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atlas-tries · 5 years ago

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Shatter Me

A Patton angst fic by yours truly

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Summary: All the sides have secrets, but none have one as lethal as the one Patton is keeping. Can he keep it under wraps long enough to resolve it or will the trauma of it all spell his undoing?

Hey guys, so this has been a long time in the making (aka since January). But I finally got this finished and I’m very proud of how it turned out. This was all based on a simple headcanon I had about how Patton experiences emotional pain. I hope you enjoy it, and the next chapter will be out next Monday! Check the notes for definitive links to the next chapter.

Chapter 1: Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones but Words Hurt Far More Deeply

At some point or another, all the sides had kept secrets from each other.

Mostly, it had to do with where they had been in the past or something silly, like the time Roman “accidentally” ate all of Logan’s Crofters. The others still kept some, likely to make a well-placed or dramatic reveal of it, and Patton was no different. He himself occasionally had physical manifestations of emotional pain. However, there was one thing he knew that wasn’t a secret.

Patton knew how they all really felt about him.

Sentimental.

Overbearing.

Naive.

Worthless.

Even if they rarely said any of those descriptors out loud or in his presence, the unspoken words came through loud and clear every time they thought he would mess something up. Which was in almost every video he appeared in. They thought he didn’t notice the dismissive remarks or the eye rolls whenever he had any ideas to share when Thomas had an issue that needed working through. It’s just ol’ Patton spouting off whatever random thoughts and/or dad jokes pop up in his head like always.

For the most part, Patton could handle whatever emotional turmoil they threw at him. He knew that despite what they thought, they still cared about him and valued his opinions. The occasional pain was worth it if they were happy. And they were, especially after Thomas had introduced them to his online community of Fanders (the part that made him the happiest). Even Patton himself had been ecstatic to reach out to so many other kiddos out there. At least, he was until they had gotten in front of the camera.

Yeah, his jokes didn’t land with the others, it wasn’t a big deal. That was no different than telling them in the Mindscape on most days. However, he really wanted to do that four-part harmony when Roman suggested it, even after they immediately shot it down when he came in. But Patton could shake that off, too. He was strong. So, imagine his surprise when he discovered short, thin cracks radiating from over his heart when he was changing into his cat onesie that evening. “Oh,” he said, running his hand delicately over them, “That must’ve gotten to me a little more than I thought.” No matter, though, they always went away within a few days.

Everything went back to relative normal in short order and Patton was back to being a happy pappy. The next few videos came and went without much fanfare. He was even featured by himself to help Thomas with his adultery! There was nothing better than that. The cracks didn’t return until just before they started planning out The Mind vs. The Heart.

That morning, Patton had been making breakfast for everyone as he almost always did. This morning was especially pleasant for him because Thomas had actually listened to Patton yesterday when he suggested he go and pet all the puppies in the pet store on the way home. Having that thought at the forefront made it easy to softly sing to himself as the bacon sizzled. Roman was already eating his as fast as he could fancifully manage.

“Roman, I know my food is good, but please don’t choke up on your swallow through,” Patton said with a smile, taking the last batch of bacon out of the pan and putting it on a plate. Roman just nodded and kept doing exactly what he was doing. “Say, you didn’t happen to see Logan when you came down, did you?” Patton was getting a little worried about Logan. It was early, yes, but the logical side always made his appearance long before now.

“Haben’t sheen ‘im thish morning,” Roman said with a mouthful of pancake.

Patton hummed, set his and Logan’s plates on the table, and grabbed some forks. He sat down at the table, picking at the eggs a little. He would feel better about eating when Logan came. As if on cue, soft squeaks came from the staircase. “Huh, speak of the devil,” Roman mumbled. Patton immediately perked up.

“Good morning, Logan!” Patton shouted. Logan stopped at the bottom of the stairs and covered his ears.

“Too loud, Pat,” Logan grumbled, making his way slowly to the table.

Patton softly replied, “Sorry. I made breakfast.” He couldn’t help but notice the dark circles beneath Logan’s eyes as he approached; they were almost dark enough to rival Anxiety’s. Patton was very much hoping that Roman wouldn’t notice, if only to preserve the peace (and the rest of his good mood, but Patton didn’t want that to be the focus).

“Thank you.” Logan sat and went straight for the coffee, downing half of it in only a few seconds. So far, so good. “Ugh, aren’t I a little old for cat-shaped pancakes, Patton?”

Patton shook his head with a smile. “You’re never too old to have a Patton paw-ncake!” he said cheerily, batting a pawed hand in the air for emphasis.

“Wow, looks like someone’s been to the dark sides this morning. Can we get a bag check on Logan’s eyes?” said Roman, going for another mouthful of bacon.

Logan wasn’t amused. “I’m sorry some of us have to work overtime to make Thomas make the right decisions,” he spat. “Sometimes it’s like I’m the only adult here.” Patton felt that familiar pain ghost across his chest.

“Ex-cuse me, how dare you say such a thing, and when Padre was nice enough to make you breakfast! And anyways, you are NOT the only one who has to pull late nights, Snide and Prejudiced,” Roman countered.

Patton said, “It’s fine, Roman, ple—”

“Really?” Logan adjusted his glasses. “Because it seems to me like you only keep Thomas up at ungodly hours fantasizing about the things you want.”

“Oh, and you don’t?”

“As the most important side, no, I don’t.”

“Oh well ex-cuuuuuuse me, Mr. President—”

From there it devolved into them shouting over each other. Roman slung eggs and syrup everywhere while wildly gesticulating. Logan kept smacking the table trying to make his points. Chocolate milk was going everywhere. They had never been so tense with each other.

“Um, kiddos?” Patton said. Neither of them heard him in the midst of their shouting match. “Kiddos?” he said a little louder, reaching out toward them. “Maybe if we just—”

“THIS DOESN’T CONCERN YOU, PATTON!” both of them yelled. Patton recoiled. Another crack split painfully across his chest. Both of them went back to screaming at each other. He couldn’t stand to see them like this, even if they were hurting him in the process. What else could he do but meet them at their level?

Patton stood abruptly and slammed his hands down on the table. “That’s ENOUGH, both of you!” he scolded. They instantly hushed, flustered and in awe that Patton could even raise his voice. He took a breath and calmly continued, “Roman, I appreciate you defending me like the noble Prince you are, but it’s okay. We know that Logan isn’t the only one that works the graveyard shift, but we shouldn’t make fun of the sides that do when they’re not in their best shape. And Logan, I know you’re tired, but—”

“Yes, from trying to mitigate the effects you had on Thomas yesterday,” Logan interrupted. “We almost adopted one of those puppies when we have neither the resources nor the time to look after one. And who was the one who had to convince him that it was a bad idea? Me!”

Even though Patton wasn’t sorry about that in the slightest, he still apologized. “You did the right thing, Logan. Why don’t you go back to bed for a little while? You’ve earned it,” Patton said. “I’ll even keep your breakfast warm for you.”

Logan nodded and left wordlessly, taking the coffee mug with him back up the stairs. With him gone, Patton looked to Roman. “You owe him an apology, mister,” said Patton.

“What? Me? He was the one being snippier than an Edward Scissorhands wannabe!” Roman cried.

“Well, you didn’t help that, now did you? But he also owes you an apology, too.” That garnered a little “oh” from the Prince. Patton sighed and took Logan’s plate to the oven, turning it on to the lowest setting.

“You know we would’ve worked it out on our own eventually, right?” Roman said. “This is just what we do.”

“I know,” Patton responded. “I think … I should start cleaning up. There’s chocolate milk everywhere.”

Roman nodded. “Okay, Padre. Is there … something I can help with, at least?” He got up and handed his mostly empty plate to Patton.

“Thanks, but I can handle it,” Patton said softly, voice barely above a whisper. He felt Roman’s hand on his shoulder and looked up at the Prince.

“You shouldn’t worry about us so much. We’ll be fine. And, uh, I promise I’ll make it up to the Grinch up there,” said Roman with a small smile.

We don’t need you smothering us.

Great! Now Patton’s thoughts were going to take it upon themselves to put translations after the other’s words! Patton tried to return a smile despite the pain in his chest growing. It must’ve convinced him because Roman, with a final pat on his shoulder, turned and left. As soon as Roman was completely out of sight, Patton rubbed at the cracks to try and soothe their aching. It never worked, but it made him feel a little less like a sad dad. Oh well. At least they’d disappear soon enough.

Or not.

A few days after Losing Motivation came out, Patton had once again busied himself in the kitchen, this time baking chocolate chip cookies while humming along to the Disney showtunes that Roman had playing in the living room. No doubt Thomas would have them stuck in his head by the end of the day. Not that it was a problem in Patton’s mind; the music really helped him ignore the constant throbbing pain that those ugly fractures left on his chest. Better to have Disney showtunes on the brain than a recent ex-boyfriend, right?

The oven timer let out a short ding! at the start of the chorus to Prince Ali. “Oh cookie, where would I be if you weren’t hooooot,” Patton sang over the lyrics. He danced over to the oven while putting on heart-patterned oven mitts. “So full of sweets from eating way more than I ouuuuggghhht. To.” He took the finished cookies out of the oven and twirled around to the music, kicking the door closed and sliding the baking sheet onto the stove in one smooth motion.

Patton made quick work of getting them off the baking sheet and onto a plate. “Cookies are ready!” he shouted. Quick, thundering steps met his cry and in seconds, Roman was in the kitchen juggling three.

“Don’t mind if I do, Pat,” said Roman. Fear never deterred Roman, not even when in the face of third degree mouth burns from oven-fresh cookies. Patton would be lying if he said he wasn’t proud of his son for being so brave (even if another part of him was terrified of Roman getting hurt). “Hanksh,” he said with a mouthful of molten cookie, pretending that it wasn’t actually too hot but still doing the hashafashafa thing to cool it down while he ate.

“You’re welcome, son,” Patton replied. He looked at the cookies and remembered why he was making them in the first place. Ever since Anxiety had made himself known, Patton had been trying to reach out to him. Sure, he was dark and broody and sometimes the others had a little trouble seeing how important his contributions were, but he wasn’t the villain that they made him out to be. Anxiety deserved to feel welcome, and that was something Patton would always advocate for.

He set a few of the cookies on another plate for the rest of the sides (and himself) and poured a glass of milk. “Anxiety’s gonna love this!” He picked the cookies and milk up and danced them out of the kitchen, making sure to pass by Logan on the way. Not that it was hard, he was almost always studying at the dining room table. “Hey Logan, do you wanna eat a cookie?” Patton sung to the tune of Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?

Logan glanced up from his book. “I would prefer not to as I am attempting to set a good example for Thomas by abstaining from sugar,” Logan responded.

“Ah. Well, more for me and Anxiety, then!” said Patton. “If you change your mind, there are some more in the kitchen.”

Logan put the book down and said, “Hold on, are you telling me you’re still intent on making friends with him?”

“Well, yeah, what’s so bad about that?” Patton asked.

“I can’t believe I have to explain this to you again. Anxiety has no place with us, Patton, and it’s time that you stop pandering to him. There’s a very good reason why he lives with … them, and not us.”

The little fissures began slowly spreading. Patton was getting good at keeping it under wraps. And under shirts. “Now Logan, just because he’s a little different from us doesn’t mean that he has bad intentions. Sure, he started out in a bad place, but who’s to say that he can’t grow out of that? Sometimes, people just need a push in the right direction to shine. Bright like a diamond~,” Patton sang the last part, which earned him a groan. “I promise, if I felt fishy about any of this, I wouldn’t be doing it.”

“Why would you feel like a fish? Do fish even feel?” Logan said, genuinely perplexed.

Patton sighed. “Gosh, words can be tough. What I mean is that I don’t feel bad about reaching out to Anxiety, not when he’s been reaching out to us in his own way. I don’t get the feeling that he means us harm.”

“But you have to admit that when it comes to character judgement, you can be too forgiving,” Logan said.

“… Is that a bad thing?” Patton quietly replied, wincing a little as the cracks splintered further.

Logan’s eyes narrowed. “Patton, are you feeling alright?” he asked.

Oh, no.

“Of … course I am!” Patton said. “I’m Morality, why wouldn’t I be feeling?”

Logan grunted and adjusted his glasses. “Let me rephrase that. Patton, moments ago, you clearly indicated you were in pain. Am I interpreting this cue correctly?”

“Um …” Patton stalled. Maybe it was time to tell someone about this; it wasn’t like he could keep hiding it forever. With a sigh, he replied, “Yeah.” Oh no no no no, he couldn’t do this.

Logan stood there silently for a few moments before realizing that no explanation was going to come out of him without prompting. “Would you care to explain what’s causing it? I can perform first aid if necessary,” he said, stepping toward Patton.

Patton backed away and put his hands up. “I’m alright, really. It’s just … a little heartburn is all. You know me, not waiting until the cookies are cool to start munchin’! It should go away soon,” he replied. He couldn’t describe how badly he wanted to get out from under Logan’s scrutiny.

“If that’s all, then, here,” Logan conjured some Tums, “please take two of these.” He offered the bottle to Patton, who took it with a smile.

“Thank you, Logan, where would we be without you?” said Patton. He took some out of the bottle and made a show of chewing them up. Even if he didn’t really need them, he wanted to be sure that Logan felt listened to.

