Post-Reichenbach Recs (with vulnerable!Sherlock)
So filming for Sherlock Series 3 is on! And we now have titles for the first two episodes, written by Mark Gatiss and Steve Thompson! But filming is on a temporary hiatus, and I’m finding it hard to cope with the sudden lack of setlock posts, so it’s time for a recs list.
I’d like to celebrate by sharing my favorite post-Reichenbach fics and what I hope the writers will do for Sherlock’s post-Reichenbach return. I’ve read so many excellent takes on how Sherlock will return that I’m a little scared that nothing the actual show will do could possibly measure up, but I hope it will surpass my expectations, and I hope it will be surprising and different.
Part of my purpose with creating this post is because, yeah, why deny it, I’m a hurt/comfort junkie who likes to see Sherlock suffer, but another large part is that I don’t think Sherlock gets enough credit for what he’s done to save his friends.
A lot of the problem with trying to predict what will happen is that we still don’t really know what Sherlock’s purpose was in faking his death. We know what his purpose was in jumping, which was to save the lives of his friends, and he also managed to rig things so that he could do so while not actually dying, so that’s good, but why stay dead afterward? Is he tracking down just the three snipers to makes sure his friends stay safe? Is he trying to take down all of Moriarty’s web singlehandedly (or with Mycroft’s help) to really make sure his friends stay safe? Is he off for a holiday in Majorca? We just don’t know.
We do have a better idea of what John’s doing. He basically regresses back to how he was before he met Sherlock, but perhaps better off for having met and known Sherlock. John will grieve (the extent of which is debatable), go back to therapy (which may or may not be effective), and then try to move on. How successful he will be, whether he will use this time to meet his future wife, whether he will stay in 221B or move out, the extent of his grief-these are all variables that, again, we just don’t know, and they affect how well we can predict the tone for the Return. (See aubkae’s Contingency Planning for a great story about this.)
In canon, Holmes returns by disguising himself, and dropping into Watson’s workplace, and scaring the hell out of Watson, who faints. In fic, usually Sherlock shows up, maybe a bit worse for wear, and John is shocked and angry and punches him. Of those two, I definitely prefer the John-punching-Sherlock path. I think John has a right to his anger. What I don’t like so much is when John just can’t get over his anger, when he can’t forgive Sherlock, even a long time after Sherlock’s explained. Because while John’s anger is definitely justified, so too are Sherlock’s actions (assuming he did everything to save his friends).
I’ve always taken the closing scenes of A Scandal in Belgravia to be a kind of retroactive test-run for Sherlock when planning his fall. Mycroft tells John Irene’s dead and asks him if they should lie to Sherlock to save him pain or tell him the truth, which would hurt him, and we get the first test of John’s acting abilities when under pressure. Sherlock gets to see them up-close and personal-and guess what, I think John fails. John isn’t convincing when he lies to Sherlock and says Irene’s alive, and Sherlock can tell. Even if Sherlock hadn’t already known Irene’s actual fate (due to, you know, saving her), John’s face and voice and actions would have told him that Irene was definitely dead. Now, Sherlock applies that scenario to Reichenbach and determines that John can’t know the truth because he isn’t a good enough actor. If John thought Sherlock were alive, anybody watching him (say, through a sniper rifle, perhaps?) would be able to tell if his reaction wasn’t genuine.
But Sherlock is a convincing actor, at least for short periods of time. Therefore, the most convincing-the safest-way to fake his death is to do his best acting and lie to John. He can’t take John with him because John is one of the targets, and it will be obvious and suspicious if John disappears after Sherlock’s supposed “death.” Moriarty’s web is watching. John’s performance of grief is vital to everyone’s continued survival, and the only way to make it convincing is, unfortunately, to make it real.
If there’s another way, a better way, that Sherlock could have organized this and still kept everyone alive and safe, I can’t see it. So once Sherlock returns and John’s anger just goes on and on and Sherlock has to keep apologizing in a story, it’s frustrating to me because, really, what else could Sherlock have done? He did his absolute best.
So what I prefer to read are stories in which John forgives Sherlock, either because he figures it out or because Sherlock needs him. In short, I’d like John to be the strong one, the one who’s better-adjusted post-Reichenbach, and Sherlock being a wreck after everything he’s had to do. One of the best ideas I’ve ever read, for example, is that Sherlock is the one who faints upon seeing John. Sherlock’s just so exhausted and used up and ill and in pain that he collapses with the relief of knowing that everything he’s been working so hard for has been worth it because there’s John, unharmed, in the flesh. God, I’d love to see Sherlock fainting in the show.
