Fic Rec: Staircase Wit
Title: Staircase Wit
Author: splix
Pairing: John/Sherlock
Length: 42,033 words
Rating: Explicit
Warnings: None
Verse: BBC Sherlock
Author's summary: L'esprit de l'escalier - Sherlock never suffers from it, which isn't to say he doesn't suffer for it. Five times he took a beating, and one time he got away.
Reccer's comments: This set of six vignettes follows the development of Sherlock's character and skill set from the age of thirteen to thirty-four. There are also a handful of cases, including the seminal ones where Sherlock meets Lestrade, the Hudsons, and Moriarty (although he doesn't realise the last one). I particularly liked seeing Sherlock and Sebastian at university, where Sebastian was really almost likable. The author also has a wonderful eye for detail, setting scenes from Sherlock's dorm to Miami to the National Gallery, and a sharp ear for dialogue, making the exchanges biting, quick, insightful, and honest.
There are a few humorous moments (Sherlock disguised as a dancer is a scream), but mostly this is a story of a man fighting hard to keep himself intact by building walls and following only his own dictates, no matter the cost to himself or others. There is quite a bit of graphic violence, including torture, that may not be easy to read. The ending is sweet and healing, though, without degenerating into fluff.
Author: splix
Pairing: John/Sherlock
Length: 42,033 words
Rating: Explicit
Warnings: None
Verse: BBC Sherlock
Author's summary: L'esprit de l'escalier - Sherlock never suffers from it, which isn't to say he doesn't suffer for it. Five times he took a beating, and one time he got away.
Reccer's comments: This set of six vignettes follows the development of Sherlock's character and skill set from the age of thirteen to thirty-four. There are also a handful of cases, including the seminal ones where Sherlock meets Lestrade, the Hudsons, and Moriarty (although he doesn't realise the last one). I particularly liked seeing Sherlock and Sebastian at university, where Sebastian was really almost likable. The author also has a wonderful eye for detail, setting scenes from Sherlock's dorm to Miami to the National Gallery, and a sharp ear for dialogue, making the exchanges biting, quick, insightful, and honest.
There are a few humorous moments (Sherlock disguised as a dancer is a scream), but mostly this is a story of a man fighting hard to keep himself intact by building walls and following only his own dictates, no matter the cost to himself or others. There is quite a bit of graphic violence, including torture, that may not be easy to read. The ending is sweet and healing, though, without degenerating into fluff.