“What is that on your neck?” Logan asked, gesturing on himself where he thought he saw something.

“Hmm?” Patton felt around in that general area, squeaking softly when he felt a small but deep fracture across his skin. How did he not notice that before? Quick, Patton, think of something! “It’s uh … it’s chocolate!”

Logan’s eyes narrowed again. “Chocolate?”

Patton smiled. “Yeeeaahhhh, I must’ve gotten chocolate on myself when I was making these cookies. Silly me,” he lied, waving a dismissive hand. Well, it wasn’t totally a lie; he did still have some chocolate on his hands.

That seemed to sate the logical side. “Very well then, be sure to wash that off. And I know that no matter what I say, you’re still going to take your cookies to Anxiety. Just, please be careful around him, no matter how he makes you feel. We do still need you to help keep Thomas functioning normally,” said Logan.

“Thank you, Logan, I appreciate that. I promise I’ll be careful,” Patton said with a smile. Logan gave him a curt nod and went back to his studies. Some of the pain subsided with that last comment, which Patton was very grateful for. If it had been anywhere near what it was before, he couldn’t have done what he had set out to do without cuing Anxiety on to his problems. With as much of a smile as he could muster, Patton picked up the cookies and milk and headed down to Anxiety’s room. Thankfully, Logan didn’t notice him adjusting his cardigan along the way.

Patton always thought it was odd that the doorway to the darker side of Thomas’s mind would be inside the broom closet at the end of the hall. In another way, it made a lot of sense when he thought about it a little harder. Anything he wanted hidden would be stowed in here for safe keeping until he was ready to confront it. Plus, it made an excellent visual pun that made Patton giggle every once in a while. He opened the door, carefully balancing the plate on his arm.

“Let’s see, last time I made two rights, a left at the weird eyeball painting that stares at you, another right, then a left, and it’s the last door on the left,” Patton mumbled to himself as he walked through the dark side’s labyrinthine corridors. “Please let there be no spiders this time.”

In between the first two rights, a yellow-gloved hand slithered its way around the edge of the corner in front of Patton, making him stop dead in his tracks. No no no, not now! “Well well well, if it isn’t Morality,” Deceit stepped out in front of Patton, “have you finally decided to join us AND bring us cookies? I know we would all be devastated if you did.” His ever-present smirk seemed even more delighted than normal.

“Um, no. I’m just bringing Anxiety some cookies like I’ve been doing for a while now. You know that,” Patton replied. This definitely wasn’t making him uneasy.

“Indeed I do, and I also know something else.” Deceit strode forward until he was uncomfortably close. “You’ve been hiding something I find to be … most exquisite. If you keep that up, you’re liable to put me out of a job. Tell me, how long do you think you can play my game but keep me away from the field? Or even better,” he slowly circled Patton, eyes ever trained on him, “how long do you think you can keep their prying eyes away from your little secret?” He gently touched the center of Patton’s chest, which made him hiss and nearly drop the cookies and milk.

Patton had to take a moment to catch his breath. “I refuse to … make this their problem,” he gasped. He could’ve sworn he saw a few glowing drops of his essence through his shirt where Deceit’s finger had been.

“Oh, of course you don’t. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard that one. They’re obviously trying to hurt you by saying and doing all of these little things and telling them this would only make them want to do it more,” Deceit said, coming to stop in front of Patton.

“Look, I know you’re just trying to look out for me in your … own way and I appreciate it, but please, Dee … I can’t tell them this. It would break them even more than it’s breaking me— and I won’t have it.”

Deceit’s smile faded. “You don’t want to listen to reason? Fine. But I leave you with this,” he shook a finger and slowly began sinking out, “what would hurt them more: the others finding out about this now or the others finding out about this when you’re in itty. Bitty. Pieces?” His last words echoed through the empty halls, chilling Patton to his core.

He knew Deceit was right, in his own roundabout way. That was one of his greatest assets: he was a brilliant analyst despite his airs, one that could keenly rival Logan’s perceptive inclinations. It was also what Patton dreaded about him. He couldn’t hide anything from Deceit, not that there was much he could do to hide all the cracks given how many there were.

“No!” Patton said to himself. This wasn’t the time for getting absorbed in thoughts! This was supposed to be bonding-with-his-precious-anxious-baby time, gosh darn it, and he was not going to waste any more time thinking about all the things that were hurting him! Putting on his best determined dad face, Patton quickly marched toward Anxiety’s room.

Before he could get too far, though, he saw Anxiety’s familiar, brooding figure lurking through the halls. He perked up almost imperceptibly when he saw Patton coming. “Oh, there you are. Not like I was worried about you being late or anything,” he said, fiddling with his hoodie strings.

Patton just smiled, relieved that Anxiety hadn’t noticed the little, slightly glowing stains on the front of his shirt. “Of course not. Shall we?” he replied. Anxiety nodded.

The two shared a nice, albeit short, time in Anxiety’s room talking through everything they could. Anxiety’s particular favorite seemed to be picking through Disney movies (or really any movie) to find all of the dark origins or morbid underlying themes they held. While Patton liked being able to spend time with Anxiety, the combination of being in his room for longer than around half an hour and the negative talk were lying heavily on his chest. Still, he never let it show that those cracks were slowly spider-webbing across his skin.

By the end of the day, every step was a Herculean task for Patton. He barely made it back to his room without stumbling. Still, there was one last thing to be done: survey the damage he had accrued. He trudged into the bathroom and grasped the sink with shaking arms, head hanging heavily. “Alright, head up on three, Patton. One, two, three,” he said, letting go of the sink and looking up in the mirror. Despite his weathered appearance, not much could be seen with his shirt still on aside from two small fractures that forked up either side of his neck. The few that had made it past his sleeves were so thin that he didn’t even notice them at first. Patton sighed. He really didn’t want to look at the epicenter of the damage. “Right after this, you can go to bed,” he bartered with his reflection. He gently lifted the hem of his shirt up and nearly fainted from what he saw.

The cracks at the center of Patton’s chest had turned more into chasms where his skin had chipped away like broken porcelain. His essence shone through, now a raging blue storm that threatened to break through the invisible barrier where his skin should be. From there, the light bled through into the smaller fissures that spanned his entire torso, front and back. He knew it was bad, but it had never been to this extent. He gently touched the edge of the center break and accidentally dipped his finger into the blue fluid. The tears he had repressed welled up in his eyes, spurred on by a jolt of raw emotion. Patton quickly wiped the fluid off onto his pants. The tears no longer had any driving force behind them.

“Oh Patton, you’ve got to remember not to do that,” he once again told his reflection. He had forgotten how much emotional sway his essence had when he touched it. Patton knew he couldn’t keep the happy act up like this. So, what else could he do but make himself as scarce as possible until it healed at least a little bit?

And that’s exactly what he did.

#atlas writes #patton angst #sanders sides angst #patton sanders #long post #this first chapter is a little more than 4000 words #which honestly that's just a tiny chunk in comparison to what i have written #shatter me #shatter me story

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mrsalwayswritex · 5 years ago

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Dont wanna be in love

A/N: I wrote TWO things last night and I am hella proud of this one, tbh. Again *Gif isnt mine, im a horrible person and Im sorry.

Pairing: Ghost Billy x Female Reader

Warnings: Hella angst guys, Im not even sorry.

Word count: 3600

“Billy, why are you so afraid of this?” Eight whispered, reaching for her boyfriends hands, but he pulled them away.

“I ain't afraid.” He mumbled, not looking her in the eyes, rubbing his sweaty palms onto his dark jeans. “We just don't need to be this touchy where everyone can see.” He stood up and paced the open room where just a few of them were gathered. “It’s still against One’s rules, Eight.” Eight. He couldn’t even say her name. She looked down at the floor, instead of his back, which was all she could see.

Five looked back and forth between the two of them, eyes full of sadness for the girl. “Four, come on, it's not like no one knows what's going on between the two of you.” She tried, “All she wants is to hold your hand, it's not like she wants to have sex in front of us all.”

Billy scoffed, looking at the dark haired doctor. “You don't know what you're talking about, Amelia.” There it was. Amelia. He had no problem letting her name fall from his lips, but not Y/n’s. “Shit.” He seemed to notice it just a minute too late, Y/n already chewing on her thumb, staring at an obviously very interesting spot on her pants. “Eig- shit, Y/n..” He corrected himself too late, because she scoffed and jumped over the back of the couch she was sitting on and was out the door before he could move.

“Way to go, asshole.” Seven chimed in from his spot on the corner of the couch. “Five, you wanna get this one?” He pointed towards the door, and Amelia nodded her head, slowly standing and eyes not leaving Billy’s.

“I fought for this to happen Billy, you need to get your shit together.” She shoved her pointer finger into his chest harshly. “She loves you, you know.”

“I know.” Billy sighed, throwing the plastic cup he had in his hands across the room.

“Y/n, wait up!” Amelia shouted at the girls back. She didn't turn around but she raised her hand waving the doctor off. “Come on, girl, wait for me.” Amelia jogged up to her, seeing the tears rolling down her face. “Talk to me, Y/n, please.”

“It doesn't even matter, Lia, I appreciate you trying and trying but there's nothing that can be said to make this better.” Y/n wiped her hand across her face, scoffing when she remembered she was wearing Billy’s hoodie. “I keep trying and he keeps pushing me away.” She sighed, unzipping the jacket, letting it slide off of her arms. She shivered at the cool air hitting her bare arms, before shoving the jacket into Amelia’s arms.

“Don't give up, Y/n, please.” She took the hoodie, folding it over her arms. “He does love you, you know that.” The girl kept walking, passing Billy’s trailer where she had been staying the last few nights.

“I thought I did, but sometimes I just don’t know anymore.” Y/n paused in front of her own trailer. What had once been her safe haven had quickly become a nest of sad memories that she fought hard to not think about. “I'm just gonna walk for a bit, yeah?” Y/n sighed, pulling the doctor into a tight hug.

“At least take this?” Amelia offered her back the blue hoodie, and she could see the thoughts cross the newest ghosts mind. Y/n shook her head, a fresh wave of tears pushing past her eyes. “Okay, hey, it's alright. Will you take mine?” Amelia stuffed Billy’s hoodie between her knees and pulled her own over her head, passing it to the girl who took it with a nod. “Come find me later if you want, hon.” She gave Y/n a hug again and let the girl walk away, towards what they called the plane graveyard.

Y/n really did love Billy, even if he seemed to be hesitant towards her, and she knew that he loved her too, he was just afraid. Anyone who knew Billy knew that he would never admit to being afraid of anything, but she could see it in his eyes.

When it was just the two of them, the look in his eyes filled her heart to the brim. The way he held her hand, made her heart overflow. The soft kisses that he left all over her face was enough to make her feel like she could fly. Y/n would often lie awake at night, cradled in his arms, watching his chest rise and fall gently, mouth slightly agape. She loved him more than she could ever say.

Billy was the first one who heard her wake in the middle of the night, screaming and crying from nightmares. He was the first one who asked her if she could remember what had her so upset. He was the first one she confided in. He was the first one that made her feel alive again. It was with him that she watched her first sunset and sunrise, staying awake all night, nestled cozily on the wing of a plane as they talked about their lives before becoming ghosts.

Here she sat again, on the wing of the same plane, watching the same sunset as she thought back on her time as a ghost. It had been a rough adjustment, being a part of a team that was comprised of snipers, thieves, and hitmen. She had never been in a situation that called for killing before and she had certainly never lived amongst people who killed for a living.

Y/n thought back to when she first became a ghost, shuddering at the thought of where One found her, left alone to die in an alleyway behind a bar. Her mark had caught on to her schemes and he played along, she thought that it was working but when the two of them left the bar together, that’s when she knew that she had been made. When her marks hand was around her throat, her back roughly pinned against the cold brick wall, she was sure that she was done for.

That’s when the man was roughly pulled off of her, she fell to the ground coughing and sputtering at the sudden intake of oxygen. Y/n screamed out when hand found her again, struggling against the hands that held her shoulders. “Hey, it's alright, relax. I'm not here to hurt you.” One whispered to her gently. When she looked into his eyes, she knew that he was genuine. She knew that he was here to help. “I have a job offer for you.”

Listening to the man, sitting in a quiet corner of an all night cafe, she accepted his offer quickly. So quickly that he asked again, slower, making sure she understood. “I need to die, so I can really live again.” She had whispered to him and he nodded his head in understanding.

“I think we will get along just fine.”

That night had been over a year ago, and now she was thriving. Her talents had been deemed invaluable to the team by almost all of the team, her new family. One had resisted the first time she called them her family but he had since grown used to it, accepted it even.

She loved her family, but she loved one of them differently than the rest. Billy. Billy was the most important thing in her life and it scared her for a long time, she fought it as much as he was now, and that's why she understood that he really did love her. She would stay with him as long as it took for him to realize it, or so she thought.

Y/n and Billy had started slow, leaning on each other for comfort, especially when the nightmares of that night had come back to haunt her. That mark hadn't been the first to ever get rough with her, wasn’t the first to catch onto her game. Billy was there to hold her through the sob inducing nightmares, where she woke up screaming as if she was still there.

Billy was always there for her, with sweet words, soft touches and just being a shoulder for her to cry on. After the night she first told him that she loved him just three months ago, everything had changed. She would wake up in her own trailer, alone and shivering. Billy wouldn't touch her the way that he used to, and he could see that it hurt her. He would always make up for it, though, and she always welcomed him back into her arms, swallowing his apologies with eager kisses which he always returned just as eagerly.

