#sincewhendoyoucallme_john

[bakerstmel]

Fall Favorite Fic Festival, Entry 4

I'm writing this in Memphis, TN, and I can't see any red trees from my hotel window. Too far south to have gotten started, maybe. It's been very overcast. I'm here for a professional meeting, and as is always the case, they've had the AC set to "violent" in the meeting rooms and I don't know that I'll ever be warm again. You know how if you've ever gotten a sunburn, the water in the shower is warmer when it hits your feet than when it comes out of the showerhead, because it's been heated by your skin? My showers here have been the complete opposite of that.

All that to say, I'm still feeling sad, still feeling lonely, definitely facing an anniversary reaction from my sister's passing, and still quite intentionally drowning my sorrows in fic.

I had the best, most angsty fic in mind for this entry, like, call and warn @221bjen level angst, but then one day, this manip came to mind, for no particular reason:

and oh, yeah, baby. I couldn't sign into AO3 fast enough. If you know, you know, and if you don't, you've got to read:

Whiteout, by SinceWhenDoYouCallMe_John

I will spare your TL by adding a cut here.

This is a fic I re-read fairly often for sheer pleasure, but that is not to say it's fluff. The author tries in the notes to make it sound like fluff, but it's Sherlock and John as part of an aerial rescue team at the freaking Matterhorn and there is ice and danger and multiple CPR events and Greg Lestrade speaking French and secrets and tears and all kinds of relationship drama and it's JUST NOT FLUFF, OK? However, it is written in a fun documentary style (Shane based it on a documentary he came across on Netflix) with mostly dialogue and camera direction and it is a quick, satisfying read.

I've had the pleasure of betaing for this author in the past, and so I've spent more than a little time thinking about his style. He is an extremely versatile writer, and I think this fic really highlights that. If you compare this style to, say, the highly descriptive and romantic (not just in the relationship way, but also in the world-painted-in-perfect-light-way) Gimme Shelter, you wouldn't necessarily know they were written by the same person within a fairly short block of time (8 months). This fic is crisp, well timed, and quickly paced, with perfectly set points of action, snappy dialogue, and not a lot of down time. Gimme Shelter moves well too, but it's a very different feeling, silky and gentle. It's like the difference between taking a shot of great tequila vs savoring a perfect Cabernet. And if that's not enough for you, please note that SWDYCMJ has also written Priestlock, a skiing OT3, a straight-ahead ghost story, Potterlock, and a Black Mirror crossover that kept me on my toes. Plus, of course, the beautiful Brokeback Mountain fusion that still breaks my heart in all the best ways.

I mentioned in my last entry how the artistry in this fandom continues to knock me out to this day, and Shane's collective work is another prime example.

I don't feel like I'm doing this fic justice, but it's kinda hard for me to talk about without ruining the surprise of it. Even discussing the structure is tricky. Just...go read it. You'll thank me later.

[swissmissficrecs]

My most popular individual recs

I did a list like this 7 years ago and was curious whether the statistics had changed. Short answer: yes. All but one of these recs were made after that last list. I'm not sure what that means, as I would have expected older recs to get more notes just because they've been around longer. Maybe it's that there has been more thirst for fic recs in the last 7 years, or that the reblog culture on tumblr has improved.

The links here go to the recs, which in turn have links to the fics.

Radioactive Trees in a Red Forest by maribor_petrichor (280K, E, Johnlock)

He Was A Friend of Mine by SinceWhenDoYouCallMe_John (38K, E, Johnlock, John/OFC)

Hello You by weeesi (20K, NR, Johnlock)

Oh What A Night by anotherwellkeptsecret (100 panels, M, Johnlock) - Note that this has been deleted from AO3 but the link to the pages on tumblr at the bottom of the rec still works.

A Promise Made to Be Broken by PlantsAreNeat (37K, E, Johnlock) - This was number 1 on the old list, and the only one to remain in the top 10.

(Never) Turn Your Back To The Sea by DiscordantWords (39K, M, Johnlock)

Roommates are for little people by alexxphoenix42 (69K, E, Johnlock)

A Home For Us by sussexbound (30K, M, Johnlock)

The Winter Garden by Callie4180 (31K, T, Johnlock)

Pygmalion by ancientreader (9K, T, Johnlock)

[sir-looni]

fanart for a johnlock fanfic called "Gallant Darling, Pray for Me" by SinceWhenDoYouCallMe_John (Chapter 4)

I love that story, so check it out!!!!

