#acd johnlock fic rec

[weast-of-eden]

I've been thinking about how I could contribute to the ACD/Granada Sherlock Holmes fandom for a while, seeing as I'm neither an artist, a writer, or anything actually useful lol. But then I realized something I myself always treasure are curated fic recs, which I could actually do! I've read probably like 25% of all the h/w ACD and Granada fics on ao3, so I compiled a short list for anyone who is just starting out with the fandom. Without further ado, may I present

Eden’s Top Picks for Beginning ACD/Granada Fics:

(edit: i made a second list here!!)

The Adventure of the Doctor's Heart by mistyzeo 12k | Rated E Summary: Holmes has observed much of Watson's habits and tastes over time, which is why it surprises him when his friend objects strangely to a folk song sung at the conclusion of a case. Disturbed by the Doctor's unexpected display of emotion, Holmes becomes determined to lift his spirits by any means necessary, with mixed results. Notes: obviously if you're going to read canonverse h/w, you are going to read mistyzeo. this one is just so good and angsty and features music (!!). it's got some steaminess but it also has wooing. basically it has everything you ever need. this is my odyssey, my iliad, my hamlet, etc.

Cameo by what_alchemy 8k | Rated M | For Archive Users Only Summary: Holmes and Watson become embroiled in a case Scotland Yard refuses to acknowledge. A soulmate AU. Notes: i honestly skipped over this fic for a while, since i'm not the biggest fan of soulmate aus. do not make the same mistake i did, because this shit HITS. this fic has hit after hit: soulmate-mark based case for our main duo, angst, hiatus feels, MORE ANGST, and ofc a happy ending. ugh. read this fic if you enjoy being happy.

A Tide That Does Not Turn by tweedisgood 3k | Rated T Summary: Holmes is a very bad patient with a devoted doctor who adores him. Watson wishes it was safe to speak up, but his friend is a tide that does not turn. Notes: do NOT read this if you don't like angst... ok now i'm sensing a pattern. anyways this is the first hurt/no comfort fic i read for this tag and i literally have cried more than enough tears over it. poor, poor watson :( iconic author though, read everything they write!

The Adventure of the Glad Outlaw by radondoran 7k | Rated T Summary: While Sherlock Holmes solves the mystery of a student's disappearance, Dr. Watson is more puzzled by the changing dynamic between his flatmate and himself. Notes: cute pastiche! a nice little mystery and a nice little get-together. ahhhhhh.... this fic is like cotton candy to me, so sweet and fluffy. defo recommend

Hands by MinorObsessions (draculard) 1.4k | Rated T Summary: Naturally, there are some things Watson thinks about Holmes that don't make it into the books. Notes: i'm also in the star trek fandom, so if you know anything about that then you know that hands are kind of A Thing in both circles and ergo i now Have A Thing about hands. so this is a nice little ode to holmes' hands, featuring some doctoring by watson AND a nice reverse appraisal at the end. it's so sweet :)

Conductor of Light by ColebaltBlue  1.4k | Rated T Summary: A Victorian stiff upper lip won't prevent you from falling in love, but it might prevent you from realizing it. Notes: they finally get their shit together! honestly i would recommend this fic to anyone just starting out with h/w fics in any medium. the characterization and dialogue is A1, and their argument is really realistic to me, idk. also features the iconic HOUN quote for its title so props to that!

A (Mis)fortunate Man by sans_patronymic 1.5k | Rated T Summary: December, 1880. Watson writes a note which may be his last. December, 1899. Watson writes back. Notes: READ THE TAGS BEFORE READING. this was a gut-wrenching read but god i cried at the end for watson. don't worry, this one has a happy ending. ugh now i wish there was a second chapter where watson lets holmes read the letters. to sum up: oof, my heart

The Second Smartest Man in London by FairSinner 73k | Rated E Summary: Dr John Watson returns from Afghanistan to Victorian London, wounded, traumatised and alone. When he meets Sherlock Holmes, his life begins to seem worth living again. But Holmes is a man who despises sentiment and Watson cannot seem to expunge it from his heart. Notes: congrats, you've made it to the end!! so now i must confess that it's been a loooong time since i've read this fic, but the private note i left on my bookmark was just "holy shit", so i'm sure it's a banger. i'm also sure it has angst because i love angst and i love bookmarking angst so i can read it again and again and suffer infinitely. enjoy :)

anyways, now that i've put these all here i realized how much i enjoy angst and hurt/no comfort fics. if any of you guys have a favorite fic you want to link or want to plug your own writing, feel free to!