After nights like those, he would be fine again for only a few days, lingering touches, flirty winks and comments directed to her through their comms, everyone cooing mockingly at them. Y/n loved those moments, when he was unabashed in his affection, planting soft kisses to her temple as they sat in the main room talking about an upcoming mission.

It never lasted though, which broke her heart but nothing could push him away from her. His moods would change as quickly as the California desert temperatures. It hurt her to know that she had just accepted it, but she had. She had accepted it as just Billy being Billy. She had noticed though, that the mood would change when she told him that she loved him, but she never stopped telling him. She knew that he was afraid, but she also knew that she loved him more than anything in her whole life, and he needed to know that. Everyone deserves to be loved, don't they?

She accepted his fear, but she didn't think that she would ever give up on him. She believed that she would always be here for when he inevitably came back to her, sadness in his eyes, needing her touch. She thought that nothing would ever make her turn her back on him. Tonight had crushed her though, Billy’s inability to hold her hand was normal, sadly enough, but she never stopped trying.

Last night was one of the nights he had crawled into her bed, whispering apologies against her bare skin as he slid himself into her bed. His breath reeked of alcohol, and his clothes smelled of smoke, but she rolled her body to face him, cradling his face in her hands.

“I'm so sorry, Y/n.” He whispered, leaving soft kisses along her thumbs.

“Billy,” She started, shaking his face ever so slightly to get his eyes to focus on hers. “It’s alright to be afraid..” Y/n watched him close his eyes. “Billy, I love you.” Pressing a kiss to his forehead. “I love you.” Another kiss to his cheek. “I love you.” She whispered, leaning to kiss his lips but he pulled away, a whimper leaving Y/n’s throat. “Billy please..”

“Please, Y/n, please…” He kept his eyes closed, pulling her hands from her face.

She let a tear fall down her cheek and she closed her eyes along with his, letting her head fall heavily against her pillow. “Please don't leave.” She whined softly, her hands reaching out for him but the spot was already empty.

“I can't..” Were the last words that she heard before the soft click of her trailer door closing.

“I know you love me too, Billy.” She shouted into the darkness, knowing that he was standing outside. She heard his fist hitting the side of her trailer, followed by a soft whimper. “Even if you can't admit it to yourself.” Y/n whispered the last part to herself before pulling her knees to her chest and crying herself to sleep.

That morning was the hardest for Y/n. She knew that this would only prolong his mood, but she was beginning to tire of the whiplash. She knew that he loved her, she could feel it in his kisses, in his touches, in his words. She longed to hear the words come out of his mouth. When she walked out of her trailer that morning she saw Two first. She knew. They all knew. Camille’s trailer was close to Y/n’s and she had no doubt heard the exchange last night.

“Good morning, chérie.” Camille had pulled the small girl into her side, arm wrapped around her shoulder. The blonde knew how the girl's heart was breaking, and it made her feel protective of her. Y/n may have been the newest to the team but no one could dispute the fact that she completed their dysfunctional little family. Camille and Amelia doting on the young girl, taking her under their wings immediately. Two knew what it was like to break One’s rule. She understood the hardships that came with loving a dead man.

“How much did you hear?” Y/n looked at the blonde woman sheepishly, voice hoarse from crying.

“Enough to know that you are right.” Camille gave her shoulder a squeeze as they walked into the main building. “We can all see how much he loves you, don't give up on him, mon caneton.” Two gave her a wink and pulled away from her. Y/n smiled weakly at her, walking over to where Five and Seven sat closely.

“Can I join you guys?” Y/n hated how hoarse her voice sounded, she didn't notice when she spoke to Camille, but speaking with Amelia, the doctor knew immediately that it had happened again, and tsked softly.

“Oh honey.” Five opened her arms and Y/n crumpled into them with a soft whine. “That boy will never learn.” She rubbed her hands soothingly along the girls back, Blaine reaching out to grab the girls hand, which she accepted gratefully. When Billy got into moods like this, she just needed to be held, to be touched, and the team knew that and happily obliged.

When Billy walked into the main building that morning, a grimace on his face and sunglasses over his eyes, he stopped short at the sight in front of him. Five had her arms wrapped around Y/n and Seven was holding onto her hand from across the table. Two and Three were whispering softly to each other, both watching him closely as he entered the building.

“Morning.” He mumbled, walking straight to the kitchen and making himself a fruit smoothie. No one answered him. “You all know that this is none of your business right?” His voice raised higher as he ran a hand through his hair, looking out at his team.

“Don't push us away too, Four.” Seven spat out at him, giving Y/n’s hand one last squeeze before he stood and walked out. Three standing and walking over to Y/n, leaning down to give her a small kiss to the top of her head.

“We don't love you like she does, we won't put up with your shit.” He glared at the blond man, dropping his dishes into the tub filled with water. “Remember that.” He pointed at him as he followed Blaine out.

There was that word again. Love. Y/n let out a soft whine at the men on the team standing up for her. She knew they were just adding fuel to his fire and she didn't want that, though she greatly appreciated the support. “Billy, can we-” She pointed outside and she looked at him expectantly. Billy shook his head softly, eyes not meeting hers. “Please.” It was her pleading voice that got him to look directly at her.

Her eyes were red, puffy, like she had been crying for hours. She probably has. The thought hit him like a tonne of bricks. The way she looked today was all his fault. He did this to her. He always did this to her. She must be a saint to put up with his shit for all these months. He nodded his head, eyes not leaving hers.

The two of them walked in silence, side by side, into the plane graveyard. “Y/n, I'm so, so sorry.” His voice cracking surprised even himself, as he looked at the girl in front of him. He reached for her hand first this time, but she was the one to pull away this time. His heart clenched.

“I need you to say it Billy.” Y/n’s voice wavered slightly as she stared at the dirt under her feet.

“Y/n, please..” Billy reached for her again, but she didn't pull away and he breathed out a sigh of relief.

“At least admit that you're afraid.” She pleaded, a tear slipping down her already streaked cheek.

“I am.” He admitted so softly that had she not been right in front of him, she may not have heard it at all. “I just..” He took a deep breath.

“Do you love me, Billy?” Her gaze flicked up to meet his, the sadness in her eyes made him suck in a sharp breath. “I need to hear it.” She pleaded again.

“Y/n..” He started, turning his head away from her, but she was quick to grab his chin, pulling it roughly back to face her.

“I'm serious, Billy.” Her eyes pleaded with him, though her voice was strong and steady. “Yes or no.” Y/n wiped a tear from her face angrily. When he tried to turn his head away from her again, a choked sob slipped past her lips.

“You know it's not that simple for me, y/n.” He mumbled, eyes looking anywhere but into hers.

“It is that simple, Billy.” Her voice was rising and she couldn’t help it. “Either you love me, or you don't.” Pulling her hands away from him, he reached out to pull her back. “I need to know, Billy.” She took a step back. “Right here, right now.”

“Y/n, please don't do this..” He looked at her, tears threatening to spill from his green eyes. “Please.”

“Yes or no, Billy.”

“Why do you-” He started, and she held up a finger shaking her head.

“No, I need you to say it.”

“I can't!” He shouted at her, making her take another step back. “I don't know what you want from me, y/n..” His voice dropping low, reaching for her again, but this time she shook her head and pushed his hands away.

“I want YOU, Billy! I want you, and I want us. I want to tell you that I love you and I want you to be able to say it back.” She screamed at him, shoulders shaking with the effort to not let her own tears spill over. “I need you to say it, or I can't do this anymore. I can't keep going like this.”

“You would leave me? You would throw this, us, away because I wont say it back?” He scoffed at her, she nodded in response. “Please don't leave me, Y/n. I'm trying so hard.”

“No you aren't Billy. I've been telling you for months that I love you.” She pointed a finger at him, “MONTHS of telling you and getting nothing but you leaving in response. You want me to stay, Billy? Give me a reason to stay, tell me you love me.”

“I DON'T WANT TO BE IN LOVE!” He finally snapped, shouting at her, face turning red. She blinked back at him, shrinking away from his anger, wrapping her arms around herself tightly.

“Was that so hard?” She whispered, turning to walk away from him.

“Shit, y/n please wait, that's not what I meant.” His stomach clenched tightly at his own words. He hadn’t meant it. He did love her, so why couldn't he just say it. He was losing the only thing in his life that brought him any joy and it was his fault.

“You can't take it back now, Billy.” She scoffed over her shoulder, not stopping her retreat. “You finally told me what you really feel, and I have no one to blame but myself.”

“Please, y/n.” Billy jogged around her, putting his hands on her shoulders, his heart shattering at the look on her face, the tears freely pouring down her face, chin trembling. “Please..”

“Please what? Huh? I pushed and I pushed, and all I did was love you. Love you so much that it destroyed me every time you couldn't meet my eyes. Every time you pulled away from me, but I stayed. You yanked my heart out and stomped on it for days until YOU were ready to come back and say that you were sorry, but never telling me what I wanted to hear.” She sobbed, closing her eyes and dropping to the dirty ground. “Do you know what it's like to love someone who you know can never love you back? Do you know what it's like to have your heart ripped out, day after day? Of course you don't. Because you don't love me, you never have and you never can.” Billy dropped to the ground beside her, but she scrambled away from him quickly.

“I'm done, Billy.” She sobbed into her hands, she kept her eyes to the ground as she stood up, leaving Billy on the ground. “I love you, I always will, but I guess I was wrong when I thought you loved me too.” And with that she took off, running as fast as she could to put as much distance between the heartbreak as she could. She could hear his screams, her name falling from his lips pleading her to come back.

“I do love you..” He whispered to himself, hating that he couldn’t just say the words to her when she needed to hear them the most, and now she was gone.

#ben hardy x reader #Billy!Ben x reader #Four!Ben x reader #Four!Ben #Billy!Ben #Billy!6 underground x reader #Four!6 underground x reader #ben hardy fanfic #ben hardy fanfiction #6 underground fanfiction #6U fanfic #6U fanfiction #Ben Jones #Ben jones fanfiction #my writing

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inevitably-johnlocked · 6 years ago

Note

Hi! Can you rec some canon slow burn fics? I love that kind of thing, friends to lovers, case fics etc. I am also new to the fandom and let me tell you - your blog is amazing. ♡

Anonymous said to inevitably-johnlocked: Hi Steph, do you know of any slow build/first proclamation of love fics? Preferably told from Sherlock’s POV or a mix of both, something like “A Road Less Traveled” by verityburns? Thanks

Anonymous said to inevitably-johnlocked: do you know any really long slow burn fics that don’t have smut? sorry i really just don’t like smut cause im ace

Hi Nonnies!

First of all, thank you so much for your kind words about my blog, Nonny 1!! I’m glad you’re enjoying it, and welcome to the fandom!!

Second of all, of course I can rec y’all some slow burn fics! I’ve a lot of them! I’ll just give them all to you, and y’all can filter out the AU fics / POV fics, etc. because I always write in my tags if it’s an AU / POV fic if I remember :)

Nonny 3, just check out the fics below for anything not rated above T, and you should be good

Love you, Nonnies, and I hope you find something you’re looking for! (thought I did LOL) so I’ve added it to my MFL section!

FALLING IN LOVE / SLOW BURN / DEV. REL.

See also:

T-RATED Pt. 1: Friends To Lovers Fics || [MOBILE LINK]

Friends to Lovers [FULL POST] || [MOBILE POST]

First Time || [MOBILE]

John Will Never Forget by gelos (bia_mpinto) (NR, 244 w. || Fluff, First Time, Love Confessions) – John will never forget Sherlock’s everything.

Of Locks and Keys by Youarethelightoftheworld (G, 574 w. || H/C, Angst, Falling in Love, Friendship) – He listens to the steady beating of John’s heart and thinks of his own; weak and vulnerable, but aching to be released.

A Need To Know Basis by mattsloved1 (G, 934 w. || Humour, Romance) – As the cab door shut firmly, the DI had yelled out they were to make an appearance at Scotland Yard the next day. It was while John watched London pass by that it happened.

Moonshine by CKLizzy (T, 1,408 w. || Cuddling / Snuggling, Touching, Dev. Rel., Bed Sharing, Comfort, Touching) – Sometimes, routines changed. Sequel to “Nightfall”. Part 2 of Solace

I love you, I say by khoshekhskitten (G, 1,576 w. || Pre & Post TRF, Hurt / Comfort, First Kiss, Love Confessions) – “I love you” is a phrase that follows John Watson through his life with Sherlock Holmes.

Blanket Burrito by All_I_need (G, 1,894 w. || Tooth Rotting Fluff, Pining Sherlock, POV Sherlock, Sort-Of Love Confession) – John, a blanket-wrapped burrito of laughing sunshine in a ratty t-shirt, notices. Of all the moments for him to be observant, this is the one he chooses.

Five Times Sherlock gave John a Pebble and One Time John Returned the Gesture by grimmfairy (NR, 1,895 w. || Love Confessions, Penguins and Pebbles, Nervous / Pining Sherlock, Oblivious John) – Sherlock isn’t good with words, so he decides to tell John his feelings the way penguins do, by bringing him pebbles with different meanings. John catches on.

Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil by PipMer (T, 1,895 w. || Deaf John, Mute Sherlock, Friends to Lovers, Romance, Fluff and Angst, Character Study, Morse Code, Love Confessions) – John is deaf. Sherlock is mute. There are no two people more suited for each other.

Duvet (green) by Mazarin221b (G, 2,021 w. || Post-THoB, Mind Palace, Revelations, First Kiss) – Sherlock recalibrates and restructures his mind palace so it looks like 221b. What he chooses to put in John’s room is a bit of a surprise, and a revelation.

The Importance of Torn Papers by MyLittleCornerOfSherlock (G, 2,427 w || Pre-Slash, Love Declarations, Fluff) – Little things make a big difference, even little notes of thanks. Small reminders to show he cares.

Where You Are by Mazarin221b (E, 2,478 w. || Beach Sex, First Time, Fluff, Smut, Holidays, Pining) – He can admit he’s secretly a little glad Sherlock didn’t come with him. He needs a break. Sherlock is a handful at the best of times, and the near-constant apologizing, fixing, dealing-with, and following up on is exhausting. The near-constant unrequited attraction is a bit exhausting, too, to be honest, and John could really use a tiny bit of rest from the relentless hammering on his brain and heart.

Wish I Was In Heaven Sitting Down by standbygo (M, 3,282 w. || Post-S4, Five Plus One, Missing Scenes, Parenthood, First Kiss, Friends to Lovers, Cuddling & Snuggling, Hurt/Comfort, Declarations of Love, Fluff, Food, John Whump) – Five times when Sherlock and John ate together, and one time they didn’t. A history of the boys, in food.

A Bit of Indulgence by beltainefaerie (NR, 3,364 w. || Fake Relationship, Pride Parade, Declarations of Love, Fluff, Dev. Rel., Case Fic) – A case leads John and Sherlock to fake being boyfriends and John runs into an old acquaintance.

nobody, not even the rain, has such small hands by miss_frankenstein (T, 3,731 w. || Kissing in the Rain, Angst With Happy Ending) – In which John and Sherlock finally confront their feelings for each other - as only they would do - in the pouring rain.

Tell Me a Secret, Sherlock Holmes. by DaringlyDomestic (NR, 3,880 w. || Love Confessions, Truth or Dare, Smut, Gentle Explicit Love, Microscopic Angst) – John’s voice is low and seductive, sending a shiver of want crackling through his stomach. Sherlock’s heart beats frantically against his ribcage, and his breathing grows fast as he feels John’s lips flutter against the sensitive skin of his neck. The kiss, if it could really be called that, is so quick and so light that Sherlock is almost convinced he had imagined it. Part 9 of Tumblr Drabble Challenge

Five Times John Cooked Something with Peas and One First Kiss by 221b_careful_what_you_wish_for (T, 3,915 w. || 5 and Ones, Friends to Lovers, Mutual Pining, Cooking / Food, Sick Sherlock, Music, Domestic Fluff, First Kiss) – After John cooks five dinners that slowly reveal their hunger for each other, Sherlock and John finally share a first kiss.

Jukebox by standbygo (T, 3,990 w. || Fluff, Singing/Music, Sherlock’s Mind Palace, Hurt/Comfort, Humour, Friends to Lovers, First Kiss) – After the music halls of Sherlock’s mind palace get damaged by accident, John learns that Sherlock never forgets a song. Even the ones he’d rather forget. But the random singalong brings some unexpected benefits.

The Sum of His Parts by CommonNonsense (T, 4,311 w. || Body Worship, Pining, First Time) – There are eleven major organ systems in the human body. Sherlock knows about all of them to some degree, but none fascinate him as much as the ones that make up John Watson.

Law of Reciprocals by thequeergiraffe (T, 4,377 w. || Fluff, Angst) – “Law of Reciprocals, is it? You’ve saved my life enough times. I figure, turnabout’s fair play.” Sherlock finds ways to reciprocate his appreciation of John.

Overture by Kate_Lear (M, 4,435 w. || First Kiss / Time, Friends to Lovers, Angry John, Introspection, Dev. Rel., Embarassed / Insecure Sherlock, Morning After, Bed Sharing, Cuddles / Limpet Sherlock) – A short snippet on how John and Sherlock might have got together.

A Quiet Murmuration by cathedral_carver (T, 4,684 w. || Fluff, Cuddling & Snuggling, Kissing) – Just pay me back with one thousand kisses.

Confessions by crimsonwinter (T, 4,711 w. || Love Confessions, Fluff) – John and Sherlock finally confess their love for each other.

How Will I Know? by eragon19 (E, 4,895 w. || Pining, Love Confessions, POV Sherlock, Fluff, Sherlock’s Imagination, Papa Lestrade) – Here was the problem: Sherlock Holmes was completely and irrevocably in love with John Watson, and he had absolutely no idea how to tell him.

Laid Bare by esplanade (T, 6,529 w. || Romance, Fluff, Pining, Angst) – “I suppose it comes as no surprise that I always rather detested grand romantic gestures. They struck me as unnecessary and contrived, feeble attempts at desperately holding together relationships, most of which should have been allowed to fall apart.”

where the good things grow by anchors (M, 7,066 w. || Alternate First Meeting, Magical Realism, Gardens, Tea, Friends to Lovers) – “I have a magic garden.” As come-ons go, John’s heard worse.

Speak My Language by Itsallfine (T, 7,479 w. || Thanksgiving, Love Languages, Love Confessions, First Kiss) – When Mrs. Hudson introduces John and Sherlock to the concept of the five love languages, Sherlock descends into a dark mood and John’s curiosity gets the better of him. What is Sherlock’s love language, and why does the whole concept set him so on edge? Part 1 of A Holiday Triptych]

Unwasted by patternofdefiance (E, 8,966 w. || Post-S3 / S3 Fix-It, Developing Relationship, Friends to Lovers, Angelo’s, Fluff, First Time, Anal, Cum Play, Flashbacks to ASiB, Mutual Pining, Love Confessions, Bottomlock, Cuddles, Multiple Orgasms, BJ’s, Bed Sharing) – John finds it three months after he’s moved back. He’s on the hunt for something to make for dinner, is scrounging through the cupboards, when he happens upon the graveyard of pasta boxes Sherlock still seems to create when left to his own devices. Behind seven boxes of pasta, all almost completely empty, is a dark-glassed bottle, with a paler coat of dust.It’s unopened. John’s face falls slack when he sees it, instantly recognises it, and for a long moment he just stands and looks at it.

Inked in Memory by 221b_hound (E, 9,716 w. || Post-HLV, Tattoos, First Kiss / Time, Anal, Cuddling, Scars, Captain John, Kissing, Switchlock) – John has been back at Baker Street for a year, following the debacle that ended in Mary’s death. Things are good. Back almost to what they used to be. Sherlock might wish they were something else, now, but he only has himself to blame, he thinks. It’s too late, now, for the things he first denied before he’d ruined any chances he might have had. Sherlock also thinks that people who get tattoos are idiots. But perhaps he’s about to learn a thing or two, not least of which might be it’s not as late as he thinks it is. Part 1 of Lock and Key

Ravish Me by amalnahurriyeh (E, 10,025 w. || UST / RST, Makeup / Lipstick, Sympathetic Sally, Experiments, Pining John, First Kiss, Face Fucking / BJ’s, Cuddling) – Sherlock is experimenting with patterns of wear on lipstick in daily encounters. John is going to go insane.

You fit me, Sherlock Holmes by orphan_account (G, 10,077 w. || Fluff, Slow Burn, Idiots in Love, Experiments) – An unfortunate series of events leads to John accepting being a part of Sherlock’s study in physical intimacy. As the days pass by, John realizes he might be in for more than he bargained for. He doesn’t entirely mind.

The River Variations by withoutawish (T, 11,619 w. || Soulmates, Emotional Hurt / Comfort, Three Garridebs, Romance, Light Case Fic, Near Death Experience, Angst and Fluff) – John Watson never knew that he wanted a ‘no toast in the mornings’ normal until he realized what an honor it is to be destroyed by Sherlock Holmes.

The Nutcracker by Odamaki (T, 13,758 w. || Nutcracker AU || Christmas, Dark Magic, Dolls) – Sherlock is unimpressed with Uncle Rudy’s present. A doll? What does he want with a doll?

Pattern Behaviour by SilentAuror (E, 14,835 w. || POV First Person Sherlock, Jealous Sherlock, Pining Sherlock, Introspection, Stroppy Sherlock, Light Humour, Friendship, John Takes Care of Sherlock, First Kiss/Time, Wall Kisses, Fluffy Angst, Happy Ending) – Sherlock doesn’t even know why he resents John’s dates so much. Until the day he does know. Slight angst, unrequited feelings (but don’t let that scare you off!)

Merlot by Itsallfine (E, 14,844 w. || Christmas, Pining Sherlock, Wine, Slow Burn, First Kiss / Time, Love Confessions, Wine, Holmes Family) – Sherlock and John work toward becoming something more as they prepare to host the Holmes parents at 221B for the holidays. Part of 25 Days of Fic-Mas 2015.

Twelfth Night by yourdykeinshiningarmor (E, 15,139 w. || Fake Relationship, Christmas, Mutual Pining, Friends to Lovers, Angst & Fluff, BJ’s, Anal) – John is invited to his aunt’s Twelfth Night ball. Sherlock offers to attend with him as a friendly face among strangers, but John’s family force him to address his true feelings for Sherlock.

Everlasting by cypress_tree (M, 16,884 w. || Magical Realism, First Time, Immortality, Angst & Fluff) – Most lives end. A Tuck Everlasting fusion, in which the Holmes brothers have lived for a very, very long time.

Uncharted Territory by J_Baillier (T, 19,603 w. || Dystopian Future / Black Mirror AU || Angst, Drama, Homophobia, Bisexuality, Technology, Humour, Romance, Near Future, Happy Ending) – The System puts people through a series of assigned relationships in order to determine who their Perfect Match is. John believes that it works; Sherlock really, really doesn’t. One of them is probably going to be wrong.

At the Heart of it All by SilentAuror (E, 19,812 w. || Virgin Sherlock, Post S3, POV John, Domestics, First Time, Kissing, Romance) – John has been back at Baker Street for four months now and thinks it’s about time they had the Talk to see whether or not they could be more than friends. Sherlock has a lot of uncertainty about this concept for multiple reasons. Unabashed romance.

Through the Clouds by Mazarin221b (E, 20,004 w. || Retirement, Sussex, Bees, Home Improvement, First Time, Romance) – Sherlock takes a remarkably early retirement at 47, and convinces John that a change of pace would do them both good. They buy an old cottage on the South Downs, and exchange their nonstop life in Baker Street for quiet contemplation, bee studies, and book writing. They might go completely insane, but sometimes it takes stepping outside of the life you’re living to find the life you want. Part 1 of Through The Clouds

A Life Well-Lived by Kate_Lear (E, 20,121 w. || Original Male Character, Sherlock Woos John, Jealous Sherlock, Reluctant Bi-John, Past Abuse, Insecure John, Reassuring / Caring Sherlock, Protective Sherlock, Understanding Sherlock) – John got scared off men by an abusive past relationship. Sherlock has to try and woo him while not scaring him off with protective possessive rage.

whiskies neat by Ellipsical (E, 20,660 w. || Alternate First Meeting, POV Second Person Sherlock, Slow Burn, One Night Stand, Rimming, Blow Jobs, Anal, Soldier John, Crying, Emotional Lovemaking, Switchlock) – Home and hearth and whiskies neat, or, alternatively, Sherlock Holmes falls in love.

Ghost Stories by SwissMiss (M, 22,256 w. || Pining, Holmes Family, Christmas, Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn, Bed Sharing, Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, First Time) – Sherlock’s parents think he and John are a couple. They might be onto something.

Sonatina in G Minor by SilentAuror (E, 22,574 w. || Case Fic, POV Sherlock, Angst, UST, Sherlock’s Violin, Post-S3, Romance) – John has come back to Baker Street, but Sherlock doesn’t understand the strange tension between them, even after he begins teaching John to play the violin at John’s request.

Maintaining A Personal Life by Gingerhermit (E, 24,284 w. || Alternating POV’s, Bisexuality, BAMF!John, Romance / Drama, Sort-of Case Fic, Peril & Angst, Love Confessions, Toplock, Soft Idiots in Love, Post S3) – Sherlock and John discover some interesting revelations about each other’s sexuality, which lead them both to question the assumptions they’ve made about one another for years. In the midst of their mutual discoveries, a dangerous psychopath looms on the side-lines who threatens to destroy their new beginning.

Tomorrow’s Song by agirlsname (M, 24,645 w. || Post-TRF, POV Sherlock, Angst with a Happy Ending, Virgin / Repressed Sherlock, Love Confessions, Slow Burn, Pining) – How can he think a relationship with me would be a good idea? I am the sort of person to take a break from my life and when I come back after two years, I expect to find it exactly as I left it. In reality I find it shattered to pieces. (I actually equate you with my life. When did I start doing that?)

State of Flux by Atiki (E, 24,655 w. || Sherlock POV, Slow Burn, First Kiss/Time, Friends to Lovers, Frottage, Cuddles and Snuggles, Awkwardness, Insecure/Virgin Sherlock, Romance) – John’s marriage is over and he is finally back home (i.e. at Baker Street, where he belongs). Sherlock is awfully insecure and John is awfully hesitant, and they’re both awkward idiots, of course, but they figure it out. Many First Times happen.

