#Mystrade Holiday 2023

[stellacartography]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Sherlock (TV) Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Mycroft Holmes/Greg Lestrade Characters: Mycroft Holmes, Greg Lestrade Additional Tags: washing the christmas dishes, Dancing, flirting while toiling, more christmas tropes than you can fit in your winnebago, Snogging, one day I won't write Greg Lestrade as a sauve bastard, But today is not that day, mystrade banter Series: Part 2 of Jingle Yer Bells Summary:

Thinking he's alone after his holiday fancy dress party, Mycroft settles himself in front of the fire for a long winter's nap when he's interrupted by a charming visitation. Greg has taken on party dish duty and the least Mycroft can do is keep him company.

Read on Ao3

[birdie-0318]

Hi everyone! Here’s my latest fanfic, I’ll Be Home For Christmas. Hope you all enjoy and have an awesome holiday!

“It all started with a phone call and lies that had finally caught up with him. It was a mistake. Greg hadn't meant for it to happen, but, now, Mycroft Holmes is coming to his parents for Christmas as his "boyfriend".”

[starkraivennemad]

All I Have To Do…

All I have to do is call…. No!

The man winced as he gently rubbed at his dark lashes. He slowly peeled open eyelids crusted together from the bitter cold that made him teary-eyed. Not that he had much he wanted to see once he had them opened.

He knew where he was: on a large box over a vent gone cold hours ago. Its meager depth was the only thing between him and the icy brick wall behind him.

Not that it stopped him from shivering in the night, but not from the cold.

Empty pockets and the stench told him it was a back alley.

Not even enough coin for a doss house.

All I have to do is call… Shut. Up.

He tried to curl into a tighter ball. He tried to because he was already doubled over, his bony thighs pressed against a chest too much in pain for the pressure. He moaned as he tried to switch positions gently, his ribs reminding him of the beating he took – the reason he had no money.

All you have to do is call…

He idly scratched at a scab on his scalp. The weight of his dark, dirty hair stuck to his face.

“Oh…” He opened his eyes, surprised at the candles he could just see from a window across the way.

Artificial, but pretty. Like their Christmas tree. Tis the damn season. Wait... Boxing Day was how many days ago? It’s not New Year yet.

He did not know. He did not like not knowing, but it hurt too much…

Too much to breathe… to think… to live…

No!

Who said that?

Listen…

Voices. Officers.

When did morning come?

He had no answers other than New Year’s Day would not find him on the streets if he wanted to live.

His body, weak and wracked with withdrawal pain, made his way out of the alley.

The voice heard fading away.

All I have to do is call…

“Wait…” he coughed. It hurt.

“HELP!”

“Christ!” The cop ran, catching him before he collapsed.

He read the name badge.

“Sergeant Lestrade… I’m Sherlock… Call home… please... Get Mycroft…”

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@flashfictionfridayofficial @mystradepromptsandscenarios

@mystradeholidaycollection @notjustamom

[mystradeholidaycollection]

Mystrade Holiday Fic Update...

The collection has doubled! We had two more fics added to the collection this week.

Bygones by @starkraivennemad (rated GA, 360 words)

Greg really should have known ... it was not going to go unpunished.

The Needed Talk by @starkraivennemad (rated GA, 2400 words)

In the immediate aftermath of Sherrinford, so much was happening Greg did not truly have time to give thought to it. Now weeks later, he understood things more and he was livid to what was going on. He knew it was not his place, but Greg could not bear to sit and watch Mycroft any more. Thus, unbeknownst to Mycroft, Greg made the drive to have a talk with the ones he felt most responsible:

The Holmes parents.

Please stop by the Mystrade Holiday 2023 collection and enjoy the fics. If you’re so inspired, write one of your own for the collection. ☃️

[mystradeholidaycollection]

Any and all Mystrade Christmas fics written for the 12 days of Mystrade & Friends can be added to the Mystrade Holiday Collection 2023 as well.

12 days of Mystrade & Friends - Update

Hi all! We've had several submissions this year, but sadly there aren't enough to have one story for each day of our Calendar!

We'll adapt the schedule; we'll send out emails with publishing dates for those who signed up shortly! And good news, we're keeping subscriptions open for now! If you'd like to join us but feared you had missed your chance, you can fill out this form!

[inevitably-johnlocked]

Hello ☺️ first of all, I'd like to THANK you for all those ficrecs, thanks to them I've discovered many awesome stories!

I know it may be early for some,but do you happen to have a Christmas fic rec list? I am desperate for some bitter sweet Christmas stories 👀

Hey Lovely!!

NEVER too early! This is the perfect time to start is early December if you want a month of fuzzy feels!!!

Check out these lists of mine to please you!