[haedraulics]

Do you know some fics about sherlock holmes that are not the BBC version that you would recommend?

yeah i've got a whole ton! i'm still working through bookmarking everything i've read, but you can find some of the fics i've enjoyed on my ao3 bookmarks tab. overall i've been really impressed by the quality and creativity of ACD holmes/watson writers!

in particular i've been captivated by Since First I Saw Your Face, which is one of the most heart-wrenching, technically astounding fic projects i've ever had the pleasure of reading from any fandom. the scope and depth of this series elevates it so much so that i consider it a full-on holmes adaptation, especially with the human depth it brings to both holmes and watson as characters. highly recommend!

another notable shout-out is One Week (rated E) which does a magnificent job of drawing out the tension between h/w while being witty, in-character, and shamelessly horny. speaking of shamelessly horny, an eternity in three weeks, An Unconventional Treatment, and His True Gift are all brilliant and their authors each have more lovely work on their accounts.

there are so many various scenes from ACD h/w fics that i want to sketch out or something because they're so tender and well-written, i appreciate the skill it takes to write prose and dialogue and old man sex in a victorian pastiche style! very excited to read more! :D

[jonkwatson]

Holmes and I were exposed, though I imagined we presented a fairly convincing portrait of a couple in flagrante . Holmes moved suddenly, his hands cupping my face, and he looked deep into my eyes for the barest moment before he kissed me.

But Why Turkish - mistyzeo

Read it on AO3!

[hellobitches990]

spot the difference ...

[iamdefinitelyreal]

Ace-Friendly Sherlock

Hi, it's me again! I did a sex-averse friendly Good Omens post a bit ago, and thought I might follow up with a Sherlock one! But I do want to make something clear: As with Aziraphale and Crowley, I know that some people head cannon Sherlock as Ace or Aro/Ace. Please, don't shame people for their separate head canons! That's the great thing and fan fiction: talented writers can share their own ideas about a show, please, let's be friendly!

Fics

Through a Glass, Darkly  By Calais_Reno (@calaisreno)

Rated: T

Chapters: 5/11

BBC!Johnlock and ACD!Johnlock

Time Travel Mystery, dual perspective with BBC being John and ACD being Sherlock

TW: Light violence, hospitals, mentions of death and murder, non-fatal major character injury

Notes: Really amazing! And of course, this fic goes with the theme that BBC!Johnlock has yet to confess by ACD!Johnlock has been all but married for years, and it’s wonderful! I can’t wait to read more updates!

Gifts Woven in HeartStrings By Seamless_Boundaries

Rated: G

Chapters: 5/5

BBC!Johnlock

Multiperspective 

TW: Slight homophobia, slight alcoholism

Notes: All fluff, and so beautiful. 

Solitude, and me By HopelessAndWandering

Rated: T

Chapters: 1/1

BBC! Johnlock (S2 EP3)

John’s Perspective

TW: Talk of death, unhealthy responses to grief, and slight blood warning

Notes: ANGST. This fic took the part of me that never healed from John’s reaction to 

Reichenbach and mutilated it. 

The Problem With Secrets By Charlie26 

Rated: T 

Chapters: 4/4

BBC!Mystrade (S4 EP3)

Omniscient Third Person Perspective

TW: Physiological torute, mention of child abuse, SH

Notes: Though I’m not a huge fan of Mystrade, this fic is fantastic! And it does a very good job (in my opinion of course) in portraying Mycroft’s personality!

Break it to Fix it - A Johnlock Fanfiction By jawnscoffee

Rated: T

Chapters: 2/?

BBC!Johnlock (The Dance Lesson)

TW: None

Notes: THE DANCE SCENE 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Comics

Closeted by @anotherwellkeptsecret

On Tumblr

Finished

Completely SFW, but there is a follow up (Naked) that is NSFW

Also a fic (Closeted by sussexbound)

Change of Pace by @anotherwellkeptsecret

On Tumblr

Finished

SFW and NSFW version (SFW only on Tumblr)

[inevitably-johnlocked]

Hi there! Just wanted to let you know that you are my first stop when I'm attempting to find a fic with our favorite guys. You are also my first recommendation when I run across anyone who is wanting to find a fic about same. You are truly a fandom treasure.

That said, I know you have an ACD canon list. Could you please add my just completed fic to it? It's Wolfhound and is work #54568060 on AO3. (I'm KtwoNtwo over on AO3).

Thanks much.

Wolfhound by KtwoNtwo (M, 20,783 w., 9 Ch. || ACD Canon || Canon-Typical Violence, Werewolves, Period-Typical Homophobia) – The Baskerville family curse has allegedly taken a victim and Sherlock Holmes has taken the case. Unfortunately the case itself threatens to expose Dr. Watson's most closely held secrets. Secrets that he has somehow managed to conceal so far from Holmes. A retelling of the Hound of the Baskervilles in a universe where Lycanthropy is not only known but is also a death sentence.