Anyway, so let’s have some concrete examples of stories I love that take on this idea that Sherlock suffers a ton from Reichenbach, where the angst and pain of Reichenbach is heavily on Sherlock’s side and John’s the one who has to be strong for both of them (although obviously he suffers too). Please give me recs if you can figure out what I’m talking about, lol! I know there are a ton of stories I’m missing from my list. :)
::: Post-Reichenbach Recs with Vulnerable!Sherlock :::
[ Gen], [ John/Sherlock], [ Other]
::: Gen :::
::: John/Sherlock :::
::: Other Pairings :::
Back to the Sherlock Recs Masterpost: ( Taxi!)
I’d like to celebrate by sharing my favorite post-Reichenbach fics and what I hope the writers will do for Sherlock’s post-Reichenbach return. I’ve read so many excellent takes on how Sherlock will return that I’m a little scared that nothing the actual show will do could possibly measure up, but I hope it will surpass my expectations, and I hope it will be surprising and different.
Part of my purpose with creating this post is because, yeah, why deny it, I’m a hurt/comfort junkie who likes to see Sherlock suffer, but another large part is that I don’t think Sherlock gets enough credit for what he’s done to save his friends.
A lot of the problem with trying to predict what will happen is that we still don’t really know what Sherlock’s purpose was in faking his death. We know what his purpose was in jumping, which was to save the lives of his friends, and he also managed to rig things so that he could do so while not actually dying, so that’s good, but why stay dead afterward? Is he tracking down just the three snipers to makes sure his friends stay safe? Is he trying to take down all of Moriarty’s web singlehandedly (or with Mycroft’s help) to really make sure his friends stay safe? Is he off for a holiday in Majorca? We just don’t know.
We do have a better idea of what John’s doing. He basically regresses back to how he was before he met Sherlock, but perhaps better off for having met and known Sherlock. John will grieve (the extent of which is debatable), go back to therapy (which may or may not be effective), and then try to move on. How successful he will be, whether he will use this time to meet his future wife, whether he will stay in 221B or move out, the extent of his grief-these are all variables that, again, we just don’t know, and they affect how well we can predict the tone for the Return. (See aubkae’s Contingency Planning for a great story about this.)
In canon, Holmes returns by disguising himself, and dropping into Watson’s workplace, and scaring the hell out of Watson, who faints. In fic, usually Sherlock shows up, maybe a bit worse for wear, and John is shocked and angry and punches him. Of those two, I definitely prefer the John-punching-Sherlock path. I think John has a right to his anger. What I don’t like so much is when John just can’t get over his anger, when he can’t forgive Sherlock, even a long time after Sherlock’s explained. Because while John’s anger is definitely justified, so too are Sherlock’s actions (assuming he did everything to save his friends).
I’ve always taken the closing scenes of A Scandal in Belgravia to be a kind of retroactive test-run for Sherlock when planning his fall. Mycroft tells John Irene’s dead and asks him if they should lie to Sherlock to save him pain or tell him the truth, which would hurt him, and we get the first test of John’s acting abilities when under pressure. Sherlock gets to see them up-close and personal-and guess what, I think John fails. John isn’t convincing when he lies to Sherlock and says Irene’s alive, and Sherlock can tell. Even if Sherlock hadn’t already known Irene’s actual fate (due to, you know, saving her), John’s face and voice and actions would have told him that Irene was definitely dead. Now, Sherlock applies that scenario to Reichenbach and determines that John can’t know the truth because he isn’t a good enough actor. If John thought Sherlock were alive, anybody watching him (say, through a sniper rifle, perhaps?) would be able to tell if his reaction wasn’t genuine.
But Sherlock is a convincing actor, at least for short periods of time. Therefore, the most convincing-the safest-way to fake his death is to do his best acting and lie to John. He can’t take John with him because John is one of the targets, and it will be obvious and suspicious if John disappears after Sherlock’s supposed “death.” Moriarty’s web is watching. John’s performance of grief is vital to everyone’s continued survival, and the only way to make it convincing is, unfortunately, to make it real.
If there’s another way, a better way, that Sherlock could have organized this and still kept everyone alive and safe, I can’t see it. So once Sherlock returns and John’s anger just goes on and on and Sherlock has to keep apologizing in a story, it’s frustrating to me because, really, what else could Sherlock have done? He did his absolute best.
So what I prefer to read are stories in which John forgives Sherlock, either because he figures it out or because Sherlock needs him. In short, I’d like John to be the strong one, the one who’s better-adjusted post-Reichenbach, and Sherlock being a wreck after everything he’s had to do. One of the best ideas I’ve ever read, for example, is that Sherlock is the one who faints upon seeing John. Sherlock’s just so exhausted and used up and ill and in pain that he collapses with the relief of knowing that everything he’s been working so hard for has been worth it because there’s John, unharmed, in the flesh. God, I’d love to see Sherlock fainting in the show.
