way and delves into the painful family history surrounding the brothers' estrangement. The story crafts a subtle, loving portrait of Watson and Holmes's relationship as Watson begins to understand more about Holmes's formative experiences and his struggle to reconcile himself to his own identity.

The story is compassionate toward all its characters; I particularly love the quietly courageous and loyal role that Mycroft plays. Watson's narrative voice is utterly convincing in its delicate inquisitiveness, patience, and honest devotion. The fic portrays the painful fracturing of a family, but its central themes are those of healing, recovery, self-acceptance and the deepening of intimate connections. It also offers interesting glimpses into some of the historical realities of gay life in Victorian London.

This is a lovely, gentle story of both romance and brotherhood. I highly recommend it.

pipmer1.livejournal.com

Title: Albion and the Woodsman
Author: Glenmore
Pairing: Sherlock/John
Length: 54,437 words
Rating: Not Rated (I would rate it Mature)
Warnings: None
Verse: Sherlock BBC

Author's summary: Post Series 3. Sherlock and John are devastated after Mary Morstan makes her final moves. Sherlock relapses at the crack house, John walks around the world ...and a lot happens in between. Parentlock, in the good way.

Reccer's comments: If you are the type of reader who, like me, generally avoids first-person storytelling, then do yourself a favor and make an exception for this one. It's one of those rare fics that successfully paints Sherlock Holmes as a devoted single parent. The story is in turns funny, heartbreaking, and heartwarming.

It is told from Sherlock's POV, and begins post-series 3. It starts out after Sherlock has been shot for a second time by Mary Watson, an event that leads to her arrest and to John needing to disappear for awhile in order to get his head together. He leaves for a year-long walkabout around the world, leaving Sherlock devastated and returning to drugs. Of course he cleans himself up, only to be confronted several months later by a pregnant stranger claiming that Sherlock is the father.

We get to watch Sherlock fall immediately in love with his son Albion, and then take to single fatherhood like a duck takes to water. As Sherlock grows into his new role, he continues to pine for John and wait for his eventual return. The way Sherlock refers to John in his absence by different epithets such as 'eleven jumpers Watson' and 'Three pairs of brogues Watson' kept me delighted and laughing throughout.

We are introduced to several OC’s, not the least of which is Albion himself. His nanny gives soldier!John a run for his money (once he returns), and even the mother who abandoned him manages to turn her life around and gain at least a smidgen of our respect.

There are struggles and lessons to be learned, not the least of which that 'happily ever after' does not mean what all the fairy-tales claim. Reality is much more complicated, but all the more rewarding because of it.

( sneak preview )

verdant_fire

Title: All the Best and Brightest Creatures
Author: wordstrings
Pairing: Sherlock/John
Length: 188426 words
Rating: Explicit
Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence
Verse: BBC
Author's summary: Sherlock sent Jim Moriarty to prison for killing Carl Powers at age ten. This is the story of the consequences.

Reccer's comments: Quite simply, one of the most beautiful stories I've ever had the privilege of reading, in any medium. The prose is gorgeous, the emotions are heart-stopping, and the love is transcendent. Sherlock's character arc is stupendously well-written, as are his alternate history with a terrifying Moriarty and his growing relationship with John, and the OCs and secondary characters are vibrant and fully fleshed-out. It's a living, breathing world of its own, and a pretty astonishing feat of storytelling. It's hard to properly praise this story without sounding hyperbolic, but if you've never read it, or have been waiting for it to be completed, now's your chance. It deserves every bit of its fandom fame.

rachelindeed.livejournal.com

Title: Wait
Author: roseselavy
Pairing: Sherlock/John
Length: 78,000 words
Rating: Mature
Warnings: drug addiction, discussion of emotionally abusive past relationship
Verse: Sherlock BBC
Author's summary: Liberal arts AU. Sherlock Holmes is a reclusive literary writer in need of a flatmate after burning through his latest book advance, John Watson is midway through a PhD in art history.