Christmas Fics (Dec. 2017)

Christmas: Oblivious That One or The Other is In a Relationship

Christmas 2019 Part 1 (All Bookmarks XMas and New Years)

Christmas 2019 Part 2 (Marked for Later)

G / T / K+ Rated Christmas Fics (Dec. 2018) (Updated Dec 2021)

Community Recs: Christmas 2020 (Updated Dec 2021)

Christmas Trees / Decorating

Christmas-Time Love Confessions

Christmas & NYE 2023 Pt 1: Bookmarks & WIPs

Christmas 2023 Pt 2: Marked For Later

New Year’s Fics (Jan 2018)

New Year’s Fics (Jan 2023)

Hot and Cold Fics (June 2022)

And if anyone has a NEW fic this year that they or wrote or want to promote, please let us know!!!!

EDIT: AND just for shizz and giggs, here's some other people's lists I've reblogged in the past:

SilentAuror’s Fics 2019

Johnlock Comes A-Wassailing (Chriscalledmesweetie)

bluebell’s Sherlock Winter Holiday Bingo Contest 

apliddell’s Christmas fics

ineffable husbands Christmas fics (additions to my lists)

favourite johnlock christmas fics by starfleetholmes

Non-Christian Winter Holiday Fics

A J. Baillier Christmas Fic Package

A Very Johnlock Christmas by a-different-equation

Some Christmas Fics by discordantwords

Five Festive Fics Friday by 7-percent

calaisreno’s Christmas Fics 2021

Silent Auror’s Christmas Fics

Khorazir 2021

Calaisreno 2022

Berty’s Festive Fics 2022

helloliriels holiday list

thegildedbee 2023

Christmas Advent Pt 2 (swissmiss)

Mystrade Holiday Collection 2024

Enjoy!

[ewebie]

2024: An Author's Review

I've gotten in the habit (over the past 10+ years) of posting an author's review of what I've done on AO3. Since I started my Patreon, I've been posting it here and sharing across Tumblr and Twitter (cough I mean X? cough). I've since stopped posting on X/twitter and moved on to Bluesky (though I'm not as active there yet) and I've created a collection here on Patreon for all the reviews I've made over here. I think it's good to take stock, be honest about what was possible and look and what I want for the next year. So here it is:

2024... This year was... a lot. Decisions were made. And yes, they were, at times, Bold. Unfortunately, some of those decisions made it far more difficult to keep up with my writing plans. And in case anyone is wondering, 3 trans-atlantic moves within 2 years is... not really advisable.

Back in 2022, Hubs and I made a temporary (planned for one year) move across the Atlantic in 2022 and went back to Ireland in July 2023. The return to Ireland was rough for many reasons, but the decision to leave the country which I had called home for 17 years was not an easy one and solidified at the end of 2023/beginning of 2024. I was working clinically for a high acuity, retrieval service the early part of 2024 up until our move in April (this time permanently back to the US). It was both easier and harder to move this time. And some of the necessary things relocating (as a long-time ex-Pat) were stupidly challenging (see: buying a car when you haven't shared a US address with your husband...). Additionally, we had a LOT of travel within the US once we arrived back. The first full month I spent in our new home without leaving the state was October. (and we all know what the holiday season can be like)

I did get to 221B Con! And I met a few fandom friends in person that I wouldn't have otherwise met. Also, I got a dog! And she is the literal sweetest.

So I'm a dog mom now, part-time worker, full time American. And while I was on a roll for a bit with the writing, relocating really knocked me off my game. So without further adieu...

Summary of writing in 2024:

I put a great deal of effort into expanding the Safety First/KKBB Universe in the Safety First (Alphabet Soup) Series.

M is for Menage and N is for Nemesis came out in January

O is for Oversight and P is for Portent came out in February

Q is for Quality Assurance was posted in March

R is for Reddit went up in April

(then there was a lull... because... life is hard)

S is for Sedition came out in July

T is for Temptation came out in August

I have been working on finishing out the alphabet, with U and V nearly ready to post and a plan for W, X, Y, and Z

In March, I managed a sweet little sickfic in the When You're Fast Asleep series with A Spoonful of Sugar.

I'm not sure I'd call 2024 a banner year for writing. But there was a lot of behind the scenes writing and life stuff going on. Overall, I published shy of 27k words (which is... way less than I'm used to, but I did write about 50k words. It's just not all published yet) with 8k hits and I now have 390 user subscriptions and 7100 bookmarks. I've spent the year only writing Mystrade -- though, I've been bouncing between soft and sweet AUs and Assassins AUs.