Anyway, so let’s have some concrete examples of stories I love that take on this idea that Sherlock suffers a ton from Reichenbach, where the angst and pain of Reichenbach is heavily on Sherlock’s side and John’s the one who has to be strong for both of them (although obviously he suffers too). Please give me recs if you can figure out what I’m talking about, lol! I know there are a ton of stories I’m missing from my list. :)
::: Post-Reichenbach Recs with Vulnerable!Sherlock :::
[ Gen], [ John/Sherlock], [ Other]
::: Gen :::
- Catching Up by chappysmom
Gen. A post-Reichenbach story in which John figures it out and finds Sherlock-who faints upon seeing John again. Super awesome, with such a BAMF!John, and I love that it’s Sherlock fainting instead of the other way around. - Holding Out For a Miracle by kcscribbler
Gen. After Reichenbach, John starts hallucinating Sherlock being there, so when Sherlock comes back for real, John thinks he’s still a hallucination. This story is beautifully spare, really conveying John’s emotions and little moments with heartbreaking grace and great structure. For all that, though, my favorite moment was Sherlock’s violent reaction to hearing the shopping network in a cab. This is the first story I’ve read that has dealt with that particular element, and I find it very realistic and moving. - I’d Be Lost Without My Blogger by corinneshaden
Gen. A beautifully done reverse-Reichenbach where Mycroft figures out Moriarty’s scheme and gets John to fall and convince Sherlock he’s dead. It’s amazing how much simpler the return is when it’s Sherlock who has to forgive John, isn’t it? And how much clearer it is to explain that Sherlock’s not a fraud. *shakes fist at canon* There are also some delicious hurt/comfort elements. This story makes me very happy. - If We’re Very Lucky by PostcardsfromTheoryland
Gen. Author’s summary: Gregory Lestrade is woken in the middle of the night by a dead man at the door. This post-Reichenbach story is a lovely mix of paternal Lestrade, vulnerable Sherlock, and angry-then-understanding John, and the characterizations are all perfect. My heart really went out to Sherlock here especially. And it’s nice to see Lestrade’s perspective on the return. - in love, in faith unbroken dwell by coloredink (fic at wreathsandbells)
Gen. Post-Reichenbach, John and other people Sherlock has helped get together and have a pub night where they tell Sherlock stories. I…really want it to be canon. This story is basically the reason I created this list and one of my favorites of all time. - The Laws of Chess by PostcardsfromTheoryland
Gen. Author’s summary: John assumes that Sherlock is playing chess by himself. Sherlock lets him think what he will - it's certainly better than admitting to the truth. What starts as amusing snippets of Sherlock and Mycroft playing distance chess against one-another turns into a beautiful post-Reichenbach study of the brothers’ relationship. In turns funny and very moving. - Paper Doll by numberthescars
Gen. Author’s summary: Sherlock fell straight to the ground, but he didn't die. And John didn't get knocked over by the bicycle. He made it to Sherlock, and was the first doctor on site. He's so still now. That's the thing that bothers John most. That summary says it all in this short and beautiful story. I love the original premise and the hurt/comfort. - The Parting of Ways and its brilliant sequel An Extended Stay by awanderingbard
Gen. Directly post-Reichenbach, Mycroft, Molly, and Sherlock convene in the mortuary. Sherlock’s “fine porcelain veneer had cracked and now he was leaking” is the best way to describe this, so lovely and accurate. I just want John to glue back all his pieces. And the second story is a gorgeous, ridiculously in-character exploration of Sherlock’s relationship with Molly when he briefly stays in her flat before heading away. Moved me to tears, it was so beautiful and perfect. - Sound of Silence by SailorChibi
Gen. Author’s summary: Sherlock returns from the dead but nothing is like it was. He doesn't speak and John doesn't understand, not until an encounter with the Yard explains the depths of Sherlock's trauma. This is a short and sweet example of the reason I created this list, trying to examine what it would be like if Sherlock came back a little bit broken and John showed his BAMF protective side, even while maybe secretly still being a little mad and confused at Sherlock. I also really like Lestrade here. Warning for implied past torture. - This Cycle of Revenge Is Not Going the Way I Planned It by azriona
Gen. A hysterical post-Reichenbach piece where somebody is killing off Moriarty’s network just before Sherlock does. Sherlock’s growing frustration/bewilderment and Mycroft passively-aggressively trying to get his little brother to take care of himself is priceless. - to die by your side (well, the pleasure, the privilege, is mine) by bittereternity
Gen. Author’s summary: “We will all be tragedies,” Mycroft had murmured, “but you will be a beauty.” The whole word is burning and Sherlock has the matches. Ooh, what a gorgeous summary. I can’t not read something like that. See, when I’m talking about having a kink for Sherlock being vulnerable after Reichenbach, this story is exactly what I mean. Fascinating snippets of his life during moments when he was compromised in some way (withdrawal, on the run, etc.), and an enthralling characterization of Moran in particular. - Welcome Home by maelavee
Gen, reads like canon. Post-Reichenbach, Sherlock returns, and John’s already figured out what must have happened on the roof and is waiting for him at the airport. Oh, God, my heart. I soooo want this to be canon, or at least some close variant of this where John gets to surprise Sherlock. (I thought for a moment that Sherlock might be the one to pass out, and wouldn’t that be an awesome reversal of ACD canon?) John’s characterization here is great, always sure of Sherlock but second-guessing his own powers of deduction, and I’m equally enamored of Sherlock’s characterization: incredibly nervous, jittery, irritated, and constantly having to push back thoughts of John, then finally assuming if John’s at the airport waiting for someone, it can’t possibly be for him.