Dropping the Act by jadztone (T, 27,258 w. || Parentlock, Fake Relationship, Mary’s Family, Post-S4, Cuddling & Snuggling, Bed Sharing, Pining, Christmas) – Sherlock and John are quite happy living together with Rosie in Baker St. They might be even happier if they didn’t act towards each other like their love is only platonic. Mycroft brings troubling news in the form of Mary’s parents wanting to know just what their grandchild’s home life is like. The boys decide to spend Christmas pretending like they are in love in order to seem more like a “normal” family. It’s easy enough to pretend when all you’re doing is dropping the act.

Don’t Leave Anything Out by lookupkate (E, 27,422 w. || Epistolary, Falling in Love, Misunderstandings, Alternate First Meeting) – The first letter John writes home from Afghanistan is meant to go to a woman he went on only one date with. How it ends up in Sherlock’s hands is completely innocent. What happens next is not. What do you do when you find out the person you’re in love with has been lying about something as monumental as who they are? What do you do when you’re the one who lied? How on earth do you put the pieces back together?

Hellfire by testosterone_tea (E, 28,596 w. || Fantasy / Magic / Mages / Elementals AU || Mage Sherlock, Elemental John, Developing Relationship, Torture, Powerful / BAMF John, POV Alternating, Dark / Blood Magic, UST, First Kiss) – Sherlock is a Mage that gets involved with a case involving Dark Summoning rituals, leading him to John Watson, a man with Berserker blood. The only thing is, Berserkers have been extinct for centuries. And of course, nothing involving Mycroft and his interfering ways is ever simple. This time, even Sherlock may have bitten off more than he can chew.

Another Auld Lang Syne by DiscordantWords (M, 30,234 w. || Post S4, Mutual Pining, Alternating POV, Introspection, Parentlock, Christmas, New Year’s, First Kiss, Past Drug Use, Angst with Happy Ending, Drinking, Sherlock Whump) – There had been years of missed chances.

The Kissing Disease by cottonballz_of_death (E, 30,856 || Sickfic, Angst with Happy Ending, Case Fic, Self-Harm, Slow Burn, Jealous Sherlock, Body Image Issues, Hurt/Comfort, Emotional H/C, POV Sherlock, Oral / Anal, Thong, Frottage) – John brings home a boyfriend, shocking Sherlock, who long ago gave up hope that his straight flatmate would ever take a romantic interest in him. In a bid to reconnect with John, he tries to infect himself with a “harmless” virus. Neither of them is prepared for the emotional fallout that results.

Love or What You Will by miss_frankenstein (T, 31,987 w. || College/Uni AU || Professor John, Ph.D Student Sherlock, Pining John, Poetry, Falling in Love / Slow Burn, Light Angst, Happy Ending) – John is an English professor who specializes in War and Post-War Literature and Sherlock is the brilliant yet impossible Ph.D. student assigned to be his TA because no one in the Chemistry Department is willing to put up with him. And - somewhere between Waugh and Plath, e-mails and takeaway, novels and villanelles - they fall in love.

Five Times They Kissed for a Case, and One Time They Kissed for Real by fleetwood_mouse (M, 32,406 w. || 5+1, Slow Burn, Fluff / Angst, Mutual Pining, Friends to Lovers) – A stolen ring! An artful blogger! And many more adventures for your enjoyment.

Chaperones by MissDavis (T, 34,114 w. || 11 Years Post-S4, Fake Relationship, Parentlock, Disney World, Bed / Room Sharing, Friends to Lovers, Fluff, First Kiss, Obsessive Sherlock, Insecure John) – Right. Of course. Everyone assumed they were a couple and no one would question it. John put his elbows up on the table so he could rest his head in his hands. “You want to pretend to be a couple so we can chaperone a trip to Disney World with Rosie’s class and you won’t have to share a room with a stranger?” “Exactly.” Sherlock beamed at him. “Don’t worry about the cost. The Birmingham case last month paid more than enough to cover expenses for all three of us.”

Bedtime Stories by Liketheriver (M, 34,388 w. || Emotional H/C, Romance, Angst & Humour, Bed Sharing, John First Person, TRF, John Whump) – John’s POV during Season 2 and beyond when Sherlock takes up semi-permanent residence in his bed. A collection of codas and missing scenes wrapped up into one long fic and topped with a bow that takes the story beyond Reichenbach and into happy territory once more. Part 1 of Bedtime Universe

Classified(s) by blueink3 (E, 36,153 w. || Wedding Date AU || Fake Relationship, Jealous, PIning, H/C, Idiots in Love, Happy Ending, Mary is not Nice) – Clara’s American father is the ambassador to some such territory that Great Britain probably used to own, but she (and Harry’s undying love for her) is the reason John is getting on a flight at 12:30pm, flying across the second largest ocean in the world, and pretending to be in a perfectly happy, healthy relationship with an undoubtedly perfectly coiffed stranger. See, Clara is not only American (and wealthy to boot), she’s also best friends with John’s ex-fiancée. Whom she’s placed in the wedding party. As Maid of Honor. And John just happens to be Best Man. Bloody brilliant.

The Boy Who Drank Stars by kinklock (E, 36,157 w. || Howl’s Moving Castle AU || Witches and Wizards, Slow Burn, Magic, Jealous John, Happy Ending, Bed Sharing) – “I’m looking for a castle,” John informed the scarecrow. “A moving one.”Except that, as it turned out, it was not a moving one at all.

Nothing to Make a Song About by emmagrant01 (E, 36,833 w. || Post-TRF, First Time, Reunion, Jealous John, Pining Sherlock, Romance, Angst with Happy Ending) – When Sherlock returned from his faked death, John could not forgive him for the deception and broke off their friendship. Ten years later, John returns to London in search of yet another new beginning. Sherlock, not surprisingly, is waiting.

(Never) Turn Your Back to the Sea by DiscordantWords (M, 39,968 w. || Post S4 Fix It || Grief / Mourning, Victor Trevor, Friendship, Sherlock is Not Okay, Nightmares/Flashbacks/Panic Attacks, Parentlock, Pining Sherlock, Angst with Happy Ending, John Comes Home) – Baker Street is very much the same. Only different. And Sherlock is just trying not to drown.

Act IV by SilentAuror (E, 39,707 w. || First Person POV Sherlock, HLV Fix-It, Indifelity, Angst, Drama) – After Sherlock is shot, John moves back into Baker Street. They spend the autumn together as John tries to make sense of his life and make some important decisions about both Mary and Sherlock. Canon-compliant, excerpts from His Last Vow.

In the Still of the Night by SilentAuror (E, 42,234 w. || S4 Fix It / Post-S4, Sherlock POV, Angst, Drama, Romance, Virgin Sherlock, Awkwardness, Misunderstandings / Miscommunications, Case Fic, Travelling, Pining) – As locals on the Northeastern coast begin to report UFO sightings, life at Baker Street becomes significantly awkward as John brings up his desire for more than friendship and Sherlock refuses him. They embark on the investigation from the confines of the tiny cottage Mycroft has rented for them, attempting to navigate both the clues of the case as well as their own inability to communicate…

The Soul Remembers by i_ship_an_armada (E, 43,636 w. || Oblivion AU || Post-Apocalypse, Movie Fusion, Science Fiction, Action/Adventure, Angst, Dreams, Bittersweet Ending) – John Watson is the lone security repairman stationed on a desolate, nearly-ruined future Earth. His dreams are plagued by a tall, dark-haired man, and when his dreams meet reality, he will be forced to question everything he believes is the truth about his life.

Sentenced by SarahKnight (T, 44,777 w. || Dev. Rel., Alternate S4 Canon, Drama, Angst, Pining, Feelings are Hard) – Virtual series 4 opener. Sherlock’s in prison being targeted by a murderer, John’s married to a pregnant assassin and Moriarty’s back.

The Real Great Perfumers by shelleysprometheus (E, 45,355 w. || Case Fic, Alternating POV, Gay Sherlock / Bi John, Canon Compliant with Divergence at TRF, Friends to Lovers, Oral / Anal, Pining, First Kiss / Time, Dev. Rel., Drugging, Body Worship, Bathing, Love Confessions, Travelling, Bottomlock, Cranky Sherlock, BJ’s, Alternating POV, Jealous John) – The case, this case. This extraordinary, fascinating, scintillating case. A house. Designed entirely by its eccentric owner, built by no less than five hundred expert tradesmen in the heart of Marrakesh. A house that had, seemingly not only driven its owner out, but also to his quite unpleasant death. And a perfumer, a chemist no less, the very thought of the secrets that house could reveal, would reveal was irresistible. Sherlock had to have this case … and it seems, he also had to have John! Part 1 of the Forethought and Fire series

The Norwood Love Builders by flawedamythyst (T, 47,798 w. || Fake Relationship, Slow Burn, Post TRF Angst) – Sherlock and John go undercover to solve the murder of Joanna Oldacre, but things are complicated by the many feelings John has been repressing in the wake of Sherlock’s faked death and return.

The Pieces That Fall to Earth by Itsallfine (M, 49,513 w. || S4 Fix-It, Epistolary, Love Confessions, Slow Burn, Parentlock, Past Abuse, Coming Out, Questioning Sexuality, Mental Health Issues / Therapy, Angst, Happy Ending) – John and Sherlock have hit rock bottom, but with all their armor stripped away, they can finally speak honestly, seek healing, and find the truths that matter most.An epistolary post-s4 fix-it fic. Now complete.(This fic is rated T except for one very clearly marked and easily skippable chapter, which is rated M.) Part 1 of The Pieces that Fall to Earth

Triage by scullyseviltwin (E, 51,612 w. || Character Injury, Introspection, Pining Sherlock, Falling in Love, Slow Burn, Sherlock POV) – Sherlock’s mind goes exceedingly, devastatingly quiet and gray-blank. When he speaks it’s through a thick haze, it’s through molasses, he’s so disconnected from the words that it may as well be the unconscious shooter speaking.

Spare Change by Ermerness (E, 51,966 w. || Rich Sherlock AU, Virgin Sherlock, First Time, Alternate First Meeting) – The Holmes family is one of the richest and most powerful in England. Sherlock spends his time flying around the world on the family’s private jet drinking a lot and shopping at expensive boutiques as a way of trying to alleviate his endless boredom. His mother decides it’s time he settles down with someone powerful, wealthy and well connected. John Watson happens to be none of those things.

Coventry by standbygo (E, 52,020 w. || Dollhouse AU || Case Fic, Slow Burn, Sci-Fi / Fantasy, First Kiss / Time, Attempted Rape, BAMF John) – “Let me get this straight,” John said, wondering when his life had become a science fiction film. “Some guy orders up a personality, a person, to his specifications, and they program this into a real live person, who has consented to do this, and she goes to this person and acts as his wife, or lawyer, or Royal Marine, or Navy Seal or what have you, and she has all the skills, all the knowledge, everything? Then you say the magic words, and she follows you back to The House, and they erase it all until her next appointment?”

Never Change a Running System by Lorelei_Lee (E, 54,246 w. || Pre-TRF, Romance, Humour, Drama, Sex Toys, Anal, Rimming, Masturbation, Frottage, Blow Jobs, Public Sex, First Kiss / Time, Virgin Sherlock / Loss of Virginity, Accidental Voyeurism, Unresolved Sexual Tension, Experiments, Naive Sherlock, Pining Sherlock, Jealous Sherlock, Possessive Sherlock, Straight With an Exception John, Hand Jobs) – Sherlock discovers his sexuality – with far-reaching consequences for John.

A Hundred Crimson Sols by elldotsee (E, 55,536 w. || Astronauts AU || Mars Exploration / Space Travel, Slow Burn, Shy Sherlock, Scientist Sherlock / Biomed Engineer John, Alternating POV, Mutual Pining, UST, Angst with Happy Ending, Domestic Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, Injuries, Suicidal Ideation, Zero-G Sex) – Will Holmes is a chemical researcher recognized widely for his contributions to the new Mars exploration program. Thanks to his ground-breaking developments, the IMMC (International Mars Mission Corporation) is one step closer to Martian colonization. Will and his team of scientists are headed out on the first of three manned missions before the first group of settlers arrive. Three days before launch, one of the crew has to be replaced. Will panics because…new people. The replacement is of course one John Watson, biomedical engineer and space hottie who was pretty sure he had retired from actual space exploration and was now content to work in the nice, quiet research lab. Can the crew survive this TOTALLY ROUTINE trip? Will they be able to endure each other for the looooooong trip in close quarters? Gonna be a wild ride… prepare for blast off. Part 1 of the SpaceBois go to Space series

One Little Change by jadztone (E, 58,312 w. || ASiB Divergence, Fake Relationship, Bed Sharing, Mutual Pining, Friends to Lovers, First Kiss / Time, Anal Sex, Blow Jobs, Bi John / Gay Demisexual Sherlock, Switchlock, Alternating POV, Jealousy, Misunderstandings, Case Fic, Angst with Happy Ending, Emotional Love Making, Butt Plugs, Cuddles) – Our story begins right after John and Sherlock’s first meeting with Irene Adler in September. It splits off into an AU that imagines them taking a case where they act as bait to hook a killer targeting closeted gays in secret relationships. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, many things happen that have our boys wondering if maybe they have a chance with each other. Then Irene fakes her death on Christmas Eve, and things get a lot more complicated - especially since they still have a killer to catch.

floating through a dark blue sky by Lediona (M, 58,966 w. || Notting Hilll AU || POV John, Celebrity Sherlock, First Date / Time / Kiss, Past Drug Addiction, Angst with a Happy Ending) – Of course, I’d seen his films and always thought he was, well, brilliant – but, you know, a million miles from the world I live in. Or, when John is the owner of a travel book shop and the famous Sherlock Holmes stops in one day.