Reccer's comments: This story is very dear to my heart. I am so happy to be able to recommend it here at last -- it was abandoned for several years and I honestly thought it would never be finished. But the author saw that it had a few readers who wanted to see an ending, and very kindly came back and wrote a beautiful conclusion for it.

The story starts out with a number of fairly familiar elements: intense mutual pining, hurt/comfort, and an evil ex (in this case from John's past, not Sherlock's). But for me, the internal narrative voices the author creates for John and Sherlock are so convincing that familiar story elements took on new life and reality. These are not quite the versions of Sherlock and John that we know from the series, but they are not as far removed as the story summary might imply. Sherlock still acts as a consulting detective on the side, and John still documents his work and shares his cases. But without the same history of war and depression and adrenaline addiction as BBC!canon, this John finds different ways to be a BAMF and draws clearer lines about what he will and won't stand for on the job. The communication between these characters throughout this story is difficult, but they work very hard at it and I find it compelling to see them work through their feelings and needs honestly.

The real heart of this story, especially once John and Sherlock declare themselves to each other after the first few chapters, is relationship negotiation. Sherlock is a recovering addict, not all that far into sobriety yet. His sexual history is, for him, inextricably and miserably entwined with using, and that area of his life so repulses him that he is not sure if he will ever be able to be with John in a way that satisfies them both. This fic takes the issue of sexual incompatibility seriously, it delves into the guilt that can dog people who love each other yet worry that they are respectively asking too much or offering too little. It does not rush to resolve these problems, but rather paints a 'one step forward, two steps back' pattern that honors the complexity of the characters and the situation.

The story also deals with the effect that Sherlock's professional life has on his sobriety, and in particular considers the issue of anonymity and the way that doxxing can do terrible damage to a person whose mental health relies on having the freedom to vanish into their writing. The story allows John and Sherlock to be flawed, to handle their relationship as well as their individual personal problems imperfectly, but their love for one another is unquestionably profound. I like that they acknowledge their mistakes, and get angry, and I like that they keep trying. In the end, they haven't worked through everything that needs to be addressed, but in the midst of their problems they are able to realize that they can actually be sure of each other's commitment and trust that the rest will come with time. So, to me, this is ultimately a very happy story. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.

tarimanveri.livejournal.com

Title: The Smart One
Author: Basser
Pairing: gen
Length: 2546 words
Rating: general audiences
Warnings: none
Verse: Sherlock BBC

Author's summary: And this, Mycroft thinks, is why sitting vigil at his brother’s bedside was a terrible idea. A conversation in the hospital. Missing scene from HLV.

Reccer's comments: Following Sherlock's second hospitalization in His Last Vow, a heavily-medicated Sherlock deduces that Mycroft has been smoking, and the brothers have a short, revealing conversation about self-medicating. A delightfully plausible missing scene that beautifully conveys Mycroft's caring and anxiety for Sherlock, while suggesting new depth to the two canon scenes in which we see Mycroft smoking.

dioscureantwins.livejournal.com

Title: Game Theory
Author: 7PercentSolution
Pairing: none
Length: approx. 246,800 words
Rating: Teenage
Warnings: attempted rape/non-con
Verse: Sherlock BBC
Author's summary: Set between The Great Game and The Scandal in Belgravia, both Sherlock and John have to deal with the collateral emotional damage that comes after Moriarty's pool-side revelation that their relationship was a weakness that could, and would, be exploited. Mycroft Holmes meddles, as usual, and it all goes to hell rather quickly.

Reccer's comments: You’ll need to accept the author’s clever arguments for her explanation for Sherlock’s often appalling behaviour but if you’re willing to accept that this series will have you in for hours of glorious reading.

The author’s take on the characters is flawless, her exploit of and explanations for the constant sibling warfare very convincing and the often gripping angst is relieved by bouts of welcome humour and wonderfully warm friendshippy feels. The dialogue is spot on.

Told from John’s POV the author manages to convey that constant sense of wonder and admiration that pervaded ASiP, TBB and TGG so gloriously. Meet Sherlock Holmes, marvel extraordinaire and weep for him. Even though he’ll scorn you for it.