[inevitably-johnlocked]

Just thinking, because it is Winter here in Australia, and it is snowing, I wonder if you can recommend a Sherlock AU I remember reading a while ago, Winter Olympics, John may or may not have been the team doctor, someone dies and it was totally Moriarty! Possibly Sochi?

And yes, I am aware that I need to get better at bookmarking my fics.

Thank you in advance! ❤️

Hey Lovely!

YES! It's a fantastic story, one of my FAVES!! I love it! It's this one!

Uphill by scullyseviltwin(E, 84,945 w., 18 Ch. || Olympics AU || Sherlock POV, Skier!Sherlock / Medic!John, Rivalry, 2014 Olympics, Happy Ending) – Sherlock Holmes is striving for gold in this, his fourth and final Olympics as a downhill Alpine racer.

Don't remember if anyone dies, but Moriarty is an asshole in it, LOL.

I have these other Olympic themed fics that you might also enjoy:

Emblaze Our Hearts by antietamfalls(T, 7,970 w., 1 Ch. || Olympics AU || Skeleton Luger Sherlock, Biathlete John, Drunkenness, Texting, Memory Loss) – A night of celebratory drinking leads to a mystery in the Olympic village. Who is this "SH" person with whom John apparently spent the night, and why did they disappear with John's most prized possession?

Sticking the Landing by SweetMandolins (M, 44,826 w. 17 Ch. || Olympics AU || Gymnast John, Ballet Dancer Sherlock, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Falling in Love, Fluff, Mutual Pining, Bisexual John, Muscular John, Humour, Jealous John, Side Mystrade) – John Watson, Captain of Team GB’s gymnastics squad is confident and primed for his third and final Olympics. Disappointed in London with a shoulder injury putting paid to his Olympic dream, can he secure an Olympic gold finish before retirement? Meanwhile, Sherlock Holmes has other problems. Men’s Rhythmic Gymnastics is the newest Olympic sport, but a series of peculiar accidents both on and off the floor have taken out some of the competitors. Does something more sinister lurk under the spangles and spandex? Can Sherlock solve the mystery in time to deliver a flawless ball routine? And does something more valuable than medals await the boys in Rio?

Working on the Edges by earlgreytea68 (M, 56,089 w., 16 Ch. || Olympics AU || Hockey Player John, Ice Skater Sherlock) – No matter where you put Sherlock and John, they click. Including the Winter Olympics.

Of Ice and Men by SinceWhenDoYouCallMe_John (E, 176,906 w., 20 Ch. || Olympics AU || Paralympics, Prosthesis, Disability, Established Relationship, Threesome - Johnlockstrade, Angst with Happy Ending, Coming Out, Secret Relationship, Asexual Sherlock, Pilot John) – Greg wants Sherlock to win his first Olympic Gold medal. Sherlock wants John to win his first Olympic Gold medal. John wants Greg to come to bed wearing all four of his Olympic Gold medals, and you didn't really think this would be that terribly serious after reading that title, did you? Bundle up, it's a Winter Olympics OT3!

-----

If I'm wrong on the fic, please do correct me, Lovelies!!

[kettykika78]

There is also the most beautiful podcast by @podfixx !!!

Sherlock ‘Scotty’ Holmes

I’ve fallen down a rabbit hole of illustrating the surfers from Gimme Shelter by the gloriously wonderful, @sincewhendoyoucallme-john

I’m more than okay with this. Believe me. This is not a burden, this is pure fun. 

@holmezyan first asked for ManBun Greg … then came a request for ‘Scotty’ Holmes in his aviators. *rubs hands together* I hope this delivers! 

Favorite part of drawing this? That ‘V’ cut right there. *points and nods* 

Face ref: X

[devils-lawboy]

one of my greatest regrets in life is not downloading the bluest of blue by sincewhendoyoucallme_john before it got scrubbed and published

[cupidford]

I missed a ton of recs from lovely stories I read at the tail end of 2020 - so here they are my friends! (some of these were recced in my top fics of 2020 but most I haven’t mentioned before)

Okay so this list is massive. 31 fics and ~643.5k words. Happy lockdown?!