Plan for 2025: Keep myself sane. Try to relearn how to be an American? I have the last few chapters for Safety First in the works... there's something so very compelling about the murder husbands and they are gearing up to go out with a bang. I have 2 WIPs that are very nearly done and I just need to push through the last... 2k or so. So I hope to be putting those up in 2025. Be on the look out for The Marshmallow Experiment and Ambien Wife (though, those are both working titles). There’s a few bigger projects that I’ve back-burnered or have been plodding along with, including "the wedding date one" and "the Pretty Woman one" and some complex, multichapter things. Trello has been excellent at keeping my bunnies sorted and in some sort of order.

Working titles of a few:

The Devil You Know

Lesser Things

Used Books

Wrecking Ball

The Time Has Come

Attack the Cheese Block

Of Legwork and Dogs Bodies

Make Yourself

Bad Santa

I hope to keep adding to Safety First (even if I finish out the alphabet) and Badges and 'Brellas (I didn't manage any in B&B in 2024... I want to get back into some Mystrade Mondays for that). I'm not going to aim for monthly new works, but Paia is back with Mystrade Is... this May. I am also trying my hand at the new features here on Patreon. I've started some collections, and if you have any suggestions for organization, I'm happy to hear them!

Many thanks to everyone who has beta'd works for me through the year (this year was mostly Mousie -- because she is just as thrilled with Safety First as I am). Thank you to the Valley of Regret (aka the Asylum, nee Jail) - you're all gremlins and I-A-Door-You! Thank you to the MRC for being just... whatever it is you are. And the OGC - because intercontinental chat groups are their own, special nonsense!

I want to thank my patrons on here (thank you for thanking me for existing!). Everyone that has left kudos and comments and reblogs and likes. Anyone who has dropped me a message or a thought and has generally enjoyed or encouraged my writing this past year. And those of you who followed Hayloft posting and commented along the way -- amazingly supportive! ILY all!!

[mystradepromptsandscenarios]

Mystrade Monday #69

For December 25, 2023

“All I want for Christmas is ____” (fill in the blank)

The game is to write a flash fic this weekend and post it here (or with a link to the fic on AO3) on Monday with the hashtag Mystrade Monday.

Flash fiction is a complete story that is less than 1,000 words. 360mg is complete fic of 360 words with the last two beginning with “M” and “G” in any order. Please spread the word.

Hot tip: if you tag @mystradepromptsandscenarios , we’ll reblog it.

Don’t forget to add your fic to the Mystrade Monday Collection on AO3.

And in this instance, don’t forget to add your fic to the Mystrade Holiday Collection 2023 on AO3.

[mystrade-reading-club]

Reading themes for 2024

Themes for 2024:

Jan - Written in 2023

Feb - One-sided until it isn't

March - AUs

Apr - Mystrade Mondays

May - Post-Sherrinford, Post S3/4, and Fix-its

June - Coming out stories

July - Fake Relationships

Aug - Maystrade (Finished works for the Mystrade Is ___ event)

Sept - Enemies/Rivals to lovers

Oct - Getting together/Love confessions

Nov - Food AUs

Dec - Holiday Fics and Breakup/Makeup

(Let's pretend we're not 3 days away from March(!!) when I post this, ok? 😆

[the-toad-in-your-piano]

Fanfiction Masterpost

I never thought I’d be cool enough to do one of these nifty masterposts, but I’ve realized that my fic volume is growing pretty fast (and I’ve suddenly gained a bunch of folks here; hi!) so I’ve decided to put it all together here.  

Fics are categorised by fandom and ship (or lack of ship) and sorted by rating (G, T, M, E).  If a word count is not listed, it’s in the 2-5k range.

List is under the cut!

AO3 profile link

...

BBC Sherlock

Mycroft Holmes/Greg Lestrade

SERIES

Flowers and Fatherhood - Tales of Greg’s teenage daughter, Ellie, and the formation of a new little family.

Through the Twisting Vines Outside - Chronicling Mycroft’s recovery, with Greg’s help, post-series 4.

A Broadcast From the Distant, Dark Beyond - Febuwhump 2023.

Light of My Life, My Darling - Flufftober 2023.

OVER 5,000 WORDS

There Is, In Fact, Mistletoe - Christmas moment!  10k.  Written for the 2022 Mystrade Holiday Collection.  Greg’s got a big family and it’s time for Mycroft to meet all of them.  Silly little kids and funny football games galore.  And, of course, a bit of mistletoe.  Rating: G.

No Fear of Shadows - 6k.  Established relationship fic in which Greg attends his first political event with Mycroft.  Rating: G.

The Chessboard Awaits - One of my personal favourites!  20k.  A series of vignettes spanning Mycroft’s entire life and exploring his usage of chess to navigate life.  Not really magical realism, but magical-realism-flavoured.  Rating: T.

