#sherlock Holmes x sister

[ellieslittleburrow]

Masterlist 🌹🌹🌹

Hi there, welcome. I'm reposting the masterlist on my other account, rusty's lodge and adding the fics i wrote on this one as well.

enjoyyyy 💕

MASTERLIST P.2

4am Masterlist

Writing conditions

Fandoms : Supernatural, Walker, The society, Hannibal, Peaky blinders, Sherlock Holmes, The Punisher, The Witcher, and many more!

Open to requests from other tv shows i might've watched, so request away 🖤🖤

Supernatural :   

One shots : 

Sam and dean and John

Coming home late..doesn't keep Dean okay P1.(Angsty Dean x sister reader)

Coming home late..doesn't keep Dean okay P2.(Angsty Dean x sister reader)

Arguing siblings(Sam/Dean x sister reader)

Graduation (Sam/Dean x sister reader)

Broken heart (Dean x sister reader)

Cakepops (Dean x sister reader)

Motorcycle accident (Sam/Dean x sister reader)

Tummy ache (Fluffy Sam/Dean x sister reader)

Arrested (Angsty Sam x sister reader)

Distant(Sam x sister reader)

The best dad (Sam x daughter reader)

Heartbroken (Sam/dean x sister reader)

I'll do it for you (Sam/Dean x sister reader)

Sleep paralysis...Part1(Sam/Dean x sister reader)

Witchcraft (Sam/Dean x sister reader)

Fun evening...Part 2(Angsty Dean x sister reader)

Fun evening..Part 1(Fluffy Dean x sister reader)

Social anxiety (Dean/Sam x sister reader)

Eating disorder part 1 (Sam/Dean x sister reader)

ED part 2, Dean(Dean x sister reader)

ED part 2, Sam (Sam x sister reader)

Periods (Dean/Sam x sister reader)

Staining the Winchester car (John x daughter reader)

Hungover Dean ( Fluffy Sam/Dean x sister reader)

Non-binary little winchester(Sam/Dean x sibling reader)

Dean realizes his sister’s lesbian( Dean x lesbian sister reader)

Forever love you, no matter what(Sam/Dean x lesbian sister)

I'm here now, kid (Dean winchester x daughter!reader)

Too young to go on hunts(Sam/Dean/Bobby x sister reader)

Sick (Sam/Dean x sister reader)

Pretty girl (Sam/Dean x young sister reader)

psychic abilities (Sam/Dean x sister reader) 

Homeschooled Part 1 (Sam/sister reader)

Homeschooled Part 2 (Sam/sister reader)

Sir mister judge (Dean x sister reader)

Bites pt1 (angst Dean winchester x daughter reader)

Bites pt2 (fluffy Dean winchester x daughter reader)

The hairdresser (Sam x young daughter reader) 

Short hair (Sam/Dean x sister reader) 

Panicky..(Sam/Dean x sister reader)

Hurtin' kid.(Sam/Dean x sister reader)

Family breakup. (Angst Sam/Dean x sister reader)

Sentimental sister (Sam/Dean x sister reader)

What's that you're wearing?(Sam/Dean x sister reader)

Siblings : sleepover (Sam/Dean x sister reader)

Siblings : periods (Sam/Dean x sister reader)

Singer sister meets Dean after a long time apart(Dean/Sam x sister reader)

Other characters :

The little secret (Castiel x reader)

I promised i’d keep you safe and i broke that promise(Platonic jack x sister reader)

Savior castiel (platonic castielx sister reader)

Charlie's girlfriend (Romantic fluff charlie x sister reader)

Siblings (Dean/Sam Winchester x sister!reader)

Christmas time (Dean winchester x sister!reader)

Motorcycle accident (Dean/Sam winchester x sister!reader)

Protective John(John Winchester x daughter!reader)

  Texts 📱 :

Sam and Dean :

Are you sure you’re feeling better ? (Sam x sick sister reader)

Prank time. (Sam/Dean x sister reader)

Night terrors (Dean x sister reader)

I crashed baby...(Sam/Dean x sister reader)

Other characters :

Blackmail Part 1(Claire novak x winchester sister reader)

Blackmail Part 2 (Claire novak x winchester sister reader)

I will never leave (Jensen Ackles/ Danneel Ackles x daughter!reader)

Hannibal :

Poor behaviour Pt1 (hannibal x daughter reader)

Poor behaviour Pt2

It is but a little cold. (Fluff Hannibal x daughter reader)

Anger issues (Hannibal x daughter reader)

Protective family(AU Sherlock Holmes/Hannibal Lecter x daughter/sister!reader)

Peaky Blinders :

Final night in Soho (shelby brothers x sister)

Sherlock Holmes :

His ward. (Sherlock Holmes x sister reader)

His ward. PT2, choice 1

His ward. PT2, choice 2

The detectives (Sherlock/Enola holmes x sister!reader)

Big Sky :

Hurt but safe.(Beau Arlen x daughter!reader)

The Last Of Us :

A father like no other (Joel Miller x daughter!reader)

From stranger to father..(Joel miller x daughter!reader)

Fainter reader(Joel miller x daughter!reader/Ellie x sister!reader)

Home late(Joel miller x daughter!reader)

The witcher :

Geralt headcanons (Geralt x daughter!reader)

Top Gun Maverick :

Balls of fire (Rooster Bradshaw x sister!reader)

Elvis :

I own you. (Smut Elvis Presley x girlfriend!reader)

Classic case of jealousy (Elvis Presley x girlfriend!reader)

[strangesthirdeye]

ᴛʜᴇ sᴇʀᴘᴇɴᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴀᴠᴇɴ (sʜᴇʀʟᴏᴄᴋ ʜᴏʟᴍᴇs x ғᴇᴍ ᴘᴏᴛᴛᴇʀ! ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ) [ʜᴘ ᴀᴜ]

Disclaimers: This story is purely fictional and credit for the Characters and Storylines used goes to BBC SHERLOCK HOLMES and GOOD OMENS and HARRY POTTER. Y/n is you. This story has nothing to do with life or death. If anything, it's a coincidence. Some of the storylines I added in this story are mine.

Warning: mention of death, blood, , bad memories, injuries, wars, murder, betrayal, magic, lots of wizards and witches, mind controlling, fluff, love, platonic, polyamorous, romantic, and more because its a lot of warnings.

Summary:Raised without a mother and father, Harry and Y/n Potter was raised by their aunt and uncle, Mr and Mrs Dursley. Unaware that they has magical blood flowing through their veins, They receive a letter brought by an owl which they initially thinks is just a joke. But, after they experiences some strange things that happen, a half giant comes and tells them about their side family who posses magic before taking them to the English boarding school, Hogwarts. Unaware that they have set foot on the truth side of their parents' death.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬;

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒖𝒆

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝟏: 𝑫𝒖𝒅𝒍𝒆𝒚 𝑺𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝟐 : 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒇𝒍𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒚𝒑𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒄𝒉?

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝟑: 𝑫𝒊𝒅 𝒉𝒆 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒚 𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏?

[rustys-lodge]

His ward.

Summary : Sherlock notices a few changes in you. It's sleep, nutrition and....Other things. You're just simply not okay. What's he going to do about that ?

warnings : Talk about lack of nutrition, a bit of angst, as well as poor behavior caused by lack of sleep. And one mention of physical assault.

A/N : First sherlock fic ! yaaay ! I'm so excited to add a new fandom to the Masterlist . So, as some of you might notice, the scene's the same. Just a few changes of my own to fit the story better. And a much better ending that I'm sure a lot of us wanted !! 😂 For those that don't know the scene. Here it is.

-----

"Did i ask you for advice ? I found you on the street. Drunk."

The man froze, turning to face you in a defeating manner.

"Now what may I observe about you ?"

You shook your head. "We're not playing this game."

Let's rewind a few hours back...Where Sherlock was...standing like a crab, balancing himself to not fall drunken face down on the ground. If you hadn't found him and brought him home....You'd say he would've ended up dead, somewhere in a garbage can.

Now Sherlock, thinks otherwise. Mister great detective says it is he, who helped you. How ? God knows how....

He is also saying you should leave....Which...You don't agree with. He needs the help. His place is a mess. he needs cleaning. He needs someone to help him organize the chaos that he's living in...He needs-

"Your eyes are redder than redder than wine." Sherlock started and you take a step back. "You're much slower than you usually are."

"Like you know what i usually am like, Sherlock." Accusations spilled out of your lips, but Sherlock ignores them, simultaneously talking ober you and analyzing you.

"Your face has lost it's color and your wounds are healing very slow."

"You're one to talk, look at you, your hair's more messed up than a-

"And then there's the irritability, you are less-"

"Stop !" Your index found itself inches away from Sherlock's face. And he stops.

"And then there's your nails." Sherlock's voice decreased into a soft tone, yet the sternness was still there. And before you could move your finger away, his hand reached for it. "Your nails are brittle."

You yanked your hand away at his response. "They are n-"

"I wasn't in such a state as to not see that, Y/N." Sherlock leaned closer to your face, the glare in his eyes freezing you in place. And then he kept on blabbering as he walked away from you. And you couldn't help but insult him back concurrently . "You're neither sleeping nor eating. Why is that ?"

Your throat dried up as his words emerged louder and louder. "Sherlock, you- You-How did you-"

"And." Your brother lifted up his arm. God damn it.... "Your neck is red. Someone has gripped it or held a knife against.." a shaky breath replaced that last little word as realization hit Sherlock, his features emulsifying into a state of shock...

Or was it anger ?

Your hand instantly flew up to cover your neck as your gaze darted to the ground. You couldn't help but think about the product of the aftermath. And as the silence grew louder, the images started-

"Are you involved in something dangerous ?" Sherlock broke the silence. Finally. And you glanced away. "Because you are still my ward." Steps grew closer and a second after that, you found yourself towered over by him.

Your foot staggered back. You...You don't n-need him.

"If you need my help, my offer remains on the table." A soft command is what it was...And you couldn't help but thi- "Don't be so desperate to prove yourself, Y/n."

You faltered, scoffing. Is that was he thought it was ? It was that....But did he have to say it ?

"I am not desperate." A fake spark of triumph electrified you. And you found yourself turning on your heels. "And i don't need your- or anyone's hel-"

"Not so fast."

You turned around, somewhat thrilled. "What ?" You spa out.

You might've gotten thrilled. But that doesn't mean you were going to show that to him ?

Your brother threw a glance at you before his gaze fell down. His giant slumped shoulders gave away the desperation and the deceit he was feeling.

Your heart stung at the sight of it.

"What ?" You repeated yourself, a bit louder. Impatience was growing thicker in you. You....Yo-

"If you insist my help is not needed, than i will serve you a plate and i shall observe you e-"

What ? "No!" He can't do that to you !! you're not a pet !

Sherlock raised his hand, motioning for you to stop. "To make sure you are well nurt-"

"No. No." But his attempt to defend himself failed, as you cut him off again, shaking your head violently. How could you not ?? What kind of suggestion is that-

"And you'll sleep here tonight. And then tomorrow you're free to...Not ever come back."

His words pierced through your heart.

"No."

"Okay." Sherlock condensed. And you squinted your eyes at his mischievous s- "Then you're not going anywhere."

There is it ! You...You knew it. Rolling your eyes at him, you tilted your head back as frustration swept over you. "No."

"I'm sorry. But"

"No" You shrugged, turning on your heels. You were not having any of it. Not the accusations, not the suggestion...Nothing. And Sherlock was quite different from Mycroft...He was gentler, sweeter. More loving. That meant : His opinion doesn't matter. After all, who's h-

"Hey !"

You flinched at the sudden yell that echoed through the room. Sherlock's voice was consumed by anger. Hoarse and low, the yell only made whimper unconsciously...And you thanked god your brother was far enough not to hear it. He better not have heard it...

"But Sherlock i-You can't withhold me h-"

"I am not withholding you, sister, I am only seeking your safety and your well-being." The detective's voice simmered down again, almost mirroring yours. The only difference is that you sounded almost weak. He sounded...collected.

"I-"

"If." Sherlock's voice filled the room again. "you do step out of that door, the consequences of that will be solely your responsibility to bear." The softness in his voice sent chills down your spine, as behind it hid a dark pitch that...You weren't sure you wanted to hear again.

With two fingers slightly curved around the door handle, your eyes dart from handle to Sherlock....You reconsidered....Stay and risk him finding out ?(Choice 1) Or Leave and risk...Whatever he has in mind for you ?(Choice 2)

-----

Tell me which choice would you choose ? if anobody wants to be tagged for part 2 tell me. ❤❤❤🌹🌹🌹

[padfootdaredmetoo]

Hi again! Here's the second Henry Sherlock X Peaky idea I had if you wanted! It would be a Sister Holmes X Tommy Shelby where reader is Tom's secretary and has just stated dating him but hasn't told her family yet because she hasn't seen them in a while. Then maybe one day a girl (badly disguised as a boy) is caught snooping around the betting shop and as Arthur takes her to Tom's office for questioning the reader immediately clocks it as her little sister who a agreed to spy for Sherlock. Then reader finds him and is berating him for putting Enola in danger while Sherlock is mad about her ruining their cover because he's investigating Tom for a case and as their arguing the reader says she knows Tom didn't do it because he was with her at the time (maybe she reveals the hickies) and Sherlock just freezes and goes into big bro mode while the Shelby family is trying to figure out what's going on because for once they didn't commit this crime and they haven't heard about the readers family yet. And yeah! That was the other idea😂 idk which to send in so you can choose which you'd rather do! Feel free to change anything about them too! I just desire some Sherlock x Peaky goodness 😂 ❤️❤️ also I hope those weren't too long I just didn't know how to explain them shortly!

Have a great night/day/time! ❤️❤️ and remember: GO YOU!!

Hey Love,

Hope you enjoy this and thank you for waiting so long! Was away on vacation (realized I didn't post that I was away.) Thanks again for these requests! they were so fun!!!

Warnings: Mention of child trafficking/conflict between family / peaky blinders-related themes

You were tired after being up all night. The conditions were nothing to complain about though. You lay in bed thinking about the chaos that surrounded your boss, and your relationship to him. You knew he wasn’t always a good man. But just like the morning sun streaming through your curtains, your mind was hazy. 

This feeling was not something you had experienced before. Complete ease. You were relaxed when he was around, and you even enjoyed being around his family. The feeling was addictive and considering the family you were born into it wasn't a mystery how you had ended up with such an appetite. 

While the Shelby family could match your folks for chaos, they had a consuming warmth about them that was foreign to you.

You thought long and hard on your way to the betting shop. This emotion could be a result of lovemaking, you knew enough about brain chemistry to know that there was a scientific side to these things. But why were you so happy the rest of the time? Why were you becoming so attached to him and his family? 

You got to the betting shop and were thankful to see tea brewing in the kitchen upstairs. You poured a cup and grabbed a muffin from the counter before settling in at your desk. 

Your mind was finally distracted from trying to sort out your feelings. Relief flooded you as you tied your hair out of the way and dug into the various file folders. You were doing your favorite, well, second favorite thing. Analyzing data for patterns. This particular situation was close to your heart you wanted to find the evidence as quickly as possible. 

You were so consumed with compiling evidence that you didn't even notice that something had kicked up in the betting shop until Arthur had dragged the commotion to the front of your desk. 

He held a girl dressed in boy's clothes by the collar of her shirt. The girl was young with a face that resembled yours a great deal. Your stomach dropped and you weren't sure if you wanted to shout at him to take his hands off of her or die of embarrassment. 

Your own appearance was embarrassing enough, your hair was tied up in a scarf, and your thick-rimmed reading glasses probably only made your eyes look even wider than they were. 

“Enola?!” You hissed. Your whole nervous system kicked into high gear. She could have been killed. Arthur could have killed your baby sister. 

You stood up and Arthur was smart enough to release his grip on her. 

“What the bloody hell are you doing?!” She looked up at you with sad eyes, a trick that had been abused many times over the years of broken dolls and colored pencil scribbles on the pages of your books. 

“Arthur?! What on earth-” Polly shouted from upstairs. 

“Eh - Looks like it's being handled,” Arthur called back, giving you a wink. His face told you that he knew exactly what emotion you were feeling. Older sibling to older sibling, he was going to let you handle your sister. Rather than the alternative, which would have been to put her in the cellar till Thomas got back. 

Your stomach dropped. 

“Enola what the fuck.” Your voice was low and she gave up on looking sad. 

“Fine.” She rolled her eyes and you fought the urge to slap her. She gave you a meaningful look and slowly said “It’s family business” 

Arthur snorted slightly. Polly was coming down the stairs. 

“I called Thomas. Now what is going-” She started but you cut her off. 

“Enola, why are you here, I trust them with family business.” 

“Well, you shouldn't.” She snorted and you hated the arrogance that was radiating off of the girl. This attitude and performance lead you to the conclusion that Sherlock must have sent her. She was always hungry for his approval. 

“What does Sherlock want with them?” You asked firmly. Her eyes widened slightly but she brushed it off. 

“How long have you worked here?” She said giving you a cold look. 

“I’m the one interrogating you.” You reminded her. “Now where is Sherlock? I’ll just ask him myself.” 

Just then as if summoned he came through the doorway with Thomas. Your temper flared up and you gripped the edge of your desk to steady yourself. 

“Could have just called me.” You said trying to keep the anger out of your voice. 

“You can’t really be trusted on this one.” He said in his usual unbothered tone. You knew that this mess was clearly for an ongoing case and that because you were employed here you couldn't be involved. But it hurt non the less. 

“Right.” You said narrowing your eyes. “Get it over with. Now.” You demanded, unsure if Arthur took a step closer toward you in an effort to show solidarity or if it was in case you ended up being a threat to the family. 

“Well, I’ve been employed by a family to investigate the Shelby family here. Yesterday it became an active murder investigation..” 

You watched an expression cross Thomas’s face and you wondered if he lied about that part of his life being packed away. You caught a look of confusion on Polly’s face that quickly turned into a stony mask. She didn't know what this was about, but she’d turn on you if it was necessary. 

“What family and when?” You said sharply. You felt Thomas’s cold eyes stay locked on you. 

“Harris, I placed the time of death around 8pm.” He bit back. 

“We were at dinner, I can account for his whereabouts for the whole evening. Before you accuse me of lying, I’ve been looking through all their books and paperwork.” You picked up the papers you had been collecting your findings on. You almost wanted to laugh at your luck, for once you had the upper hand. 

“Your employer didn't take too kindly to us after we refused an offer they made regarding the children at the orphanage.” Sherlock’s face paled slightly. “I’ve got more than enough evidence through the paperwork here to put them away for life. Human trafficking.” 

You both entered a famous Holmes staring contest and he knew that he’d messed up. You weren't expecting him to look so angry though. Sure when you were children he would get mad like this. You hoped he was angry at the horrible crimes being committed but something in your stomach said otherwise. 

You wanted to break and look to Thomas. You suddenly became aware yet again that your hair was messy and you were still wearing your glasses. You normally always took them off when someone was approaching. Your cheeks got slightly pink at the thought of him judging you. 

“The real question is what will we do to bring them down,” Polly said trying to break up the tension. 

“Why this?” Sherlock’s voice cut like a knife as he gestured to the room.  

“We can discuss this later.” He didn't budge and you were grateful that Polly started to pull Enola up the stairs. 

“Come let's get you some tea and a snack,” She said quietly. Polly shot Arthur a look over her shoulder. He gave you a reluctant look but followed her out of the room. 

Thomas stayed against the wall looking as relaxed and bored as he always did when in the company of outsiders. 

“Why them?”Sherlock repeated once he realized Thomas wouldn't be leaving, and you realized it was the same question that had been nagging you all morning. 

“They make me happy. He makes me happy.” You said quickly. 

“They are criminals.” 

“These are hard-working people. You snoop around if you like, but you won't find anything criminal here.” You knew this because you handled the transition of the business yourself. 

“I don't like it.” He said firmly and the emotion he was giving off finally made sense. He wasn't one-upping you, he was trying to protect you. 

“You wouldn't like it if it was anyone else either.” You said with a small smile finally understanding. “I’m sure we can help each other with this?” You gestured to the paperwork. 

“Of course.” He nodded and came to stand next to you. Just like that things fell into their usual flow,  you explaining a pattern and him trying to prove you wrong to help narrow it down. You and him went back and forth at a rapid pace and within a few moments, he was in agreement with you. Just then you heard Enola speak. 

“Did I miss all the good stuff?” She asked Thomas and you looked up, breaking your concentration. He gave her a small smile. Once seeing his friendly nature you went back to pulling the last of the stolen documents you hadn't examined yet. 

“I think they have most of it sorted,” Thomas responded. 

“Damn.” Enola sighed. “Was it cool? I bet it was cool.” 

“Very.” Thomas’s response caught you off guard. 

“Sorry about your shop - and everything.” She said in an uncharacteristically shy voice.

“It’s alright. Feel free to stop by anytime.” You watched Enola’s face light up at his words. While they were legal on paper, you knew this was a dangerous place and probably always would be. Was Sherlock's world any different? As long as the family kept her safe she would be fine you reassured yourself. 

“Thanks.” She held out her hand to him.

“Enola.” 

“Thomas.” 

They chatted and your heart got a little bit softer the more they spoke. 

“This is enough to take to the inspector.” Sherlock finally said officially letting you win in his own way.

Your eyes snapped up and looked to Thomas, he was listening to something Enola was explaining. He gave you a nod before looking back at your little sister. 

“Excellent - erm Thanks.” You said not sure how to proceed with things. “I know they have a rough history. But so do we.” 

“You and Enola are my responsibility. I’ll be around.” He gave you a long look before standing up. He shook hands with Thomas and you walked him and Enola to the front door. You said your goodbyes and watched them hail a cab. 

Once they were on their way you took a few deep breaths before going back into the shop. You took your hair down and tucked your glasses into the pocket of your sweater. 

After another moment you went back inside to apologize. 

You came back in and heard their voices from the bottom of the stairs. It sounded like they were filling John in on what he had missed. 