Revealing anything of the plot would be a huge spoiler that would take away all your fun. You’ll just have to read this wonderful fic yourself to find out how clever it is. Really, the author could give Moftiss a run for their money.

ancientreader

Title: Break and Build
Author: radialarch
Pairing: Gen, but I'm happy to read it as pre-slash because that's how I roll
Length: 3444
Rating: G
Verse: BBC Sherlock
Author's summary: Sherlock Holmes would rather have the truth.
Written for this prompt:
does anyone know of a fic where sherlock makes a wish/casts a spell as a young boy to find someone who understands him and then he meets john ...
Reccer's comments: The prompt pretty much delivers the plot, so I've elided most of it. Though you'll wind up reading the prompt if you click on the link ... Anyway, my note on the PDF of this fic I have on my hard drive reads "not slash but I love Sherlock's loneliness here." Something else to love is Sherlock's courage, I think, which he demonstrates by deciding to risk losing the human connection he has longed for, rather than perhaps maintain it by means other than John's choice. The prose is spare, elliptical, allusive. It's difficult to choose an excerpt because in a story so delicately hinged every line gathers force from every other, but here's a bit from Sherlock's university days:

"Stop," Victor says, with a catch in his voice. "Shut up. Are you high?"

Sherlock considers this. "Not yet," he says, snapping upwards in a smooth motion to face Victor. "It stimulates the brain. Helps me think."

It's glorious, the things he can see like this: the flicker in Victor's eyes and clench of his jaw. The paint is flaking from the corner of the ceiling closest to the window and the afternoon sunlight filters perfectly through dust. There are novels woven into soft creases of cotton and rivers suspended in minute water droplets, and he can catch every last detail, know what it means.

Read on the AO3.

verdant_fire

Title: Oxidation
Author: abbykate
Pairings: Sherlock/John, Sherlock & John, Sherlock/Victor, Moran/Moriarty, Greg/Molly
Length: 27969 words
Rating: Explicit
Warnings: Major Character Death, Graphic Depictions of Violence
Verse: BBC
Author's summary: as oil paintings dry, the process is not evaporation as there is no water in the paint to disappear; instead, the oils in the paint are oxidised causing them to harden over years in a process that never really stops.

Reccer's comments: This fic is heartbreaking, and stupendous. The premise is that Sherlock is a famous artist who's commissioned by Harry to paint a portrait of John, who in this AU didn't survive Afghanistan. But then Sherlock starts to see and hear John, who comes alive for him like a modern Galatea and sets a seemingly inevitable series of events in motion. This story has the best tortured artist Sherlock I've read, and the sense of color and emotion and desperation, and the tragedy of Sherlock seeing John but not being able to keep him, make this something haunting and unforgettable. I hurt not only for Sherlock, but for everyone who cared about him too, including Victor, and this story has one of the best versions of him I've read. (The supporting characters in this are excellent.) I liked, too, that the magical realism elements weren't over-explained, and that the author didn't pull punches emotionally. On that note, mind the warnings and bring a hanky; you'll need it, as this is pretty devastating, and I absolutely mean that as a compliment. It's not an easy story, but it's a very good one, and well worth reading for the fantastic writing and the wrenching believability of this Sherlock. It's incredibly visceral, indelible work.

ficklepig.livejournal.com

Title: Flesh and Blood
Author: Indybaggins
Pairing: Mycroft/Sherlock
Length: 12909 words
Rating: Explicit
Verse: BBC
Author's summary: Mycroft becomes a vampire, and Sherlock finds it intriguing, until it becomes all too real. Hunger, addiction, desperation... and giving in.

Reccer's comments: If I'm going to cop to reading an iddy distilled-essence-of-fanfiction incestuous vampire AU, I could cop to a lot worse than this little gem. Indybaggins gets right down to the deliciously physical nitty gritty of Mycroft being turned (for Queen and Country!) and explores the tension between addiction and denial, need and refusal, and the inextricable link between monstrous hunger and animal eroticism.