😍😍

Gallant Darling, Pray for Me by SinceWhenDoYouCallMe_John

St. Sebastian's on the coast of Wales, 1927. Father John Watson is not prepared ordinand Sherlock Holmes. Priestlock. ~105k.

the cosmology of you and me by teatrolley

Part 2 of the repeated image series. Sherlock has lived sixteen lives. This is his last. ~10.5k

😍

Keep Your Friends Close and Your Enemies Ten Feet from the Pack by JaneOfCakes

Sherlock is the world's best roller derby coach. It's a new season, the team needs a new doctor and Sherlock is about to meet Dr. John Watson. ~135k

lean into a loved body by simplyclockwork

John moves to farm country after inheriting his grandfather’s property. There, he tries to come to terms with his new reality, and, to top it all off, his awkward, bee-loving madman neighbour. ~60k

how the light gets in by subtext-is-my-division (Quill_A)

"Maybe, if I save him, if I give him something worth living for, if I’m just the right balance between decent and a little bit mad, if you think I’m brilliant enough- maybe you’ll choose me.” ~54k

come undone by simplyclockwork

At his stag night, John discovers just how much Sherlock loves dancing. ~7k

Adore by FinAmour

Nothing in the universe is finer than being kissed by John Watson. ~2.5k

😘😘

Succulent by FinAmour

“You look nice tonight,” John says, and it all goes downhill from there. ~9k

Out of the Woods by SilentAuror

Sherlock is fairly certain that John has been flirting with him, but can't be entirely certain of it. At least, not until a case takes them into a forest. ~20.5k

Sherlock's Bed by FinAmour

On Sunday morning, John and Sherlock wake up together, in love and in Sherlock’s bed. ~2k

Our Love to Proclaim by FinAmour

Sherlock and John think they're being sneaky. They aren't. (Established relationship). ~5k

😘

How to Unfold a Heart by Elwinglyre

To Sherlock’s dismay, John’s return to Baker Street with Rosie is only temporary. Post S4. First person Sherlock POV. Case fic. ~25.5k

The Alchemy of Sea Glass by reveling_in_mayhem

Salt and air and sand surrounded their little party of three. After S3, John, Sherlock and Rosie go to the Beach. ~22k

seven minutes in heaven (and then some) by simplyclockwork

Unilock. Greg drags Sherlock to a house party against his will. Sherlock discovers his crush is there and he's not sure what to do with himself. ~11k

😚😚

Never judge a book by its cover by Thortonsheart

Mycroft needs Sherlock as part of a couple on a case. John volunteers himself. But are things really as they seem? Fake/Pretend Relationship. ~52k

Happy Little Accidents by weneedtotalkaboutsherlock (Paradoxe1914)

Unilock. Figure Drawing Class/Nude Model Sherlock. John had never really thought about art before the man dropped his robe to the ground. ~17.5k

warm heart by simplyclockwork

The first time Sherlock stumbles, it is in front of the entire NSY police force. (Hurt/Comfort Medical Fic) ~14k

When All is Said and Done by sussexbound (SamanthaLenore)

Post TST. John and Sherlock have been estranged for 2 years until a chance meeting on the London Eye. ~19.5k

Drunk Drialing by Berty

Prompt: one of the boys drunk dialing the other to declare their love. ~7k

The Joye of Snacks by khorazir

Christmas is approaching, and Sherlock surprises John with newly acquired baking skills. John, in turn, simply ... surprises Sherlock. ~3.5k

"Don't Cry, Shopgirl..." by LaKoda0518

Lockdown drives Sherlock up the wall but John has a solution. "Drama or Romance?" ~2.5k

Wait for Me by LaKoda0518

Sherlock's suicide nearly kills John, but he discovers a a little black velvet box that changes everything. ~2.5k

Bridges by sussexbound (SamanthaLenore)

It is the first time they’ve been alone together since Sherlock’s bday. ~6.5k

He gave me the gift of myself by WritingOutLoud

John & Sherlock knew there was something between them from the beginning, and decide to do something about it. ~2.5k

Spooky by FinAmour

John and Sherlock attend a Halloween party as a couple. ~9k

😚 HONORABLE MENTIONS 😚

What I Really Want by agirlsname

Unilock. For the first time, John lets himself imagine what he really wants with his best friend. ~1.5k

Of Dinner and Desires by IneffableHusbands95, KittieHill

Johncroft fake/pretend relationship - Mycroft and John scheme to get Sherlock jealous and admit his feelings for John. ~16.5k