“I’ve never seen anything like it. It was like watching a machine or something.” Thomas said and you weren't sure how you felt about his words. You were a receptionist on paper, you could have done many things with your life. But this job was invisible. No one bothered you, no one compared you to either of your big brothers. It was comfortable. When Thomas asked you to take a look at things you were simply going to give him your findings so he could bring those bastards down. You didn't want credit or publicity. You certainly didn't want him to see you as that nerdy girl with glasses who had so often been belittled. 

“Machine or not, she’s one of them. She’s handled everything! She could take us down any moment - you just can’t-” Polly hissed and you felt her words cut through you like hot knives. 

“I’ll handle it.” Thomas cut her off darkly and you felt like you had been dunked into cold water. 

“Tom - at least hear her out. Not like they treated her nicely. Maybe she’s different?” Arthur said in a pleading tone but there was no response. 

You knocked on the door frame to announce your presence. Sharp eyes landed on you and you took a breath trying to look composed. 

“Walk me home?” You asked Thomas and he looked at you for a long moment as if he was studying something strange in a museum. He gave you a nod and took your arm. 

He didn't say a word the whole way back. You felt his eyes land on you periodically and each time your heart rate sped up. These were last looks and you could feel parts of you start o spin out of control. 

You opened the door to your flat with shaking hands. Once you pushed it open the stuffy air made it even harder to breathe. He shut the door and locked it, the sound making your chest constrict even tighter. You felt like you were being suffocated, but now wasn't the time to show such emotions. 

“Why did you help us?” The question was simple and you were relieved he was going to hear you out, even if he just had the patience for a fraction of the story, it would lessen the burden on your chest significantly. 

“You needed help. You wanted to be better.” It was hard to get your voice up above a whisper. Your mind flashed to all the times you wondered about him and his family and why they would be converting their business over to be completely legal in the first place. They would reach much farther opportunities being shady. What was in it for them? But there was always something shining in Thomas’s eyes that answered your question. Pride. He didn't care about making more money at this point. He cared about his family being respected after a hard life of being dismissed and shit on. 

You remembered the various balls and social events you had been forced into at Mycrofts side. All the men that had tried to take your hand in marriage. All from grand wealthy families that had started much like Thomas had. It was unavoidable. You thought about how your life would have been as a wife instead of a gangster's girlfriend. 

“You could have turned us in any time. Given your bothers the tip-off”

Brothers plural. So he knew Mycroft too. Fuck. 

“Why would I?” You mumbled feeling defeated. “They care about themselves. Well, not Sherlock, he cares in his own way. Enola is just a kid still. Mycroft only cares about himself.”

“He hasn't pressured you for information on us?” 

“We would have to talk for him to do that. As far as he knows I’m a “worthless spinster living within the dregs of society.” You mocked his voice feeling frustrated. If his existence was the thing to fuck this up for you, you would find a way to make him pay for it. 

“Why didn't you tell me about your family?” He was still as cold as you expected him to be but there was a slight toe of hurt in his voice. 

“Well, there's the Holmes family that everyone sees and then the other side. I just - I really like it here. Your family is - more - they like me. They seem to enjoy having me around. It’s not a big competition all the time. And then you -” Your voice cut and tears started to become unavoidable. 

“Well, nothing bad has happened.” he shrugged. “Mycroft certainly doesn't know we're together.” He said with a smile. You wanted to know how he knew that.

“Everything was destroyed anyway. It would be my word against yours, and as you can see no one listens to me anyway.” 

“I do.” He said and pulled you against him into a tight hug. 

_________________

He proposes shortly after.

Mycroft finds out and needs to be taken to the hospital because he thinks he's having a heart attack

Sherlock randomly shows up at Arrow House while You are shopping with Enola. Examining the whole house while Tommy smokes and follows him. Eventually, Sherlock agrees that this is a fine house for you to run. That if Thomas fucks up in any way that Sherlock would kill him and that Sherlock was sure he wouldn't get caught. They shake on it.

They end up working together occasionally. Enola becoming very attached to Esme & Polly. Sherlock eventually becoming fond of the family and occasionally accepting a dinner invitation when he had time.

[marvelfanfn2187a113]

The Same Page Part 9

Sherlock and Mycroft & little sister!reader

A/N: you guys have been the epitome of patient, and I’m so sorry it took so long to update it. I got so caught up in my requests (which were all supernatural, which I also love btw) that I didn’t even realize that it’s been months. Updates are not gonna take this long in the future, I do love this series too. Thank you guys for being so patient

Warnings: angst, Sherlock’s kinda mean in this one

“I’m asking you not to declare war.”

Mycroft’s words struck a nerve in Sherlock. He wasn’t the one who threatened a custody battle, and he wasn’t the one always trying to take you away.

“It’s not about declaring war,” Sherlock argued. “It’s about you going against our agreement. You agreed that she should stay here for a few days, and it’s only been one night.”

“Yes, and she’s already had a panic attack,” Mycroft shot back as he led the argument into the kitchen so that they wouldn’t wake you up. “My agreement was made when I thought that you would actually stay here with her, not run off on a case. And I assume that that case is yet to be solved?”

“I’m getting close,” Sherlock said, feeling defensive.

“Which means that you’ll leave again. She can’t be alone Sherlock, she just can’t. You may disagree with me on that, but as her legal guardian I’m putting my foot down; if she’s in this house, she won’t be alone. Ever.”

“How is she ever going to go back to normal if you keep treating her like she can’t do anything on her own?” Sherlock challenged.

“That’s the problem with you, Sherlock! All you can think about is getting her back to normal. Why don’t you stop and try to think about what she needs, instead of just what you want.”

“You think she doesn’t want to go back to normal?” Sherlock scoffed. “You think she wants to be like this?”

“Like what?” Mycroft challenged. “No, don’t turn away,” he continued when Sherlock started to turn, shaking his head. “Like what, Sherlock? Are you going to stand here and tell me that because she’s hurting and she needs help, there’s something wrong with her?” When Sherlock didn’t speak, Mycroft persisted. “Like. What. Sherlock?”

“Like an invalid!” Sherlock snapped. “Like she can’t spend a couple of hours alone, like she can’t eat unless you’re hovering over her, like she can’t do anything by hersel—“ Sherlock’s voice cracked as he stopped, and the blood draining from his face instantly alerted Mycroft. He turned around to see where Sherlock was staring…

“Myc?” Your voice came out in a whimper as you rubbed the sleep from your eyes. “Myc, I want—I wanna go home now.” You kept your head down, not looking at Sherlock even as he started to protest.

“N/N, I didn’t mean it like—“

“Of course,” Mycroft cut him off. “Of course I’ll take you home now.”

“Mycroft.” Sherlock glared at his brother. “Let me talk to her.”

“Myc, I want to go home,” you repeated, your voice a little more desperate now. The meaning was clear, even if you didn’t say it—you didn’t want to talk to Sherlock.

Mycroft turned on his heel and led you towards the door without responding to Sherlock.

“We haven’t finished discussing this!” Sherlock argued.

The only answer he got was a slamming door.

…

“I can do it,” you insisted, ignoring Mycroft’s outstretched hand as you reached the stairs leading down 221B.

“Please let me help you.” Mycroft was already reaching for your hand as he spoke, but you snatched your hand away.

“I can do it!” You repeated.

Mycroft pulled his hand back, but remained close as you made your way down the stairs.

“I’m sorry,” you mumbled after a moment.

“It’s alright,” Mycroft assured you, and the two of you remained silent after that.

Mycroft was too preoccupied thinking about Sherlock to speak anyway. As much as his little brother had been out of line, he hadn’t been completely wrong. Surely you wanted to go back to the way things had been, at least a little. What was Mycroft going to do if you stopped needing him around? Of course he wanted you to go back to school, to start sleeping regularly again, to eat right, all of that…

But what if you went back to Sherlock? Mycroft realized suddenly that he didn’t want that, even if you completely recovered mentally. He liked you living with him, and he was pretty sure you liked it, too.

But it wouldn’t be fair to you if that wasn’t what you wanted. But Mycroft could no longer tell what you wanted. He was trying to give you what you needed, and it was clear that you weren’t ready for the level of independence that Sherlock was pushing for, but…but what if one day you were? Would you stay with Mycroft, or go to Sherlock?

Mycroft was starting to realize that he needed you to need him too much, and he wasn’t sure what he would do once you didn’t need him. Would no longer needing him mean that you no longer wanted him?

“Is everything ok?” John’s voice interrupted Mycroft’s thoughts as the two Holmes’ passed him in the stairwell.

“Not really,” Mycroft sighed. “We’re going home.”

“What? I’m sure you and Sherlock can—“

“Not now, Dr. Watson,” Mycroft insisted. “We’re going home.”

…

You were quiet the whole way home, and when Mycroft asked if you wanted to sleep you just nodded silently.

As Mycroft got you settled in your bed, he talked quietly to you.

“I don’t want you to worry about today, alright? Any of it. Sherlock and I are going to figure out our custody arrangement, you’re not going to be left alone again, and…and Sherlock didn’t mean what he said, alright? There’s nothing wrong with you, so don’t think about it.”

You blinked up at your brother for a moment before turning on your side and closing your eyes. Mycroft sighed, turning to sit in his chair by your bed. You hadn’t gone this silent in months.

This could be harder than Mycroft had thought.

…

Mycroft stirred at the sound of sniffling. He hadn’t realized he’d fallen asleep—he was usually able to keep himself awake until you fell asleep, but he must’ve dozed off.

He squinted in the dim light to see your short hair, sticking out at a few angles as you cried face-down in your pillow.

“Y/N…” Mycroft was at your side in an instant, but when he pulled you away from your pillow you started to shake your head and push at him. “It’s ok,” he insisted. “It’s ok, it’s just me.”

You continued to shake your head, but Mycroft noticed that your fingers had a vice grip on the front of his shirt.

“It’s alright…I’m right here.” Mycroft pulled you into his arms, and you stopped fighting him. You still didn’t speak, and Mycroft just held you in his arms until you cried yourself to sleep.

“Sherlock, what have you done?” Mycroft muttered to himself.

…

You had barely managed to hold in your tears until Mycroft fell asleep in his chair, but it didn’t matter, because you’d woken him up anyway. You couldn’t bring yourself to speak as you tried to fight Mycroft off, or even as he held you close. You didn’t actually want him to go away, but after what Sherlock had said…

“She can’t do anything for herself!”

Even if Mycroft claimed it wasn’t true, you couldn’t get that voice out of your head. You’d barely said a word since then, and you weren’t ready to change that yet. It wasn’t that you didn’t want to, it was more like the weight in your chest was so great, that even if you wanted to speak, you didn’t feel able anymore. Your anxiety clawed its way up your throat, choking even the idea of speech.

So instead of speaking, you just let your big brother hold you in his arms until your exhaustion won the fight with your anxiety, and you finally drifted off to sleep.

…

Mycroft was concerned almost as soon as he woke up. After you’d gone back to sleep, he’d returned to his chair but stayed in your room, just in case. But when he woke up, he saw that you were already awake—your eyes were open, but you hadn’t moved.

“Are you ready to get up?” Mycroft asked softly, and your eyes flickered to him at the sound of his voice. You pushed yourself up wordlessly, and Mycroft began to wonder just how long you’d remain silent. “Let’s go downstairs and get some breakfast,” Mycroft added, being careful not to phrase it like a question; he knew your answer would be no—you never felt like eating when you got like this—but Mycroft wanted (more like needed) to keep you on your eating schedule.

You didn’t protest as Mycroft helped you down the stairs, or when he put a plate of toast in front of you. But you didn’t eat it, either. Mycroft sighed, exhausted.

“I need you to eat. Just a little bit, for me?”

You blinked up at him before returning your gaze to your lap.

“Just a bite or two,” Mycroft added. When you didn’t move, he sighed and pushed the plate aside. “Alright, we can try that again later. Do you want to play our game? Tell me what you see.” Mycroft was desperate for any kind of interaction with you, but you remained unmoving and silent. “C’mon, you can’t—I can’t do this again, please. I can’t. I need you to—“

Mycroft cut himself off when your hand reached out and grabbed his in a death grip, your breath suddenly coming in gasps.

…

“I can’t do this again, please. I can’t. I need you to—“

Panic gripped your heart as Mycroft struggled to speak.

“I can’t do this again.”

This. You.

Would Mycroft get tired of trying to cater to you, the way Sherlock seemed to? Would he get sick of the way you “couldn’t do anything for yourself”?

You’d sought out Mycroft’s hand without even meaning to as your fear forced itself up your throat, restricting your breath.

What would you do if Mycroft got sick of taking care of you? Where would you go?

You remembered the earlier days of living with Mycroft—when CPS workers came over to “keep an eye” on your custody switch. They’d taken one look at you and tried to convince Mycroft to bring you to some care facility. If Mycroft didn’t want you, was that where you’d go? You wouldn’t last a week there, you just knew it—not without your brothers.

“Y/N! Y/N!” You’d been so lost in your own head that you didn’t hear Mycroft calling out your name until he was shaking your shoulders and yelling in your face. “Yes, good, look at me.” Mycroft breathed in relief when your eyes finally met his.

“I’m sorry.”

Mycroft couldn’t even take a moment to be relieved that you were speaking again as you sobbed in his arms.

“I’m sorry,” you repeated. “Don’t leave me, don’t leave me, don’t—“

“Hey, hey now,” Mycroft cradled your face in his hands, trying to get your attention back. “I’m right here, I’m not going anywhere. I’m here Y/N, I promise.” You finally seemed to focus on him, so Mycroft just repeated “I’m right here,” again and again as he wracked his brain for a reason behind your sudden change to hysteria. He’d been speaking just before you started to panic—what had he said?

“I can’t do this again…”

Oh no. You hadn’t understood him; worse, he hadn’t made himself clear to you. Now you thought…

“Hey.” Mycroft made sure he had your full attention before he spoke. “I need you to listen to me now. I…I didn’t mean that I can’t—or won’t—take care of you, ok? I didn’t mean that I’ll leave you. I’ll never leave you, never. You understand me?” At your hesitant nod, he continued. “Good, good. I never meant to make you think that, I just…I just meant that I don’t want to see you in so much pain again. You didn’t talk for so long, and…and I know how much you were hurting. I don’t want you to hurt like that anymore.”

“I’m sor—“

“No, no don’t.” Mycroft wouldn’t let you apologize again. “Don’t ever apologize for being in pain, that’s not what I wanted. I just…I really want you to forget about what Sherlock said. He didn’t mean it, he didn’t. There’s nothing wrong with you, ok?” You didn’t nod this time, but Mycroft didn’t push it. “But it doesn’t matter. Because no matter what happens—with Sherlock, with wherever you decide to live, with all of it—I will never leave you, alright? I’ll be here whenever you need me. I’ll always be here for you.”

Mycroft willingly let you pull him into a hug, and when you all but collapses your weight into his embrace, he held you up without wavering.

“Please tell me you know that. Tell me you believe me. Because I promise it’s true.”

“Ok,” you sniffled. “I-I believe you.”

“Ok,” Mycroft sighed. “Ok.”

Mycroft eventually led you over to the couch where you dropped in exhaustion, and soon enough you were fast asleep, remnants of tears still staining your cheeks.

Once he was sure that you were asleep, Mycroft reached into his back pocket and pulled out his phone, pressing a number and placing the phone to his ear.

“Sherlock? Yes, it’s me. I need you here, now. You’ve got a mess to fix.”

Taglist:

@navs-bhat @isabellavere @chaoticglitterkitten @peachycupotea @justforrose @severussimp

[rpreaperperson]

My Sweet Little Sister (Sherlock x sister!Reader) platonic

1.Arrival

but maybe there's a romantic scene between reader and some character

Masterlist

Treat me kaffein please?☕️

“say that again?” ask Sherlock talking with Mycroft through the phone

“She’s coming to your flat “

“you sure?”

“you doubting me brother of mine?”

“I find it hard to believe when she doesn't want any socialization and be away from Mum and Dad ...what time does she come?”

“in a minute she’ll be buzzing the bell on your door....Mummy says that she needs an...inspiration so to speak..”

“and she comes to me because she loved me most yes?” a smug face plastered against Sherlock's face, he could imagine Mycroft rolling his eyes

“Don't be ridiculous, I am her number one Brother” warns Mycroft annoyed, fiddling a leaf pin in his hand's birthday gift from a certain someone

“hmp..but she prefers to stay with me “Without waiting for Mycroft's reply Sherlock shut his phone and rushed into his room tidying up his messy bedroom. Making it look neater than usual he even vacuumed the dust in all of his room except the bathroom of course

John had just arrived after buying groceries and narrowed his eyebrow at Sherlock as he wanted to ask him ‘What the hell are you doing’ he gaps at him when the Detective took his experiment from the fridge and hid it somewhere inside his bedroom and dusted up the table

“Wh-what are you doing” snapped his head at John Sherlock just waving his hand around

“...cleaning, just put those down on the table John I’ll arrange it inside the fridge” answered him, then continued to his cleaning activities, flabbergasted John put the groceries down on the table

‘is he high?’

.

Meanwhile, at the same time a young woman fidgeting her finger as she looks up at the ‘221B’ sign, with hesitance she pushes the bell

And Sherlock perk up

“Damn she’s come already” mutters him, John just raised his eyebrow mouthing 'who?'

“John would you mind making tea, I'm going to welcome my sister”

“yeah..fine...wait who sister?” Sherlock just ignored him as usual and rushed downstairs

.

The door opened presenting your tall brother, you could see a speck of dust on his curly hair guessing he just doing some cleaning.

As your doe blue eyes look up at him smile at him timidly, cheeks redded at the sight of your brother it has been a long time since you met him anyway

“Sister..”

“B-brother Sherlock..”

[multi-fandoms-posts]

The Heart of the Scientist

X Men Masterlist

X Men Masterlist 2

In the early morning hours, when dawn cast only a faint, gray light over the city, Y/N Holmes stepped down from the carriage and looked around. Sherlock had sent her here. "A simple task for an aspiring detective," he had said with his typical half-smile when he first sent her off alone on an investigation.

"A detective must test her own abilities, Y/N. You rely too much on me." His tone had been serious, and although Y/N had assured him she would manage perfectly well on her own, she now felt a flutter of nervousness. Sherlock’s instructions had been vague, but he assured her that a man of interest resided in this town, someone with "unusual knowledge that might be dangerous."

Y/N straightens her shoulders and sets off. Her task is clear: find this Victor Frankenstein, learn who he is, what he does, and then, well... figure it out.

As she walked through the city, she felt the cool London mist on her skin, and for a moment, she felt almost as if she were being watched. But when she looked around, she saw only the shadowy silhouettes of early risers heading to work.

"I’m not lost," she murmured softly, though she suddenly felt uncertain. She stopped, glancing around, and in that very moment, a man stepped out of the shadows, as if he had just materialized into her world.

"Good morning, miss," he said, with a bow that was both charming and slightly dark. "You look a bit lost."

"Perhaps," Y/N replied, studying him, feeling her curiosity stir.

"Are you searching for something specific?" he asked, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"You could say that," she answered evasively. "And you?"

"Victor Frankenstein," he introduced himself, and at the mention of his name, Y/N felt a slight thrill—this was the man Sherlock had described. The man with "dangerous knowledge." Yet, unlike her brother, she had imagined Victor Frankenstein differently. Perhaps older, perhaps colder. Instead, he seemed… curious, alive, and somehow also a bit lost.

"Y/N Holmes," she finally replied, watching his eyebrows lift in surprise.

"Holmes?" he asked. "The sister of the famous Sherlock Holmes?"

"Indeed," she answered, smiling a little proudly. "But I’m here on my own initiative."

Victor chuckled softly and offered his arm, which she, after a brief hesitation, accepted. "Well, Miss Holmes, it would be my honor to show you the city. There are places you only see when you truly open your eyes."

They strolled along the streets together, and as they walked, Victor spoke of his passion for science and his desire to understand life in all its forms.

"And what exactly do you hope to achieve?" she asked, intrigued.

"I want to create life," he said softly, almost reverently. "Not as a whim of fate, but through the power of human knowledge."

Y/N felt her heartbeat quicken. "But Victor… isn’t that dangerous?"

"Perhaps," he admitted, casting her a piercing look. "But the greatest risk is never trying at all."

Y/N felt drawn to him, to the passion she saw in his eyes. Hours passed as they continued to wander through the streets, lost in conversation. They talked about life, knowledge, and the dangers of science, but also about simpler things—about their childhoods, their dreams, the adventures they wanted to have.

Eventually, they arrived at a bench by the river and sat down beside each other. The silence around them seemed to form a bridge between them, one made not of words.

"Y/N…" he said softly, looking at her.

"Even though we've only known each other for a few hours, I feel as if something inside me has shifted. As if I’ve finally found someone who understands me."

Y/N looked at him, and without thinking, reached for his hand. She felt the warmth of his skin and the faint tremor running through his fingers. Their eyes met, and she sensed a depth in him she hadn’t found in anyone else.

"Victor," she whispered, "I know my brother might be right… that your research could be dangerous. But I also know you are more than these experiments."

"‘You really see me,’ he says, his voice barely more than a whisper. ‘For the first time, it feels like someone understands me, not just what I create.’

Slowly, he leans toward her, and his lips meet hers in a gentle, cautious kiss. It’s a moment where the world around them seems to disappear, leaving only the warmth of this single instant.

As they pull away, Y/N looks at him, an uncertain smile on her lips. ‘Victor, if my brother finds out… I can already imagine what he’ll say. He’ll think I’m naive, reckless.’

Victor gently runs his thumb over her hand. ‘Sherlock may be a brilliant mind, but he’ll never understand the passion that drives one to dare the impossible.’ His eyes sparkle as he looks at her, and suddenly, he seems less like the scientist and more like a young man who is feeling hope for the first time.

Y/N sighs, but a determined look appears in her eyes. "I’m not here to live by Sherlock’s rules. I’m here to make my own choices, even if they’re dangerous."

Victor smiles, a mixture of admiration and tenderness. "That’s the courage I admire in you, Y/N. I’ve dedicated my life to science, always alone, because I believed no one would understand the fire that burns within me. But with you… I feel I no longer have to carry it alone."