Our Love Keeps the Things It Finds - Soulmate AU!  20k.  Everyone develops soulmark tattoos based on the things their soulmate (here called a Match) loves the most.  Getting together.  Features a little bit of opera and a lot of fluffy sweetness and silly pining.  Rating: T.

Where the Cinders Blaze - Fantasy AU!  7k.  Febuwhump Day 21: Shackled, Day 22 (alt prompt 9): Natural Disaster, and Day 23: "You'll have to go through me."  Mycroft is a mage on the run; Greg is his rugged saviour.  Rating: T.

Start a Flame in Your Heart - A Mystrade retelling of “The Snow Queen.”  Fantasy elements.  6.3k.  Rating: T.

Crimson Blaze - Longfic alert!  120k words of action and adventure in New York City.  Not an American AU, but not canon compliant either.  Lots of dancing around each other, a touch of jealousy, and plenty of suspense.  Rating: M with Graphic Depictions of Violence warning.

the only truth i know is you - Longfic alert!  75k words for the 29 prompts of Febuwhump 2024.  Chronicles of Mycroft’s abduction and slow but steady recovery, told through his, Greg’s, and Anthea’s eyes.  Rating: M with Graphic Depictions of Violence warning.

Then Let Us Love - Victorian AU!  65k words for the lovely AnnStPere for Fandom Trumps Hate 2023.  Mycroft is a daguerreotype portrait artist and Greg a police constable.  Lots and lots of pining.  Rating: E, though there’s only a little smut.

AT/UNDER 5,000 WORDS - Rating: General

Forever’s Gonna Start Tonight - Mild angst with a happy ending.  Mycroft is out of the country on business and realises that he misses his friend Greg a bit more than one generally misses a friend. 

That Breathless Charm - Short, silly piece with exhausted dancing to ridiculous non-music.  Terrible singing.  

Rugged - Febuwhump Day 5: “That’s gonna scar.”  Ficlet (500 words).  Greg gets slashed pretty bad in a fight and is sad about his new scar.  He worries that he’s going to look ugly, old, and feeble.  Mycroft, however, has a different opinion.  No graphic violence. 

When You Wake Up - Febuwhump Day 12: “Can you hear me?” and Day 13, alt prompt 3: Soft words.  Greg is in a coma.  Mycroft, never leaving his side, speaks to him.  Happy ending. 

Flowers - Mystrade Is Family submission!  Mycroft meets Greg’s teenage daughter for the first time. 

Forevermore - 5+1 of Mycroft bonding with Greg's daughter Ellie. 

The Magic of Your Charms - Greg is one of Cinderella's footmen.  Mycroft is his new carriage driver.  Fantasy elements. 

My Sometime - Younger Mycroft and Greg alternate first meeting at a café. 

The Flower of My Heart - A frightened Ellie, Greg’s teenage daughter, calls Mycroft for help. 

So Much We Share - Nervous Greg at a policemen's conference.  Swapping clothes and splashing in the pool.

As Sure As the Stars - Moving in together and painting a new flat themselves.

Gold Dust at My Feet - Corn maze while dressed up as cowboys.  Lots of silly jokes.

Right By His Side - A Yard Halloween party.  Mycroft decorates the fireplace, then watches Greg get pranked with a birthday cake.

Hello, You; Goodbye, Heart - A wrong number call results in a bold Greg asking Mycroft out.

I’ll Be His (and He’ll Be Mine) - Greg tries out a series of terrible pick-up lines on Mycroft.

Say You’ll Be Mine - Greg proposes to Mycroft.

Life Can Be So Sweet - Mycroft has never had hot chocolate.  Greg makes it for him.

Dearer By Far Than the World’s Brightest Star - Greg's daughter Ellie has been doing a bit of redecorating.  Mycroft enlists her help to surprise Greg with fairy lights in their bedroom.

By and By - Greg has kept Mycroft's business card for ten years.  Mycroft finds that rather sweet.

A Great Big Flame in Your Heart - Mycroft grudgingly tells Greg the story of his codename.

Got a Sweet Tooth for My Sweetheart - Greg learns to bake.

So Much Honey the Bees Envy Me - Silly one about watching a football match together.

What My Heart Would Say (If It Only Knew How) - Mycroft tries out comforting Greg with a hug.

Every Lovely Summer’s Day - Scene on the lake of a holiday trip.  Ficlet: 524 words.

AT/UNDER 5,000 WORDS - Rating: Teen

All That Lies Under the Big Blue Skies - A fluffy Established Relationship moment on the beach in the rain.  A little bit of nervousness from Mycroft about being in public, but overall very sweet.  Rating: T, but it’s only not-G because Greg says The Fuck Word one time.

Please Leave a Message - Febuwhump Day 1 (alt prompt 10): Inferno and Febuwhump Day 9: Voice loss.  An explosion on Downing Street and Mycroft’s disappearance sends Greg into a panic.  BAMF Greg and BAMF Anthea.  Angst with a happy ending. 