The Progress of Sherlock Holmes by ivyblossom (E, 62,006 w || First Person Sherlock POV, Pining, Angst, Slow Burn, Infidelity, Sherlock Learns About Himself, Happy Ending) – Sherlock struggles with his feelings for John, makes a mistake, and learns just how important he and John are to each other. Non-BBC Mary / John, but it’s a *complicated* relationship.

This Thing All Things Devours by cypress_tree (E, 63,844 w. || In Time AU || Science Fiction, Dystopian Universe, First Meetings, Action / Adventure, Romance) – In 2169, time is money—literally. Humans are genetically engineered to stop aging at 25, when the numbers on their arm start counting down from one year. When that time is up, they die. The only way to get more time is to earn it, borrow it, or steal it.John Watson lives day-to-day in the crowded slums of Zone 13. He never imagined living any differently—until he meets the practically-immortal Sherlock, and helps him on a case to track a local time-thief…

The Bells of King’s College by SilentAuror (E, 64,019 w. || Post-S4, Missed Opportunities, Angst with Happy Ending, Fake Relationship, Case Fic, John POV, Jealous John, John in Denial, Travelling / Holidays, Virgin Sherlock, Wedding Proposals) – It’s only been two weeks since Eurus Holmes disrupted their lives when Mycroft sends John and Sherlock to Cambridge to pose as an engaged couple at a wedding show in the hopes of solving six unsolved deaths…

Summit Fever by J_Baillier (M, 78,802 w. || Mountain Climber AU || POV John, Angst, Tragedy, Suicidal Ideation, The Himalayas, Mountain Guide / Doctor John, Mount Climber Sherlock, Loneliness, Drama, Suspense, Slow Burn, Injured Sherlock / Sherlock Whump, Pining John) – After graduating from medical school, John Watson followed his heart to the Himalayas. Ten years later, he’s a haunted cynic working for his ex-lover’s trekking and mountaineering company. Will leading an expedition to Annapurna I—the most lethal of all the world’s highest mountains—shake John out of his reverie, and who is the mystery client added to the group at the last minute?

A Case of Identity by jkay1980 (T, 91,009 w. || Fake Relationship, Post-TRF, Case Fic) – John and Sherlock have succeeded in rebuilding their friendship after Sherlock’s fake suicide, but an unusual case puts their relationship to the test. They pretend to be engaged and attend a marriage counseling workshop. Under the pretext of the case, Sherlock turns out to be a master of seduction, and John finally learns he might like Sherlock more than he thought. Slowly, John discovers that he loves Sherlock not only in a friendly, brotherly way, but both men have to fight their own demons before they can think of taking their relationship to a new level…

The Cost of a Wish by slashscribe (E, 102,493 w. || xxxHolic Fusion || Spirits / Ghosts and Magic, Love Confessions, Slow Burn, Soul Mates / Fated Lovers, Adventure, Immortal Sherlock, Powerful John, POV John, Frottage, Wish Granting, Angst with Happy Ending, Nightmares) – John has been plagued by a secret his entire life that has made him feel hopeless until he meets a mysterious, seemingly omniscient man named Sherlock Holmes who owns a wish-granting shop. Their meeting sets off a series of inevitable events that will change the course of both of their lives forever.

The Wedding Garments by cwb (E, 105,390 w. || Alternate Future AU || , Alternate First Meeting, Dating / Arranged Marriages, Romance, First Kiss/Time, Heavy Petting, Cuddles, POV Sherlock, Virgin Sherlock, Idiots in Love, Slow Burn / Falling in Love / Dev. Rel., Nervous/Anxious Sherlock, Jealous/Cranky, Hiking, Vacation Homes / Honeymoon, Sherlock’s Family, Horny John/Sherlock, Patient John, Massages, Hand Jobs, Assassination Plots, Hand Jobs / Oral Sex) – This is the story of a young consulting detective who wants nothing to do with marriage and an army doctor who wants to find true love. It’s 2020 post-Brexit England and the British government is encouraging arranged marriages. Candidates meet through state-run agencies and date in hopes of finding love (and tax benefits). Sherlock doesn’t need or want a spouse, at least not until John Watson shows up. Hesitant to give in to his more carnal urges because of the way they derail his mind, how will Sherlock progress toward the more intimate aspects of a relationship? The answer lies in a very special wedding gift.

A Study in Winning by Jupiter_Ash (E, 106,658 w. || Tennis AU || John POV, Dirty Talk, Mutual Pining, Misunderstandings, Happy Ending, Sherlock Speaks French, Switchlock, Wimbledon) – John and Sherlock are professional tennis players and it’s Wimbledon. One is a broken almost was at the end of his career, the other an arrogant rising star tipped for greatness. It should have been a straightforward tournament. It really should have been. How were they to know that a chance encounter would change everything? Part 1 of Tennis

Eyes Up, Heels Down by CodenameMeretricious (E, 107,845 w. || Sports Equestrian AU || Fluff, Angst, Humour, Rider!Sherlock, Groomer!John, Show Jumping, Slow Burn, Happy Ending) – Sherlock is a top eventing rider currently training at Baker Farms. John is the new groom who’s been told to steer clear of the surly rider and his horses. Part 1 of Baker Farms

A Further Sea by i_ship_an_armada & ShinySherlock (E, 125,492 w. || Historical Pirates AU || Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Doctor John / Pirate Captain Sherlock, Sailing, UST / RST, Masturbation, Action / Adventure, Mild Angst & Peril, Romance, Shaving, Molly/Janine, Bottomlock, Hand / Blow Jobs, Past Drug Use, Slow Burn, Mild Violence, Happy Ending) – Here be a tale of adventure for both body and soul, but beware if ye be not of stout heart, for this be piratelock, ya savvy? Luckless ship’s surgeon John Watson takes a chance, and finds himself eye to eye with The Ghost, the scourge of the seven seas and a definite thorn in the side of the blaggard, James Moriarty. But when John finds there’s more to this most cunning pirate than be meetin’ the eye, he has to choose… is it a pirate’s life for him?

To Light Another’s Path by BeautifulFiction (E, 128,654 w. || Post-TGG, Sick Fic, Hurt/Comfort, Drug Addiction / Recreational Drug Use, First Time / Kiss, Case Fic) – Teaching John to observe seems to be a losing battle, but when Sherlock falls ill and submits himself to John’s care, will he realise that there is more to life than the science of deduction? Meanwhile, there is a murder to solve, and John must try and convince Sherlock not to sacrifice his own health for the sake of the case.

Colors by Quesarasara (E, 140,537 w. || Pleasantville-Inspired AU || Soulmates, Colour Bonds, Alternating POV, Angst, Fluff, Pining, Case Fic, Medical Procedures) – Everyone on earth is born with eyes that see in black, white, and an endless series of greys. When you meet your soulmate, you finally see the world in color. We’re all searching for the person who brings color to our lives. John and Sherlock are no exception. Part 1 of The Colors ‘Verse

Mise en Place by azriona (M, 161,004 w. || Restaurant (Kitchen Nightmares) AU || Sherlock is Gordon Ramsay / Celebrity Sherlock, Restauranteur John, Harry Plays Prominent Role, Alternating POV, Mutual Pining, Cranky Sherlock, Bed Sharing, Slow Burn) – John Watson had no intentions of taking over the family business, but when he returns from Afghanistan, battered and bruised, and discovers that his sister Harry has run their restaurant into the ground, he doesn’t have much choice. There’s only one thing that can save the Empire from closing for good – the celebrity star of the BBC series Restaurant Reconstructed, Chef Sherlock Holmes. Part 1 of Mise en Place

The Gilded Cage by BeautifulFiction (E, 326,887 w. || Omegaverse || Omega Sherlock / Alpha John, Friends to Lovers, Dub Con, Reproductive Rights) – In a world where Omegas are the property of the elite Alphas, locked away and treasured by those wealthy enough to buy them, John never questioned his flatmate’s secondary gender. Sherlock Holmes was an Alpha through-and through. Wasn’t he? A chance discovery turns the world on its head, and John is left grappling to come to terms with Sherlock’s past as events conspire to threaten their future.

MARKED FOR LATER

(these are fics I have in my MFL list for future reading and have not read them yet. Read at your own discretion).

And Then There Were Two by NimWallace (T, 10,194 w. || Post S4, Mutual Pining, Case Fic, Slow Burn, Angst, Grief / Mourning, Mystery, Cults) – It’s quiet at Baker Street. Too quiet. It’s been a year since Mary died, but only a few months since the events of the Final Problem, and Sherlock and John have fallen into a state of despairing and monotony. So when a case involving a vicious cult on the English Country side appears, they quickly jump to go undercover as Sean Harmony and John Wales. But how can Sherlock keep a delicate John from breaking? And how can John come to terms with his love for his detective? Most importantly, what really happened the night of the Final Problem?

Out of the Woods by SilentAuror (E, 20,471 w. || Post S4, Romance, Slow Burn, Flirting, Drunk Sex, Practical Jokes, POV Sherlock) – Sherlock is fairly certain that John has taken to flirting with him of late, but can’t be entirely certain of it. At least, not until a case takes them into a forest, along with Lestrade’s team and something happens that will change everything about their lives…

What Friends Do by agirlsname (E, 23,177 w. || Post-ASiP Canon Divergence, Slow Burn, Friends to Lovers, Jealous Sherlock, Pining Sherlock, Virgin Sherlock, Infidelity, First Kiss/Time, Fluff and Smut, Cuddling and Snuggling, Platonic-to-Not-Platonic, Blow/Hand Jobs, Angst With Happy Ending) – Sherlock has never had a friend before. He didn’t even know he wanted one until John moved into 221B. But John quickly becomes essential to him, and their friendship turns more and more intimate. It’s all platonic, of course. All perfectly normal for close friends. Part 1 of the Friends series

carrying up his morning tea by darcylindbergh (E, 34,505 w. || Minor Character Death, Grief/Mourning, Wakes & Funerals, Angst, Estranged John, Pining Sherlock, Depression and Insecurity, Slow Burn, Hurt/Comfort) – His fingers tremble as he dials and he can’t force them steady. Familiar number, even though he hasn’t used it in two years. He isn’t even sure he should be calling it now, but she’d asked. She’d made him promise.

Anchor Point by trickybonmot (E, 49,856 w. || Truman Show AU || Psychological Drama, Suspense, Slow Burn, Dark Characters / Fic) – The world tunes in nightly for Sherlock, the ultimate in reality TV: Sherlock Holmes, a real person with a legendary name, unknowingly lives out his life in a staged setting contrived by his brother. Things get complicated when a retired army doctor joins the show to play the part of Sherlock’s closest friend. This fic borrows its concept from the 1998 film, the Truman Show. However, you don’t need to have any knowledge of the movie to enjoy this story.

Focal Point by PuffleLock (E, 60,913 w. || Post-TRF Divergence / Different Reunion, POV John, Slow Burn, For a Case, Friends to Lovers, Suicidal Thoughts, Sad Wank, Sherlock in Makeup, Dancing, Mentions of Torture / Depression / PTSD, Love Confessions, Idiots in Love, Frottage, Blow Jobs, Scars, Rimming, Anal, Toplock, First Kiss / Time, Gay Sherlock / Bi John) – John comes home early from a medical conference to find that every once in awhile, Sherlock can surprise the hell out of him. Can John surprise him back?

First and Only by crimsonwinter (E, 68,390 w. || Kid/Teen/Unilock, Family Drama, Romance, Alternating POV, Slow Burn, Angst & Fluff, Rimming, Anal, Fingering, Grinding/Frottage, Sexual Tension, Oral, Virginity, Switchlock) – Sherlock and John have been inseparable since birth, working through life as neighborhood best friends, attached at the hip. Unfortunately, reality can break up even the closest of us, and John and Sherlock struggle through all that growing up entails. But first loves are unforgettable, and the boys come to realize that their love is the first and only they’ll ever have.

The Vapor Variant by 88thParallel (CanadaHolm) (M, 72,684 w. || Post-THoB, John Whump, Protective Sherlock, Guilty Sherlock, Angst with Happy Ending, Hurt/Comfort, PTSD John, Slow Burn, Mutual Pining, Suspense, Virus, Sickfic, Big Brother Mycroft) – They stood face to face in the middle of a clearing. The dim light of the moon barely allowed Sherlock to see the glassy terror in John’s eyes and the sweat that glistened off his forehead. His nose was bleeding again, blood dripping in a slow stream from his right nostril. They were both gasping for air, John’s eyes locked on Sherlock’s. There was no recognition there, just wild animal fear. Time stood still for an eternal few seconds, and Sherlock took a shaky breath. “John—”Spell broken, John spun and bolted back into the woods. Still heaving for air, Sherlock took off after him.