I'll just be over here dabbing my face with a cool washcloth.

verdant_fire

Title: The Guarded Secret
Author: mycapeisplaid
Pairing: Sherlock/John
Length: 95184 words
Rating: Explicit
Verse: BBC
Author's summary: After his war injury, John feels broken, small, and useless. On a whim, he takes a position as a security guard of sorts at the gorgeous Holmes Hall in Yorkshire. As it turns out, he is not as broken, small, or useless as he thinks. A story of beauty and blossom, murder and mystery, loss and love.

Reccer's comments: This Secret Garden AU was one of my favorite fics of last year. Sherlock and John's growing friendship and love for each other is beautifully done, and the garden as metaphor is just as gorgeous as it was in the original book. This has family secrets, a case very close to Sherlock, well-drawn supporting characters, and Sherlock on a motorcycle, all wrapped up in a Johnlock bow as he and John help each other heal. The slow unfurling of their emotions is lovely to watch, and a pleasure to read.

verdant_fire

Title: The Pillar Upon Which England Rests
Author: DiscordantWords
Pairings: Sherlock & Mrs Hudson, Sherlock/John
Length: 27038 words
Rating: Mature
Verse: BBC
Author's summary: They have all saved him, at one time or another, in different ways, these people Sherlock Holmes has come to call friends. But she was the first.

Reccer's comments: Happy Valentine's Day! In honor of the holiday, here's a different sort of love story: this wonderful fic about Mrs Hudson's love for her boy, Sherlock. The present-day framework of this fic takes place directly after Reichenbach, with Mrs Hudson trying to comfort a grieving John by telling him the story of how she met Sherlock. This fic became my head canon as soon as I read it. Its compassionate depiction of a younger Mrs Hudson and a barely-grown Sherlock, and the backstory of how Mrs Hudson got out of Florida and Sherlock got her husband convicted, are masterfully done, and the characterization is fantastic. DiscordantWords is new to the fandom, and we're lucky to have their lovely writing. :)

swissmarg

Title: Sherlock: The Story of Redbeard
Music Title & Artist: None (voiceovers and background soundtracks only)
Vidder: beautifullytragic6
Pairing or Character: Sherlock Holmes, 'the other one', additional cast (Gen)
Verse: Sherlock BBC
Link: Vidder's announcement on tumblr
Vidder's Summary: This was partly inspired by a tumblr post I read the other day! The gist is that "Redbeard" is in fact Mycroft and Sherlock's older brother.

Reccer's Comments: Sorry for posting 2 recs in one day but I just watched this and cannot wait to share it! To put a twist on an old saying, I think this vidder could probably make a video of a phone book and I’d beg for more. This is far from a phone book, though. This is a gut-wrenching, high-tension, expertly edited work of art that in all honesty is probably better than whatever the writers on the real show will do with Redbeard. This is based on a fan theory (you can see it here, by @wellthengameover) that in itself is highly seductive and that’s what makes this fanvid even more exceptional for me, because the creator has basically brought someone else’s vision to life, gone out and found footage from several other sources – including Amanda Abbington in Cuffs, which is super awesome and the first time I’ve seen Cuffs used in a Sherlock fanvid – and made it one step closer to reality. Even if it turns out that Redbeard really was just a dog, and is never mentioned again, that doesn’t matter because we have this, we have the entire story here, and it is beautiful and emotional and real.

rachelindeed.livejournal.com

Title: Watershed
Author: finangler
Pairing: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson
Length: 40,000 words
Rating: E
Warnings: the crimes investigated include human trafficking, rape, and murder, though none are graphically portrayed; also has themes of drug use/abuse
Verse: other
Author's summary: In the year 2207, John Watson went to war. (Written in response to the shkinkmeme anon-prompt: SH in Space.)

Reccer's comments: This fic is remarkable for many reasons. It combines economical yet expansive world-building, clever plot twists which impact both the case and the relationship of the characters, a gritty futuristic setting, and a love story which does not run smoothly and is all the better for its frictions and false starts. Its happy ending, once reached, feels earned.