Breathe With Me - Febuwhump Day 3 (alt prompt 1): Rope burns.  Greg helps Mycroft cleanse his wounds.  Literally and metaphorically.  Gentle hurt/comfort.  

Down on the Cards - Febuwhump Day 4: Knife to the throat.  Mild violence warning.  Little bit of blood.  Greg rescues Mycroft, but it might be too late.  Ambiguous ending warning. 

And the Whole World Dissolved - Febuwhump Day 10: Difficulty breathing.  Ficlet (600 words).  An explosion throws Mycroft into the Thames. 

Carry You Home - Febuwhump Day 11: Fever.  Mycroft has been missing for weeks.  Greg has finally found him, sick and delirious with fever.

A Gentle Voice - Febuwhump Day 15: Self-sacrifice.  Ficlet: 700 words.  Greg takes a bullet for Mycroft.  Bit of an ambiguous ending.  Non-graphic violence.  

Stay Awake, Beautiful - Febuwhump Day 16: Semi-conscious.  Just under 1k words.  Mycroft is losing blood fast.  Greg, John, and Sherlock do their best to save him.  Ambiguous ending.   

When the Night Meets the Morning Sun - Sequel to Look After You.  Mycroft healing post-TFP; Greg gentling him through it.  

When the Sun Shines Bright (and Gay) - Greg and Mycroft's date is spoiled by rain.  They kiss in the rain anyway.

What I Found in Your Arms - Mycroft with body image issues; Greg comforting him.

AT/UNDER 5,000 WORDS - Rating: Mature

Static - Febuwhump Day 7: Made to watch, Day 14: Captivity, Day 17: Silent tears, and Day 18 (alt prompt 6): Limp.  6k.  Greg is kidnapped.  Mycroft does everything in his power to find him.  Graphic Depictions of Violence warning.

Carve Into Your Ribs - Darkfic alert!  Febuwhump Day 6: Secrets revealed.  Graphic Depictions of Violence warning.  Dark!Mycroft and Dark!Greg.  This one’s a bit gory.  

Kiss Me Like It’s Sunrise - Immortality AU!  Febuwhump Day 19, alt prompt 7: Immortality and Day 20: Knife wound.  Greg is immortal.  Mycroft, unfortunately, is not.  There is a happy ending, I promise!  Warnings for graphic violence and some suicidal ideation.

All Lives End - Major Character Death and Graphic Depictions of Violence alert!  Febuwhump Day 24: Bloody clothes.  Mycroft is killed.  Greg, covered in his blood, copes with the aftermath.  Additional warning for some suicidal ideation.  

Missing, Presumed Dead - Febuwhump Day 25: Assumed dead, Day 26 (alt prompt 8): Found footage, Day 27 (alt prompt 2): Caged, and Day 28: "You're safe now."  Mycroft goes missing and Greg has to rally John and Sherlock to save him when MI6 refuses to go looking.  Graphic Depictions of Violence warning.

In All My Dreams - Pirate!Mystrade scene with Mycroft in the brig.  Features singing pirates.  

AT/UNDER 5,000 WORDS - Rating: Explicit

Of Blue Suits and Brollies - Porn with a wee bit of plot.  A snarky comment from Sherlock leads to kissing in the rain... and a bit more than kissing.  Greg thoroughly enjoys some dirty talk.

Absolutely Anything - Porn without plot.  Greg gets a bit frisky at one of Mycroft’s work events, so Mycroft gets revenge.  All happy and consensual.

...

Sherlock Holmes/John Watson

Morning, Love - An instinctive kiss from John makes the morning a little awkward.  But they can take this in stride, right?  Adorable parent!lock.  Rating: G.

Love and the Hunter - Downton Abbey crossover!  25k.  For the wonderful Mon221B for Fandom Trumps Hate 2023.  John and Sherlock solve a case together in the village.  A touch of smut.  Rating: E.

...

Gen / No Romance

Highly Qualified, Incident Aside - Anthea-centric!  The story of how she first met Mycroft, as well as the story of her name.  Features asexual and awesome Anthea.  Rating: G.

What Makes the Flowers Grow - Mycroft thinking about how he does and will continue to care for Greg's daughter Ellie.  Rating: G.

There Will Not Even Be a Grave - Major Character Death alert!  Mycroft is killed in a terrorist attack.  Sherlock copes (or fails to cope) with the news.  Rating: T with MCD warning.

Look After You - Febuwhump Day 2: Flinching.  Mycroft is struggling after the events at Sherrinford.  Anthea phones Greg for help.  Can be read as pre-slash if you want it to be.  Focuses on the beginning of trauma recovery.  Rating: T. 

