Fic Rec: (Beyond) The Science of Horizons
Title: (Beyond) The Science of Horizons
Author: thetreesgrowodd
Pairing: John/Sherlock
Length: 11,403 words
Rating: Mature
Warnings: None
Verse: Sherlock BBC
Author's summary: In the downtime after a disastrous case, Sherlock is depressed and John is ailing. That's when Sherlock discovers an amazing new ability that manifests when he strokes John's skin. Whether or not it's all in his head is insignificant.
Reccer's comments: This is a gorgeous inside-Sherlock's-head view of what happens to him after a very difficult case, when he struggles with severe depression. In this story, Sherlock is asexual, but he is deeply in love with John and finds himself transported to a transcendental mental state when they touch. John takes comfort in the intimacy as well and acquiesces to it all in his usual stride.
Excerpt:
"Sherlock, what is this?" John asks quietly.
Sherlock can't voice one single word of what he's experienced. He can't because he's a rational person. He supposes there are terms like meditation and hallucination and lucid dreaming. Explanations to be made, but...
"I don't mind it," John says, vulnerably. "I won't make you stop. It's just..."
He can either act like a Real Human Person and make up some lie (probably too late for that, to be honest) or he can be Sherlock and tell the truth. No, make that part of the truth. "I like touching you."
"Alright," John says. "I like it too."
"Excellent."
The descriptions of Sherlock's raptures are beautifully poetic, and the depictions of his depressive mood achingly real. I think what I liked the most, though, is how both men try to continue to function outwardly, forcing themselves to do 'normal' things, while their inner world is plagued by demons and horrors. And in the end, what saves them is this strange, inexplicable connection, and the fact that they don't try to explain it, but just accept it and let it heal them.
Another interesting facet of the story is that 'The Recent Case' which started it all is never fully detailed, but we get snippets and flashbacks that allow us to understand in part the anguish and trauma which both men experienced (no serious physical injuries though). Trigger warnings for depression, suicide, and graphic violence.
Author: thetreesgrowodd
Pairing: John/Sherlock
Length: 11,403 words
Rating: Mature
Warnings: None
Verse: Sherlock BBC
Author's summary: In the downtime after a disastrous case, Sherlock is depressed and John is ailing. That's when Sherlock discovers an amazing new ability that manifests when he strokes John's skin. Whether or not it's all in his head is insignificant.
Reccer's comments: This is a gorgeous inside-Sherlock's-head view of what happens to him after a very difficult case, when he struggles with severe depression. In this story, Sherlock is asexual, but he is deeply in love with John and finds himself transported to a transcendental mental state when they touch. John takes comfort in the intimacy as well and acquiesces to it all in his usual stride.
Excerpt:
"Sherlock, what is this?" John asks quietly.
Sherlock can't voice one single word of what he's experienced. He can't because he's a rational person. He supposes there are terms like meditation and hallucination and lucid dreaming. Explanations to be made, but...
"I don't mind it," John says, vulnerably. "I won't make you stop. It's just..."
He can either act like a Real Human Person and make up some lie (probably too late for that, to be honest) or he can be Sherlock and tell the truth. No, make that part of the truth. "I like touching you."
"Alright," John says. "I like it too."
"Excellent."
The descriptions of Sherlock's raptures are beautifully poetic, and the depictions of his depressive mood achingly real. I think what I liked the most, though, is how both men try to continue to function outwardly, forcing themselves to do 'normal' things, while their inner world is plagued by demons and horrors. And in the end, what saves them is this strange, inexplicable connection, and the fact that they don't try to explain it, but just accept it and let it heal them.
Another interesting facet of the story is that 'The Recent Case' which started it all is never fully detailed, but we get snippets and flashbacks that allow us to understand in part the anguish and trauma which both men experienced (no serious physical injuries though). Trigger warnings for depression, suicide, and graphic violence.