=====

Hi Lovely!

Thank you so much for your kind words, oh gosh. I am humbled!!

Secondly, I'll do you one better and signal boost your fic on its own post!! It sounds like a fantastic read, so I implore everyone to go give this one some love!!! :D

Thank you so much!!

[cupidford]

From the diaries of John Watson, 221B Baker Street by Elofant

ACD/Victorian. After a case, Doctor Watson gets a lecture on the art of deduction by one Sherlock Holmes, that takes an unexpected turn...

Johnlock Love Letters #2297

[weast-of-eden]

Victorian Holmes/Watson Murder Mysteries Fic Rec

aka people are DYING and you two are making out??? actually i just noticed that all of these have the explicit rating so not only are they making out they're getting busy while people are, again, DYING.

enjoy <3

The False and True by Rhuia 9k | Rated E Summary: Dead men tell no lies. The living do it for them. Based on a real murder. And just plain based.

Witness and Testimony by Violsva 11k | Rated E Summary: Men of certain dispositions should not take up residence with consulting detectives. Having done so anyway, Watson is finally forced to face the consequences. Not quite the consequences he expected, however. TFW your best friend’s boyfriend is framed for murder so you prove his innocence then take his man

The Case of the Kidnapped Corpses by Ferryman 10k | Rated E (No Summary) Holmes can you please stop almost killing yourself for the sake of a case you’re going to give your doctor a heart attack.

To see ourselves by Citrine (orphan_account) 9k | Rated E Summary: Victorian London - Odd notions of sexuality, Holmes' fetish and some unsolved murders. And men falling in love, even if they won't admit it. Me *opening this fic*: what is it finna play-- WOAH

[meetinginsamarra]

Fanfics I Really Liked in March 2024

So. Since I keep a list of what I´ve read anyway (there´s always a list), I will rec all the fics I´ve wholly enjoyed on a monthly basis. Old and new, canon or AU, big or small authors, long or short but nearly always Johnlock (-ish).

+++++

Adrift by BakerTumblings

John Watson has certainly been dealt a rough hand. And there are some choices he's made that aren't helping his state of mind. Neither is the alcohol. Sherlock Holmes has been dealt a rough hand, as well. His choices, also not always the best. Neither are the substances. Certainly, once a person has hit rock bottom, the only place left to go is up, right? With a lot of support from friends, family, and - eventually - each other, they'll do more than manage. They'll thrive.

A very painful beginning after the events of TLD but it slowly gets better until a happy (and dramatic) end.

Through a Glass, Darkly by Calais_Reno @calaisreno

It begins in an alley. Two alleys, to be accurate. John and Sherlock, chasing a suspect. Holmes and Watson running for their lives. While John and Sherlock try to clear their names in ACD universe, Holmes and Watson are solving a missing persons case.

Another timey-whimey fic and I absolutely loved the juxtaposition of the BBC and ACD incarnations and what they do to solve the case.

Because Blah Blah Blah Happy by cwb

John is entirely done with the milk situation and gives Sherlock a list of shit he's pissed about. Sherlock sets out to make John happy. John is happy. Sherlock makes his own list. They are both very, very happy.

This is so much fun!

Landscape With The Fall Of Icarus by CaitlinFairchild

Closing his eyes, Sherlock allows himself a brief swell of feeling--let’s not put a name on it, just call it a feeling--for his big brother. He knows that when Mycroft opens that steel door again, every man now inside will be a fresh corpse.

Serbia and its aftermath and a BAMF Mycroft.

many of horror by hailholylight

Sherlock traces the pattern of the bruises under the dim light of a lamp to the right of him. It's the only light he can stand being on. They're the last traces of Victor he has left on his body.

Sherlock is in a bad place after the abusive relationship with Victor but a caring Lestrade and meeting an ex-soldier help him with coping.

[hellobitches990]

" A message will not arrive"

One shot :- holmes x watson

Sherlock Holmes has been in hiding for months.

His fake death allowed him to disappear into the shadows and out of reach of his worst enemies

"Jim Moriarty"

But it also meant that he was separated from the one person who was always there for him,

his dear doctor and partner, Dr. John Watson.

As days turn into weeks and weeks into months,

Holmes finds himself increasingly overwhelmed by his loneliness and longing for his friend and his first and only love.

He longed for Watson's warm, comfortable company

Where he understood him from a mere look, and his unique intelligence,

And his unwavering loyalty.