‘Then let’s be crazy together,’ she replies with a mischievous smile. Her fingers clasp around his, firmer and more resolved. ‘Wherever your path takes you, I want to be part of it.’

For a moment, they simply sit there, side by side, in the silence and connection of this moment. The mist begins to lift, and the first light of day breaks through the clouds, as if blessing the decision they’ve made.

‘So,’ Y/N says finally, ‘what now?’

Victor looks at the river and then back at her, a new fire in his gaze. ‘Now… now our adventure together begins.’"

[j-eryewrites]

Happy Holidays!!

Happy Holidays to everyone! Thank you for supporting my fics and indulging my writing. I hope everyone is safe and has a pleasant holiday season. Much love from me - teigo-the-explorer

[free-for-all-fics]

Enola Holmes and Enola Holmes 2 Prompts Part 1! Months ago I watched both films and fell in love with Henry Cavill’s Sherlock. These have been in my notes for months because IWTV season 2 came out and put these on the back burner for a while but here they are now! I wrote so many I’ll have to split them into two separate posts. Pls tag me if you’re inspired by any of these and I’d love to read it! 🕵🏻🖤🕵🏻‍♀️

1. You and Enola are twin sisters. You both ran away from home to avoid going to Miss Harrison’s finishing school, and ended up inadvertently getting yourselves involved with a young Viscount Tewkesbury and saving his life. Ever since your successful solving of that case, the both of you have been on other wild adventures as you’ve solved cases. Competent and multitalented detectives in your own right, you and Enola have worked hard to pave your own paths in the world without relying on your older brother’s legacy. You’d both rather build your own careers on your own merit rather than riding your older brother’s coattails, so together you’ve established a separate detective agency where the two of you are business partners, colloquially known as the Sister Sleuths. Though your first attempt didn’t do so well and people mistook you and Enola for secretaries and Sherlock’s assistants, your business eventually caught on once you exposed the matchstick factory as being part of a grand network of murder, money laundering, and police corruption. While Sherlock can deal with the hoits and toits, this is where you and Enola should be.

When Sherlock took you both as his wards, you were so relieved. As your brother, you love Mycroft, but you’ve tried and failed to like him as a person. He’s so odious. A stick in the mud. Exhausting to be around. Sherlock is a much better brother and legal guardian. While Enola is off on her own blossoming romance with Viscount Tewkesbury, you haven’t met that special someone yet. You’re not too worried about your marriage prospects, though. You’re still young, hardly at risk of becoming an old maid, and, even if that were to happen, you’d be content with just adopting a cat or a dog or a bird and living in single blessedness as you solve mysteries for the rest of your life. For you, your career comes first. Romance just isn’t in the cards for you yet. As an unattached man himself, Sherlock is understanding of your decision to put romance on the back burner for now.

~

“Good day, Mister Holmes, I—”

Sherlock holds up a hand. “Don’t speak. You look out of breath.”

The other man shuts his mouth, blinking rapidly and ducking his head as if in embarrassment before slowly stepping back and unconsciously biting his lip. There’s no doubt in Sherlock’s mind that this man first went to his flat at 221 Baker Street, and when there was no answer there and he realized nobody was home, he next went to your and Enola’s agency and, when Enola or your coworkers told him you weren’t there, he asked around until he finally found your family house. He’s been running all over London. Sherlock smirks faintly, taking a puff from his pipe and looking over at the chaise lounge where you were sitting not ten minutes before. When there was an insistent and very annoying knock at the door, he had you go up to your room and stay there, asking you to work on cracking ciphers, reviewing evidence, or anything else that would help solve his and/or your current mystery. He made an inference that, just based on the style of knocking, whoever was there wouldn’t leave even if asked. He made an excuse to keep you busy, out of sight, and out of earshot while he handled this, just in case it was that ninny Inspector Lestrade come to ask questions about you like the last time you and Enola got into trouble and he had to hide you in a hidden compartment behind his wall map. But this was much, much worse.

You and Sherlock have been busy multitasking as you work on cases and fix up the property. There’s much work to be done both inside the house and the garden surrounding it outside, though you’d keep some things the same for sentimental reasons, like the chalk tally marks on the wall and the noseless bust statue of your grandfather. But this man, much older than you, a man you don’t even know, has the nerve, the gall, and the audacity to come knocking on Sherlock’s door and bring the day to a screeching halt when he asks - no, - demands your hand in marriage. As if you’re property and not a person. The man belonging to this new face stepped forward with an air of forced dignity and honor about him as your brother begrudgingly let him inside the house. Your mother, Edith, Mrs. Lane, and Mrs. Hudson are all protective of you too, of course. Their protectiveness is fierce and completely, totally built on deep love for you, just like his. Doubtless, they would not agree with what this man has come to ask of him, but they don’t need to be here to add their input. They knew what the outcome would be.

“What’s your name?” A small smile accompanies Sherlock’s seemingly innocent and innocuous inquiry as he looks up at the man in question and moves to lean his chin on his palm as he smokes his pipe, tapping the tip of it on his chin. The man gives Sherlock his name, to which the detective nods. “Funny,” he says, “I’ve never heard my sister mention that name before.”

If you hadn’t told him about this man, the logical conclusion to make would undoubtedly be that there’s more people you hadn’t mentioned to him. But if that were truly the case, that would only lead to endless trouble from him on your side. But Sherlock knows you know that, and he also knows you don’t want that. So, really, there’s only one other explanation. He waits for the wisp of smoke to waft out of his mouth before he lifts his head a little more to gaze up at the man in front of him. “Are you sure you have the right person? Are you sure you know my sister and aren’t confusing her with someone who maybe looks like her?”

The man seems to stumble for a brief moment before settling on an answer. “Yes. I’m sure. I know her.”

“Right. How?”

This garners an even longer hesitation. “I’ve seen her around town.”

Sherlock can’t help but let out a short but sharp, “HA!” in disbelief. The man stands silent, yet Sherlock can see his face growing red – not with embarrassment, but irritation, anger. His eyes dim slightly, and his fists are clenched so tight his knuckles are almost white. Temper. This man has a temper, and if something as simple as another man laughing at his expense brings out that temper, Sherlock doubts he’d ever get himself a woman that escaped the occasional abuse. Despite this, Sherlock can’t help the small smile that appears on his lips before he brings his pipe up yet again to puff. “That so? You seen her around town, yes?”

The man’s face hardens and he glares at the wall for a brief moment before turning it on Sherlock. “Yes.”

“You can hardly count that as knowing someone, Mister...” He isn’t even looking at the man as he says his name, and yet he can tell that the man opposite him probably looks like a raging bull at this moment, smoke coming out his ears and nostrils. Sure enough, when he lifts his head just enough to lay eyes on him, red is practically all he sees.

“Mr. Holmes,” the man says, clearly still attempting to cover his angered tone with a calmer one, “I am a respectable man—”

“Respectable!” Sherlock laughs. He snuffs out his pipe and throws it across the table before crossing one leg over the other, leaning back in his chair and folding his hands in his lap. “How old are you?”

“Thirty-one,” the man seethes out through gritted teeth.

Sherlock nods. He’d thought as much. “You’re practically twice her age, and yet you want to marry my little sister.”

He fidgets, though Sherlock can see it isn’t out of awkwardness. His lip keeps twitching, and his balled fists look as though they’re ready to swing and hit someone at any time. If the man is foolish enough to resort to violence and try to hit him, Sherlock is prepared. He’s an accomplished swordsman, singlestick fighter, and pugilist, after all.

“Do you even know how old she is?” Sherlock asks, voice still calm yet still extremely unforgiving. “Answer the question, Mister…” Sherlock demands with a faint nod.

The man has the decency to look frightened for just a second before he schools his features and lifts his chin defiantly. “No. But I do know that she’s a young lady that needs to be married—”

“Needs to be married?” Sherlock’s voice rises a notch. There’s a deep frown on his face as he uncrosses his legs and stands to his feet, moving closer to the man stood in front of him. Sherlock’s height is greater than the man’s. “Needs to be married, you say? My sister is seventeen, and only just turned. She’s not even of age yet, so don’t you dare tell me what she needs. I haven’t thought about her marriage once. To society, she may no longer be a child and is now a young woman and therefore entitled to the rights and freedoms that come with it and with that I can agree but, until the day she turns eighteen, she’s still my ward. And even after she turns eighteen, she’ll still be my sister. And it is my duty as her legal guardian and older brother to protect her.”

The poor bloke soon finds himself face to face with none other than the Sherlock Holmes, his nose mere inches from his own. Now he’s closer, he can clearly see the anger swimming in those blue - like hard, cold ice - eyes, and the way his jaw is firmly clenched. No doubt he’s trying desperately to maintain his composure and control the emotions that are so obviously struggling to take over.

“Marriage isn’t something she needs protection from. Women get married to older men all the time, Mr. Holmes.”

“Not in this house and not to men like you.”

He stiffens. “Men like me? What are you insinuating? As I said, I am respectable—”

“There’s nothing respectable about coming into someone’s house and asking to marry their seventeen-year-old sister, a girl you’ve never even met before!” Sherlock hisses. “Do you seriously believe she’d want to marry you?”

“She doesn’t have to want it,” The man says, moving his face closer to Sherlock’s. His voice is challenging, steady, and yet nothing but poison. “As you said, you’re her older brother. She’s your ward. Make her!”

The man can’t contain a gasp as he’s punched hard in the face. The sting and burn that accompanies the greatest detective’s fist connecting with his cheek only grows worse with each passing second, even after Sherlock withdraws, and he hastily reaches up to grasp at his aching skin, afraid that he’s possibly bleeding. He isn’t, but it’ll definitely leave him with a purple eye. He turns accusing eyes on the offender not a second later, yet makes no move to speak. All signs of confidence have drained from his face, leaving nothing but fear and shock. He turns his attention back on Sherlock as the man moves to speak.

“I would never make her marry a man like you,” he grinds out through gritted teeth. “In fact, I would never make her do anything. She can decide what it is she wants to do for herself. I’m her brother, her legal guardian, but not her owner. All you want from her is the money she has, and the family name and body she possesses. You want to marry her just so you can further yourself and reap whatever benefits you can sow from such a match. Having the world’s greatest detective as your brother-in-law would put quite a feather in your cap. Give you grounds to boast at parties. But I doubt you even know her first name.”

The man has the good sense not to answer. Each word Sherlock utters seems as though it’s dripping with venom, and it’s all aimed at him. If he’d ever doubted the famous Sherlock Holmes before, he doesn’t now.

“You are mad,” he says quietly, though it’s loud enough for Sherlock to hear. “Why you wouldn’t want someone like me as your brother-in-law I have no—” He steps back as another punch is aimed at his still-burning skin in warning. His purple eye will become black if he isn’t careful. He clings to his cheek yet again and glares at Sherlock, who stands rooted to the spot, feet apart, arms crossed over his muscled chest, and an emotionless expression on his face as he arches an eyebrow.

“No idea? I have plenty. See, I know all about you. Beyond the fact that you’re entitled and suffer from an inflated ego and delusions of grandeur and self-importance, I know about your past marriage and divorce, and the mistresses you got pregnant. See, men like you like to get young girls like my sister pregnant to prove to their fellow financial-types that their pecker still works. Set the mistresses up in an apartment with fancy clothes and such. I know how you arranged to have your bastard babies taken away and then sterilized and abandoned the mothers after they gave birth. Only, one of the girls bled too much, so she was kept intact.”

“She worked in service. She was impressed by fine clothes, a dinner out. Perhaps I persuaded her to think that my intentions were…”

“Honorable?”

“She was hot-blooded. Feisty. Like a mare that needs breaking in.”

“So you broke her in?”

“She didn’t understand the rules.”

“What are the rules? You take her innocence, her youth, her prospects in respectable society, and then you have her child taken off her and sent God knows where?”

“I thought her child had died.”

“Indeed he did. Her baby boy was stillborn. As for the others, they’re scattered about. I can only pray those bastards take after their mothers and not you. Do you want to say anything else, sir, or can we bring this madness to an end?” Sherlock asks, calm and smooth.

He breathes in deep and has the decency to look slightly shameful. But only slightly. “No, Mr. Holmes. I don’t.”

Sherlock nods, the corners of his mouth turning upwards. He steps forward. “I can’t believe you had the nerve to come here and ask that of me. You’re a brave one, I’ll admit, or a stupid one. But if you actually walked through that door with the idea you’d walk out engaged to my sister then your skull is thicker than it looks. When she marries, and it won’t be for a few years yet, if ever, it’ll be for love or for business. But not convenience. I’m not handing her over to the first man that walks through my house.”

The man scoffs and opens his mouth to speak again, but Sherlock holds up his hand and tilts his head slightly to the side. “You’ve had your say, Mister, so don’t speak another word. You came here with a question, and my answer is no. Now, get out before I hit you again or call the police.”

He has just enough time to insult Sherlock under his breath before turning and hurrying out the door Mrs. Lane opens for him. The door shuts loudly, almost shaking the building, and Sherlock sighs before reaching down for his pipe. “He won’t be coming back. He better not,” he says to himself, smoothing back his curly, dark hair that somehow became even more messy and disheveled than normal in just a few minutes. That man really made his blood boil.

He walks upstairs to your room and sits next to you, listening intently as you show him all you’ve done so far and what’s left to do. All the while, he can’t help but let his eyes linger on your guileless, youthful face, and his attention strays entirely to the way you’re rapidly talking about what you’ve found so far on your current case, and getting increasingly frustrated simply at the prospect of reaching a dead end. He shakes his head the slightest bit, wondering to himself how anyone could take one look at you and think it all right to have you as their wife. You’re a woman in many ways, but still a child in other ways, the baby of the family, and he isn’t just saying that.

Giving you a husband would take away your freedom and your innocence, something he adores in you, but, more importantly, giving you a husband would take you away from him. No matter what anyone says about the Holmes family, the one thing that will always remain true is the fact that you and Enola come before anything else, even his detective work. He’ll be damned if he hands you over to a man – any man – and only sees you a few times a month, or even possibly a year. You and Enola keep the family together; you’re the light, the hope, and the future of the Holmes legacy, and without you he’d probably spend most of his days at a pub, chasing away his problems with drink and/or drugs or living in his mess of an apartment, vexed by his cases instead of sitting with you, listening to you simply speak and feeling those worries and fears drift away into nothing. You keep him sane. You keep him whole. You’re more than his sister, you’re his friend, something he never thought you or Enola could be considering your age gap, and his tendency to be a workaholic and antisocial. He needs to hang onto you just a little longer before he lets you go. Just a little longer. When you ask, he tells you what transpired.

“No one’s going to be marrying my sister anytime soon, least of all someone like that. You and Enola are the youngest of the Holmes children. You’ll make your own choices when you’re older and I’ll know better than to speak for my sisters. But, for now, I’ll look out for you, as I’ve done, and keep those leeches and predators off your tail. No one’ll get near you if I have anything to say about it, which I will. But the next time some stranger comes in here asking for your hand in marriage, I’ll step back and I’ll give you permission to punch him in the face before we kick him out onto the streets together. You can always say it was me who gave him that purple or black eye.” He smiles at you, and you return it immediately, before pulling him into a quick hug. “No one’s taking my sisters away from me just yet. This isn't about you being my sister or my ward," he says, his voice softening further as he leans in closer. "This is about you simply being you and a force to be reckoned with in my life. I do everything I can to not overwhelm you, to not stifle you. Your independence and your drive to push further and discover new things are just some of the many, many things I absolutely adore about you, even if you frighten me sometimes. I don't want to ever be the cause of those beautiful qualities being taken from you.”

"I..." you begin, your eyes wide and glossy with unshed tears. You hold his gaze for a moment before looking down at your joined hands. "I've been told many times in my life that I shouldn't or couldn't do something. And as much as I hate to admit it, I wasn't deaf to it." You shrug, your gaze unfocused, and continue, "And you know perhaps better than anybody…the treatment of others can linger, no matter how far removed we may be from it. And then an innocent party such as my brother, who I love immensely is willing to take the blame." You take a breath and meet his gaze, a sad smile on your lips. "I'm better than that, and I'm sorry.”

"Old habits," he conceded, smiling faintly.

"Indeed."

Being alone doesn't mean you have to be lonely. Mother never wanted that. She wanted you to find your freedom, your future, your purpose. Sherlock wants the same for you too. You are a detective, you are a decipherer, and you are a finder of lost souls. Your life is your own. And the future is up to you.

2. You’re Sherlock’s younger sister and Enola’s twin. Like her, you believe yourself quite capable of something more than just becoming a wife and a mother, spending days on end with needlepoint and tea. But you’re still a teenager and you begin to feel…things. Strange urges in your mind and body that you’ve never felt before and can’t explain, especially when you think of men. Either you’re in Miss Harrison’s Finishing School with Enola against your will and she catches you in the act, or your brother, Sherlock, catches you in the act at home (luckily you’re covered by your blankets and bedsheets, but your sounds you try to muffle and movements still make it obvious to him or to Miss Harrison what you were doing). Eudoria was not an ordinary mother. She didn't teach you and Enola to string seashells or practice your embroidery. You did different things: Reading, science, sports, all sorts of exercise, both physical and mental. She said you were free to do anything at Ferndell and be anyone. She was your and Enola’s whole world. But she didn't share everything with you. Eudoria believed privacy was the highest virtue, and the one most frequently violated. And though she prepared you and Enola for many things... The outside world was not one of them.

“Every night, Mr. Holmes, every night, she touches. The priest says she needs ice baths and leeches.”

“Leeches?”

“The priest says the devil is in her mind, tempting her. Mycroft is her legal guardian, but he’s unavailable. That's why I’ve called you here and brought her to you. To decide what is to be done.”

“Miss Harrison, there is nothing wrong with my sister’s mind.” He turns to you. “You're becoming a young woman. And there's not a thing Miss Harrison nor any priest can do about it.”

“The body's the temple of the Holy Spirit. It is a blessed gift not to be defiled by lust.”

“Yes, I, too, learned scripture when I was young. But instead of answers, I found only questions. Why does God allow us to feel both pleasure and pain? Why has he given a young girl like my sister impulses and desires she cannot begin to fathom or control? Is this the God of who we speak?”

“Mr. Holmes, my point is that her body is not her own. It is meant for her husband and her husband only. And until she has a husband, she must keep herself intact if she’s to ever have any hope of having future prospects.”

“Miss Harrison, that’s quite enough. I will not tolerate my sister being spoken about as if she isn’t in the room with us. And I especially won’t tolerate her being talked about as if she is nothing more than an object or vehicle to be controlled and used by men to satisfy their desires. I won’t hear of it. Not by man, nor by God. She’s female, but she’s still a person, with her own thoughts, imagination, hopes, dreams, ambitions, needs, and desires. Her mind and body is her own, not some hypothetical man’s. Now, please, remove yourself from this room and I will remove my sisters from these premises. I see keeping them here is leading nowhere. This curriculum of yours isn’t benefiting them in any substantial way, so I withdraw both of my sisters from your school. Their time here is officially over. She and Enola will be coming home with me.”

“But Mr. Holmes, you can’t just— your brother said—”

“Leave Mycroft to me. I’ll deal with him. If you’d get her and Enola’s things, Ms. Harrison, we’ll leave at once.”

Or, if Sherlock catches you at home, maybe you believe yourself to be terribly sick with fever, shortness of breath, etc. Your body and/or head hurts, especially when you have your monthly courses, and doing this brings you immense relief but you’re not sure why. Since your father is dead and your mother is on the run and never bothered to give you any sort of guidance on this matter, it’s up to your older brother, Sherlock, as your legal guardian while your mother is gone, to sit down with you and give you “the talk” that she neglected to give you. Just another thing about the outside world that she didn’t teach you.

“What I mean is there are other things…physical…or perhaps intangible…that bring a couple together. Well, yes, of course there’s more to a marriage, physical and intangible. Both.”

“Both? But how can something be both physical and intangible when they are quite the opposite? You are beastly! Never mind.”

“No. I’m not laughing at you. I’m laughing at the absurdity of how little mothers tell their daughters, including our own.”

“They tell us nothing. Mother told Enola and I nothing. ‘Oh, you've time enough for the world. Let it do its damage later,’ she said. No one else will tell me anything. So, how am I to find a proper husband if I do not even know what I am to be searching for?”

“You will know when you know.”

“What does that even mean?”

“I cannot tell you.”

“I thought we were family. Tell me. Tell me!”

“All right! All right! What happens between a husband and a wife… Well, it is a natural continuation of what happens at night.”

“At night? What happens at night?”

“When you are alone.”

“When I am sleeping?”

“Not when you are sleeping. When you touch yourself. You do touch yourself? When you are alone, you can touch yourself…anywhere on your body, anywhere that gives you pleasure, but especially…between your legs. And when you find a feeling you particularly enjoy…you can carry on with that…until the feeling grows, and eventually you reach…a pinnacle, a release. And that should help you…come. You don’t need a husband to perform the act you’ve been performing, or to achieve an…orgasm. But you know that already.”

“But, if I don’t need a husband to do…this… How does a lady come to be with child?”

“Sister, what a question!”

“I thought one needed to be married.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Apparently, it’s not even a requirement.”

“Sister, that is enough.”

“I take it you know?”

“Do not look at me. I’ve said too much already.”

“I must know, Brother. Or else how can I be sure it won’t happen to me? I’m not pregnant now, am I?”

“Have you ever…shared your bed with a boy? Have you ever let a boy touch you the way you touch yourself? Or in…other ways?”

“No. It was an all girl’s school, Sherlock.” You look at him like ‘Duh’.

He clears his throat awkwardly. “Right. Then.:. Then no. No, you’re not pregnant. For that to happen you’d need to…it takes more… Have you ever visited a farm?”

“Sherlock Holmes, I hope you are not encouraging improper topics of conversation.”

“Not at all, Edith. In fact, I was just heading off to…take my stick out.”

“Sherlock Holmes!”

“A round of fencing.”

