Sherlock: Starting Again

[awanderingbard]

Title: Starting Again
Characters: John, Sherlock
Rating: R
Warnings/Triggers: much cursing, a few references to PTSD
Pairings: John/Mary (mentioned)
Spoilers: The Empty Hearse
Word Count 2,389
Summary: John and Sherlock have a heart to heart.
Author's notes: [Notes are Series Three spoilery] I've seen a few blog posts around about how Sherlock never actually explains to John why

Comments

[shadowfireflame]

Oh, yay, I really wanted to see this scene.

“Can I put out the fire first, or is it urgent?”

Hahahahaha, yes. And then Sherlock waiting as the flames grow for John to respond...and this is how the force of Sherlock’s personality takes over everything just because his interests are so overpowering and, well, fun (and dangerous). And that’s part of why I love him so much. :)

“I don't know what you call it when a friendship is terminated,” Sherlock said.

You’re going to kill me with these lines. I’m serious, I teared up at this one. So outwardly calm while hiding his terror that this could actually happen to their friendship.

This was perfect, exactly like how I wish and think this conversation would have gone: John’s anger and ultimate attempt at acceptance, his surprise about the assassins, comparing what Shelrock went through to what he went through in wartime. And I love the way you capture Sherlock’s agitation and worry in his gestures (that pinky to thumb one and bouncing his foot) and attempts at humor and distraction. I still think in canon John hasn’t fully realized everything Sherlock went through in breaking down Moriarty’s network alone, all by himself (he was tortured!! And it took Sherlock Holmes two years, my goodness), but maybe he will think about the implications of that later.

Very lovely and much-needed!, as always.

[awanderingbard]

I still think in canon John hasn’t fully realized everything Sherlock went through in breaking down Moriarty’s network alone, all by himself (he was tortured!! And it took Sherlock Holmes two years, my goodness), but maybe he will think about the implications of that later.

I think that the negative reactions I've seen toward The Empty Hearse and Sherlock in it forget about that, too. His behaviour isn't right, of course, or good, but it's understandable behaviour for a man who has been totally isolated and desperately trying not to let anyone discover who he really is, and living in his mind palace with his friends. John maybe not have chosen to keep up his friendships, but he had support if he wanted it. Sherlock was alone, and never good with people to begin with. Two years of isolation is just going to make your social skills worse. I see his regression to his pre-John self as very natural.

I'm glad you enjoyed the story! Thank you for commenting!