He missed their conversations and adventures together.

one evening, As he sat alone in his lair,

Holmes decided to drop his guard and send a letter to Watson.

He knew it was risky, but he couldn't bear the thought of never communicating with a fellow of his age again.

Or even explain things to him

In the letter, he poured out all his heart's content,

Tell him how much he loved him and how much he misses him now, and how much he regrets the pain he caused him.

How he longs to see him

And embrace him in his arms again.

When he finished writing the letter,

Holmes was suddenly overwhelmed with a feeling of despair...

He knew his enemies were still there,

and that his return would endanger Watson again.

He couldn't bear the thought of putting his partner in danger, not after everything he'd already been through.

With a heavy heart and trembling hands,

Holmes tore up the letter, ripping his heart out with it

And he threw it aside.

He buried his face in his palms and wept.

Tears flowed from his eyes until it soaked his shirt

He cried - for the first time in his life - until he felt his lungs running out of air

The idea that he might never see him again hurt him

The pain in his heart was a constant reminder of the love he had lost, and the tears were a testament to his grief and the pain of his separation from Watson.

Hours later, as he lay in his bed,

Holmes knew he had made the right decision,

But that brought him little relief.

He always loved Watson,

and always misses him, always feeling the pain of their separation.

But he also knew that his love for Watson would keep him going strong, even in the darkest of times,

And he knows that one day, somehow,

They will reunite again.

He swore then that he would never allow any creature to separate him from Watson's side again

♡

[notkitty]

GOOD NEWS. I WROTE ONE

hmmm not enough johnlock fics where the pipe is a dick standin on purpose. not enough johnlock fics acknowledging that Sherlock is like metatextually always sucking dick

[inevitably-johnlocked]

Howdy do! I was wondering if you happen to have any fics that crossover with other Sherlock Holmes adaptations. The idea of them meeting other versions of themselves is so fun to me. I recently read The Inexplicable Matchbox by Jay Harriet, in which BBC John and Sherlock end up in the universe of the Sherlock and Co podcast, which was a delight. And also The Curious Case of the Dr.s Watson by Shiny Sherlock, which has BBC John and ACD Watson switch places. (Both are on ao3)

The concept is facinating, and I would love to see more stories like it :)

Hi Lovely!

First the fic you recced because I don't think anyone's ever recced it to me before:

The Inexplicable Matchbox by Jaye Harriet (AlJeDd) (G, 9,535 w., 1 Ch. || Sherlock & Co. Fusion || Emotional Hurt / Comfort, Fluff and Angst, Case Fic, Time Travel) – Sherlock is gifted a strange matchbox, one that glows brighter than a thousand suns. But what does it do? Where has it taken them? And why are there alternate versions of themselves living in their house?

===

As for Johnlock Meets Johnlock fics, I've got my list of Victorian Meets Modern Johnlock fics that I think you will enjoy!! :D

This one you recced me is the first Modern meets Modern Johnlock fic I think I have, so thank you!!

If anyone has some new fics I can add to my list, please let me know!!

[johnlockfan2021]

Can u recommend me a good victorian/ granada Holmes johnlock fanfiction pls ??

[cupidford]

To Stand Outside His Gates by Yuliares

Johnlock Love Letters #2109

Victorian/ACD. 

With Holmes out of the house, Watson attempts some cathartic journaling.

[johannadc]

Johnlock Fic Rec: Parentlock, ACD Style

I should have known, if you can imagine it, someone’s done it... mistyzeo wrote “In A Family Way” (12K, M), which is parentlock, only with the Arthur Conan Doyle characters. 

https://archiveofourown.org/works/866727

It’s been an interest of mine for a while now to speculate on whether the original Dr. John Watson had any kids. I firmly think not, as I’ve never known a parent who could go without mentioning their children if they had them. 

But this, where John and Mary had a child during Holmes’ absence and then Mary passed away, is just lovely. All the fun of seeing Sherlock try to cope with a child, layered with the Victorian reticence to have parents parent, let alone a widower. 

[topsyturvy-turtely]

this was VERY sweet! i definitely recommend

Fandom- Sherlock Holmes (Arthur Conan Doyle)

Pairing- Sherlock Holmes/John Watson

Rating- T

Warning- None

Words- 2k

Summary-

After Holmes and Watson had solved the case and 'Killer' Evans had been arrested, Watson thought that it was time he had an important conversation with Holmes.

Here's the link

Check it out! 😊

Tags- @helloliriels @topsyturvy-turtely @jawnn-watson @totallysilvergirl @inevitably-johnlocked , etc.