A Trail of Burnt Things - Febuwhump Day 9: Panic.  Follows Greg in the immediate aftermath of Sherlock’s fall.  Gen.  Hurt No Comfort.  Rating: T.

...

Grantchester (TV)

Leonard Finch/Daniel Marlowe

For You, I’d Wait Forever - The hours after Leonard’s return from prison.  Daniel is overcome with emotion.  Hurt/comfort.  Not super fandom-blind-friendly, but you’re welcome to give it a shot!  Rating: G.

...

Hotel Portofino (TV)

Lucian Ainsworth/Anish Sengupta

We’ll Make It Alright - The first Hotel Portofino fic on AO3!  Missing scenes in Season 1, Episode 5.  Lucian and Anish both have some confessions to make.  Reasonably fandom-blind-friendly.  Rating: T.

[starkraivennemad]

That Was Before...

“You sure about this?” Varughese asked as he lugged the boxes into the room.

“I am!” Clemmons rolled her eyes.

“He’d always been so against doing this.” Varughese hesitated.

“True, but that was before…” Clemmons said pointedly as she looked around the room, “…things have changed.”

Varughese knew his apprehension was valid, but she was correct. Things had changed, and this would be a first—an important first.

“Nothing…?” Greg asked, surprised. “Never?”

“Never,” Sherlock confirmed. “I know it was asked of him when he initially took possession. Much like our uncle, he saw no need. I know such was done in their areas, but they would not waste their efforts on the rest.”

“Oh….” Greg’s disappointment could not be hidden.

“Chin up, mate,” John offered a spark of hope, “That was before…”

Mycroft has owned the London townhouse for nearly fifteen years. As with Uncle Rudy, he did not ask the staff to decorate for the holidays.

Mycroft and Gregory entered the living room, their mouths agape at the twelve-foot tree with its literal thousands of lights, baubles, bulbs, and yards of ribbons.

“I thought you didn’t decorate?” A delighted Lestrade grinned at the sight. “This is for me? I just… adore you!”

“I didn’t,” Mycroft smiled at his relieved staff spying from around a corner.

“But that was before…”

---------------------------------------------------

@mystradeholidaycollection @notjustamom

[mystradeholidaycollection]

As a reminder…

Mystrade Holiday 2023 Collection will close on Jan 6, 2024.

(Around midnight EST, give or take a few minutes.)

The days go by so quickly around the holidays. If you have written a Mystrade seasonal/holiday fic and posted it on AO3, don’t forget to add it to the Mystrade Holiday 2023 Collection. ❄️🎄🕯️

[mystradeholidaycollection]

It’s back!! 🎉

And remember any Mystrade work (fic or art) done for 12 Days of Mystrade is welcome in the Holiday Collection.

12 days of Mystrade and Friends - Third Edition

Greetings!

November is drawing to a close, and for many of us, the winter season is about to begin. We are about ready to snuggle under blankets with hot chocolate or tea and, of course, a nice story!

We’d like you to join us in celebrating this season by sharing your creations! Consider joining the third edition of:

12 Days of Mystrade (and Friends) Advent Calendar

December 21, 2023 - January 1, 2024

We’re looking for new fanfic and art about Mystrade, Johnlock, or any other pairing within the Sherlock universe! Please note that general fics and art are also welcome! Your contribution can be a story, picture, video, collage – we are open to all kinds of art, as long as there’s some kind of winter or holiday theme. Go where your muse takes you – be it something fluffy, funny, or angsty! We also accept WIP, and there is no minimum or maximum word count or rating requirement.

Submissions are open until December 6th. Once they’re in, we’ll get back to you with a particular day for you to post your work on Archive of Our Own (AO3). 

To sign up, fill out this Google form with:

your AO3 handle

the main pairing (if there is any)

how to contact you (for the date assignment)

a summary & the title of your work (if you have them - this is only to organize the calendar order - a general idea is also fine)

any dates you prefer and/or need to avoid.

If you’d like to submit more than one work, that’s great! Please submit a separate form for each piece. 

Please submit by the end of the day on the 6th of December. You will be assigned a posting day by December 15th; the calendar will run between the 21st of December and the 1st of January.

If you have any questions, send an email or an ask, and we’ll answer as soon as possible! (Sadly we cannot answer a DM on Tumblr since this blog is run by multiple users - please send an ask or email to 12daysofmystrade@gmail.com instead!)

Last year, we had a successful calendar, if you’d like to see previous works!

We hope you will join us in making this holiday season very special!

Don’t forget to reblog to spread the word!

Your mods:

sky-is-torn

johannadc

[markgatissbirthdayproject]

Good morning! Please see the list of auction items. Items that have bids on them will have the high bid listed. In order to bid for those items you must bid more than the high bidder. I will try to keep this updated regularly.