“Oh, but… Sherlock, you were playing so lovely on your violin. Don’t go just yet. Please, do go on. I want to hear some more.”

At night, You sit outside in a tree, looking up at the moon from your vantage point on the tree branch as you smoke a cigarette, only for your brother, Sherlock, to catch you.

“Y/N Holmes.”

“Go on, then. Chastise me.”

“Spare one for me?” He sits below you by the base of the tree. You reach down and hand him a light as he takes a smoke from his pipe.

“Suppose I desire something different.”

“How do you mean?”

“Just…different. At the finishing school, I watched all those other girls with their needlepoint and table manners… I watch women prepare for these balls with all of those dresses and secret language of their fans and the many suitors, and I am…exhausted. Suppose I want a different life, Sherlock, that I truly believe I am quite capable of something more…even when I am not allowed to have anything else.”

“Then I would say…that you’re not the only one.”

3. You’re Sherlock Holmes’ wife (and possibly Laszlo Kreizler’s sister, if you want an Alienist crossover). You’re pregnant with your first child. Despite that, you still insist on helping with cases. Obviously you can’t and won’t go out into the field directly because that’s too dangerous, but sometimes you still sit up in bed and write away in your notebook or sketch away in your sketchbook until your hands are sore. Ever since you told Sherlock of your pregnancy, he’s been even more protective and hovering than he was before, even when you’re not showing yet. No matter how much Sherlock tries to get you to stop thinking about any cases, to rest, to relax, to focus on growing your child, you’re stubborn and refuse. You’re pregnant, but not a complete invalid. You can still help and be useful. And besides, staying active during pregnancy is important.

When your sister-in-law, Enola, brings home your husband after he’s had far too much to drink, you let her stay overnight. You’re no stranger to your husband’s habits. Sherlock occasionally used addictive drugs, especially in the absence of stimulating cases. He sometimes used morphine and cocaine, the latter of which he injected in a seven-per cent solution; both drugs being legal in 19th-century England. You strongly disapproved of your husband’s cocaine habit, describing it as his only vice, and concerned about its effect on his mental health and intellect. Although you have "weaned" Sherlock from drugs, the detective remains an addict whose habit is "not dead, but merely sleeping". Your compromise is that he can still use tobacco, smoking cigarettes, cigars, and pipes, so long as he does so outside or away from you (the smell is too much now and you don’t want to inhale secondhand smoke) and go out for a drink now and again. He almost never imbibes, especially not while you’re pregnant, but his current case is vexing him. There’s a lot of question marks on that case board. The only other time you saw him like this was after his bachelor party. He called your name from the coach, his voice threatening to wake the whole neighborhood before you opened your window.

~

“Keep your voice down!”

“Please come and join us.”

“I’m not going to your bachelor party, Sherlock Holmes.”

“This part of the evening is over. It’ll be a more intimate gathering of only our closest friends.”

“It’s far too late and entirely inappropriate.”

“It’s now the very witching time of night, when churchyards yawn and Hell itself breathes out contagion to this world.”

“Are you intoxicated, Sherlock? Is he, John?”

“Lingonberry schnapps, and perhaps one or two glasses of champagne,” Sherlock slurs.

“Or three.”

“I still have my wits about me, though.”

“Really I don’t…”

“Please, Y/N. I know many of our good friends would be sorely disappointed by your absence.”

~

Your pregnancy was making it difficult to get comfortable in bed and sleep, anyway. Lucky for the both of you is that Sherlock falls asleep almost immediately as soon as he takes off his scarf and coat and collapses onto the couch. You apologize to Enola for the mess. Your flat isn’t usually like this, in such a state of disarray. You would’ve cleaned, but you’ve been so tired or nauseous and mobility may or may not be limited depending on how far along you are. Her questions about the case from the night before turn into questions about you and Sherlock in the morning, more specifically, what it is to be in love. Enola asks you about love because she’s still unsure of her feelings for Tewkesbury.

“Do you regret not visiting your ex-fiancé?”

“We hardly had time.”

“One makes time when one wants to.”

“Then there's your answer. May I ask, why are you so interested?”

“Bessie is counting on me to find Sarah.”

“I meant in my seeing my ex-fiancé.”

“I remember when you first met him. Your company was rather dull because you could think of nothing else. You’re like that with Sherlock too. What does it feel like when you're in the first throes?”

“Well, you and I are already well aware that neither your brother nor the young Lord Tewkesbury are ordinary men. To be in love and to know you’re in love is different for everyone, I’d imagine. For your brother and I, it is…restlessness, above all. Our minds are never still. He waits at a street corner in case I happen to pass by... I attend a party that I’d otherwise dread in hopes he’s been invited or found a way to sneak in. And we usually end up bringing almost every conversation back to love in some way. Love, passion… They can be powerful motives. It has been in many of our past cases.”

You would’ve continued your conversation the following morning, but Sherlock woke up before you and Enola. While he purposefully startled Enola awake, he wanted to let you sleep. But you woke up anyway to them bickering back and forth.

“And why, pray, have you moved everything?”

You and Enola both look around. “Nothing looks different to us.”

“Nothing looks different? Ev— ohhhh…” And there’s the hangover headache kicking in.

“Your head is sore? I can’t think why.”

“This is why I don’t have people in our rooms, my love,” he says to you. “Look what Enola has done. My papers are entirely out of order.” He says, kneeling down to ‘rearrange’ them.

“Your case, it’s vexing you. Seems to be an awful lot of question marks on that map of yours.”

Sherlock’s patience has run out. “Dundee cake. Door. I will see you again.”

“Maybe I can help.”

“You can help by leaving.”

After a few more minutes of sibling bickering, Enola takes the Dundee cake and leaves. Sherlock turns his focus to you, asking you tons of questions about last night and if Enola bothered you too much, etc.

You settle back into your shared bed. “I’m all right,” you reassure him, bringing your hand up to comb through his hair and settle along his jaw. “I promise I’ll tell you if I’m ever not.”

He lets out a shaky breath, closes his eyes, and nods. Turning his head, he covers your hand with his own and places a light kiss along the edge of your palm. He settles both of your hands in your covered lap.   

“Can I get you anything, darling?”

Your eyes lighting up, you smile and squeeze his hand tightly before releasing it and sliding down further into your sheets. “Actually, do you mind handing me my sketchpad and charcoal? It’s just there,” you say, pointing toward your vanity in the corner.

When he returns with it safely in hand, his eyes questioning, you motion for him to join you in the bed with a reassuring smile. After removing his robe and his slippers, Sherlock slides under the covers next to you and adjusts you gently. You grimace and yelp softly as his leg grazes your hip, and he whispers calming apologies into your hair as you settle into his side with your sketchpad in hand.  

“All right?”

You nod soundlessly, steady yourself with a soothing breath, and begin to sketch and make notes. “Enola and I were discussing the case last night. Going over what we’ve found so far, possible theories… Something she said last night got me thinking…”

“What did you have in mind?”     

“What if…” you begin, your voice growing stronger as you speak.

He marvels at you silently and smiles into your hair. His genius wife.

4. Sherlock invites you out to dinner because, though he’s hesitant to admit it, he needs help on this case. He’s found himself stuck at an impasse or what’s almost a dead end, frustrated at having only one lead, and that one lead only leading him in circles like some intricate dance. He thinks maybe having you, a woman, to consult with will help him to see from a different perspective and help him find something he was missing or overlooking before. Maybe you’re Laszlo Kreizler’s sister and your reputation as an Alienist and/or experience in detective work encourages him to seek you out.

“It is very intimate.”

“I gather you mean it’s not Delmonico’s and I entirely know your point, but you see, I quite like to dine alone on occasion.”

“As do I. To what shall we drink?”

“Let us drink to getting drunk.”

“I’m not entirely sure that’s possible. I do not like to…”

“To lose control?”

“Behave indelicately.”

“Your message sounded urgent.”

“Yes. Truth be told, I’ve reached an impasse and I thought you might shake some of the rocks free with…a criminal investigation, actually. In truth… There are facets of the female mind I find very difficult to grasp.”

“Am I to be your subject or your sounding board?”

“The latter, of course. But I’m puzzled to no end by the actions of this woman. Once I think I’ve gotten a handle of her motivations, she…”

“She surprises you?”

“Yes. Exactly. Yes. That is why I thought it would be invigorating to engage on this…with a colleague.”

“A colleague.”

“Another toast. What shall we drink to this time, Miss Kreizler?”

“To collaboration.”

“It is a fascinating case.”

“What disturbs you about this one?”

“Well, it’s an unexpected fetish for a woman who uses her breasts as deliverers of death.”

“A dramatic turn of phrase for something I might argue might not be a fetish at all.”

“You wouldn’t consider this behavior a deviation? I am surprised to hear such an argument.”

“From a woman?”

“The most recent studies suggest a fetish is a means by which a man reduces a woman to a fraction of herself, experiencing sexual gratification. The fetish is pleasurable because it partializes a woman and thereby renders her non-threatening.”

“Has that been your experience?”

“Sorry?”

“If your gaze were attracted by a shapely bosom, do you forget about the woman to whom these parts belong? Have you forgotten all of me when you see my ankle?”

“I don’t categorize myself among the sufferers of this pathology.”

“Perhaps this type of attraction is not the pathology at all, and perhaps a woman might enjoy her part in such a ritual. With adult males, a woman’s breasts are life-affirming. She doesn’t use them in this context; she puts them in a position to respond to pleasure. Breasts are erogenous zones.”

“I’m aware of that, of course. But the public nature of it?”

“It’s interesting, I agree.”

Your discussion over drinks leads you and Sherlock back to his flat where you, whether you’re both a little (or very) drunk or not, engage in such a sexual activity. You let Sherlock help you undress and when you finally undo your corset and free your breasts, you have him stay seated while you stand, guiding his head, more specifically his mouth, to your breasts to suck on your nipple. You both found the feeding ritual strangely arousing. Of course, Sherlock had seen women’s bare breasts before, but he hadn’t made such avid mouth contact as he had with you - the greed, the need, the furious dependence he had for the flesh and the milk made you lightheaded, in a good way. When no one was looking, you would take Sherlock and put him in contact with your skin and rejoice in the moaning and the coughing of the avid detective as you show him how pleasure can be derived from such an act, how you, as a woman, enjoy your part in such a ritual as he “feeds” from you. Performing these sex acts helps Sherlock get into the mind of the person he’s after. This was just what he needed to get unstuck and have a breakthrough in his case.

~

“Crazy idea. Have you ever considered a flatmate?”

“For what purpose?”

“To stop you descending into this! You should not have to shoulder this burden alone.”

“I haven’t. I didn’t. There is someone who has been a consolation to me.”

“Someone?”

“A woman.”

“Oh.”

“Not quite like that. She’s a formidable woman, a detective in her own right. Y/N Kreizler. She’s given me great counsel.”

“A kindred spirit.”

“Perhaps. Yes, I think she is.”

“I’m happy for you, Sherlock, that you found such an agreeable companion.”

~

One afternoon, Sherlock spots you in the market doing some shopping. With a baby on your hip. He sees you, you see him, and he sees you see him, but instead of walking up to you or greeting you, he turns the other way and leaves. He needs to think about what it might mean if the child is indeed yours. He finds himself confiding in his sister.

“You know, why should I care if that's Y/N’s baby? You don't believe me, do you?”

“Believe what?” Enola asks.

“That I don't have feelings for her.”

“I came into this world many years after you did, but I’m not an idiot, Brother. I know you better than anyone. I know you better than you know yourself. You're in love with her.”

~

“Enola. I applogize. It was not my intention to intrude upon you.” You say apologetically from your spot on the couch in her office.

“Didn’t want to wake you. Sleep is a rare commodity for us both these days. I phoned Sherlock to let him know where you were. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Of course not. That was very courteous of you. Did he say anything?”

“Only mumbled about extremes you’re willing to go to avoid either confrontation or conversation. I forget which.”

“Both apply.”

“If you’d like to talk about it…”

“I would not.”

“Would it help if I already knew what it was concerning?”

“No.”

~

“Hello?” You ask as you pick up the phone while Enola steps out for a minute. You don’t think much about who could be on the other line. Until you hear his voice.

“Oh, thank God. I’m so relieved to hear your voice. I’ve been expecting you. Enola said you left her detective agency hours ago.”

“I’m sorry. I was supposed to, but right as I was about to leave, there was more work to be done at the office.”

“Have you uncovered a new lead? Y/N, if you refuse to speak to me, I—”

“I’ve not refused.”

“You have. And it’s unbearable.”

“I think you know by now that I find it particularly difficult and I have trouble…”

“Expressing?”

“Yes. Expressing. But I thought what we did was rather wonderful. However ill-conceived it may have been.”

“Are you saying you regret it?”

“No. That’s not what I meant. But we did not think it through. What it was.”

“The question is not what was, it…it’s what is and…what will be. I’m asking what you want. Damn it, Y/N. I can’t do this anymore. This talking in circles, it’s maddening.”

“Sherlock. I didn't sleep with you to try and trick you or force you to look after my child. You know, I can earn my own living. But what I don't want is to be alone for the rest of my life because a man I was foolish enough to marry was too cowardly to face up to his duties.”

“I'm sorry for what happened to you, truly. But, if you’ll have me, I'm ready to take care of you and your child. Bloody hell, I love you. And I will make a decision for the both of us if I must. Goodnight Y/N.”

~

“I meant what I said before.”

“No, you didn't. You're in love with what you don't have. You're in love with your dreams.”

“Aren't you?”

“Yes. I suppose I am.”

“Very well, then. I shall wait very patiently until you become the first female Chief of Detectives. In the meantime, let me accompany you to a carriage.”

“I'm perfectly safe, thank you. Cab!”

“I won't wait all night. The 20th century is almost upon us, and with it, a bright new future with bright new ideas. Why, women might even get the right to vote. Washington Square, please.”

“Sherlock Holmes, you just took my cab!”

~

“You play chess so romantically, Sherlock, with such daring, gallantly accepting my gambits, and yet, still mercilessly ruining me. Perhaps you play with such reckless abandon because there's little at stake. There's no risk. Knight to king's knight seven, knight takes pawn. Check.”

“King to queen one. Are you offering a wager?”

“Queen to bishop's knight six. Check. Indeed. Should you lose, then you're mine to do with as I so wish.”

“I fear at this moment, I would have an unfair advantage. What you suggest sounds positively Faustian. You mean to take my immortal soul. Yet hardly likely, Y/N, when my knight takes your queen.”

“Perhaps merely your mortal body, then? Checkmate. I do believe I did say to do with you as I so pleased.”

“Are you sure I can't tempt you to stay in England with me?”

“I'm sure Laszlo and the institute would thrive or even prosper without me. He’s realized he’s not some omniscient god.”

“That's quite the breakthrough, to know one is not divine.”

“A breakthrough you made for yourself?”

“Yes, I'm simply a man, quite an imperfect creature. But your arrival in my life has precipitated a desire to change. I must…”

You kiss him. “Don't change too much. I like the man you are.” You pause, as if considering. “Tell me… How is the weather in England during the Spring?”

~

“Laszlo, Sherlock has asked me to stay with him in England, as his wife.”

“Are you thinking of accepting him? Whatever it is you decide, you must place your own happiness first.”

“Sherlock means the world to me. And yet, I fear we desire different things.”

“But there’s more?”

“I feel pulled every which way.”

“You should abide by your own advice.”

“What of you?“

“Despite all my knowledge of life and my own advice to patients, I hesitate. I tread gingerly when I should step purposefully.”

“I should step purposefully, then.”

“Yes.”

“I shall miss you, Laszlo.”

“And I, you, but this isn’t the time for melancholia. Even so, as we find ourselves oceans apart.”

“I hope there will still be occasion for us to dine together when I return.”

“If you return. So how long will you be in England for?”

“I'm not sure. Six months, perhaps longer.”

“And you'll have Mr. Holmes to share the adventure with.”

“Will you come over for the wedding?”

“We’ll see. We’ll talk about that later. But for now, why don’t you and Sherlock go out and drink to your engagement?”

“American bourbon, straight up. Well, I better go and tell Sherlock my answer. I can’t keep him waiting forever, poor thing. The anticipation must be killing him. I love you, Laszlo. Goodbye.”

“I love you too, little sister. Bye.”

~

Unbeknownst to you, your brother, Laszlo, mails Sherlock the ring that was meant for Mary. Enclosed with the ring is a note:

Sherlock,

This was for Mary. I hope you’ll find someone you can give it to.

“Thank you, Laszlo.” Sherlock says to himself from under his breath, his voice no less sincere despite the lower volume.

~

“I want it noted I was right. About our news. It is not the appropriate time to tell the family. Not with the ongoing case and Enola’s courtship with Lord Tewkesbury. Not to mention your mother has her hands full. We can keep our secret a little longer.”

“Is this the only reason you wish to delay our news? You are happy, I hope?” Sherlock asks.

“Oh...very happy. And very busy.”

“We should tell them tonight.”

“I thought you wanted to wait.”

“You and I... we are at our happiest in this moment. And if I am honest, I have wished for it to just be the three of us a little longer. It is a great change, but you and I will make our way with our child the way we have always done with each other.”

~

“Enola, I - we have some news.”

“Sherlock, nothing is so bad that you cannot tell me. Grasp the nettle, and it hardly stings.”

“Y/N is in a delicate condition.”

“Dare I ask?”

“I'm the father.”

“What he means to say, is that we are expecting.” You interject, helping your husband find his words.

“I know. I was just waiting for you to say it.”

“What do you mean, ‘you know’?”

“The signs were obvious, Brother. For a genius, did you really think I hadn’t noticed her symptoms? I guess us women see things men don’t. This is the best news! I am happy for you, Sherlock. Because now, you get what your heart desires and that is to be a father. Of course, you love your eldest child just as much, but deep down, you wanted a child of your blood. You said that it didn't matter, but...I suspect that it did. Desiring a child of your own is nothing to be ashamed of. It's a new life, a new Holmes. Let us tell the family. They will be so delighted.”

~

“I am so envious. You cannot imagine how charming our town in America is. It has been so long since I have ridden there.”

“What about Hungary? Don’t you miss it too?”

“It has its attractions, to be sure. That being said, I attended school in America. I’ve lived there longer than I did in Hungary. My parents immigrated and moved us there when Laszlo and I were children.”

“Well, I should like to see America. In fact, I should like to see it soon. Before our child comes.”

“Now?”

“Mm.”

“Of course I want to go over with you, one day. But the journey takes months.”

“Yeah, and if we go now, we will have time to prepare for the birth there. Look, I know how much you love our life here. You have made yourself completely a part of our family. But I cannot help but feel that something is missing.”

“What about your mother? She would be missing the birth of her first grandchild. And your sister and your brother, they would be missing the birth of their first niece or nephew.”

“Our child…will always be a Holmes. But I should like them to know that they are a Kreizler as well, know their history. And it is important for me to know it so we can share that history with our child, together. Mother, Enola, and Mycroft will understand that. And we will return.”

“Please do not make me love you more. I do not think I can bear it.” You say with a smile as you kiss him, excited at your future trip.

5. A widowed man of wealth, status and power sold his only daughter in marriage to another man to better the business relationship between them, but after ten years of marriage, the daughter dies under mysterious circumstances. The regretful father hires you, A 19th century detective, to investigate the dark truth. Since 19th century society is harsh and dismissive to women with “unconventional” careers, you utilize men’s clothing, wigs, and makeup to assume a false male identity. You effectively disguise yourself as male while acting as detective. Your current client, like many clients before him, assumed he hired a man for the task.

Everyone knows of the Gentleman Thief: He was never caught, his crimes are executed with style, and he’s always quick with a clever quip with a constant smile on his face. While you’re investigating, you can’t rule out the possibility that this Gentleman Thief is just a red herring and that this might be the doing of the grieving father. He’s still a suspect of the recent death even though he hired you. Could it have been murder? Or was it an accident? Or did the daughter fake her death? To follow a lead, you disguise yourself as a mysterious noblewoman in order to be invited to a ball held by another suspect, who may or may not be engaging in suspicious or illicit activity. At this ball, you cross paths with Sherlock Holmes, who just so happens to be investigating the same case, or a case that’s connected or overlapping with yours. Nobody, except Sherlock, realizes that the detective sticking his nose in places where it doesn’t belong and the alluring noblewoman he’s met at this ball are one and the same. He knows who you really are (maybe you’re Laszlo Kreizler’s younger sister.) He doesn’t blow your cover, however. You end up in the refreshment room or a random closet together. No matter how many times you smack each other with a fan or rolled up paper and stomp on each other’s feet, declaring how much you loathe each other, you always end up kissing in the midst of arguing or discussing what you’ve found.

That very evening, The Gentleman Thief suddenly shows up at the ball, sword in hand. There’s no sign of humor about him this time. When attacking the ball, the Thief hired infiltrators to counter the guards. Which is why everyone except you and Sherlock are very surprised when it’s not the gentlemen, but instead every lady in the ball who draws swords and other weapons from their gowns. While the case isn’t yet solved, a part of you is sad that the ball had to come to an end.

“It's really over now, isn't it?”

“You sound disappointed.”

“I've never had an experience like this, and I wonder how many more I'll be allowed.”

“Somehow, I get the feeling you're done with people allowing you to do things.”

You meet again and again through your thrilling, dangerous adventure, befriending each other and falling in love. He’s always worked alone, but his sister, Enola, has shown him that perhaps you could work together.

“You're not asking Y/N to join this mad escapade of yours, are you? It will put her in a most compromised position. Look at the beasts that surround her on a daily basis.”

“I believe she's up to the task.” Enola says with confidence.

“She's not as strong as she'd like you to believe.”

“Sherlock, please. Do not let your affection for Miss L/N/Kreizler get in the way of logic.”

“My affection?! My God. Do you never tire of the sound of your own voice? Miss L/N/Kreizler is resourceful. And because she's a woman, she's unlikely to arouse suspicion. That is quite sufficient for my purposes.”

They had to stop their bickering because they could hear you approaching, conversing with others.

“…It's something new. Forensic science married with human psychology. One might easily imagine the ramifications if we are successful.” An associate says.