It is also remarkable because it presents a version of these characters which does not fit entirely within any particular established 'verse. The story was completed several months before the BBC series first aired in 2010, and this author independently undertook, not only a modernization of the Doyle characters, but a projection of them into the future. It is fascinating to see the characterization decisions here made, and to meet versions of Holmes and Watson who are in some ways quite similar to what the BBC characters became (in some instances the parallels are astonishing), but who remain in some respects unique, while at other times reminiscent of the Ritchie or Granada versions.

This fic begins as a version of Doyle's "Man with the Twisted Lip," but the case quickly takes on a life of its own. It offers a new version of Holmes and Watson's first meeting, and throughout the story Watson's issues surrounding self-perception, illness, and trust are dealt with in a complex and compelling way. I find this a rich and rewarding read.

It should be noted that the story is a complete and satisfying whole, but although it is listed as being part of a series, the sequel fic was abandoned after only one chapter so you may be happier simply stopping at the end of this story. (The sequel makes quite an interesting epilogue, though it raises important character issues which are never resolved). If you are interested in seeing more of this author's work, and in particular how they engaged with the BBC characters once that series aired, their excellent BBC adaptation of "The Devil's Foot" has already been recc'd on this comm. Authors who can skillfully entwine original mysteries with nuanced relationship and character drama are treasures, and I hope you enjoy finangler's work as much as I have.

pipmer1.livejournal.com

Title: A River Without Banks
Author: Chryse
Pairing: Sherlock/John, John/Mary
Length: 203,286 words
Rating: Explicit
Warnings: Violence, rape/non-con, character death (Please keep in mind that this is a time travel story, and unfortunate occurrences are not necessarily permanent)

Verse: Sherlock BBC

Author's summary: "You love this, being Sherlock Holmes." He had once. When had it all gone so wrong?

Reccer's comments: First of all, I will directly quote the author from their beginning notes: "I assure you that there WILL be a happy ending, by which I mean John and Sherlock, together exclusively and forever, world without end, amen. (Just so we’re clear.)" So if the warnings scare you, know that EVERYTHING IS TEMPORARY AND IT WILL BE FINE. But the bad stuff still happens, so if it's triggery be aware that parts of this fic get very intense. The first half has a lot of angst, but never fear; there are also happy, romantic times as well.

This story is by the same writer who gave us "The Frost is All Over". The fic begins right where HLV left off, with Moriarty supposedly returning from the dead. In essence, it is a time-travel fic, with Sherlock going back in time in an attempt to put the universe back on its correct course after being shifted out of alignment by Moriarty's actions on the rooftop of Bart's. I am a *sucker* for time travel stories, with all of the paradoxes and twists and turns that that genre entails. And boy, does Chryse deliver in spades. Because not just one journey back in time is required; each failed attempt ends with Sherlock's death in that timeline kicking him back into his own (hence the character death warning). And every time Sherlock makes another attempt, his memory of all the previous timelines is erased, making each journey back its own self-contained story with its own adventure and ending, some happier than others. There's also a case that keeps showing up in subsequent timelines, just biding its time until the 'correct' version of Sherlock Holmes shows up to solve it.

My heart ached for Sherlock during a large portion of this fic, as I watched him struggle, literally time and time again, with the emotional fallout of each and every timeline. The storytelling is vivid and layered, with each timeline building on the previous ones and moving the story forward in Sherlock's search for the 'true' timeline that will set everything to rights. The perfect 'fix-it' fic for Series 3, in my opinion.

( Read Excerpt )

dioscureantwins.livejournal.com

Title: Aiding and Abetting
Author: Jolie_Black
Pairing: none
Length: about 41,000 words
Rating: mature
Warnings: violence and realistic depictions of the consequences of drug abuse
Author's summary: When Greg Lestrade meets Sherlock Holmes, the brilliant young detective seems to have left his past as a drug addict far behind. But when one of their cases pitches Sherlock headlong into a relapse, Greg is determined not to lose him – whatever the cost to himself.