A Ghost Of A Chance by Thortonsheart

Sherlock as a cat. John as Sweeney Todd. There's a halloween party and a cold case solved. ~13k

i finally see the pattern by forgetmyname

Or that one that John gets roses. (Jealous Sherlock). ~2.5k

Mark Your Calendars by saintscully

John happens upon a box full of Sherlock’s old yearly planners. ~3k

Next Train Home by zigostia

Morning after their first time. ~1.5k

[bakerstmel]

Fall Favorite Fic Festival, Entry 5

Remember, winter doesn't officially begin until December 21, she said pedantically.

I've delayed writing this entry because I was trying to define the reason (or reasons) why I love this fic so damn much. I read this fic at least twice a year, usually sometime in February and then again in the fall. It's a sports fic, and while I am not in general a sports person, I do love me some baseball. But the sport isn't the reason I love this fic, and I think I may have figured it out. Stick with me.

I started the link at Chapter 2, because Chapter 1 is a guide to baseball for the uninitiated. Some of it is out of date now, because MLB in its STUPIDITY has messed around with the rules this year because GOD FORBID people have to wait longer than a minute for anything to fucking happen on a sports field, and of course only HITS matter, but it is still fun to read. You don't need it to appreciate the fic, though.

Whilst I was processing this fic, I spent some time thinking about sports fics in general, and that led me to reread a couple of other favorites. One was A Study in Winning, by Jupiter_Ash. I really like that fic as well, even though I know next to nothing about tennis. I like the drama of the story, I like Sherlock faking his nationality just because, and I enjoy John being a petty little bitch to Moriarty there at the end. I feel like there for a while everyone had read or was reading that fic. Another one I went back to was Of Ice and Men, by SinceWhenDoYouCallMe_John, which is an OT3 set during the Winter Olympics. That one has John in the Paralympics, which gives the relationships an entirely new dimension. There are other good sports fics - throw your favorite in the comments, if you like. I'm mostly limiting my scope in these musings to Sherlock, as I've said before, but I'll read anything if it's good. Links to these two fics are below.

One of the ways in which sports fics have an advantage is that they have a built in structure. There's a match, or a tournament, or a season, and the relationship drama plays out against that backdrop. Writing classes always talk about the "ticking clock" approach to narrative tension, and almost every sport has some type of literal ticking clock. The Bang and the Clatter plays out over a full baseball season, including Spring Training and the postseason. That's basically a year minus the main American holidays, and EarlGreyTea does a really good job of letting the story play out at an appropriate pace. That's very impressive considering that she was posting this as a WIP over the course of an actual season.

(I need to take a minute to talk about my issues with EGT, and by "issues" I mean "soul churning jealousy." EGT is ridiculously prolific. If you go back into the fandom annals and look at the timing of some of her biggest fics, she was posting what became major reference points for the fandom in tandem, writing multiple fics at the same damn time, while, you know, teaching law or moving cross country. She is the best example I know of the importance of writing regularly. Of course, she's incredibly gifted, highly skilled at plotting, characterization, pacing, and just words. She has a fabulous imagination. Her dialogue rings true, and it's fun. But she can turn really good stuff out relatively quickly because she's limber AF. She writes. Anyone who comes to Word Sprints on Sundays or just hangs with me writing knows I'm not fast. I'm lucky to break 100 words in 15 minutes. Part of that is that I edit as I go, but it's also that I don't write as often as I would like to, so it takes me some time to warm up. I would like to be more like EGT, which probably sounds kind of creepy. I hope she doesn't see this. Anyway, she's written many of my top 20, and she actually finishes her stuff. So, yeah. Issues.)

So here is where I ended up: this is a good AU that takes advantage of the time crunch of the sport in which it is set, but that is not why I read it 2+ times per year. I read it because this is one of my favorite John and Sherlock relationships ever. It feels so in character for the way we see them in the show (at least through S2; this was written in 2013). We see them meet, we feel their attraction, we feel Sherlock's very authentic confusion. We feel their fear at being caught out, at first by each other and then by the world. They earn their angst. The way to my heart is good characterization, and this has that. Alongside the battery, the OCs (especially Sherlock and John's families) are complex and have issues of their own. Moriarty doesn't show up until the All Star Workout, which is halfway through the season for those of you who don't know, but it works because by that point, John and Sherlock have things to lose. Lestrade is the best effing choice for a beleaguered, exasperated baseball manager there ever was. Mycroft saves the day AND fucks it up, which I wish we'd seen more of in those days.