“I rather like it.” You then turn to Enola and Sherlock. “Pardon my candidness, but I feel I must ask. Did you have this evening entirely planned?”

“What exactly do you mean by ‘entirely’?”

“That we...I...would agree to assist you.”

“Aside from the job of scrubbing floors, you're the first woman in New York to become a successful detective. That shows initiative and a desire to advance your place in society. Am I mistaken?”

“No.”

“I've asked the commissioner for you to be the liaison between us. Your task will be to keep me informed of developments within the department and keep Inspector Lestrade abreast of our actions outside.”

“And he agreed?”

“Perhaps not in so many words. May I assume you have an interest?”

“It wouldn't be fair to assume anything about me, Mr. Holmes.”

“You look lovely this evening, Miss. May I offer you a ride?”

“No, thank you. I'd prefer to walk. Please go on without me.”

“At this hour? It’s not safe. There are scary people about.”

“Yes, let me know when you find one. I'm not a child.”

“I may not be an expert marksman, swordsman, singlestick fighter, and pugilist like you, Mr. Holmes, but I assure you I can handle myself.”

“Very well. Enola, are you coming with me?”

In the carriage, Enola can’t help the expression on her face. It’s a mix between smug and disappointed.

“She was offered a ride.”

“Though perhaps you might have insisted.”

“A little resentment and introspection will do us both some good. She’s not as strong as she’d like to think, and neither am I.”

Enola snorts at that. She can’t help it.

“You find that amusing?”

“Our weaknesses sometimes serve us better than our strengths. I'm just surprised to hear you admit you have a weakness.”

“I was speaking metaphorically.”

6. Bridgerton Crossover AU: You’re a descendant of the Bridgerton family (maybe a paternal descendant from one of the four sons, so you still carry the Bridgerton surname, or you go by Bridgerton as your professional name even if your mother took your father’s name.) You're much like your great grandmother or great aunt, Eloise, an independent and free spirit, unafraid to speak your mind or challenge societal norms to pave your own path. You meet and befriend Enola, only to fall in love with her older brother, Sherlock, as you become involved in her and/or his cases. This of course creates gossip and there's talk wherever you go, especially if/when you agree to marry him, but you don't care. Enola approves of you not for the benefits she and her brother could reap from a union with a woman from the Bridgerton bloodline, considering your social standing and wealthy inheritance, but because you make Sherlock so happy and like a better, happier version of himself. She likes this new version of her brother, a man who isn’t lonely but able to share his life with another. And it doesn’t hurt that your family is no stranger to being the subject of a scandal or gossip sheet back in the day, so you’re thick skinned and can steel yourself against any unflattering newspaper headline if you do do something wild, risky, or crazy while helping Sherlock and/or Enola on a case.

7. Something like the dinner scene from The Little Mermaid, where you perk up at seeing Sherlock’s smoking pipe and take an interest in it. Maybe you’re at a ball or some other party or social gathering to assist Sherlock with one of his cases, or Enola has invited you to come over to her family home for dinner because you’re her friend, but also as part of her plan to subtly try to set you up with Sherlock.

“Ha Ha. Come on, honey. Don't be shy.”

You enter in a beautiful dress that Enola helped you pick out. You think you look so unlike yourself you feel naked in the dress. It’s the finest dress you’ve ever worn. Enola said you could keep it, and when you tried to decline, she insisted until you gave in. It suited you.

“Oh, Sherlock, isn't she a vision?”

“You look…wonderful.”

“Come, come, come, you must be famished. Let me help you, my dear friend. There we go. Ah, quite comfy? Uh… It's… It's not ofen that we have such a lovely dinner guest, eh, Sherlock?”

Like Enola, your upbringing was rather unconventional and your table manners are…lacking, to say the least. You’re a bit of an oddball, just like her. Maybe you’re selectively mute. Everyone around you save Enola looks dumbfounded at your somewhat weird and childlike behavior and you’re embarrassed, trying to shrink back into your seat, wishing the ground would swallow you. Until you see Sherlock’s pipe when he lights it and you brighten. He notices you looking at it with awe.

“Uh, do you like it? It is rather…fine.” He hands it to you so you can admire it up close.

You turn it every which way in your hands before you bring it to your lips and blow its contents into Mycroft’s face. Sherlock laughs.

“Oh, my!” Mrs. Lane exclaims.

Sherlock clears his throat to cover up his laugh. “Ahem, so sorry, Mycroft.”

“Why, Sherlock, that's the first time I've seen you smile in weeks.”

You smile at hearing that.

Mycroft is wiping his face. “Oh, very amusing. Mrs. Lane, what's for dinner?”

“Oooh, you're gonna love it. Chef's been fixing his specialty.”

8. You’re Laszlo Kreizler’s sister and have moved from New York to England. Like your friend and colleague, John Moore, you have experience working as an illustrator who examined crime scenes closely and recreated the victims’ bodies through artwork for your brother’s investigations. You see Enola’s advertisement for her detective agency in the newspaper and become interested, so you pay her a visit. Maybe you and she could work together. You’re something of a detective yourself. When you come in and introduce yourself, Enola recognizes your name immediately and is starstruck. Not only is she excited about meeting an American woman, (Hungarian-American, you correct her slightly, but she can tell it was all in good teasing fun to get her to relax) and one with a career similar to hers to boot, she’s read about your work and that of your brother’s while studying every book in the library and reading American papers.

“And who are you, and what do you do, and how do you come to be here?” you ask.

“I’m a detective.”

“As am I.”

“You’re teasing me.”

“Yes, I’m teasing you. But it’s also true. I was an Alienist, alongside my brother. Y/N Kreizler.”

You don’t elaborate on what an Alienist is. You don’t have to. Enola already knows. Her books have told her that, in the 19th century, persons suffering from mental illness were thought to be alienated from their true natures. Experts who studied them were therefore known as alienists.

“I’ve read all your work. I’m Enola…”

“Of course I know you’re Enola Holmes. Who in New York hasn’t heard of you? The young girl detective across the pond who was responsible in cracking the Tewkesbury case. The one and only sister to the famous Sherlock Holmes.”

“It was said that you and your brother treat adults, too.”

“That is correct. But Laszlo always found children’s minds to be more interesting. As Alienists, we treated mental and emotional disorders in our patients, and we tried to alleviate their condition. We do not presume to cure them.”

You can tell Enola is a bright and very intelligent and intuitive girl, just like her older brother, but she seems down in the mouth, and you know exactly why even without asking. People haven’t been taking her seriously, have they? They all believe her to be the secretary or Sherlock’s assistant. You’ve been there. When she flips the sign to closed and prepares for the night in, she lets you stay with her. Though she knows you can handle yourself if you were to walk home or fetch a carriage at such a late hour, she’d like your company. She enjoys talking to you a great deal. You encourage her, tell her to not give up hope of building her own career, independent of her brother’s legacy. You form a bond as you tell her you’re in a similar situation. Like her, you love your brother, but didn’t want to be stuck in his shadow, so you moved to England to find your own path.

“What’s on your mind, Enola?”

“The detective agency. You know, during my time at Miss Harrison’s reform school, I never felt like I was being myself.”

“But you do here.”

“Oh, yeah. This is my own place, but I feel at times that I've been hiding behind its walls, and yet, it's my life's work, and it has given me great joy. But now I feel like a failure. Everyone is asking after Sherlock, thinking I’m his secretary or his assistant. The Tewkesbury case was mine, yet public perception is accrediting it to him. I feel I’ll never escape his shadow.”

“You will. If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Sometimes, Enola, you just have to decide what it is you want and then fight for it. You will not see a lot of photographs of detectives that look like us in the ‘Police Gazette’. Not yet, anyways. But I think of it like this: Your office here is lit by electricity, and before electricity, people used kerosene lamps, and before that, they used candles made from whale oil, and the man with the whale oil candle could never have envisioned all of this. We may be judged as women, but we must remember that we are detectives, and whether we wear skirts or trousers is immaterial to what we do. It's human nature to make mistakes, Enola. We sometimes might fail, but we should not be defined by our failures.“

You tell her of your own struggles and experiences of having to prove yourself, dealing with men underestimating you simply because you’re a woman, calling you the weaker sex, wanting your brother’s services instead just because he’s a man, etc.

~

“This is why we called upon you, Y/N.”

“I’m grateful for that trust. I can assure you I will do my utmost to help you find your daughter.”

“Well, yes, Y/N. Isobel and I hoped, we wondered if we could use your good graces to call your brother, Laszlo? Dr. Kreizler had some success, did he not, with that dreadful monster who was murdering young boy prostitutes?”

“Indeed, he did.”

“And do you not think his assistance in this case would be invaluable?“

“Should I have need for my brother, I would not hesitate to ask Laszlo for his help and insight. But what Isobel requires now, is an expert in the procedural method of criminal detection, because there is always a trail, no matter the criminal’s stealth or genius. And if you still hesitate to consider me professionally, I will remind you of the prejudice against our sex that could impede this investigation. Does it not take a woman to know that a woman who has lost a child is neither hysterical nor irrational, and that she has cause to be as she is? That she must be heard? You need a detective, and a woman such as I with the resources and the experience. I see your pain. I see your suffering. And I care. I care, deeply.”

“I want you to help me.” The woman, Isobel, finally relented, moved by your passionate words laced with such deep sincerity. And you did end up finding her infant daughter, but the case didn’t end there. There was another infant kidnapping, the grandson of a Vanderbilt.

“What do you know about her?”

“I’m not sure you want another party on this search, sir. It will dilute our efforts and perhaps bring unwanted notoriety to the case. She’s a renegade, a man in a corset. She’s a bored society girl who dabbles.”

“Well, I want to find out for myself. Miss Kreizler and Miss Howard are on their way here.”

“A slip of a girl can’t roam those streets, or these. You wouldn’t let your own daughter go anywhere near that place, would you?”

“Funny, we’ve just come from those streets. Assuming we’re the ‘slip of a girl’ you’re referring to, Mr. Byrnes? Y/N Kreizler and Sara Moore, Mr. Vanderbilt.”

You found both infants, alive and unharmed, and returned them home to their families and brought the culprit to justice.

“It is curious, is it not, at the time Mary Shelley was writing her book, there was a belief in galvanism, that man could reanimate the body through the use of electric impulses? And that day… That day they used the same potent force to take the life of an innocent woman. Underneath our skin, bone, and sinew, which of us are not monsters?” You ask Enola, not really expecting an answer.

“It was indeed monstrous what happened that day.” She quietly agrees, thinking back to what she read about that particular case. It was dreadful to read about, so she couldn’t comprehend how horrific it must’ve been for you to experience.

“I promised I would look for her missing child. My good friend, Sara Howard and her detective agency were at my disposal. She helped me in any way she could. We did have to bring in Laszlo once we realized that case was bigger than originally thought, but together, we cracked it. We were splashed on the front page of the paper, this time heralded as heroes instead of slandered as incompetent. From then on, people started to take Sara Howard and her detective agency, as well as myself and my work, seriously. But it was a long road. It still is. There’s always possibilities for change, for improvement. So while it’s normal and understandable in times like these to feel down in the dumps, you can’t let it get to you and stop you from doing what you love to do, what you were born to do. I could always use a little pick-me-up. That made me feel better. The key is to never overindulge to the point of inebriation. What would you drink, Enola?”

“I would have a glass of burgundy.”

“I have American bourbon. Straight up or watered down?”

“I will have that.”

“How goes it with your brave new adventure, detective?”

“Seems that most of my clients are rich, old dowagers who think their servants are stealing from them.”

“The curse of the greenback. The more money they make during the day, the more they worry at night over losing it. The room is unquestionably yours, Enola.” You say, looking around at the books and papers and other miscellaneous objects that decorate the living space.

“Well, the rent’s not unreasonable, and we are on a good street.”

“What I meant was…”

“I know what you meant.”

“You’ve surrounded yourself with your most valued possessions. And if I were of a mind, I would tell you much about who you are by observing the ephemera you’ve chosen to display here.”

“It’s late, Miss Kreizler. If you would kindly refrain from making a psychological profile of who I am based on the furnishings of my office.”

“Your brother is proud of you, seeing what you have accomplished.”

“I like to think so. Thank you for the bourbon, Y/N. It was restorative. And rest assured, I will call on you should I need your assistance.”

You meet Enola again at the ball, either through coincidence or careful planning.

“Miss Holmes. Fancy meeting you here.“ you whisper so only she can hear.

“Enola.”

“Very well. Then I’m Y/N to you. But for now… Let’s keep to our fake names…Tabitha. Getting any good gossip yet? Any promising leads?”

She nods.

“Good. Keep your eyes and ears open and I shall do the same.”

But unbeknownst to her, her brother is also there, and just so happens to be investigating his own case which overlaps with hers. You literally run into him.

“And in fact, it seems as if all of the most important people in England are here. Even still, I didn’t for the life of me imagine I’d meet you, Sherlock Holmes. It’s quite the honor.”

“The honor is all mine. Indeed. I would very much like to… Perhaps we could discuss…”

“My card. Do call on me, Mr. Holmes, and I’d love to be of assistance to you in your case, should you need it. I’m already assisting your sister in hers.”

While facing off with the corrupt police and the culprit behind everything on Sherlock’s current case, he gets shot in the shoulder, scaring you nearly to death. There’s so much blood staining his sleeve, you can’t tell if it’s a flesh wound or something more. You’re too occupied fighting off a bad guy of your own. You manage to kill your adversary, but also suffer an injury that requires hospitalization. During your stay, you receive visits from Sherlock. So many visits in fact that it’s like he never leaves the hospital.

“I found bits of your sketchbook in the fireplace.”

“Are you spying on me now?”

“You’d actually have to be interesting for me to bother spying on you.”

“The drawings in that sketchbook were abominable. I could not stand to look at them.”

“I believe that is why they call it a sketchbook. I write in my journal, which is not the same as writing a novel. It must be very difficult to want something and not be able to get it.”

“Sherlock…”

“If you enjoy drawing but need practice, then practice. Hire a drawing master. Find a young man to act impressed.”

“Easy for you to talk. You’re a man. If you desire the sun and the moon, all you have to do is go out and shoot at the sky. Some of us cannot. Look no further than the Brontë sisters. They all possessed a huge talent for writing, and yet they all had to hide away and publish under a false male name.”

“Yes, because if anyone knew who they truly were, they’d surely be strung up for what they wrote.”

“That is not my point. The Brontës were all talented writers, but women, therefore they had nothing, and still they wrote. You’re a man, therefore you have everything. You are able to do whatever you want. So do it. Be bold. At least that way I can live vicariously through you.”

“Are you writing under a male pseudonym? You’re an accomplished writer, always scribbling in that diary of yours. You certainly know everyone else’s business. You have more opinions than anyone else I know in London. You would have my full support and admiration either way. So… are you?”

“No. Though if I were…do you honestly think that I’d admit it?”

9. Illusionist inspired: Sherlock is hired to investigate your murder, but it turns out to be a scheme you and he concocted to successfully run away together to be married.

“Love. What it does to people.”

Inspector Lestrade tells the story of a man who claimed to be a clairvoyant and the noblewoman he fell in love with to Sherlock.

The clairvoyant was born the son of a carpenter, and became interested in magic. He fell in love with you, a woman of German or Austro-Hungarian nobility, but you were forbidden to see each other as he wasn’t of noble birth. You kept meeting secretly but, in 1889, you were caught and separated by force after your lover was arrested in Austria-Hungary by a German Chief Inspector during a magic show involving necromancy. Years later, the clairvoyant returned to Vienna to perform. During one performance, he encountered you again and learned that you were expected to marry a nobleman, who, it was rumored, was brutal towards women and even murdered one but used his power and connections to have it covered up. Your betrothed invited your clairvoyant lover to give a private performance at his home, which was an opulent palace. During the performance, he humiliated the nobleman in front of the royal guests; in response, he was banned from performing again. When you came to offer your lover help, you made love instead. Your lover asked you to flee with him, but you were afraid you would be caught and executed. You revealed that the nobleman was planning a coup against his elderly father. You tried to end your engagement with him, and your body was discovered the next morning in the Vienna Woods, an unknown man blamed. This threw your lover into depression. He bought a theatre and began a new series of shows focusing on the summoning of dead spirits.

Your betrothed secretly attended one, during which the clairvoyant summoned your spirit, who said that someone in the theatre was your murderer. Your betrothed, unnerved, ordered the police to arrest the clairvoyant for fraud, but he avoided jail by confessing to the public that his show was an illusion. He was threatened that if he summoned you in his next performance, he would be imprisoned. The police attended the performance, and in spite of the warnings, the clairvoyant summoned you again. Police stormed the stage, but to the shock of the audience, the clairvoyant himself was revealed to be a spirit when the police officers’ hands passed through him. The German Inspector revealed to your betrothed that he had found evidence—your locket—which could implicate him in your murder, and that he knew about the plan all along but chose to support it since he thought the nobleman was better and more competent than his elderly father and he could get a promotion to Chief of Police by supporting him. However, your death made him realize your fiancé was also unfit so he changed his mind and informed your fiancé’s father and the Austro-Hungarian General Staff of his conspiracy to seize his father’s position and power. As officers arrived, feeling cornered, your unwanted fiancé shot himself in the head. The Inspector left and placed your locket in his pocket. He was now no longer Chief Inspector of Police.

As a boy approached him, he was jostled by a man in a long coat. The boy gave him a package containing the clairvoyant’s notebook about the Orange Tree trick, which the German inspector had been unable to figure out. He shouted to the boy asking who gave him the notebook, and when the boy replied, "Herr Sigerson," he realized the person who jostled him stole the locket. He chased the man, but he boarded a train and escaped. The inspector realized the jostling and the notebook were a message from the illusionist, and he began to rethink recent events. He concluded that you and your lover staged your death so that you could be free of your betrothed, with your ghostly apparitions being nothing more than illusions, smoke and mirrors. The inspector laughed delightedly at the brilliance of their plan. As Lestrade concludes his tale, Sherlock asks if they ever discovered where you and your lover went. Lestrade answers in the negative, but hypothesizes that they ran away somewhere to start a new life. Sherlock excuses himself and leaves Lestrade’s office, claiming he must get home to his wife. The German or Austro-Hungarian noblewoman is you, the clairvoyant is Sherlock, and together you pulled off the greatest trick the world will never know, a mystery that will boggle future generations long after you’re both dead. Far away from your hometown, you and your husband, Sherlock, have started a new life together in England. Every morning, Sherlock places your locket around your neck for you, kissing up and down your neck and shoulders while doing so. Here, you’re not a noblewoman. You’re simply Mrs. Holmes and you get on with your lives like thousands of others.

10. A Little Princess-esque AU: You’re short on money, and decide to get a job as a scullery maid at Miss Harrison’s Finishing School for Girls. The school is often a mess because of the many students, and you work yourself to exhaustion cleaning up after them. You’re instructed by Miss Harrison to give the newest student, Enola Holmes, a tour of the facilities.

“The exercise room is over here. The music room is down the hall. The dormitories are upstairs, and you may have seen the playground. Or the ground where the playing would be if it was permitted. You look as if you like playing outdoors.”

You befriend Miss Holmes, who insists you call her by her first name, Enola. You take time out of your busy days to visit with her in private and give her words of encouragement, and make fun of Miss Harrison for her unrequited love for Mycroft, among other things. You’re a spot of hope or sunshine for her in this drab and miserable place.

“Do you know why I am an educator? It's because I want to make people happy. I want you to live a full and vibrant life. Not with anger and endless questions, but with answers. I prepare my girls for the world, for the real world. I would never abandon you and leave you to fend for yourself. Yes. Mycroft told me.”

“My mother had her reasons.”

“I'm sure she did. I knew your mother. We were friends for a while. At school. She was a peculiar little thing. Was always unpredictable, always challenging. She never truly cared for anything except her own...unusual ideas.”

“She cared for me.”

“Then why did she leave you? Prefects will accompany you to and from lessons. This door will always be kept locked. You'll thank me...one day, when you're happily married with a pair of strapping boys. Sleep well, Enola.”

After Miss Harrison leaves, you sneak in. You’re an expert lock-picker. There isn’t a lock you can’t pick. You sit next to Enola and wrap your arm around her, comforting her. “Don’t pay any mind to Miss Harrison. She’s so desperate to mold and shove girls into these tight little boxes of conformity. She wants people like us to fit into society’s strict definition of what makes a woman, even if it means breaking our bones and contorting our bodies to get us to fit in that tiny box. She holds institutions like marriage and motherhood on a pedestal, yet she herself is neither a wife nor a mother. It’s hypocrisy, Enola. And being a woman is so much more than what society has dictated. Women are capable of so much more than being housewives and mothers. I’m of the opinion that some people shouldn’t have children. They do it because they think they’re supposed to, but it’s not really what they want.”

“Is that the way your mother was?”

“Yes.”

“She didn’t love you? Your father, he…he loved you though, didn’t he?”

“He died when I was eight. He had an…accident with a gun. He was raised in the country. The city made him uncomfortable, and he had a nervous disposition. Perhaps he’d simply had enough. But before that… Yes, he did. I was his whole world, and he was mine. I imagine it was difficult for a man from the country to maintain the lifestyle to which my mother had become accustomed. He did his best for us, but it wasn’t good enough for her. I always felt, as a child…that if he did love me, why did he leave me? My father kept a great deal hidden from me...which is why I'm overly inquisitive, I suppose. As a child, I was unaware of my father's melancholia... It became so overwhelming that he tried to take his own life. I was the one who found him. At the last moment, he'd lost his courage...and tried to pull the gun from his mouth. He was in terrible pain. Half his face... He took my hand, and we held the gun together...”

“I'm sorry, Y/N.”

“I've learnt that we can either let it haunt us for the rest of our lives...or we can accept it...and use the memory of our pain to help others.”

“I'm not sure the choice is entirely in our hands.”