Reccer's comments: Remember that scene in TRF when Greg texts John to let them know they’re coming over to 221B? That’s not the done thing for a police officer, isn’t it? But this is Lestrade, who Sherlock considers the best of the lot. And this story shows why Sherlock needs him as much as Lestrade needs Sherlock.

I know of few stories in the fandom that do Lestrade so much justice. He’s shown to be a fallible, weak human being, just like the rest of us really. Committed to his work but at the end of the day all he wants is to relax with a beer and a football match on the telly, followed by a cuddle and perhaps a little extra something with the wife. Sadly, for some reason he can’t even fathom himself, his marriage is failing, and what he ends up with after a long workweek is a strung-out junkie on his doorstep.

Because he’s also decency personified, always willing to give someone a second chance, to look at things from the other’s POV (even if he doesn’t really get it), to allow he might be wrong, and willing to work around the rules if the rules are just plain silly.

All that is touched upon in this beautiful story, which shows why one needs a pair of extraordinary creatures like the Holmes brothers to recognise the exceptional human being Lestrade really is beneath that innocuous exterior and unfortunate raincoat.

pipmer1.livejournal.com

Title: Forget-me-nots
Author: artfulinanities
Pairing: Sherlock/John
Length: 7972 words
Rating: Mature
Warnings: None
Verse: Sherlock BBC

Author's summary: After getting injured on a case, Sherlock wakes with no memory of the last ten years of his life. He's left in the care of one John Watson - his flatmate, apparently - and is forced to navigate the life of a stranger, discovering things about his current self that leave him feeling off-kilter and very much alone. Luckily, John is there to see him through it.

Reccer's comments: This is a beautiful story that, although it's an eventual romance, also does a brilliant job of highlighting the friendship and bond between Sherlock and John, emphasizing the love that's only possible when there's a strong foundation and shared history. And even though Sherlock doesn't remember that shared history, it still shines through in their interactions and in John's gentle patience.

The author does a wonderful job of describing Sherlock's confusion and frustration at not being able to even remember what sort of person he is, let alone having no memory of his friends and acquaintances, or even of his current occupation. It got me thinking how much we all take for granted with our memories, and realising how disorienting it must be to have an entire decade of one's life just suddenly wiped away. All the little things one learns and experiences during that time that help shape the person that you are. A very thought-provoking piece that ends in a good place and leaves the reader highly satisfied. Enjoy!

swissmarg

Title: The Printer Is Jammed
Author: startrekto221b
Pairing: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson
Length: 40,336 words
Rating: General
Warnings: None
Verse: Sherlock BBC
Author's summary: John is a disgruntled customer who just wants his money back for a shoddy printer Harry ordered for him off of a catalogue. Sherlock is a bored customer service rep working the summer he has off from Oxford. They are both about to get more than they bargained for.

Reccer's comments: This fic is like one of those recursive images, only in written form. The author has written about John and Sherlock writing about William Scott and Arthur Conan (who are really just avatars for themselves) having adventures from the BBC series while they (John and Sherlock) have adventures from the BBC series and are in turn written about by fans who ship ‘Willthur’ as well as Johnlock. Or in other words, life imitates art imitates life imitates art imitates life. There is also a RPF layer, with Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss, and even mention of "some Barneyflump Curlyflap guy” and “that guy from The Office”, although if you aren’t into RPF don’t worry, it’s little more than name-dropping.

It’s very slow-burn with a great mix of humor, angst, fluff, and mystery, although I was good and frustrated by the time John and Sherlock finally got together! The story is told exclusively in an epistolary format, but the author has mixed it up with emails, online chats, text messages, surveillance reports, interview transcripts, and blog posts to keep things lively. The whole thing is highly entertaining and creative, with twists and tweaks that kept me unsure how things would turn out right up to the end.

As a side note, the fic is posted on AO3 with a General rating, but there is a bit of smut and discussion of dubcon and drug abuse which may be sensitive for some readers.

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November 2018

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Entries tagged with content: addiction

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