::: John/Sherlock :::
- Acceptable Risk (3,483 words) by astolat
John/Sherlock. A post-Reichenbach story where John moves to a shack in Canada and Sherlock shows up on his doorstep. All the crap Sherlock pulls in this fic-amazingly in-character. That carbon monoxide bit was particularly hot (hi, hurt/comfort junkie here). I admit I was a bit hesitant to jump into this story at first because John and Sherlock in Canada, that’s a bit odd, but I was so right to have trusted the author’s gorgeous writing and characterization. Brilliantly done. - The Adventure of the House That Was Not Empty by ancientreader
John/Sherlock. Author’s summary: Sebastian Moran, matchmaker. AU. John meets Sherlock for the first time post-Reichenbach when Moran breaks into John’s house with the intent to kill Sherlock. What follows is a delightful re-imagining of their first meeting and that lovely instant attraction. Lots of fun. - Against the Rest of the World (151,699 words) by silentauror
John/Sherlock, offscreen John/Mary. This epic post-Reichenbach story manages the feat of being half spy thriller (complete with imprisonment, kidnappings, amazingly detailed globe-trotting, and multiple explosions) and half romantic drama (with introspection, uncertainty, hotels and date nights in interesting locations, and passionate sex), all from Sherlock’s first-person perspective. His viewpoint of events is so touching: his crippling self-doubts, vulnerabilities, paranoia, and above all his supreme love for John propel the narrative. It’s fascinating seeing the espionage angle: the locations all feel so real, and seeing Mycroft and Sherlock working together and getting to know some team members on their side while constantly questioning everyone’s motivations and not knowing whom to trust was great fun. I especially love how Sherlock’s paranoia extends into his sex life, with all his anxiety about not being good enough for John (as if he didn’t have enough to worry about already!). Quote: I am nervous, jumping out of my skin at shadows now. Except the shadows are real and I have genuine cause for fear. Warnings for offscreen torture. - Andante (12,548 words) by uraneia
John/Sherlock. Author’s summary: Three months afterward, a stranger appears at 221B.. Cue some amazing hurt/comfort. This fic’s underlying concept involves Sherlock using one of the most gorgeous and romantic ideas in fandom in order to protect John and the mission. It’s subtle and handled so deftly that it took my breath away when I realized what he’d done. All my kinks-h/c, Sherlock with sentiments he didn’t even know existed, John taking care of him and waiting to be found out. :) - Be Here Now by todesfuge
John/Sherlock. An epic post-Reichenbach story where John and Irene help Sherlock take down an unexpected foe who might even be more dangerous than Jim Moriarty. So basically this is John dealing with an emotional crisis (John is not dealing well with Sherlock’s suicide) that turns into Sherlock dealing with a physical one that turns into everybody dealing with both, all packed with exciting, can’t-stop-reading plot. Good characterization of everybody, but John in particular, showing how he can be both traumatized by his past and a motherfucking badass at the same time. And there are a handful of very memorable OCs (including a fantastic dog) whom I really wish were canon. I very much enjoyed it. Warnings for attempted suicide, torture, and forcible drug use. - Bodies and Minds series by NezumiPi
Pre-John/Sherlock, Mycroft/Sherlock, Mycroft/OC. Post-Reichenbach, John tries to figure out who Sherlock really was by interviewing Lestrade and Mycroft. In the second story, Molly fears that something has gone wrong with Sherlock’s post-Reichenbach plan and lets John know the truth so that he can help Sherlock. I really can’t get enough of Sherlock’s pre-series backstory, especially ones in which John, Lestrade, and Mycroft all play big roles, so this series hit allll my kinks. And ohhh, man, the creeping horror of this series is that it goes exactly where I wanted it to but didn’t think there was any way that it could. That scene in which Mycroft tries to teach Sherlock to masturbate is insane and completely memorable, as is what follows with their fucked up relationship. Love it. This series kept me on the edge of my seat, trying to solve the mystery of Sherlock’s past along with John and being intrigued but saddened by all the pain Sherlock has faced in his life. The author tags this “Holy Shit What Happened to Sherlock,” and that tag totally sold me on this series. Warnings for mentions of incest, dub-con, drug abuse, abelist language, gore, serious permanent injuries, mental disabilities, and mentions of dementia. - Break My Step and Relent by geordielover