“I disagree. If it weren't, we'd all be murderers. I was happy before Papa died. I was always happy. My father, he… He loved the circus. Would always take me to the country fairs and the traveling circuses when they were in town. I saw these acrobats, and I wanted to do something like that, but Mother would never approve. I had these pretty dresses, taffeta and silk, and I…I did ballet dancing. I knew all the moves: pirouettes and arabesques. It was just mother and I after my father’s accident. I was the perfect child. I never gave my mother any trouble at all. I went to school with children from the finest families in London, as clever as any of them, and I was a beautiful dancer. We lived in Paris for a year. I studied at the school of ballet. But after my father was gone I realized…none of it made me truly happy anymore.”

“What will make you happy?”

“I don’t know. I’d like to find love, like anyone, but I just haven’t yet. But I’d like to have a chance to do what your brother does - what you do. To solve mysteries, uncover secrets, embark on wild adventures, don disguises and different names. You’re a brilliant young lady, Enola. You mustn’t let Mycroft or Miss Harrison beat and smother that out of you. In this place, there’s an expectation of acting, thinking, and being as they tell you. But you mustn’t let them force you to become someone you are not. Especially not for a man’s satisfaction. You’re a person, not property. Your future belongs to you. Remember that.”

“‘My future belongs to me’? Funny. My mother said that.”

“Then she is wise. Goodnight, Enola.”

You meet Enola’s older brother, Sherlock Holmes, when he comes to visit her. You’re such a hot mess that the first impression you make is less-than-ideal. He Instructs the headmistress to leave the room after she fetches Enola, but you’re permitted to stay. Enola is very perceptive and notices the way you’re looking at and speaking to her brother.

Later, Enola tries to recruit you into her escape plans, but at first you say you can’t, that you’re bound here by your job and if the headmistress finds out you abandoned your post, she’ll be furious and dismiss you. But when Enola points out, “would that be so terrible? What do you have here? There comes a time when you have to make a hard choice. And, in that moment, you will discover what mettle you truly have, and what you’re prepared to risk for what matters. Your future belongs to you,” you realize she’s right. You have to go for the adventure. So you scheme with her and Tewkesbury to aid in her escape. The three of you steal Miss Harrison’s automobile and hitch a ride on it. Days later, all the parents and guardians come to see the girls’ progress, but you and Enola are long gone, having already escaped by that point. During the confrontation with the true culprit, you get stabbed or shot, and are recovering in the hospital. Unbeknownst to you since you’re asleep most of the time, Sherlock visits you every day.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” he says to the hospital staff as he holds up a finger and passes by the front desk, going straight to your room. He stays there until visiting hours are over. Unbeknownst to you and Sherlock, Enola plots and schemes to play matchmaker between you and her older brother.

To be a Holmes, you must find your own path. Her brothers have, her mother has, and she must too. But Enola now sees that being alone doesn't mean she has to be lonely. She believes the same is true for her brother. He’s been so lonely and needs a flatmate and companion or, even better, a wife of his equal intellectual caliber. She sees his match in you. And she wants you as her sister so she can continue to take you with her on detective cases and wild adventures, since you’ve proven yourself capable of quick thinking and holding your own against bad guys and the unexpected. You don’t know why but letters suddenly come for you in the post, all from Sherlock. You’re soon pen pals and writing to him regularly. At first they’re very formal, asking about his sister’s progress and wellbeing, etc. but over time they become much more personal and even intimate. Your first letters tell him of Enola, of how her case is progressing. Formal and impersonal, nothing about you as you commend Enola on her clever mind and intuitiveness. The most recent letters are much more private and could be considered “love letters”.

After Enola solves the case, she talks Sherlock’s ears off about you when he comes to visit her in her detective agency above Edith’s shop, but there’s no sign of you. He excuses himself so he may look for you. When he finally tracks you down to your new place of work or your home, it’s far from innocent as you invite him inside and give into your passions. While you’re laying in the afterglow, he asks you to accompany him to his flat, but you can’t. He corrects himself and takes your hands in his own: He doesn’t want you in his flat for a tryst, he wants you in his apartment for forever. He wants you to move in with him. He wants to court you. Maybe you’d consider a partnership? Holmes & L/N? And maybe someday, that’d become Holmes & Holmes?

11. Loosely A Little Princess/Ever After inspired AU: When an odious woman/man of wealth, position, status, or power (or all of the above) discovers you know about her/his bribery, extortion, or blackmail scheme (or other crime) and possess incriminating evidence against her/him, she/he frames you for theft and/or murder and summons the police. You narrowly escape by running down streets and alleyways, until you jump the large rooftops of an apartment building. You make a perilous climb up the trellis to an open window on the second story, nearly slipping and falling due to rain making everything slick. As the man/woman and police search the apartment building one room at a time, you’re found by Sherlock Holmes, the man who lives in the flat you broke into. You don’t say a word, but your eyes and the evidence you’re clutching protectively in your hands tells enough of the story. When police barge in and try to drag you away, you panic, screaming for your ‘husband’. Sherlock, curious and always loving a good intrigue, plays along.

“What is the meaning of this? What are you doing to my wife!?” He saves you from prison after the police and woman/man become far too sheepish under his piercing gaze and analytical eyes, especially when he calls out the woman/man on her/his lies and exposes her/his misdeeds using the evidence you’ve gathered, effectively destroying whatever flimsy case she/he might’ve had against you. But now it’s awkward because gossip spreads fast and sooner or later society is going to believe Sherlock and you to be married. What do the two of you do now?

12. You came from a family of wealth and extravagant comforts, though your parents are merely a Lord and Lady. The marriage between your mother and father was one derived of convenience. A transaction was struck that included the promise of marriage between your father, the strapping second son of his family, and your mother, the middle daughter of her family—a resentful woman who was considered a spinster at twenty-seven. The groom was several years his bride’s senior and was ill-tempered and the object of much abuse. Nearing thirty, she was considered too old to form a family and thus, a good portion of the land came with her as dowry. Your father utilized the family fortune to expand and build. He threw lavish parties in which he groomed investors. As fertile as the family’s business empire was, your parents led a barren life at home. He mistreated your mother brutally and beat her frequently. One such beating was so violent that he snapped her leg bone cleanly in two, which forced her to walk with a cane from then on and would keep her engaged in regular rehabilitation trips to the London Hospital for the rest of her life. Your parents shared a bed only two times—both brief and brutal and full of resentment and only to fulfill the obligation to lineage. The first instance produced you. In your gender, you carried on your father's disappointment and gave a vessel to your mother's anger. The mansion and its library provided you with a vast empire to rule and a land of magical nooks and crannies in which to hide and to lord over. Your father ignored you and your mother loathed you, for you had inherited your father’s good looks and fine features.

It was your destiny in life to be bred as a nurse/companion to your mother. From an early age, you were made aware of the many liniments and chemicals that your mother required in the maintenance of her many ailments. The only physical contact you ever had with your mother was the long and extended sessions of therapeutic massage that you would provide for the ailing woman. You would rub liniments on your mother's skin and over the scarred flesh of her leg. You would derive great pleasure from these services and in a thankless, acrid way, your mother came to depend on you greatly when you were at home. You were forbidden from engaging in friendship with the children of servants or workers, but your natural curiosity led you to discover the rewards of your family’s extensive property- a veritable garden of Eden for butterflies in Spring and Summer and a home for shiny, multicolored beetles in the Fall and Winter. As a girl, you were not expected to be educated in anything but music, cooking, and embroidering, but in your father's vast library you discovered books on entomology, biology, and chemistry, and you grew dexterous with your mother's medications and often prepared difficult concoctions containing poisonous elements.

The day your brother was born, you thought you had never seen anything more beautiful than that baby. The adoration provided to him astonished you: He could do no wrong—he was the heir, the blessing, the bearer of the family crest. You helped the maids tend to him and learned a single lullaby that his wet nurse sang to him. His skin smelled like cookies and his little hands were made of rosebuds and silk. The wet nurse, a gentle, decent woman was full of stories and sayings and songs. She took to you like a mother and told you stories of her vast family—she had nursed 8 babies in her 10 years of marriage and was bound to go back to her tiny household at the end of her tenure at your house. A tenure that would last three years as was customary in those days. But then your brother died in an accident when he was still a child.

~

“I've noticed she wears a man's signet ring.” Sherlock noted aloud to a gentleman who was also acquainted with your family. Just an observation.

“It was passed down to her after her father’s death. The ring was supposed to have been her brother’s when he came of age. It was meant for him. A rather sad situation. An accident. Some kind of terrible fall. Or at least that was the official story. The rumors were that he died by his father’s hand.”

“How old was she?”

“Fourteen. At the time, she was sent to a sanitarium. She'd lost her brother when she was still quite young herself. Perhaps you should measure her skull to see how it affected her. Have you interest in her?”

“Good God, man. I've known her since she was a child.”

“She's no longer a child.”

“I've not thought of her in that way.”

“Certainly you have.”

And so your mother was left with you after your father and brother’s untimely deaths. The useless daughter. She had designed plans for you to be married off to the highest bidder, but when she later discovered you were with child after you missed your courses, she disowned you and sent you away to live off scraps, not caring to ask who the father is.

~

You’re living on your own, surrounded by and befriending hard-working people who weren't born as well as others. You’re often in the street, carrying a basket of beautiful flowers or laces and ribbons to sell. Or you’re sewing “piecework”. Nobody recognizes you underneath all the raggedy clothes or dirt and grime covering your face and hair. When your secret lover, Sherlock Holmes, England’s finest detective and a highly sought after man both for cases and courtship, calls on you, your mother evades the truth of your predicament. She makes up a bogus cover story of you either being very ill with Typhus and are quarantining elsewhere and not taking visitors, or, not thinking that far ahead, she panics and claims you’ve been kidnapped or gone missing. Having not much of a choice at the risk of looking suspicious, she allows Sherlock to investigate the house, including your bedroom. There, he finds clues you left for him and only him to find you. They’re imperceptible to every human eye except his. While he’s questioning her, your mother tries to set him up with one of your cousins, after which he becomes even more suspicious and skeptical than he already is. It’s been so many months that your mother feigns grief and pretends to go into mourning after you’re presumed dead, and it doesn’t take long for the newspapers to report on your “death”. Sherlock grieves, but not because he believes you dead. He believes attending your funeral or putting on an act will get him closer to finding you. You’re out there somewhere, alive. He knows it. You’ve been out there somewhere all these months. He sets off across the country, searching for you. When Sherlock finally finds you, you’re either heavily pregnant and ready to pop at any moment, or have had his and your child already.

Either way, he takes you back to his childhood home to care for you and the baby. His flat at 221 Baker Street would also do, but the house is bigger.

~

“I know about your parents. What they did to you. The favoritism they showed your brother and his premature death.,. What your mother did to you when you didn’t bleed… Forgive me, if I pried into matters that were not my concern. I only did it out of regard for you.”

“She lied, you know? My mother. When I missed my courses. She didn’t want a baby. A bastard. She and Father didn’t want me. My younger brother was my parents’ favorite and after he died… I’m of the opinion that some people shouldn’t have children. They do it because they think they’re supposed to, but it’s not really what they want. But being courted by you, held by you, even in secret… and having our baby… That made me happy. To feel loved. When the baby was born, they were covered in blood, and the nurses wiped them down, and they laid my baby on me, and from that moment, I loved them. And all this time, there's been an ache in my heart, an emptiness ever since my brother died, and it may sound foolish, but I hope, perhaps, that if a small part of him were to be born again, that I would see it in my own child, or my own child in him.”

“That doesn't sound foolish.”

“It doesn't?”

“No. Sounds beautiful.”

“While I was pregnant, I had my heart set on naming our child after my brother if I had a boy. I hope that’s all right. But they’re your child too and if you had a different name in mind, I’d be okay with having my brother’s name be their middle name instead.”

“Of course. It’s a wonderful idea.”

“Now I've something to show you. I was thinking about your current case and your current client’s father, which got me to thinking about your theory about fathers, which got me to thinking about my own father.”

“That's a lot of thinking.”

“Look at this.”

“Ah, it's an old society column.”

“I didn't know what I was looking for at first, but when I saw this, it struck me.”

“You were looking for something on your father?”

“Yes. For something that could tell us more about our culprit.”

“You seem to be obsessed with the man.”

“Perhaps I am. Hmm. Go on, read it. My father... My father had two sides — one loving and the other brutal, the two often coexisting. It was something as trivial as putting me to bed, I recall. A game of tug of war. We were laughing... I don't remember if he was drunk or if I said something that offended him. He must have pulled my arm behind my back. In small children, fractures often affect...” you trailed off.

“I’m sorry, Y/N.”

~

“Here’s to your engagement, Sherlock. Long time coming.”

“Cheers.”

“I hope she’s makes you happy.”

“Thank you, Enola. She does.”

“Proud of you, Brother.”

“Sherlock Holmes is getting married. I had prepared notes, whimsical thoughts on the nature of love. Practical counsel in what it means to be united in body and soul with another being. All that I had wanted to say, but now I realize I cannot offer you any of these thoughts as I’m somewhat tipsy. And it seems I have left my notes in our previous establishment. Sherlock… It is my greatest privilege to be your friend. And as Voltaire said, ‘virtuous men alone possess friends.’ You are indeed a virtuous man, a free spirit, restless soul, blessed with kindness, bravery, and passion. You are sometimes reckless, certainly careless, and occasionally hopeless. But… It is my sincerest hope, wish, that your new bride sees you as we do, cares for you like we do, will know you as we have known you, and will love you like we do. Should she dare. To Sherlock.” John says as he raises his glass.

After you marry, you go on honeymoon, where you spend your days sightseeing and being as close to a normal couple as you can be, and your nights and early mornings in bed together.

“I believe I now know the reason why every mama of high English society keeps her daughter in total darkness about certain…diversions.”

“Mm. Do you?” Sherlock asks, as he busies himself by kissing every inch of skin on your body that he can.

“Should they have told us what it was truly like, however would we get anything else done at all? I must go.”

“Mm.”

“If I am to be Mrs. Holmes and mistress of all of this, I must start learning the lay of the land.”

“You are already mistress of all this.”

“And I look forward to exploring that particular land further… Later.” Your husband grabs you and turns you over so you’re laying underneath him again, effectively holding you in place. “Sherlock!”

“You said that detective work was most intimidating. That illustrating crime scenes was most daunting, not always easy to stomach. Why not stay and look the case over this room? You may find it a bit more titillating.”

“I do not doubt it. But I suspect Mrs. Hudson shall always resent me if I do not meet her for breakfast.“

“Then let her resent.”

“I shall do nothing of the sort. Her cuisine is a little limited, but she has as good an idea of breakfast as a Scotswoman. Besides, my friends told me a lady is nothing without her housekeeper. I imagine a landlady is cut from the same cloth and I must make a good impression, or nothing in this flat shall run smoothly. Besides, I should check on the baby.”

Sherlock finally relinquishes his hold on you, laying on his back in bed while he holds up an arm to wave you goodbye. “Then I wish you well.”

“Mr. Holmes.” You curtsy.

“Mrs. Holmes.”

You laugh as you exit your bedroom.

The phone rings. Sherlock answers it.

“Sherlock, I have prepared the study for you to work—.”

“Watson, I am on my honeymoon.”

“You’ve left the records of your latest case in some disarray. I cannot make head nor tail of your trains of thought, and there are several letters from people begging an audience with you, so that you may hear their case.”

“Very well! If I must.”

~

“Teething. I'm sure that's what it is. Your baby is at that age.”

“Well, is there anything I can do?”

“Clove oil. Dab a bit on your finger and rub it into your baby's gums. It acts as a mild analgesic.”

“How much?”

“Don't worry. It's only a bit of clove oil.”

“I want to pay for it, Mr. Freewater. I can take care of my child alone while my husband is away. Here.”

When your mother hears the news of your marriage and who the father of your baby is, she tries to come crawling to his flat at 221B Baker Street or his countryside family house, acting the part of loving mother and being sickeningly sweet to him, throwing herself at his mercy to try to extort him or something. She may even bring your aunts or uncles to back her up. But Sherlock isn’t having any of her manipulative groveling and vulture-like behavior. Sherlock doesn't even let your mother or anyone she’s brought with her step across the threshold. That’s when she looks over Sherlock’s shoulder and sees you in the background, either in a chair and rocking your baby to sleep or holding your baby in your arms while pacing back and forth to soothe them. A wedding ring on your finger. A wedding ring on Sherlock’s. Upon realizing that you’re married, she’s about to say something, but Sherlock shuts down whatever ideas she had swimming in her head before she gets a chance to even form, telling her in no uncertain terms that since she disowned you, she has no legal ties to you, him, nor your child. He’s not her son-in-law and owes her nothing. She‘ll never again lay eyes on your child, for he/she is not her grandchild. She doesn't have a claim to anything, and can either leave quietly or he’ll have the police escort her and whoever she’s brought with her off his property. Is it any surprise your mother (and possibly your aunts and uncles) leave town so soon after the newspaper prints the latest issue, her face splattered on the front page detailing the case of the previously thought to be kidnapped, sick, or missing daughter who, turns out, was none of those things at all. What your mother had done created a scandal of such public attention, she’d never hope to recover or show her face in London again. She’s gone and you hope she stays gone. You swear that the only news you want to hear regarding her is the obituary announcing her death and the date of her funeral, if she has one, so you can visit her grave once and only once, much like you did sometime after your father died. You visited your father’s grave once and only once and swore to never return.

“I don't really know why I came. Maybe because now I'm free to speak my mind. I've always blamed my failings as an adult on what you did to me as a child. Those failings...were my own. I remember something you once said to me. ‘Nature never allows a man to be more than he is. Only less.’ For years, I believed those words reflected your own bitterness and failure. But now I understand there were for my benefit. You were simply preparing me for what you knew would be a life of disappointment and pain. But you were wrong. I know that now. I still believe we can be better than nature intended, even if you can't. You did the best you could. Goodbye, Papa.”

However, you visit your brother often, at least twice a month, always leaving a fresh bouquet of flowers and other small gifts for him.

[book-place]

Rainstorms

Warnings: slight injuries, let me know if I missed any :)

Pairings: Sherlock Holmes x sister reader

Request: I would love an Enola Holmes Sherlock/sister!reader of some kind. Something comforting, like the reader getting lost on the way home and Sherlock finding her and making sure she gets home safe. I’m a sucker for brother-sister tropes. :D

Requested by: Anon

*not my gif*

Summary: A sudden storm hits, and you can’t find your way home

A/N: I wanted this to be better, but whatever

Please don’t plagiarize my work, you may reblog if you like but I’m asking that you don’t steal my hard work

It wasn’t supposed to rain. The newspapers had specifically stated that the weather would be absolutely perfect with hardly a cloud in the sky for the next week or so.

Worst case scenario, there would be a tiny drizzle at one point, not the torrential downpour that you were currently stumbling your way through.

Sherlock had been hesitant enough to allow you to walk from school back home- and it was only two streets away- so you could only imagine the kind of heart attack he would be having if he were there with you right now.

Despite that fact though, you longed for him to be with you in that moment as you wrapped your arms around yourself to try and preserve body heat that had long since vanished.

Over the last three days, your elder brother had been wrapped up in a case that he was so close to cracking, that he didn’t even have time to walk you home from school.

It wasn’t like he didn’t want to- of course he did- but the authorities were breathing down his neck for this case, hardly even letting the man get a couple mere hours of sleep a night.

It was raining so heavily at this point, that you could hardly see a foot in front of your own face, and the bricks that paved the sidewalk had become so slippery that you had to unravel one of your arms from around you and use it to steady yourself on the side of a nearby building.

Panic began to flood into your body faster than the rain had filled the streets and your breathing began to pick up to an abnormal pace, causing you to try and take deep, gasping breaths that left you sputtering from rain being dragged into your gaping mouth.

You had no idea where you were. You had no idea what was going on. The only sounds that filled your ears were the harsh slapping of rain on brick.

All of your senses were clogged by the rain, rain, rain, rain, rain-

As you continued to try and trek forward in hopes of finding home, your right foot slipped off to the side while all your weight was put into it, causing you to go tumbling to the ground.

Dully, you felt the stinging sensation on your palms from impact with the ground, but quickly huddled up against yourself and lent back against the wall, dropping your head into your lap.

Only two streets away, Sherlock’s attention was diverted from the papers in front of him for the first time in hours by the feel of something wet against his cheek.

His head lifted from his desk and a silent curse left his lips when he realized it was raining and his window had been left open.

He hurried to close it, but froze as soon as it was latched back into place. You hadn’t yet returned from school and you should have at least ten minutes ago.

With slightly panic-filled eyes, he took in the scene of the outside, with vendors' tables blowing every which way and the rain beating down like a merciless drum.

Without wasting another second, he practically flew to the door and hurriedly shrugged on his coat before quickly swiping an umbrella and rushing outside.

As soon as the door opened, he was forced to tighten his grip on the umbrella in fear of it blowing away in the strong winds.

“Y/n?” He began to call in a frenzy.

You were only nine years old and he had been stupid enough to allow you to travel the dangerous streets of London all by yourself because he couldn’t take five minutes out of his day to ensure that you were safe.

“Y/n?” Hardly any people were out in the storm, most having sought out shelter by then, and for the first time in a long time, Sherlock Holmes was truly becoming terrified.

Anything could have happened to you during or even before the storm, and he would hold himself responsible for the rest of his life if that were the case.

“Y/n!”

Your ears perked up at the sound. It seemed so far away, so soft, like the light at the end of a very long tunnel.

For a moment, you had thought you made it up, until it sounded again, “Y/n?”

You were finally able to lift your head from your knees, and there, like a knight in soaked armor, stood your brother, staring down at you with wide eyes as his chest heaved up and down in pants, like he had run a marathon to get to you.

“Sherlock?” You asked shakily, teeth rattling from the cold.

“Oh, Y/n,” He breathed out, immediately crouching down and scooping you up into his arms. He had long since lost the umbrella, or he would have flung it to the side without a care.

Though his shirt was drenched through like yours, his chest somehow still held a warmth that you automatically nestled into as he picked up his pace to get the two of you back home.

When you finally did get back, he kicked the door shut behind him and hurried over to the couch near the fire, gently resting you on there before scrambling around to try and find some blankets to cover you with.