The Road Less Traveled Series by verityburns (M, 75,130 w. across 3 works || First Kiss / Time, POV Sherlock First Person, Angst & Fluff, Romance) – Sherlock realises that John’s dating habits involve an unacceptable level of risk… what if he meets an unusually tolerant woman and ends up getting married?

Philia and Eros by distantstarlight (E, 84,660 w. || Historical AU || Friends to Lovers, Time Travel, Kilts, Possessive Behaviour, Love Confessions, Slow Burn, Implied Rape/Non-Con) – Love is timeless but time isn’t necessarily linear. John Watson and Sherlock Holmes are about to embark on an unintended adventure that will take them far away from the comfortable confines of 221 B Baker Street. Part 1 of Strange Paths

How Long? by TheBritishBourbon (M, 111,010 w. || Kidnapping, Slow Burn, Hurt/Comfort, Injured Sherlock, Protective John, PTSD Sherlock, Flashbacks, Dark Themes, Implied Torture) – Sherlock never got to jump off the roof of St. Barts, he never got the chance. Sherlock was abducted and held for 5 years, but now he has escaped. What awaits him as he returns to reality? Part 1 of How Long Universe

Did you feel it? : A soulmates AU by MorganeUK (G, 126,783 w. || Soulmates AU || Kid/Teen/Unilock, Protective Greg, Angst, Big Feels, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Mystrade, Injuries, Slow Burn, Anxious John, BAMF John, Protective John, Est. Rel., Happy Ending) – In a world where 0.01% of the population have a soulmate with whom they share pains and violent emotions… what are the odds that an ex-army doctor and an ex-addict detective open their heart and soul enough to found each others?Finally writing a twist on the soulmates trend… Hope you like it!

“Merry Christmas” I wrapped it up and sent it with a note saying “I love you” by starrysummernights (E, 136,580+ w. || WIP, chapter missing? || Post S4, Slow Burn, Mary is Not Nice, Christmas, Fluff, Smut, Angst, Parentlock, Past Torture / Rape) – John has moved back into 221B with his daughter Rosie after Mary was killed, but things are not exactly comfortable between him and Sherlock. After everything that has happened, they are trying to become friends again…and maybe something more. What better time than the Christmas season?! Takes place after TLD.

The Bang and the Clatter by earlgreytea68 (M, 137,049 w. || Baseball AU || Slow Burn / Dev. Rel.) – Sherlock Holmes is a pitcher and John Watson is a catcher. No, no, no, it’s a baseball AU. Part 1 of Baseball

The Jewel in the Tower by PoppyAlexander (E, 207,079 w. || Dystopian AU, Violence, Rape/Non-Con Elements, Mild Dub Con, One World Government, Class Issues, Assassin John / Geisha Sherlock, Self Esteem Issues, Slow Burn, Espionage, Miscommunication, Sexual Fantasy, Masturbation, Letters/Texting, Phone Sex, Infidelity, First Time, Blow Jobs, Dirty Talk, Injury Recovery, Panic Attacks, Frottage, Scars, Misgendering, Happy Endings) – In a contemporary dystopia, Unity is peace – despite the fact unsanctioned information, illicit currency, and every sort of danger flows unchecked in the world’s pleasure districts. John Watson, a weary hired gun, is assigned by the mysterious Mentor to investigate a subversive element lurking in the Icehouse, the world’s most famous House of Repose. As accustomed as he is to dealing with the unexpected, John is nevertheless woefully unprepared to meet the gem of the Ice house, Xie, the world renowned “drashaskaya,” the living work of art after which all other drashas are modeled. In sumptuous suites, amid trailing puddles of silk and fervent whispers in the night, John soon learns that nothing is as it seems in the floating world of London’s pleasure district.

You Go To My Head by 7PercentSolution and J_Baillier (E, 257,765+ w. across 8 Stories, WiP || Surgeon AU || Medical Realism, Doctor John / Doctor Sherlock, Friends to Lovers, Pining, Addiction, Angst, Slow Burn, PTSD, Pining, Insecurity) – This series is an alternate universe one, featuring the exciting medical and romantic adventures of doctors Watson (senior neuroanaesthetist) and Holmes (neurosurgeon).

Radioactive Trees In A Red Forest by Maribor_Petrichor (E, 280,251 w. || PODFIC AVAILABLE || Post-S4, Suicidal Ideations, Alcohol / Rx Drug Abuse, Coming Out / Bisexual John, Seizures, Past/Referenced/Implied Child Abuse, Hallucinations, Rehab, Celibacy, Sobriety / Relapse, Slow Burn, Friends to Lovers, Grief/Mourning, Psychological Trauma, Nice /Not Anti-Mary, John’s POV, Parentlock, First Time, Angst, Switchlock) – John Watson is what happens when a man can no longer see a reason to go on. John Watson is what happens when a man starts to let go. “It is what it is.” John Watson is what happens when what “it is” becomes too much to bear. This is a story of the life, death, and resurrection of John Hamish Watson.

The Men Who Talked Between the Words by Odamaki (E, 463,024 w. || Parentlock, UST/URT, Pining Sherlock, Grieving John, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Past Abuse, Slow Burn/Build, Case Fic, First Kiss / Time, Implied/Referenced Suicide & Drug Use, Slow Burn, Sherlock Whump, Panic Attacks) – 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.

#steph replies #johnlock fic recs #my fic recs #slow burn #long post #developing relationship #falling in love #Anonymous #fic rec sunday

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rainbows-fanfics · 6 years ago

Text

Two Dearest Friends (Chapter 13)

Summary:

Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, meets Sally, a ragdoll created by Dr. Finklestein. A friendship blossoms between them as he introduces her to the world outside of her tower. Sally is falling for him as their relationship grows into something more, and Jack finds the same is happening to him.

A story where the Christmas incident never happens, and Jack and Sally find their happiness on their own.

Pairings: Jack Skellington/Sally

"HALLOWEEN CELEBRATION IN ONLY AN HOUR! HEAD TO THE TOWNSQUARE TO ACQUIRE YOUR POSITIONS FOR THIS EVENING!" The Mayor's booming voice comes through the kitchen window. Sally peeks her head out and finds his hearse traveling down the hills. Halloween was here already? She's been trying to get on the Doctor's good side for so long that she completely forgot about it! He's been much easier on her now that she's been kind, so her job was nearly done. All that was left was to test her limits. She glances out of the kitchen momentarily and finds him passing by her direction. "Doctor!" She calls. She rushes out of the room. The Doctor stops what he has been doing and turns to face her. Nothing looks different about his features. It's hard to tell whether he is in a good or bad mood. While she observes his face, Finklestein taps his finger on his cheek. "I hope this isn't going to be about that announcement outside?" Her lips press into a thin line. She's been caught already. "Well, actually-" "-Then I don't want to hear it." He waves his hand in the air. "Get me my dinner, Sally. I'm rather famished tonight." He doesn't even wait for her response before leaving back to the lab. She stands there and watches him in shock. Here she was actually thinking he'd understand! If he was going to be like this, then there is no other choice. She turns to walk back into the kitchen, opening her cabinet and reluctantly pulling out the bottle filled with deadly nightshade. She takes one last glance out of the door before dumping its contents into the soup. ------------------------------------- Halloween Town is a lot darker than she remembers. After she spikes the Doctor's dinner and covers him with a blanket, she is wandering aimlessly into the streets. For some reason, everything appears to be nearly pitch-black, even the smallest of the noises sounding deafening. The wind brushing along her clothed skin sends unpleasant goosebumps up her arms. Growing a little uneasy, she steps to the side and places a tired hand on the wall. It feels as if she's been wandering for hours. She doesn't recognize the area at all. She tries to backtrack and recollect the way she went. This really is awful...being lost in the town she ever so deeply wanted to be apart of... She hears some whispering behind her, the words incomprehensible. She turns around but finds no one there. The whispers come again and she frantically turns in their direction. There is still no one in sight. A cold feeling climbs the back of her dress, as if a gust of wind was going through her. "Who's there!?" She demands. When she is met with silence, Sally continues on her way, her pace much faster with an occasional glance behind her shoulder. She can't tell what are shadows and what are walls. Every sewer gate she passes makes a gargling noise. There is an unsteady beating in her chest as her eyes dart back and forth. Her hair suddenly lifts from the back of her dress, the cold draft reaching her skin and causing her to squeak in surprise. Before she can turn around, a hand grips her hair steadily. She attempts to fight back but feels the grip loosen as the presence leaves. When she turns around, she hears an eerie voice whisper into her ear.