Click on the link of the item you want to bid on. The items have all the specifics including any images of the items if relevant.

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Auction items for 2022

1 fic, 2-5000 words, Mystrade or Mycroft-focused, none of: explicit, non-con, character death, heavy angst. Donated by @johannadc. https://archiveofourown.org/users/trillian_jdc/pseuds/trillian_jdc Link to item 1 HIGH BID £20

 1 Mystrade fic 3-5K, no non con, underage, graphic violence, MCD donated by @lavenderandvanilla Link to item 2 HIGH BID £10

A set of Sherlock themed holiday cards from Redbubble designed by redscharlach donated by @lavenderandvanilla Link to item 3 HIGH BID £5

A tote bag with Mycroft Holmes and zipper case with Greg Lestrade from Redbubble designed by bluebell42 donated by @lavenderandvanilla Link to item 4 HIGH BID £10

1 2023 Mystrade calendar magnet (4x6 inch) donated by @eys93 Link to item 5 HIGH BID £15

1 Mystrade grab bag (an assortment of at least 12 items including note cards, magnets and stickers all featuring Mystrade, MG or RG) donated by @eys93   Link to item 6 HIGH BID £10

1 Mystrade grab bag (an assortment of at least 12 items including note cards, magnets and stickers all featuring Mystrade, MG or RG)donated by @eys93 Link to item 7

1 signed program from A Christmas Carol (please note the signature is a bit difficult to see, but it is there!) donated by @copgirl1964 Link to item 8

A lot of 3 flyers: 1 from A Christmas Carol, 1 from the Boys in the Band and 1 from Three Days in the Country  donated by @copgirl1964 Link to item 9

1 fanfic 5k, mystrade, or any other of Mark's roles (check with the author first), no bdsm, no rpf. Donated by @jaybeefoxy Link to item 10 HIGH BID £10

5k – 10k fic based on winner’s one-sentence prompt. (No Mystrade or explicit) donated by https://archiveofourown.org/users/Rector/pseuds/Rector Link to item 11 HIGH BID £30

1 fanfic donated by https://archiveofourown.org/users/Phlamingo/pseuds/Phlamingo Link to item 12 HIGH BID £15

2 Jack the Lad magazines with interviews with Mark. One still in its plastic covering. Please note these items are for domestic UK shipping only due to postage costs. Donated by @antheas-blackberry Link to item 13

The Radio Times magazine that Mark produced. Donated by @antheas-blackberry Link to item 14

A random assortment of playbills, postcards, stickers and a Sherlock notebook (missing the first few pages). Donated by @antheas-blackberry Link to item 15 HIGH BID £12

[inevitably-johnlocked]

Hey Steph!

I’m headed to Scotland on holiday next month and want to get into the mood, do you have any fics set in Scotland?

Thanks

Hey Nonny!

Ah, good question, let's do a quick search! Feel free to add more, friends, if you have them! I'd love more!

Hope you have a wonderful trip!! I would LOVE to visit Scotland!

SCOTLAND FICS

See also:

Johnlock and Kilts

Travelling / Road Trips (Updated July 2023)

The Cure for Snoring by Goddess_of_the_Night (G, 1,278 w., 1 Ch. || Sleepy Conversations, Bed Sharing, Cuddling, Fluff, Domestic, Platonic / Sleepy Cuddles) – Sherlock and John spend the night in Scotland after finishing a case. The sole Inn in town only has one room left...one bed. This would be fine - if not a bit awkward - if Sherlock hadn't developed a habit of snoring loudly. John suffers through many hours of sleeplessness before he discovers that skin-to-skin contact stops the noise. Part 1 of Dreamscapes

Hitting the Water at Sixty Miles an Hour by what_alchemy (E, 30,568 w., 5 Ch. || Fake Rel., Road Trips, Slow Burn, Mummy Holmes) – “You love your mother, Sherlock?” John watched the muscles in Sherlock’s jaw jump. He nodded in one sharp jerk. “Then we’re going to her party and making her happy.” John let out a resigned sigh. “As a ruddy couple, you bastard.”

MARKED FOR LATER

the dead-end case of the kilted kirkyard killer by darcylindbergh (E, 8,823 w., 1 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting || Scotland, First Kiss/Time, BAMF John, Frottage, Blow Jobs, Banter) – In which Sherlock follows the wrong man and gets more than he bargained for.

The Bachelors' Handfasting by Jberry (E, 30,624 w., 20 Ch. || Regency AU || Arranged Marriage, Virgin Sherlock, 1800′s Scotland, Bodice-Rippeer, Romance, Kilts, No Period-Typical Homophobia, Smoll Sherlock, Suicide Discussion, Romance, Miscarriage, Depression) – After her son is caught in a compromising position, Victoria Holmes must make arrangements for a quick marriage between Sherlock Holmes and John Watson.