Also, John and Sherlock never get too far away from each other, and when they're separated, it's usually for narrative reasons. I like that in a fic, I've come to realize. I like to watch the characters' interplay. It's hard for Sherlock to keep secrets from John when they work together, commute together, and live together, and John is no fool. Their office isn't 221b Baker Street, it's a stadium in Austin, TX, where shit plays out in front of 30k people. John loves baseball. Sherlock loves John. They fight, they fall in love, they eat Chinese food, and they play baseball. And best of all, they are themselves together.

If you read the parts that EGT wrote after the big story, there's a mention of Sherlock pulling together a pick up game in London made of American ex-pats for John's sake, and I'll tell you what. That really pulls this fic together for me. This Sherlock would do that for this John, and we end up a little on the outside looking in, and it's just charming as fuck.

In conclusion, read this even if you don't know baseball, if you want great characterization, a chance to be reminded of how beautiful John and Sherlock were together back in the golden age. Pay attention to the ticking clocks in your favorite fics; intentional or not, there's almost always some time pressure ginning up the conflict. If you're a writer, the best way to get better is to write more. Feels like bullshit, but it's true. And finally, fuck MLB forever for going the completely wrong way on the DH. Pitchers in both leagues should have to/get to hit, and more to the point, DHs should have to fucking do something when their teams are out in the field. I will die on this mound.

(Also, if I'm being honest, Bull Durham is probably my favorite movie, so maybe I'm more of a baseball fan than I'm letting on. I do generally love baseball in popular media. But I still think it's the characterization.)

[swissmissficrecs]

I would be very grateful if you would recommend a fic or fics where John rescues Sherlock from kidnap or imminent danger. I really like Elwingire “How To Unfold a Heart”. Something more in that vein would be very welcome indeed. Thank you so much. And only as your time permits of course.

Reply: I feel like you are the same person who asked for fics where John "saves the day" and weren't satisfied with my response (although elwinglyre's fic was in that collection). So, here is my second attempt. I'm sure there are a lot more, but this is what I've come up with for now:

John rescues Sherlock

Between Friends by SilentAuror (18K, E, Johnlock) Sherlock gets abducted. As John discovers him tied up naked in an empty storage facility and comes to rescue him, Sherlock's body has an unfortunate reaction which triggers a series of events.

hands full of matter by simplyclockwork (21K, E, Johnlock) When Sherlock is captured in Serbia, Mycroft cannot afford to involve the British government in his rescue. Instead, he sends John.

How to Unfold a Heart by elwinglyre (25K, E, Johnlock) Past horrors return unexpectedly in a cryptic note folded in the shape of a heart. To decipher the message, Sherlock must uncover the nature of the hearts around him, including his own.

Red Apples by naughtyspirit (21K, E, Johnlock) John and Sherlock work on a new case where the perpetrator seems overly fond of Grimm fairytales.

Summit Fever by J_Baillier (78K, M, Johnlock, past Jolto) After graduating from medical school, John Watson followed his heart to the Himalayas. Ten years later, he's a haunted cynic working for his ex-lover's trekking and mountaineering company.

The Night Riviera from Paddington to Penzance and Back Again by Iwantthatcoat (12K, M, Johnlock) Mrs Hudson has decided her boys need a little vacation way from London. Devil's Foot adaptation.

To Be Human by ohlooktheresabee (78K, T, Johnlock) There is a serial killer on the loose with a penchant for collecting the brains of his victims. Something about the chosen victims has Sherlock on edge.

Underground Rescue by khorazir (48K, M, Johnlock) When Sherlock goes missing, John has to play detective to find him.

Whiteout by sincewhendoyoucallme_John (37K, M, Johnlock) A documentary crew follows the Matterhorn aerial rescue team from Air Zermatt, profiling the mechanics, pilots, and paramedics as they save patients on the infamous mountain.

Winter's Storm by LoloLolly (51K, M, Johnlock) Sherlock is kidnapped and tortured by his previous captors.