"I am the wind blowing through your hair.." She screams. Then she scrambles to her feet, running as fast and far as she can. She turns her head to see if anyone is following her, but then she comes into contact with something hard. She's sent to the ground as her back lands harshly on the floor. She looks up hazily and finds a blurry sight of red above her. "Dolly?" She blinks once or twice, steadying her vision. A grotesque face looks down at her in surprise. She lets out a yelp and crawls backwards. The figure offers her a hand but she smacks it before it can touch her. James, the one who offered her his hand, steps back in caution. The rest of his band members, John and Jimmy, lean from beside him to peer at the ragdoll. She is still on the ground shaking, her eyes watering. Her dress is ruffled and her hair is tangled in knots. James turns to shrug, motioning to her weakly. "She came right at me!" He defends. In Sally's ears, all she can hear are mumbles. She shuts her eyes and tries to protect herself by holding her arms in front of her. She can't recognize the voices or the figures. All she can hear is the pounding in her chest and the numb feeling in her leaves. John studies her intently. After awhile, he comments, "I think she's scared." His assumption is confirmed when she jumps at his voice. James rubs his chin excitedly. "Hey, 's great! Who scared ya', Dolly? Was it Jack? I hear he's on a roll tonight, an' it ain't even celebratin' time yet!" She scrambles backwards again. The three exchange confused looks, watching her in silence until things click together in their minds. "Oh! 'S her first Halloween, boys." James announces to them. "She wasn't here last year, remember?" "Ohhh." They reply in unison, nodding at their leader. They glance back at their friend and find that she still hasn't moved, but is starting to peek out from her arms. She blinks a few times before smiling, opening her mouth to apologize. She feels another breeze climb her shoulders and rushes behind them, hiding in the small space between their figures and the wall. James looks behind them and blinks. "Uh...what 'r ya' doin', Doll?" "It's so frightening out there! I just want to feel safe..." "But Hallowen Town's th' safest place around!" He replies. "Nothin's gonna' kill ya'. At least...not here." His consolation doesn't help. She makes a surprised noise and conceals herself again. When Jimmy smacks James' arm, the leader shrugs and mouths: 'It's true!' "You can stay like that as long as you'd like." John assures her, gently strumming his bass. "We ain't going anywhere." She sighs in relief, staying behind them. They really are such great friends to let her hide like this. She doesn't understand why she was so scared. It felt as if her life was at stake and being out in the open meant something horrible. It was...scary. But after calming down, she emerges from the spot. She stands in front of them and tugs at a strand of her hair, wondering just what to say. She finds them smiling at her and flinches. Their faces are scary, too, but they belong to her friends. She can't be scared of them like she was with...whoever was back there. "I'm sorry," She apologizes. "I wasn't expecting things to feel so...different tonight." "Bone Daddy says tonight 'll be th' scariest ever. Guess he's right 'bout that." James chuckles. "Don't know what he has planned. Doesn't let us know 'bout it 'til it happens." Sally unconsciously smiles at the mention of Jack. She almost forgot asking them about him. They are his friends as well, and they seem really familiar with him since no one else used such a nickname. She clears her throat and avoids eye contact with the three, shyly approaching the topic. "I was wondering if you three can tell me more about Jack?" She asks. All of their jaws open wide. James nudges Jimmy's arm while John gives him a smug look. The accordion player looks away from them and scoffs. The other two erupt into laughter, James slapping his knee repeatedly. "Doesn't mean anything." Jimmy mutters. "What doesn't?" The ragdoll asks. "Oh, nothin', nothin'." James waves it off. "What do ya' wanna' know 'bout 'im, Dolly?" "Everything." She blurts out. Their eyes widen again before the three think of what to say. John and Jimmy eventually look at James, waiting for his response. He catches their looks and clears his throat. "-Well, Bone Daddy likes ta' take walks, fer' one. He usually goes 'round th' Outskirts late at night. Don't know what he does exactly, but sometimes he'll be out there fer' hours. We find that he usually ends up at th' Graveyard." "Oh, yes. I've met him there." "Not many ghouls know this, but..." James looks around before leaning forward. "Bone Daddy doesn't like th' fawnin' n' attention. I'm guessin' he gets overwhelmed. Every year th' ghouls n creatures praise him, n' it's all fun n' games...but we always see him leave fer' th' Graveyard after. Ain't a good sign." She gawks in surprise. "But all I ever see are the citizens praising him..." "Trust me, I'm guessin' at one point he enjoyed it. But...let's say ya' get called horrible everyday. After awhile, it really loses its touch, ya' know?" She furrows her eyebrows in thought. She had no idea that it overwhelmed him...it looked like he coped with it just fine. He didn't mention it with her at the Graveyard. Oh, she hopes she hasn't added onto that for him... Jimmy slowly starts to play his accordion, passing a look in her direction. "I'm a little surprised." "Surprised about what?" "He likes to stay alone," He explains. "Keeps himself at home and only goes to the graveyard to be by himself. Whenever anyone offers him some company, he always says no. I'm surprised he invited you with him." James looks over at the tall member and shoves his arm. Jimmy quiets down. Sally is still taking this new information in. Jack didn't like company, but he...enjoyed hers? Was she the exception? She wasn't used to being special for anything. The thought makes her feel warm. "....Really?..." The smile keeps growing on her face. James nods. "Yeah, 's right. But, 'stead of askin' us...ya' should go n' ask him yerself." She grins and nods. He's right. She has a whole evening with him coming up at the Graveyard, and she certainly won't go and waste the time when it comes. The four of them hear a round of chatter come in the direction of the Town Square. Sally decides to take her leave and waves to her friends as she goes. They play a tune for her as she walks away. ------------------ She's relieved to find the gates open and monsters about. She doesn't feel scared in the lighter atmosphere here. The monsters are either pumping themselves with preparation or were chatting with one another as she passes by. She finds a crowd near the fountain surrounding the Mayor's hearse. He's standing atop of it with a long paper in his hands, directing monsters to their proper places. She isn't familiar with many of the people here. They all look terribly scary. But seeing them being so enthusiastic only makes her view them in a better light. All these people truly are friendly. Jack was right about them! Wait, where IS Jack? She wonders. She looks around in the crowds but can't find him until she hears a familiar voice call for her. "Hey, Sally! Over here!" When she looks, she finds the Hanging Tree waiting for her. He and the Hanging Men are waving her over. She nods slightly as she pushes her way through the crowds. Once she gets to him, he pats an empty spot, to which she sits down and flattens down her dress. "Hello, Hanging Tree." She greets. "Hello, Sally! I was surprised to see you here!" He responds. "And on Halloween Night, no less." "What's going on? Why is everyone here?" The Hanging Tree looks down at her in surprise, taken aback at such a question. One of the Hanging Men realizes their tree is stunned and takes the obligation of telling her. "-Well, Miss, Halloween is the most important night of the year! We sing our song about it! Right now, we're all waiting for our roles." "I see." That explains why there's so many huddling around the Mayor's hearse. "-And where is Jack?" "Our Pumpkin King!" Another Hanging Man cheers. "Tonight, we worship him, as he's the King of Halloween! He comes at the end of the celebration to deliver his performance. The most exciting moment of the night!" "But I thought he doesn't like worship?" She inquires. The Hanging Tree finally snaps back into reality and hums lowly in response. "We're only allowed to do it tonight. He accepts praises every other day, but Halloween is the exception for everything, you know! Such a humble yet terrifying man, if I'd say so myself." She lets out a soft 'oh' in response. She continues to observe the scene until a thought suddenly comes to her. Jack said she was a citizen now, and the Doctor couldn't prove otherwise, so...does that mean she had a role in Halloween? "Do you know where I go in the song?" She asks the tree. He places a hand to his face in thought. "I don't believe I heard your name. But it'd be best to check with the Mayor, just to make sure and all." He points over to the crowd with a sharp finger. She nods and carefully removes herself from her seat. She attempts to find some sort of line. Apparently, there is none. Everyone seems to be standing around, hoping to get called on and directed somewhere. She decides to stick to the back and patiently waits for something to happen. The Mayor is currently waving his hand in front of a crowd. He doesn't look stressed, rather, happy, as he is checking names left-and-right off of his list. It takes awhile until everyone is assigned and there's only Sally left. When the Mayor's finger lands on her, his face changes. "Oh, dear. It doesn't say your name anywhere here, Mrs. Finklestein..." He climbs through the papers. Still finding nothing, he let them go limp on the floor. "Then where do I go?" His face shifts to his happier side. "You can sit to sit to the side and watch! It's such a horrible experience either way." He climbs down the ladder and lands on the floor loudly. He grabs his megaphone and that's when she decides to take her leave, making her way to the side and resting against a wall. She happens to do so just in time, for the Mayor's voice begins to echo through the town. "Remember, everyone, wait for your signal so you may all get into position! Please take timing into consideration. I'd like for this Halloween to be as orderly as the last! With that said, I'll be rewarding the prizes after the celebration! Have fun, everybody!" Everyone waits a bit before something comes through the gates. A black figure quickly goes around and rids the flames of nearby candles. Whenever it passes by a lamppost, the light goes off. The only thing illuminating the area right now is the bright, green water from the fountain. She hears startled screams and laughter emerge from the darkness. Figures rush past her. She lays completely flat against the wall as to not be taken with them. Soon the screams, laughs, and voices fall. She's left standing in silence. A moment passes before the lamps slowly light up again. The town square is nearly empty, save for monsters like Sally scrambling to the sides and watching. She is too scared to break the silence. Suddenly, ghosts fly around and peek through the fences, dancing on the walls. "Boys and girls of every age Wouldn't you like to see something strange? Come with us and you will see This, our town of Halloween This is Halloween, this is Halloween Pumpkins scream in the dead of night" This is Halloween, everybody make a scene Trick or treat till the neighbors gonna die of fright It's our town, everybody scream In this town of Halloween I am the one hiding under your bed Teeth ground sharp and eyes glowing red I am the one hiding under your stairs Fingers like snakes and spiders in my hair This is Halloween, this is Halloween Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween!"</i> The Vampire Brothers from afar emerge from their house. It sounds like the song is growing closer to her. They turn around and extend their wings, singing: "In this town we call home Everyone hail to the pumpkin song" The Mayor, proudly standing on top of his hears, begins to sing. She gawks at his voice - having not imagined him being so good, even better than her! He spins around while performing his lines: "In this town, don't we love it now? Everybody's waiting for the next surprise" Other citizens start jumping out from different spots. They continue to sing: "'Round that corner, man hiding in the trash can Something's waiting no to pounce, and how you'll Scream! This is Halloween Red 'n' black, and slimy green Aren't you scared? Well, that's just fine Say it once, say it twice Take a chance and roll the dice Ride with the moon in the dead of night Everybody scream, everybody scream In our town of Halloween! I am the clown with the tear-away face Here in a flash and gone without a trace I am the "who" when you call, "Who's there?" I am the wind blowing through your hair" Every part of her gets chills hearing those last lines. A voice comes above her, urging her to look into the night sky. She finds a familiar figure singing from...the moon? "I am the shadow on the moon at night Filling your dreams to the brim with fright This is Halloween, this is Halloween Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween!" The children gather around their toys. She smiles as they sing their parts, joined by their parents soon after. "Tender lumplings everywhere Life's no fun without a good scare That's our job, but we're not mean In our town of Halloween In this town Don't we love it now? Everybody's waiting for the next surprise" The Behemoth comes out through the gates. He is lugging the straw horse behind him, the same one the Doctor has been working on for weeks. Some sort of scarecrow is sitting on top of it, with the welcoming sign of Halloween Town attached to its back. It has a pumpkin for a head and seems to be completely inanimate. She obverses it from a distance. A small, purple scattered-up vest is buttoned on its body. The rest is completely straw save for the stick-like arms, its limbs encircled with rope. All of the citizens rush to gather around it and sing while it passes by. One of them is carrying a torch, which is suddenly taken by the scarecrow. "Skeleton Jack might catch you in the back And scream like a banshee Make you jump out of your skin This is Halloween, everybody scream Won't ya please make way for a very special guy Our man Jack is King of the Pumpkin patch Everyone hail to the Pumpkin King, now!" The scarecrow swallows the torch hole, engulfing its body into flames. It jumps off of the horse and becomes completely animate, dancing around the square and shooting some fire out from its mouth. Sally jumps when flames find their way in her direction. The scarecrow turns and leaps into the fountain, performing a few flips expertly before landing into the water successfully. She watches it in awe, waiting for the moment it will rise out of the water. Her eyes focus and tries to find the orange peek out from the green liquid. But instead, a white skull emerges out slowly, two eye sockets opening slowly as the rest of its body follows suit. The citizens around her cheer as Jack steps onto the statue of the fountain, spreading out in arms to receive their praise. She is completely dumbfounded that nothing leaves her mouth. "What a horrible Halloween, everybody!" The Mayor exclaims from his hearse. Everyone's heads turn to watch him as he joins Jack. The skeleton steps down from the fountain and chuckles in response. "Yes, certainly one of our best to come!" The Pumpkin King agrees. "Everyone did horribly!" "But nothing compared to YOU, Jack!" The Mayor points at him. "Your leadership is what MAKES Halloween!" He opens his mouth to thank him, but is interrupted by someone screaming from the crowd. "You make sparks fly, Jack!" Someone else joins in. "You make oil boil!" More voices sound out in the crowd. She loses track hearing all of them at once. "You're a witch's scream!" "You make flesh crawl!" "-And wounds suppurate!" "You're such a scream!" Everyone is cheering and agreeing with the compliments being yelled out. The ragdoll keeps smiling and nodding as she hears them. They are all right - Jack is all of those things. She places two hands to her chest in excitement, unable to stop herself from blurting out a compliment of her own. "You're an inspiration!" She realizes what she said a second too late and slaps a hand over her mouth. The others clap to agree, though many are looking around in search for the new voice. Even he is a bit startled, judging by the way he's looking with them. She feels embarrassed and lowers her head, standing behind the largest person nearby so she wouldn't be seen. "An inspiration?" Jack Skellington echoes. "I loved that. Who said it?" She feels tingly and grins brightly. He loves it? She slowly rises from the crowds to claim it, but someone else blurts out an agreement before she can. "Yes! You're an inspiration to everybody!" Another round of applause ensues. She reluctantly joins in, a little jealous of being overshadowed. He finally holds up a skeletal hand, making everyone goes quiet. He turns to the Mayor and motions for him to begin calling out to the people. "Oh, yes!" Her grabs his list. "And now, the prizes!" She listens as the Mayor rewards people, giving them things she thought a little odd to praise. One monster gets a trophy for how many bats they made scream and another gets an honorable mention for the most 'claw marks in town'. She's confused, but she enjoys it. As soon as everything is handed out, the Mayor shoves his list to the side. Jack takes a step onto his hearse and sits himself on the top, towering over everyone. They all flock to him, surrounding the area and craning their necks up just to see him. Some even reach for any of his limbs that happen to be hanging loose. A witch manages to cling onto his arm, to which he politely nudges her off. "Well, everyone, I think this Halloween went horribly! But it is time to discuss what we can improve on." He passes the Mayor a smile. "If you'll do the honors, Mr. Mayor?" The Mayor nods his head and joins Jack from below, getting a paper out as well as a feathered pen. Sally stands firmly where she is, unsure of what to do. The monsters shove themselves forward to get as close to Jack while others talk to the Mayor. Many of the ghouls and witches are fluttering their eyes and attempting to touch him, some even succeeding. The ragdoll frowns and drops her arms to her side in defeat. Before she can leave, she feels someone's stare on the back of her head. She turns around and find Jack's eye sockets locked with her black pupils. He begins to wave at her, to which she blushes and returns. She sees him open his mouth to say something, but is interrupted by the sea gal launching herself onto his arm and nearly tipping the skeleton over the hearse. He gets pulled into the crowd, and that's the last Sally sees of him. She thinks now is the best time to take her leave. -------------------- The band is playing a melody that she now realizes was used for the song. She briefly talks to them, telling her that her first Hallwoeen as "horrible" and things alike before continuing on her way. She doesn't want to return to the tower, but she'd rather be there than staying around and watching Jack be pampered by women. When she reaches the front door, she pulls on the handle in expectation it'll open. But it doesn't. The result is the same when she tries again. She climbs down the stairs and attempts the back entrance, which she also finds locked. She looks up and finds the lights of the tower turned off, the Outskirts completely silent. She recalls the last time Finklestein locked the door. The time when she was with Jack, who went with her to bring her back in. She takes a deep breath and knocks on the surface heartily a few times. She waits a few minutes before realizing that no one is coming. "Oh, no..." She says to herself. "What am I going to do?" When she looks around, she finds the paths getting darker and the lights getting dimmer. She goes in the only direction she knows by heart - to the Graveyard. She sighs in relief when the gates come into view and goes right through them. Both the graveyard and the spiral hill are empty. She slowly walks around and tries to comfort herself in the silence of the crickets. She passes by Zero's grave and momentarily decides whether or not to wake him up. She decides not to bother him and climbs over to a few empty graves. One spot in particular is steep enough for her to lay down in. She bites her lip as she slowly lays down in it, attempting her best to get comfortable. She ends up having to go into a fetal position to stay warm. She tries not to think too badly of sleeping on the ground. Instead, she closes her eyes and thinks of Halloween instead. She thinks of the singing, the wonderful cheers, and especially Jack....Once her thoughts come to him, they never leave. Thinking about him makes her warm enough to fall asleep, dreaming of a better world. ----------------- The rest of the night goes by with little noise. In the midst of her sleep, she feels something warm encircle her. The ground beneath her feels smoother, and a breeze passes through her hair. She's too comfortable to move and decides to relish in this new warmth. A few more noises come but she can't remember them. They aren't loud enough to stir her from her dream. She is placed into her bed and wrapped comfortably in her blankets. She spends the last few hours of the night nestled into the bed, only to awake once she hears the sound of a rooster crowing.

#long post #long #fanfiction #two dearest friends #jack x sally #jack skellington #the nightmare before christmas #jack and sally #sally

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