By the time your chills had eventually subsided, your brother was sitting on the table in front of you, eyes worriedly raking over your body over and over again.

“Sherlock-“

“I am so sorry,” He interrupted you. And though you were young, you were taken aback, because your brother never apologized. He would always make up things in a different way, like buying you candy or making you your favorite food, “I never should have let you walk home all by yourself.”

He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to your forehead, “I promise, I will never put my cases before your own needs again.”

Without thinking much of it, you threw the blankets aside and leapt towards your brother with outstretched arms, him catching you with ease, “It’s okay,” You whispered into the clothing of his shoulder.

He shook his head stubbornly, pulling away slightly so you could look him in the eyes, “I never meant to do that.”

“I know,” You replied, smiling softly at him.

He smiled back, relaxing slightly when he finally came to terms with the fact that you were no longer in danger, “Come on,” He said, lifting you up and spinning you around a little so that giggles escaped your lips, “Let’s go make some warm food.”

Detectives 🕵️‍♂️- @your-local-questioning-agender @popfishjr @spadecentral @gengen64

[theshelbyclan]

Hi! So maybe a little random but you mentioned before something about writing for Enola Holmes and could you maybe just write me a short piece with Enola and Sherlock and maybe him tickling her? I really love how well you write the wholesome family stuff 😊😊

Hi! I wasn’t sure whether or not I’d be the right one to write this one, but a decided to try it anyways, because who can refuse such fluff? Just before I do, maybe check out @astheskycries (I hope you don’t mind me tagging you) for more very similar to what you asked for. Or @cas-kingdom for all the Henry inspired fluff? Hope I did your idea some justice after all 😊

———

Enola sighed deeply, “I already told you, I know I’m right.”

“Clearly not,” Sherlock answered swiftly.

“If he really had been away for two weeks, then why would he not have left his dog with the landlady, as he always does? Explain that to me, my genius brother!”

“Because,” Sherlock took a deep breath and tried his best to keep his face in check. In truth, he loved nothing more than playing these deductive games with his little sister. She’d become quite the formidable counter player in his absence. “Because he left suddenly on a Wednesday. His landlady goes to visit her sister on Wednesdays, everyone knows that.”

“But he didn’t leave on a Wednesday!” She pointed an accusing and fiery finger at him, “He left on a Tuesday, hence the curtains.”

He frowned. He hadn’t thought of the curtains yet.

“There’s a flaw in your reasoning,” Enola remarked triumphantly. “There’s something you’ve missed.”

“I have not,” he almost sulked, “It is you who has missed something. Forgotten about the pie already, little sister?”

“Oh, but that’s nothing. That just means his brother came up from the country.” Enola waved a disinterested hand, “It is you who has missed the blatant obvious.”

“Which is?”

“He’s a man who craves adventure. He is a lawyer, as you mentioned, but one who will only take up cases that lead him into danger. He’s in need of money, did you not see the state of his shoes? Still, he takes cases that don’t pay him as well as they should, but he takes those that require him to visit dark alleyways and grubby little pubs. He is, as I said, a ruffian at heart.”

“A ruffian. Really?” Sherlock scoffed.

A smile formed on Enola’s face, “I’m not surprised you missed it, but I of course did not.”

“And why did you not, but you presume that I did?”

“Well, we’re very different, you and I.”

Sherlock sat down and played a few notes on his violin, absentmindedly, “Indeed, we are.”

“I have mother’s disposition, and am more wild of spirit…”

“…which almost got you hanged!”

“whereas you are more like…”

Sherlock’s head shot up, “I sincerely hope you aren’t referring to…”

“Someone we are both very well acquainted with.”

“Enola…” he warned.

“Mycroft.”

Her brother sprang from his chair and called out, “That is a grave insult, young lady!”

Enola let herself fall down in her brother’s chaise longe, “I’m afraid it’s true. You have no appetite for danger nor fun. Just like him.”

“I’m sorry?”

And for a moment, Enola feared she’d actually gone to far and she had really hurt him. She stared at him and waited.

Sherlock looked down, but his expression betrayed no emotion. After a while, he said, “When you were little, you and I used to laugh together at Mycroft’s expense. You often stole his important papers and I’d make up riddles for him to solve, in order to get them back.”

Enola didn’t remember much about her older brothers, but this bit of information did awaken some memories, and she suddenly felt a warmness towards this one in particularly.

“He’d become furious of course and shout and stomp about the house in anger,” he continued. “And sometimes you’d steal my work too…”

“But you never got angry,” she finished. “You would just play with me.”

Sherlock nodded and walked over to his sister, “I did however chase you all around the house and in order to get my work back…”

Enola’s eyes widened.

“I’d do this!” Suddenly he dove down and started tickling Enola. She shrieked and tried to get away, but it was no use. “Sherloooooock!”

“Ah, not so clever now, are we?” he grinned down at the mess of hair and limbs and drilled his thumbs down at her ribs, which had a particular satisfying effect.

“Hahahaha, I, haha, amahah, not, aaah, a child anymohahahare!”

Moving his hands down to her stomach, Sherlock frowned, “Really? I hadn’t noticed. Seems to me you haven’t changed much at all.”

Finally, after what felt like forever, he stopped and Enola breathed heavily, “Neither have you, brother.”

He stood up straight and fixed his waistcoat, back to his nearly impossible to read face, “You used to think I was fun.”

She tried to tame her hair a little, but not with much success, “Alright, maybe you still are.” Because however much her dignity had been hurt in the process, Enola enjoyed her brother like this immensely.

“Unlike Mycroft?”

Enola smirked, “Unlike Mycroft.”

“Good!” Sherlock walked away abruptly, “That’s the fun handled, now for the danger. I have a case and I would appreciate your help with it.”

“Oh?” his sister sprang up expectantly, “And does this involve any dark alleys or seedy pubs?”

“Indeed it does, dear sister,” he smiled over his shoulder, already halfway out the door, “Follow me. The game is afoot!”

[ellieslittleburrow]

Requested by the beloved @fatherlesschild2 : CAN YOU WRITE SOMETHING ANGSTY ABOUT SHERLOCK AND ENOLA BEING SIBLINGS WITH READER, IDK I HAVE A QUESTIONABLE IMAGINATION BUT MAYBE THE READER GETTING INTO A FIGHT AND TRYING TO HIDE IT?

Warnings : uuuuuuuum angst? Grr scary brother

A/N: sorry for the delay lol. I had to copy and paste every single line from my other account so if something's out of place im soorry hahahah ❤️

------

*creak*

God damn you st-

*creak*

Maybe if i went slower

"God da-"

"Young lady."

Your eyes flew up as your lips parted in a little gasp. Before you stood a large figure. Broad shoulders and a threatening stance, it towered over you, causing you to freeze in place.

Tiny splinters dug into your frozen fingers as you gripped the stair handle, tightening your hold the more Sherlock kept silent.

I mean, is he going to keep standing there until the sun sets and the birds start churping?

Your older brother stepped aside, motioning for you to step inside. And you complied, slowly and hesitantingly.

"Youngsters ought not to be wandering about late at night, particularily when expressly told ,on multiple counts, not to slip out." Sherlock patienly waited for you, taking after you the moment you passed by him.

You felt smaller with a much bigger shadow than you. But you kept your posture straight, anyways.

Your head was feeling too heavy for your liking and you just wanted to sleep.

"I'm sorry, Sherlock, is there any way we could do this tomorrow morning? Now's not the time for a lecture." The words came in a gruff tone. And as if you weren't already in enough trouble with the man, you just headed for the room you and sister Enola shared.

"Sure...Tomorrow." Sherlock's voice sounded." Good night, little one."

"And don't think i didn't see those marks on your neck"

Fuck.

"We'll discuss it tomorrow."

--

It's tomorrow.

A pain is etching from your temple down to the hollow part that sits under your cheek.

Flashes of your....eventful evening storm in from your subconscious and a long sigh escapes your lips.

" Finally awake."

AH. You shriek, your body jerking to the uncomfortably close voice over you. Rolling around halfway, you jump backwards, shrieking at the two people standing over you.

What the hell?

Sherlock and Enola were standing at your bed, both leaning down to examine you like you're a cadaver they were just about to start inspecting.

But you weren't. So why the fu-"

"How did you get that, y/n?" The investigator's eyes dart from your own eyes to your cheek, and you unconsciously cover the said thing with your hand.

Uh....you were't sure whether to lie or not. Whether to tell the whole truth or just half of it.

"Uhhh..." A long sigh escaped your lips without your accordance as you hadn't already decided on which story to tell yet. "Uh..." You stuttered again, flustered.

You shrink in your bed, melting into the sheets as you leaned away from the figure that lowered it's upper body over yours.

"Little one, your answer better be the right one."

Sherlock's eyes calculatedly pursuited yours until they locked.

Dark and threatening, they glared into your soul. Shit. How can someone regret their decision the second they made it?

"I....I fell down the bar stairs."

Fuck. How can someone regret their decision the second they made it?

Sherlock straightens his back. "Really?"

"Y...yeah. you c-c-an ask the men th-there if you want." You got out of bed, the opposite side of where your siblings were standing.

"I was walking....I might've had a drink or two." Maybe admitting to another forbidden punishable act will help you elude the real thing? "And as i was walking down, my ankle twisted and i found myself flying down the stairs."

You brushed past both of them, heading for the door. Nice lie! If they were to go ask the men there, nobody would be able to say a single word, because all of them would have been too drunk to even know their own names.

You'd highfive yourself but-

"Alright then, show me the other bruises."

You were glad your back was facing them, as your eyes widened in surprise. Fuck! You didn't think of that. "The ones on your hands and knees, probably, as well as your hip." Triumph laced Sherlock's voice. You internally damned him to an afterlife in hell.

"What...other bruises?"

"Well of course i can't do that!" You spin around, disdain etched across your face. You scoff.

"I can't undress myself in front of y-"

Haha! Enola. You almost forgot about h-

"He'll leave the room."

You snort a provocative chuckle "You really believe i think of you any differently, Enola?"

"I'm sure he trusts my decision making by now." Your sister lifted a triumphant brow.

Enola's eyebrows relax as annoyance etches across her face. She sighs and happiness internally floods your body. Looks like you were close to win the battle. With her.

"How's this?" Anger embodies Sherlock.

Definitely only with her.

"Lie and i will make sure you...never do that again."

Sherlock started walking towards you.

"But then again, i would like for you to spare us the anticipation, i already know you're lying. Because your-"

"Because my toes seem strange and i breathed in instead of out?"

"Because your friend came running here and said you were getting yourself in really bad trouble. And that it was only a matter of time before somebody got badly hurt."

Oh..of course she did...

"Listen, y/n, we understand that you're afraid of our reactions." Enola started, crossing her arms over her chest. "But you can't hide those things from us, we're your siblings."

Adorable-not good enough, though. Not to insult Enola's attemps and efforts, but you'd never do that just because you're siblin-"That's Enola."

"On my part, if i ever find out you're lying to me about something like this, i will make your life a living hell, little girl. And trust my words, i will make sure of it."

Your head spun towards Sherlock, a bit surprised and...scared as darkness suddenly swamped his voice.

You would've rolled your eyes at him but you were already in enough trouble. You wouldn't want to bury yourself in it, would you?

"I'm sorry." The lie slipped out of your lips like butter. You're not sorry. You don't care. In fact, you're not done with those stupid bastards. And you're not one to let go easily.

Thankfully, they weren't going to know since your face was already bruised. Or are they?

------

I HAVE A QUESTIONABLE IMAGINATION TOO I WILL DO BETTER NEXT TIME OKI KISSIES NOW BYE BYE. ❤️❤️❤️🥀🥀🥀

[strangesthirdeye]

THE SERPENT AND THE RAVEN SERIES

PROLOGUE

chapter 1

The night mist moved slowly as the night sky was filled with stars. The moon lit up the quiet night on Privet Drive. The atmosphere is quiet, there is no sound of people or vehicles there because the neighborhood there is already asleep. Apart from the moon in the sky that illuminated the street, the street lamp that was towed on the shoulder of the road also illuminated the street but only for

a moment because it was extinguished by an old wise man with a long silver beard and dressed in a long robe. In his hand was a device that caused the lights on the shoulder of the road to go out.

Where did he come from? Don't know, he just appeared from the darkness. He is tall and thin, with a silver beard long enough to

tuck into his belt. He wears a purple cloak and is roughly one hundred and fifty years old. He is Albus Dumbledore. Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

He turned the device on his hand towards the last light which also went out. He turned, spies a cat, sitting on the wall of Number Four. He smiles knowingly.

"I should have known you'd be here, Professor McGonagall." Dumbledore muttered in his gruff voice.

The cat looked at the headmaster before leaping forward. The cat transfigured itself into a rather severe looking woman. She's old too but not old enough just like Dumbledore. She wears an Emerald cloak around her thin body and wears a crooked hat.

"Are the rumors true, Albus?" McGonagall asked, approaching Dumbledore.

Dumbledore just smiled faintly at that. "I'm afraid so. The good. And the bad."

"And the twins?" McGonagall looked expectantly at Dumbledore.

"Hagrid's bringing them" Dumbledore replied.

"You think it's wise...to trust Hagrid

with something as important as this?" McGonagall said, standing next to him.

"I would trust Hagrid with my life,

Professor." Dumbledore insisted.

A low rumble disturbed the skies. Dumbledore and McGonagall looked up and suddenly a huge motorcycle plummets through

the clouds, hits the ground with a thunderous roar. As the smoke clears, a figure climbs off. He is Hagrid and is, quite obviously, a giant. In his vast, muscular arms, he

holds a bundle of blankets.

“Ev'ning, Professor Dumbledore, .sir.

Professor McGonagall." greeted Hagrid as he walked closer to the two.

"No problems, I take it, Hagrid?" Dumbledore asked.

"No, sir. Little tyke fell asleep as we were flyin' o'er Bristol.. though, this 'un is wide 'wake the whole time" Hagrid said, gesturing towards the little bundle in his arms that held a baby girl who is wide awake. He then walked over to the motorcycle and picked up another bundle of blankets that held a baby boy who was still sleeping soundly.

McGonagall moved to take the baby girl from Hagrid's hand while Dumbledore took the baby boy.

McGonagall gasped soundlessly as soon as she got a better look at the baby girl in her arms. "Albus, her eyes"

Dumbledore moved to McGonagall before he shook his head. " After effect of Killing Curse. Her eyes is not blind but will remain like that. And so was the scar on this boy's forehead"

Her eyes. What Dumbledore meant was that her right eye was white like a blind person while her other eye was E/c. Just like Dumbledore said, she's not blind but her eye will remain like that forever.

The three of them walked to a house. They stood in front of the doorstep. The girl cooes lowly in McGonagall's arms. McGonagall smiles sadly at her.

"Albus, do you really think it's best to leave him here; with these people? I've been

watching them all day. They're the worst sort of Muggles imaginable. They're-"

"-The only family they have" Dumbledore cut her off.

"But this twins will be famous. There won't be a child in our world who doesn't know their name.. " McGonagall said.

"Exactly. It would be enough to turn any boy's head. Famous before they can walk and talk. Famous for something they won't even remember. No. they'll be much better off growing up away from all that. Until they are ready." Dumbledore explained.

Dumbledore moved and put the boy on the mat in front of the doorstep. McGonagall hesitated to place the girl but after Dumbledore gave her a look, she relented and placed the girl next to her twin. She looked at the girl and the boy sadly. If only she could take the twins away, she would have done it a long time ago. But she can't.

Hagrid sniffled while dabbing a handkerchief on his wet cheeks. Dumbledore looked up at him while patting his tough shoulder. "There, there, Hagrid. It's not really goodbye, after all." he said reassured.

Hagrid nodded. Dumbledore then tucked a parchment envelope and placed it on the baby girl who was still awake and made a sound to the three adults as if she didn't want them to leave.

Dumbledore took a few steps back. His face suddenly turned serious as he looked at the two infants. "Good luck Harry and Y/n Potter"

[rustys-lodge]

His ward Pt 2 (choice 1)

Summary : After your little fight with Sherlock, you decide not to leave. Sherlock treats you right.

Warnings : Just floofers

A/N : A special thanks to @fatherlesschild2 for encouraging my ass to write these two. It's been a while ❤ @czheythebard @bunny24sstuff It's here again ahahah ❤

Part 1 Part 2(choice 1)

---

"If." Sherlock's voice filled the room again. "you do step out of that door, the consequences of that will be solely your responsibility to bear." The softness in his voice sent chills down your spine, as behind it hid a dark pitch that...You weren't sure you wanted to hear again.

With two fingers slightly curved around the door handle, your eyes darted from handle to Sherlock....You reconsidered....You removed your hand from the handle...And your lip started quivering against your will.

Your brother approached you, slowly, and stopping an arm away. An arm away because he brings it out, offering his hand for you to hold.

You hesitated for a moment, rethinking your decision. But you needed him just as much as he needed you.

As a wave of sleepiness hit you, you took it as a sign to take the help that's being offered to you. So you slowly reached for his hand. And before you even knew it, you were wrapped up in his arms.

"What are you doing, Sherlock." You protested, pushing your body away from him. But he didn't let go, didn't tighten his grip either. "Sherlock, let go of m-"

"I will find her, I promise you."

Why did he have to bring her up....

"Okay, let go o-"

"Y/n, just..." His voice low and shaky, Sherlock sounds unsure. Not unsure in a hesitant manner. It sounded like the emotional kind of uncertainty. Like he wanted to be there, he just....He just didn't know how to do that! And frankly, neither did you. And you'd praise him for trying but...But it was getting harder and harder to...move your muscles. Your whole body was slowly weighing down on you...As well as...As well as your eyes.

"Alright !" The man almost shouted, sudden enthusiasm flooding his voice. And as he pulled away, he dragged you over to the couch. "How about-" He gently pushed you down. "You sit and rest and I make us some tea."

"No" You contested, attempting to get up, causing him to push you down again. "Uh-I need to clean your mess of a hou-"

"No." Sherlock bent down to wrap your legs in his arm, turning you to lay you down completely on the couch.

Oh....Your back ached a bit before relief washed over. Feels nice... And sudden warmth...Sherlock set a blanket over you.

"When was the last time you washed this...It feels...Filthy." You opened your eyes only to find yourself staring into Sherlock's. Who happened to be leaning over you.

"You're filthy." He objected and you gasped, squinting your eyes at him.

"You're filthy !!" You isnulted him back.

"You look like hell."

"Your breath smells like hell."

"You...You-" Your brother huffed. "You know, I should punish right now for speaking to your older brother in this manner."

You scoffed.

"I have the right to do that, you know. You are my wa-"

You sigh. "Say I'm your ward again and I'll jump off of this bloody window."

Sherlock chuckled at your reaction, tipping his head downward.

"Alright, rest now."

You smiled back, nodding as you found sudden interest in the ceiling. You'd look elsewhere but your eyes felt heavy over your eyes...

Shifting into a more comfortable position, you decided to rest your eyes until Sherlock came back. Yeah...Staying wasn't to bad of an idea.

----

Aii, hope everyone likes this as much as i did. I found myself the scenes as well ahah. Yall enjoy. ❤❤❤🌹🌹🌹

[padfootdaredmetoo]

Hi again! Oh yeah! I guess its request time then😂 (Also I love that gif😂) also right after I sent the first ask I had an idea for another Henry Sherlock x Peaky and I can't decide which to send so I'll send both separately and you can choose which one you like better! The original idea I had was for a Shelby sister Reader and the other is a Holmes sister Reader. But the first idea is this: 

What if another Shelby sister moves to London and ends up being Sherlock's neighbor but he ignores her at first (or pretends to) even when she becomes friends with Enola. Then one day a man looking for revenge against the Blinders breaks into her home and almost succeeds in kidnapping/killling her but suddenly Sherlock appears and saves her. Then right as he's helping patch her up like half of the Shelby Company Limited +Co show up because they got the call reader was threatened. And after that reader and Sherlock gee closer and like Ada and Enola are constantly working to set them up! And yeah that's the first idea I had if you were interested!❤️❤️

Hey Love,

This request is just - I'm not worthy. But I hope this makes you happy. I have three extra pieces that I'll try to post tonight. Thanks for sending this in, I'm having a lot of fun with it!

Warnings: Reader is assaulted, kissing, fluff,

EXTRAS: Little extra bits of the story that give more context. I figured they might make it too long but I'm still super attached to them.

Kissing - Additional Short about kissing

You looked around the sun bathed flat in amazement, a sound you could never recall rang in your ears. Silence. It was quiet and only the furniture was put in place. Aunt Pol and Ada insisted on staying with you for the first night, in your world that was a party so naturally, Esme was in toe with them when they showed up. You all listened to records and drank yourselves silly. Gin and dancing, laughing and gossiping, your heart was soaring high when you eventually fell asleep on a pile of cushions. 

However, in the morning, it was a different feeling entirely. You woke up first wondering how on earth you all could make a mess out of a practically unpacked apartment, but there it was. The anxiety from the booze started to hit you and laying still became impossible. Your stomach turned violently and your mind started to race with unwanted memories. Time to get busy, you groaned and got up for the day. 

You ran out to get some bread and eggs for breakfast. The street was brutally loud and you were grateful for the little shop as the door closed and the sound was muffled. Eggs and bread turned into a large and heavy paper bag full of all sorts of things. You managed it well enough till you got to the top of the front steps. You nestled the large paper bag in one arm and struggled to get your keys out of your coat pocket.  The door swung open suddenly and a very tall man glared down at you. The paper bag fell from your arm as the man's gaze held you. He was very tall and broad, looking down at you with a displeased face.

“So-” You stopped yourself and shook your head this was not your fault. You picked the bag up and tried to hold your head high while walking around the large man, something that would have been possible if his shoulders didn't take up the entire doorway. 

Your eyes rested on his collar bones that poked out of his nightshirt and you wondered how on earth someone could have shoulders so…. 

“221C?” His voice was deep and velvety and would have been very pleasing if he had sounded less grumpy. His crumpled hair and long sweeping robe made you wonder why he was going out at all. 