The Straw Man Fallacy by Vulgarweed (E, 40,422 w., 8 Ch. || Wicker Man AU || Ritual Sex, Sacrifice, Mystery and Horror, Romance, Fuck or Die, Dubious Morality, Mildly Dubious Consent, Pagan Festivals, Public Sex, First Time, Case Fic, Virgin Sherlock, Scotland, Kilts) – Summerisle is not a welcoming place to visitors, but it shows its best face at May Day. For ulterior motives.

Bread and Lighthouses by Ayla221bee (M, 63,958 w., 22 Ch. || Mystrade Lighthouse Keeper AU || Fluff and Angst, Romance, Lighthouses, Baker Greg, Friends to Lovers, Disabled Character, Disabilities, Scotland) – Mycroft ends up taking an opportunity as a lighthouse keeper in Scotland to take comfort in the isolation to avoid his past. Greg has been running the local bakery for the last three years after a life in London. Part 1 of the The Lighthouse series

Savage Music, Sombre Light by snorklepie (E, 66,635+ w., 15/? Ch. || WiP || Kidnapping, Angst, BAMF John, Sherlock’s Past, Relationship Issues) – “On the whole, Sherlock reflected as the door shut [quietly, carefully, definitely NOT a slam] behind John Watson, it hadn’t been a bad innings. He honestly hadn’t expected it to last even this long.” Part 3 of the Scotland Series

October to Hogmanay by snorklepie (E, 127,318 w., 25 Ch. || Post HLV Fix-It, Awkward First Times, Hurt/Comfort, Sherlock is a Mess, Shameless Smut, Sherlock’s Past, Scotland, Poison, Holmes Family, Kilts, Dancing, Angst) – John stared at Sherlock’s profile against the cab window and exhaled slowly. After a long moment, he reached out and touched Sherlock’s long fingers where they were fiddling with the button on his coat. The tall man didn’t look around again, but his fingers slowly unfurled before curling deliberately around John’s hand. Part 2 of Scotland Series

The Edinburgh Problem by snorklepie (E, 152,095 w., 39 Ch. || Post-HLV/S3 Fix It, Pre-Slash/Bromance to Romance, Travelling, Humour, First Kiss/Time, Holmes Family, Sherlock’s Big Feelings, Hurt/Comfort, Family Secrets, Case Fic, Slow Burn, Flashbacks, Attempted Sexual Assault, Jealousy, Implied Rape/Non-Con) – After he separates from Mary, John returns to Baker Street. Following a request for help from Sherlock's cousin Violet, the detective and his blogger take a trip to Edinburgh. John discovers more about the Holmes family and Sherlock than he bargained for, but tries not to run screaming. Part 1 of the Scotland series

[starkraivennemad]

Bygones

Greg parked across the street and a few spots from 221b Baker Street. It was late afternoon and shockingly almost no vehicular traffic on the snowy street. A few uni kids were passing on the pavement side when one grabbed a handful of snow from a nearby bonnet and lobbed it someone else. Greg grinned as he skirted around the impromptu snowball fight that broke out amongst them as he climbed out of his car. He was mid street, past the center line when he heard an almost too sharp whistle. Naturally, he turned his head to look, and was immediately pelted with snow.

And not just a snowball. But several.

All aimed at him.

It was soft snow, but more than enough for the seasoned cop to understand what was happening. He laughed lifting his hands to mock protect his himself, only soft head shots to become more solid body shots from all directions, he could not move.

"Problem Graham?" He mentally cursed as he looked up and spotted Sherlock laughing from the open window.

Mycroft’s sedan pulled up and the man himself rolled down a window. “Need assistance?

“You’re all I need right now.”

Mycroft stepped out and the pelting stopped.

“I thought you said let bygones be bygones…” Sherlock laughed from the window.

“Point.”  Mycroft reached for some clean snow, made a ball, and launched it. 

“Mycroft!”

Greg laughed at Sherlock’s affronted face at Mycroft’s direct hit.  

Mycroft  grabbed more snow and landed one solid snowball dead center of Greg’s chest, then all but dived in the sedan, as a grinning Anthea closed the door behind him. 

It was rare to catch a Holmes off guard. Mycroft had laughed and said he was so impressed that it even happened it was all bygones. Greg really should have known when he threw that snowball which dumped a hefty mound from a snow laden branch on his head it was not going to go unpunished.

“Oh, you bastard!” Greg was so surprised and delighted all he could do was laugh as the sedan drove off.

He barely heard Mycroft’s merry laughter as the window rolled up.

“Bye! Gone! Muah!”

@mystradepromptsandscenarios