[inevitably-johnlocked]

Hello hello! How're you doing lovely? 🧡❤️

I started new season of Black Mirror last night which made me think, is there any fic that our boys watch the series , and how would Sherlock think or react on the show? Or any specific episode? I've read tons of fics with his reaction to reality shows, Bond movies, cooking shows and documentaries, but never for Black Mirror.

Wish I could challenge my favorite writers on this but no one sees my posts so I send it to you 😁

Hey Lovely!

AHHHHHH I don't know of any about them WATCHING Black Mirror, just Black-Mirror-inspired fics:

A Real Deal by toyhto (M, 10,339 w., 1 Ch. || Black Mirror-Inspired ||  Science Fiction, Post-TRF, Canon Divergence) –  Please be real, he thought and pulled Sherlock closer. (TO READ)

Uncharted Territory by J_Baillier (T, 19,603 w., 4 Ch. || Dystopian Future / Black Mirror AU || Alternate First Meeting, Angst, Drama, Homophobia, Bisexuality, Technology, Humour, Romance, Near Future, Happy Ending) – The System puts people through a series of assigned relationships in order to determine who their Perfect Match is. John believes that it works; Sherlock really, really doesn't. One of them is probably going to be wrong.

Only To Be With You by SinceWhenDoYouCallMe_John (M, 40,768 w., 4 Ch. || Black Mirror / Future AU || Character Death, Future Technology, Sickness/Cancer/Illness, Heavy Angst with Happy Ending, First Person POV John, Pining John, Heart-Wrenching Angst, Promise of Forever) – I tell myself that next time I’ll come near this same place again. Wait around for the mysterious stranger in his coat to dash past me, hot on the heels of a new criminal in black. I think this all the way back to my Exit, planning where I’ll wait and what I’ll say when I see him. Scheming on how to get his name. It’s only once I reach the Exit Point door that I realize two hours and forty-five minutes have passed, and I realize that this won’t be the last time I Visit. It won’t be the last time at all.

------

Anyone know of any fics closer to what Nonny would rather read????

[loveismyrevolution]

@sincewhendoyoucallme-john

John, Sherlock, Greg of Of Ice and Men

Adorable fluffy angels (@go_home_loa)

[cupidford]

Gallant Darling, Pray for Me by SinceWhenDoYouCallMe_John

Johnlock Love Letters #2043

St. Sebastian's on the coast of Wales in the fall of 1927. Father John Watson is not prepared for one of those ordinands to be Sherlock Holmes. Priestlock

[swissmissficrecs]

Hello! I'm asking everyone who might know, though I'm not sure which blogs are still active...I'm looking for a fic where Sherlock and John were at a monastery. Sherlock had taken a vow of silence and John talked to/prayed a lot to the virgin Mary. It was such a good fic. Thank you!

Sorry I didn't see this before. It might be In the Name of the Lord by Philomena85 (details below). I could have sworn I had a religious-themed rec list already, but it seems not. So here you go, in case that's not it maybe it's one of these others:

Clergy Johnlock

Fics in which either Sherlock or John is a member of clergy or masquerades as one.

A Second Time After the Last Time by S_IRIS (10K, E, Johnlock) In an era when science was condemned by religion, Sherlock Holmes was a man of science and John Watson a man of religion. Will they be condemned for their love and for the felony, or will John be able to convince Sherlock to escape?

All We Ought to Ask by achray (56K, E, Johnlock) “It’s a quiet parish,” Stamford added, beckoning to the maid to pour more. “Apart from that heretic Holmes, of course,” said the Archdeacon.

Children of the Small Gods by alexxphoenix42 (174K, E, Johnlock, JohnAdlock) Brother John is a recent addition to the Temple of the Small Gods on Baker Street. A mysterious stranger catches his attention one night when he does something that no one else has ever managed to do.

Faithful by Megg33k (14K, E, Johnlock) AU (Monk!John & Angel!Sherlock) in which John Watson's life has not gone as planned, and it's about to get even stranger…

Gallant Darling, Pray for Me by SinceWhenDoYouCallMe_John (104K, E, Johnlock) The priests at the seminary school of St. Sebastian's on the coast of Wales are preparing for a new group of ordinands in the fall of 1927. Father John Watson is not prepared for one of those ordinands to be Sherlock Holmes.

Hearts at Home series by yalublyutebya (74K, M, Johnlock) A series of stories chronicling the intertwined lives of Father John Watson and Sherlock Holmes.