You turned your head to the side as you met his eyes again, a move you regretted instantly. 

“Normally people refer to me by my name.” You told him your name and reached out to shake his hand. He gave you a firm handshake and gave you another look over. 

“Last night was a terrible experience. My work requires a large amount of concentration and -” 

“Are you the new woman?” An overly cheery voice called out from behind the hulking man. He let out an exasperated sigh. A girl with long brown curly hair fought her way out of the doorway and bent down to grab a tin of coffee that had escaped in the fall. 

“Im Enola - Holmes! This is my brother” She looked between the two of you and registered her brother's deep glare “he’s hungover - completely ignore him.” She said with a beaming smile. She ushered you past him into the hallway and started chattering. Your head was pounding but you tried to follow along with what she was saying. 

“It sounded like a wild night, I don't think I’ve ever heard so much laughing.” She held onto your arm with the tin of coffee in the other hand and you felt weird being walked to your apartment by the girl. She must have been about 14 or so, something in her eagerness to speak with you made you feel she was lonely.

“You know I love parties, I know lots of jokes, and oh- do you run your own business. Your mail here has a company stamp with your last name. That’s really something, I’m excellent with numbers if you ever need accounting - not that you aren't good with numbers if you own your own business- ” 

“Enola” The man called from their door across the hall. 

“Sorry!” She gave you another big smile. 

“Do you want a cup of coffee or tea?” You don't know why you asked her, caffeine was the very last thing that girl needed. But her eyes were lonely and you remembered what it was like at that age. 

“No” 

“YES!” they answered at the same time. The man looked at you almost apologetically.

“She wouldn't be any trouble. My sisters are here with my aunt, ah tonight was sort of a one-off. Sorry about the noise and everything.” You fumbled and your face flushed. 

“No,” He said awkwardly. “ Not a problem I just - as long as it's not every night. I’m sure we can be just as loud.”  You gave him a nod and then opened the door to your apartment. 

“Behave Enola” He called out before stepping into his flat with his mail in hand. She made an exasperated face and rolled her eyes. 

_________________________________________________

You laughed as you came into the kitchen to see all three of them sat at the table in various positions that showed their hungover-ness. 

“Everyone this is my neighbor Enola.” Esme didn't lift her head from the wooden table but a groan of acknowledgment rang out from a mess of dark curly hair. 

Polly looked the girl over and lit a cigarette, then her eyes looked to you with a question. 

“She bumped into me in the hallway. Enola this is my Aunt Pol and my sisters Esme and Ada.” 

She gave them a wave and whispered a soft hello. Aunt Pol looked at her for a long while then gave a kind smile. 

“So you live across the hall then?” 

“Yes with my brother Sherlock Holmes - he’s a detective and I’m technically in training but I am taking clients,” Enola said proudly. 

Sherlock Holmes, you thought to yourself for a moment brain foggy as ever. The detective from the papers? You didn't know what to think of the information as you put the kettle on the stove.

“A detective eh?” Pol gave her a nod. “Do me a favor and keep an eye on this one for me?” 

“Sure thing. She can count on us.- You mentioned it’s just you living here now?” 

You nodded as you started to unpack a box of mugs. 

“I live in the neighborhood, but we are all from Birmingham,” Ada answered with a small smile. 

“Birmingham! Holy - I haven't been before but I read this article once -” And off she went quietly rattling on and on. You got some eggs, ham, toast, and coffee on the table. Pol took Enola’s mug and filled it with milk before she could grab some coffee. 

“It’s a dreadful habit dear. Have some milk.” She said knowing full well that she didn't need anything to wake her up. 

The morning passed into the afternoon and eventually, Esme raised her head and ate up her breakfast. They made Enola laugh loudly and you felt she fit in with your girl gang well enough. 

“You have a boyfriend then? How old are ya? Should call Finn over if not.” 

“No” You and Pol answered at the same time. Finn was a good 3 years older than her and the last thing you wanted was her caught up in whatever he was working on these days. 

“He’s my litter brother but he’s a hell of a troublemaker and a good few years too old for you.” You gave Esme a look and she shrugged. 

“I do as it turns out. Well - Erm - don’t mention that to my brother if you don't mind?”  You gave her a big smile. 

“Secret is safe with me.” 

“As long as we get to meet him of course,” Ada added sensibly. 

Soon enough the day passed by and you were left with a messy apartment to clean and many boxes to unpack. You said your goodbyes and enjoyed watching Enola light up as the women hugged her goodbye, with promises of saying hello the next time they came over to stay. 

You closed the door and looked at the girl who jumped slightly.

“You probably want me to leave - sorry!” She looked flustered.

“Stay or go, I’m going to do some unpacking then start on dinner. You are welcome to stay if you like” 

Enola took that invitation as a welcome to come over whenever she pleased. You thought it would start to bother you, but coming from such a big and loud family you found it comforting. 

You watched her interactions with her brother closely the few times you happened to run into him. They would fight over all sorts of things and you weren't happy about it. It was one thing to argue with family but he was an adult and she, whether her family liked it or not, was still just a girl. 

“Love, what happened to your parents?” You asked on a spring evening when you were both absorbed in books. They had been shouting at each other all morning and the question was burning a hole in your mind. 

“Ah, do I annoy you?” She asked in a voice you rarely ever heard her use. 

“No, you and Sherlock argue often I just - It’s none of my business but I -.” 

“We argue a lot because we're both too smart.” She sighed like it was a heavy burden. “We see equally important things, but different things when we assess situations and whatnot. He hates it when I get involved in his cases, hates it even more when I’m right but deep down I know he doesn't mind all that much.” 

You thought about her words and she let out another deep sigh. 

“My mum felt it was her time to be on her own again, my father died ages ago. My other brother Mycroft - he’s a real twat. Tried to put me in finishing school - but you know about that from my first case.” 

You gave a nod remembering the story. “Your mum felt you were okay to be on your own?” You looked at the girl and shuddered. London was a big city, and she was incredibly smart but she was still obviously more of a girl than a woman. 

“Yep,” She said it firmly like she was trying to be proud but there was a sadness etched into her posture that you couldn't unsee. You thought of your own mother and something sank in your stomach. 

“Well, I think you are entirely too much fun to be left alone. The world is big and lonely. Better to stick together with those who are worthy.” You said watching her face light up slightly. “Aunt Pol was calling to see if I’d met your fella by the way.” Pol had not mentioned it in her phone calls, but you said it anyway to make her feel like she was a part of things. She beamed. 

“I’ll take you and Ada to see him.” 

“Excellent. Baking cookies tomorrow, if you want to help?” she gave you a big smile. 

“Despite my extensive knowledge of chemistry, I’m awful at baking.” 

“Eh, you just need to learn.” You shrugged. “One more chapter then we best be off to bed.” A lie that was told frequently in your house. You both read until the wee hours of the morning, multiple cups of peppermint tea made and drank. 

You jumped out of your chair when a hand lightly nudged your shoulder. Out of instinct, you threw the book at the man. Sherlock was there and Enola was happily asleep on the couch open book resting on her chest. 

“Sorry!” You whispered. Sherlock only picked up the book you were reading and then gave you a long look. A thick flush covered your face as you accepted the book back from him. He always made you feel embarrassed and with both of them having all that fancy pants knowledge you really wished he would have caught you reading something of substance. 

“Erm-I” You fumbled. “What time is it?”

“Round six,” He said, still staring at you intensely. 

“Ah, sorry I told her one more chapter - “ You looked at the stack of books “Two books ago - Sorry” 

“It’s alright. I should be the one to apologize. Thanks for spending time with her. If it’s too much-” 

“She’s not a problem.” You said with a finality that showed too much emotion. “I - things are complicated with your family - I only know because I also come from a complex family. But really she’s not a burden or someone that’s better left behind.” 

Sherlock gave you a strange look and you found it impossible to look away from his deep blue eyes. 

“Complicated is a good way of describing it.” He looked around your apartment and you felt extremely uncomfortable. “She’s going to be smarter than all of us soon enough though, I guarantee you she won't be forgotten.”

“Oh, I’m sure she’ll make it into the public’s eye sooner or later. I’m referring to your mother leaving her-” 

“I won’t,” He said firmly and with his full attention turned to you. “Our mother had her own business to attend to, but I assure you Enola is safe with me.” His eyes held you in place and you hated how he made you feel like he could see everything that you were thinking and feeling. 

“You shouldn't shout at her so much.” The words toppled from your mouth as you held his stare. This made the corner of his mouth stand up slightly. He looked like he was debating whether he wanted to start an argument with you or not. 

“I’ll keep that in mind.” He kept looking at you and you were surprised at his response. You knew deep down Enola’s situation reminded you of yourself a great deal. Mother gone, and many fights with Thomas, but you had Pol to back you up, and the rest of them looking out for you all the time. 

“Here - she can stay the night no point in moving her.” You got up and grabbed the thick blanket you left on the edge of the sofa for her. You expected him to already be out the door. He often abruptly ended conversations that is if he didn't ignore you completely. 

“Why are you in London?” His voice made you jump. 

“Wanted some space from the family.” 

“Your sister lives here and your Aunt calls frequently? Space from your family or from your brother?” 

“What do you know about my brother?” The hair on the back of your neck shot up. 

“He gives my bother a hard time in Parliament. Really his arch rival of sorts.” Sherlock said and you wondered if he had been drinking. 

“That pleases you?” You smiled at his unusual expression. 

“Very much so. Although I know you lot had to struggle to get to where you are now.” His voice was back to its usual neat grumpy tone. “I don’t think it's a lifestyle you engage in?” He looked around your colorful apartment again.

“No. It’s not.” You said hoping he believed you. Sure you had gotten into your fair share of grim situations but the company had been legal for a long while now. 

“Good.” He cocked his head towards you and his tone was light again. Something deep inside you wanted to do just about anything to keep his attention on you. With a small smile, he made his way out of your apparent closing the door softly. 

____

Enola was gone to stay with her mother for the night. You knew that something inside you had run over the boundaries of a friend or neighbor when you lay in bed tossing and turning. You knew she was perfectly capable of protecting herself and it really wasn't your place, but something in your mind wouldn't rest. 

Ada had gone back home to stay with Pol for a while, no one was answering the phone today. Now that you thought about it that was probably the main reason you felt worried. You thought about walking across the hall to see if Sherlock wanted help with whatever he was working on. 

In the last case, Enola insisted on your help as all the clues were in Romani. This was probably a normal case that would be over your head but maybe he’d have you for tea anyway. You sighed and got out of bed grabbing your thick robe and wrapping it around yourself. 

Opening your bedroom door you looked across the small flat and could see that the front door was open. Your first instinct was to move back into the bedroom but dark eyes fell on you before you could move. 

“Just come with us quietly love, no fighting” two men made their way towards you. Your fingers wrapped around the poker for the fire and you made careful notes of their appearance before the fighting started. 

You thought about the bedroom window behind you but the drop would guarantee your death. The front door was the only option. You held the iron poker in your grip tightly then the most sensible idea floated into your mind. If fighting didn't go as planned you were sure that screaming your head off would alert someone in the building. 

The two men came towards you and you got the first one across the side of the face before jabbing him in the eye. The second man proved harder to smack no matter how determined you were. Eventually, he got the upper hand and a hard smack landed across your face. You took a deep inhale but his hand closed around your neck before you could scream. You tried to scratch and hit his face but your arms became too heavy before any substantial damage was done. 

Your vision went hazy just as the man let out a loud cry. His hand released you and you watched a hulking figure pull screams from his body. Blood was spilled before the beast made his way toward you. 

You tried to move away unsure of anything, still unable to see or hear properly. Big arms gathered you up and lifted you into the air. 

“Calm down.” His voice was rough and you wondered how your body could switch from so panicked to letting go entirely. 

He carried you across the hall and into his flat. It was the complete opposite color scheme but just as cluttered with books. He placed you down on the countertop in the bathroom. He switched the lights on and you let out a groan covering your eyes. 

You watched him look you over for damage while your voice was stuck somewhere deep inside you. His rough hands traced the bruise on your neck and you let out a soft hum. He didn't move his hand and you looked up into his piercing blue eyes. A different type of tension settled between the two of you one that caused your bones to ache. Without further thought and with no one but God to judge you, you leaned forward and pressed a small kiss to his lips. 

A part of you expected him to recoil in disgust or offense, but he pulled away placing his thumb over your lips. He pressed a soft kiss to the top of your head, and you struggled slightly. You wanted him so badly it hurt to breathe. 

“You’re in shock.” He whispered with a softness you didn't know he possessed. 

“So?” You mumbled against his thumb. 

“So, see how you feel in the morning then try again.” He smiled slightly and you noticed how much blood had splattered up his arms. He got you settled in his bed and gave you some tea. He made some phone calls and after a long while, he came back.

Without any questions or stress, he started reading the book that he must have grabbed from your night table. 

You thought you should tell him to stop but enjoyed the way his nose crinkled and how he started to argue about the character's motives. 

“Men don’t think that way - surely you must know this?” he said looking down at you curled up in his blankets. The sun was just starting to come up and you were wishing there was a way for you to keep stuck in this moment. 

“I have no idea how men think” You whispered up at him. Right then there was a commotion in the hallway. 

“Oh, NO.” Enola’s voice had called out and you both shot up. You winced in pain as you followed him out of the room.

“Who are you lot? You need to tell me where she is right now.” Enola commanded in a voice that would have made the average person crumple. 

Thomas, the man standing across from her was not the average person. His eyes flicked from her to you standing behind Sherlock. You caught the relief flooding his features and Arthur let out a deep breath from the living room.  

“There she is. Tough girl.” Arthur came towards you and you let him pull you into a big hug. 

Sherlock and Thomas stood still staring at each other in a way that made you worry. 

“This going to be a regular occurrence?” Sherlock asked in a cold tone. John had squared up his chest when you noticed Ada seemed deeply pleased about something as she looked at you from your bedroom doorway. 

“No,” Thomas said easily. “This is for you.” He pulled out a folded piece of paper. 

Sherlock accepted the paper and sighed when Enola grabbed onto his forearm angling it so she could read it better. 

“Moriarty!” She gasped. “Oh, Sherlock this makes perfect sense! The last case was in Romani, he must have known we had her help. We never ask anyone for help so -” 

“So we put a gigantic target on her back.” He looked down at her with an icy expression and you hated the way it hit her. 

“I take partial responsibility for that,” Thomas called out taking some of the blame off of the girl's shoulders. Not something you would have expected from him. “Moriarty has been pestering me for a meeting for a long while now. I assume this was his way of grabbing our attention.”

“Can she stay with you?” Ada asked in a sweet voice. 

“Of course.” Sherlock and Enola both said at the same time in very different tones. 

“She should come home, Tom,” Arthur said tightening his arm around your shoulders. 

“She would be more help on the case here,” Enola said in a quiet voice. 

“She won't be any safer back home. Plus she’s the only one Alfie enjoys working with. Lord knows we will need his help.” Ada added. 

“If it's not any trouble” You looked at Sherlock. “I’d rather stay here and help.” You added moving your gaze to Tommy. 

“Fuck.” he sighed. “You stay here, deal with Alfie.” 

You smiled at the thought of how much it bothered your brother that Alfie would always keep his word if you asked him to. 

“If that’s settled I should be off.” Thomas gave you a quick hug then Arthur and John followed him out with glances of warning to Sherlock. 

“Alright, two of you go do your thing - with less shouting than usual. We will start on the mess in here.” You looked at Ada and she nodded. 

“No, It’s technically a crime scene or whatever?” Ada looked at Enloa. 

“Yes, she's right you should just move over to our side and leave everything as is.” Enola gave a serious nod and you couldn't help but think they were up to something. 

“We will have to review the last case to see how it relates to this. You need to rest.” Sherlock put his arm around out and gilded you towards his apartment. 

“Don't.” He said before you could start arguing. “Please just rest a bit for me.” 

“Did you just say please?” You said caught off guard by his choice of words. 

“Go to sleep.” He turned on his heel and left you to curl up in his bed. You got up for a while before falling asleep again on the couch listening to him and Enola go back and forth with different theories.

You felt him carry you back to bed and felt a moment of guilt realizing you shouldn't have made him carry you. He placed you back on the bed and you mumbled thanks. There was a moment of complete silence before you felt the bed dip under his weight. 

“My brother has guards covering the building, I don't think there’s any more evidence in my flat if you want me to -” You said realizing there really wasn't a reason for you to stay in his space. 

“I want you to stay.” He murmured into your hair and you felt his arm wrap around you. A heavy peaceful weight crept over you and you were very grateful to give him what he wanted.  

“Then I’ll stay.” You whispered and he pulled you tight against his chest. You thought about that kiss, but you felt his breath even out. With sleep washing over you, you made a note to revisit that kiss in the morning.

____

I feel really nervous about this one so let me know what you think <3

[marvelfanfn2187a113]

Take Care

Sherlock and Mycroft x little sister!reader, John x teen!reader

Requested by Anonymous

Synopsis: you get a startling diagnosis that turns everyone around you overprotective

Warnings: cancer, mentions of death (no actual death)

“She…she has what?”

John looked up from his newspaper at the sound of Sherlock’s distress. He had picked up a call from Mycroft and answered with the usual bored disdain, but after listening for a moment he had sat up rigid in his chair.

“I see,” Sherlock went on. “I’ll be right over, I…oh. Yes, alright.”

“What was that all about?” John asked as Sherlock put the phone down. After a moment, John thought he wasn’t going to answer, but finally he spoke, his voice dazed.

“What? Oh, Y/N, she’s…Mycroft is bringing her over for a bit.”

“Is she alright?” John asked hesitantly.

“I…no. I don’t know,”

“Sherlock this is ridiculous, what’s wrong? You’re worrying me.”

You had become quite the regular at Baker Street, sleeping over there almost as much as you stayed with Mycroft, your legal guardian.

“Y/N…she has cancer.”

“She what?” Surely he had heard wrong.

“Mycroft took her in for an appointment, routine check up, that’s all, but…” Sherlock swallowed, and didn’t finish.

“How…I mean…” John wasn’t sure how to ask about the severity.

“I’m not sure,” Sherlock said finally. “Mycroft didn’t say much.”

“Hey Sherlock!” To say Sherlock was surprised when you came bounding into 221B like nothing was wrong would be a severe understatement.

“Hello,” he greeted hollowly. You stepped past him to bring your bag to your room, and Sherlock turned to look at Mycroft.

“She knows?” He asked quietly, and Mycroft nodded.

“I believe she doesn’t want to talk about it.”

“How bad is it?”

“They said they aren’t sure about the outcome. They want to start treatments as soon as possible, and it all depends on how she responds to it. All we can do is make sure she gets enough rest and water between visits for now.”

“Alright,” Sherlock sighed. “Then we do all we can do.”

…

“Where do you think you’re going?”

You looked up at Sherlock with a frown.

“Just for a walk.”

“No you’re not,” he responded. “It’s time you took a nap.”

“Gee grandma, you first,” you scoffed.

“Y/N, don’t be like that,” John insisted.

“You guys really aren’t gonna let me take a walk?” You glared at the two men, who didn’t waver an inch. “Fine,” you groaned, brushing past them to your room and closing the door.

…

“Drink.”

“I’ve had like four glasses of water today Mycroft, I’m not thirsty.”

Mycroft gestured to the glass in front of you insistently. You rolled your eyes and took a sip.

“Finish that, and then you should take a nap.”

“I’m fine.”

“He’s right,” Sherlock chimed in from the sofa.

“Since when do you two agree on anything?” You scoffed.

“Since now.”

You glared at Mycroft.

“You can’t lay off for one afternoon?”

“No.”

“Ok, I’ll nap on one condition; you let me go to Christie’s later, she wanted to study together.”

“You’ll take a nap either way,” Mycroft responded.

“Wanna bet?” You challenged.

“No, because I don’t have to. You’ll do as you’re told.”

“John, a little help?”

“Don’t look at me,” John raised his hands. “I’m with them.”

“Could you guys stop treating me like this for two seconds?” Your tone rose with your anger.

“Like what?” Mycroft’s resolve hadn’t changed.

“Like I’m an invalid!” You shoved past your brothers and slammed the door to your room.

…

“She won’t answer.”

“I know that,” Sherlock griped at his older brother.

“Should we pick the lock?”

“She’d kill us.”

“Well, she’s worrying me, she’s been in there for a while,” Mycroft pulled out a lock pick and got to work.

When the lock clicked, he called out a warning.

“We’re coming in if you don’t open this door!”

Silence.

Mycroft pushed open the door, and sighed in relief when he saw you on your bed, a book in your lap and headphones in your ears. You looked up in disgust.

“Privacy much?” You growled as you pulled your headphones out of your ears.

“You’ve been in here for too long, and you wouldn’t answer when we knocked,” Mycroft insisted.

“Why won’t you leave me alone?”

“Because we need to talk,” Sherlock came to stand by your bed.

“About what?”

“About ‘how we treat you’,” Mycroft sighed.

“Alright, talk.”

“You know why we do it,” Sherlock insisted.

“Yeah, because you’re nosy control freaks.”

“Because we’re worried,” Mycroft corrected.

“You shouldn’t be.”

“That’s a load of crap,” everyone turned in surprise when John entered the room. “You know full well why they’re scared, and you are too. There’s not much we can do, alright? The only things we can do is make sure you get your rest in between treatments, and try our best to take care of you. So that’s what we’re doing.”

You were silent for a long moment.

“I-I just…” the tears in your eyes were perhaps the most surprising because it was the first time your family had seen you cry since the news came. “I don’t want to spend what could be my last few months just…resting. Wasting time, relaxing, and-and-“

“Hey,” the sternness in Mycroft’s tone shut you up immediately. “These aren’t your last few months. That’s what we’re trying to ensure by keeping you rested, and able to fight this.”

“We’re not letting you die, understand?” Sherlock lowered himself to meet your gaze.

“Ok,” you choked, and you were relieved when John stepped forwards and pulled you into his arms.

“You’re going to be ok,” he promised.

You smiled.

“Thank you.”