Fic: Three Stages [Sherlock || John/Sherlock-ish || G ]

[canape_rouge]

Title:Three Stages
Author: hllangel
Fandom: Sherlock (BBC)
Pairing: Sherlock/John if you squint. Mostly gen.
Rating: G
Word Count: ~1,100
Notes: Set just before the end of The Reichenbach Fall, and contains spoilers. Thank you to my two wonderful betas, donutsweeper and karaokegal.

Summary: Every magic trick consists of three parts, or acts. The first part is called the

Comments

[talimenios79]

This was powerful.

[canape_rouge]

Thank you! I'm glad you liked it.

[neifile7]

I've also been on the "magic trick" train since day one and this is a very nice fleshing-out of that. I'm intrigued with the idea of mapping the three parts of the trick over the five stages of grief. "Believing in magic" ought to be a form of denial (and is), but it's also the surrender John needs to find acceptance, and that's a nice paradox to play with.

[hllangel]

Thank you!

I think it works because in this case "acceptance" is less about accepting Sherlock's death and more about accepting Sherlock's life. He never does anything without a reason, even if that reason is simply that he's bored. In his mind it makes sense. So John's final stage of grief is about holding on to that, even though to all appearances, it looks like Sherlock splattered himself on the pavement.

[eanor]

I really liked this! :-)

I'm a believer in the "just a magic trick" theory myself and I fully appreciate your approach to have John search for clues in Sherlock's last call. I also love how starting to believe in magic is John's way of trusting in Sherlock despite all evidence pointing to the contrary.

[hllangel]

Thank you!

I think there's definitely more ground to explore in the "magic trick" theory. I'm glad you liked my little offering. :)