In the Name of the Lord by Philomena85 (70K, T, Johnlock) After returning from Afghanistan, John Watson has managed to get back into professional life - but something is missing. His quest for meaning leads him for a time to a monastery, where he soon acquainted with an exceptional monk. But there’s more there than he had suspected at first glance …

Infidelis by unholiest (13K, T, Johnlock) “I have noticed a decline in my regular parishioners. I do hope none of them have come to any harm.” Sherlock chuckled, and the low pitch of it resonated against the cold brick, letting it echo back into John’s ears. It was nice. It felt like velvet, and John had an inkling that he was one of a few that had actually heard it. “Quite the contrary, Father, I believe you are to be the next victim.”

Jesus Loves Me by OMSP (11K, M, Johnlock) In this AU, Father Holmes befriends a young, struggling musician named John Watson. They strike up an unlikely friendship born of violence. Can the kindly priest help John fight his demons without losing his own soul?

Mercy by lookupkate (31K, E, Johnlock) John Watson asks God to save him while wounded in the desert. When God does he figures he'd better pay him back. After two years as a vicar at a large parish he finally gets to move to a small town and have a parish of his own.

Take Me To Church by CarmillaCarmine (12K, E, Johnlock) In hiding, John is impersonating a priest. Everything goes according to plan until one of his parishioners confesses the dirty thoughts he has about him.

The Adventure of the Six Painted Virgins by Saathi1013 (14K, E, Johnlock) Sherlock dons an unusual disguise for a case. John is…conflicted. Character study, casefic*, & smut (in that order).

The Beast of Baskerville by mildredandbobbin (74K, E, Johnlock) 15th Century/fairy tale AU. An invalided John Watson comes to the isolated village of Baskerville seeking shelter with his sister, only to become embroiled in a grisly murder. As the villagers point to a local werewolf legend, the odd but brilliant friar, Brother Sherlock, disagrees and soon he and John are on the the trail of a murderer. Captivated by the enigmatic friar, John finds himself struggling with his illicit feelings for the celibate man of God.

The Sacred Bond by ampersand_ch (42K, E, Johnlock) A series of mysterious deaths among priests puts John and Sherlock onto the trail of an ancient, secret brotherhood. Little do they suspect how deeply their own situation is tangled up with the case.

[meetinginsamarra]

My Fave Sherlock BBC AUs: Sports fics

Around mid-month I´ll do a fic rec list with my fave AU genres or tropes. Summaries are taken from OP´s on AO3.

Not featuring ballet because there is a separate rec list.

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

“Sticking the Landing” by SweetMandolins

https://archiveofourown.org/works/8797708

John Watson, Captain of Team GB’s gymnastics squad is confident and primed for his third and final Olympics. Disappointed in London with a shoulder injury putting paid to his Olympic dream, can he secure an Olympic gold finish before retirement? Meanwhile, Sherlock Holmes has other problems. Men’s Rhythmic Gymnastics is the newest Olympic sport, but a series of peculiar accidents both on and off the floor have taken out some of the competitors. Does something more sinister lurk under the spangles and spandex? Can Sherlock solve the mystery in time to deliver a flawless ball routine? And does something more valuable than medals await the boys in Rio?

“Thermocline” by J_Baillier @jbaillier​

https://archiveofourown.org/works/22068541

John "Five Oceans" Watson — technical dive instructor, dive accident analyst and weapon of mass seduction — meets recluse professor of maritime archaeology Holmes. As they head out to a remote archipelago off the coast of Guatemala to study and film its shipwrecks for a documentary, will sparks fly or fizzle out?

“Summit Fever” by J_Baillier @jbaillier​

https://archiveofourown.org/works/16143296

After graduating from medical school, John Watson followed his heart to the Himalayas. Ten years later, he's a haunted cynic working for his ex-lover's trekking and mountaineering company. Will leading an expedition to Annapurna I — the most lethal of all the world's highest mountains — shake John out of his reverie, and who is the mystery client added to the group at the last minute?

“Passion connected” by songlin

https://archiveofourown.org/works/14298093

(This is unfinished but imo still worth a read!)

John Watson retired after an injury pulled him out of the 2010 Winter Olympics. He's resigned himself to living out his days sharpening skates in Catawissa, Pennsylvania, fighting with his drunk sister and watching his number of students dwindle away.

Sherlock Holmes was banned from competition for a doping violation he did not commit before the 2014 Winter Olympics. Ever since, he has whiled away his time on odd jobs as skater after skater fires him as a coach. He no longer dreams of proving his innocence and making his comeback.

Uphill by scullyseviltwin @scullyseviltwin​

https://archiveofourown.org/works/1179526

Sherlock Holmes is striving for gold in this, his fourth and final Olympics as a downhill Alpine racer.

“Working on the Edges” by earlgreytea68 @earlgreytea68​

https://archiveofourown.org/works/1185555

No matter where you put Sherlock and John, they click. Including the Winter Olympics.

“Tennis-series” by JupiterAsh (7fics) 

https://archiveofourown.org/series/16847

starting with “A Study in Winning”

John and Sherlock are professional tennis players and it’s Wimbledon. One is a broken almost was at the end of his career, the other an arrogant rising star tipped for greatness. It should have been a straightforward tournament. It really should have been. How were they to know that a chance encounter would change everything?

“Gimme Shelter” by SinceWhenDoYouCallMe_John @sincewhendoyoucallme-john​ 

https://archiveofourown.org/works/11578941

(also published as “The sea ain´t mine alone” by C.L. Beaumont)

All John Watson wants is the feeling of a freshly waxed surfboard under his feet and the hot California sun baking down onto his back. To finally go pro in the newly formed world of professional surfing and leave the dark memories of his past behind him as he rips across the face of a towering blue barrel. To lounge beside the beach bonfire every evening with an ice cold beer tucked into the cool sand beside him and listen to Pink Floyd and the Doors while the saltwater dries in his sun bleached hair.

That's all he wants, that is, until the hot young phenom taking Oahu and the Hawaiian shores by storm steps up next to him in the sand in the second round of the 1976 International Surf Competition.

“Slipstream” by khorazir @khorazir

​https://archiveofourown.org/works/15975143

It’s going to be the last Tour de France for professional cyclist John Watson. Despite the hardships of cycling more than 3000 kilometres in three weeks, in blistering heat and torrential rain, over dangerous cobblestones in northern France and the mountains of the Alps and the Pyrenees, battling thirst, hunger, injury and exhaustion, not to mention bitchy rivals, doping allegations, and the ever scoop-hungry press, he is going to enjoy the ride, damn it. That’s what John keeps telling himself – until he meets his new teammate, Sherlock Holmes, who adds a whole new list of problems as well as an extra dose of excitement to John’s life

“The Bang and the Clatter” by earlgreytea68 @earlgreytea68​

https://archiveofourown.org/works/744242

Sherlock Holmes is a pitcher and John Watson is a catcher. No, no, no, it's a baseball AU.

“Boyfriend Material” (-series) by PoppyAlexander  @fuckyeahfightlock​

https://archiveofourown.org/works/8857168

Boston Brawlers' team captain John Watson longs for two things: a championship before he retires, and a boyfriend. Assigned to room with goaltender Sherlock Holmes--known around the league as both a genius and a "weird dude"--on Brawlers' roadtrips, John discovers the things they have in common that lead to an easy friendship and a convenient arrangement.

Slow-burn, adversaries-to-friends-to-lovers, romantic comedy.

[itislove]

Johnlock Fic Rec 5/2022

did not read much this month, but that's okay...

You Can't Always Get What You Want by hubblegleeflower, Explicit, ~5k, Pining, PWP

The Waiting is the Worst Part by loyalnerdwp, Not Rated, ~4k, Soulmate AU

How Can I Meet You? by pennypaperbrain, Explicit, ~2k, BDSM, PWP

Your Voice, It Makes Me Whole; Your Words, They Make Me Feel by Morwen_Maranwe, Explicit, ~13,4k, 5+1, PWP

He Was a Friend of Mine by SinceWhenDoYouCallMe_John, Explicit, ~38k, Brokeback Mountain AU with Happy Ending

By the Pale Moonlight by alexxphoenix42, Explicit, ~5,6k, PWP, John is a kind of Werewolf (but than not)

A Firm Hand by Ellipsical, Explicit, ~63k, PWP with some plot, Don/ Sub, CEO John Watson

[hotshoeagain]

I want to know where this is. Could be anywhere in the wild west. Tree-less, though, so maybe Alaska?

@sincewhendoyoucallme-john: The Bluest of Blue scenery?