John/Sherlock. A moving, exciting mixture of a Reichenbach reunion story and John being a BAMF. It’s fascinating to me how their relationship has changed and how it’s stayed exactly the same, and how it can continue to evolve now that Sherlock’s back. - Build me another and call it Jerusalem by coloredink (fic at wreathsandbells)
John/Sherlock. A fantastic post-Reichenbach story where Sherlock comes back and John is so happy. (He’s angry, yes, of course, but he can’t act on that just yet because Sherlock’s back and everything’s going to be okay again. *happy sigh*) And then we get wonderfully awkward sex between a virgin and a man who’s straight except for this one guy and made them want to pursue a sexual relationship. Realistic problems, but so sweet and in-character. - The Case of the Vanishing Pants (44,025 words) by swissmarg
John/Sherlock. Author’s summary: Five times John and Sherlock lost their pants in the course of a case. In addition to being sweet, funny, and incredibly creative (great scenarios for the boys having to strip naked in front of each other!), this story is the epitome of the slow-burn, and my God is it hot and sexy as hell! What I really, really love about this is how carefully John considers all the angles to them becoming a couple: he thinks about where they are in their friendship, how being with Sherlock would compare to being with his ex-girlfriends, whether or not they are already in a committed relationship but without sex, how adding sex would change things between them. I love that he doesn’t rush, that he forces himself to really think about it, so that he can approach it with a clear vision of what he wants for them both, and that he admits he has trust issues after Reichenbach that don’t just vanish overnight. Quote: He missed Sherlock when he wasn't with him, and got a little thrill every time they were together, even when they were being locked in ovens or sprayed with radioactive waste. - Contingency Planning by aubkae
Possible John/Sherlock. In this story: the door to 221B opens. Sherlock is standing there. There are seventeen ways it could go, and Sherlock doesn’t know what will happen. The structure of this piece is stunning and heartbreaking, giving a glimpse into Sherlock’s tortured thoughts upon returning home. - The Deepest Secret Nobody Knows (or here) by raina-at
John/Sherlock. No joke, this feels canon to me. Okay, maybe not the ridiculously hot elevator sex, but the misunderstandings and John breaking Sherlock’s nose at their post-Reichenbach reunion and the boring holiday party at the Savoy and the getting stuck in an elevator telling each other stories-and especially playing chess on a phone app. I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s how chess would be played in an actual episode. Plus, I love how the author reused John’s own complimentary words (“amazing, fantastic”) that Sherlock used in Hounds, except this was written before that aired, so it’s extra-special lovely. - The Fabric of Life by holyfant
John/Sherlock. An epic tale with beautiful writing about what happens when Sherlock returns-and what happened to him while he was away, from John’s limited perspective. This story has an added element that John is in a grief counseling group with three interesting and well-developed OCs, all of whom have to deal with the fact that John was dealing with his grief, but then Sherlock came back from the dead...and their loved ones aren’t going to; they aren’t going to get their miracle. The author takes the time to deal with each physical and emotional complication Sherlock’s return and his relationship with John might cause, and how existing language isn’t always enough to encompass what they have gone through. I really like how it’s clear that not just John suffered, and how figuring out what happened to Sherlock is a fascinating mystery underlying all their new cases (one of which is amazingly memorable because necrophilia, omg). Also, Lestrade is great here. - Follow You Into the Trenches by twisting-vine-x
John/Sherlock. Post-Reichenbach, John is not doing well, so Sherlock decides to tell John that he’s alive. Together, they try to track down Moriarty’s network, which they find to be insanely difficult. Told from Sherlock’s perspective, this is visceral and painful, with some fantastic Sherlock whump, both physical and emotional; I especially love the running emphasis on breathing. I’ve long suspected that John would do much better without Sherlock than Sherlock would without him, and the author demonstrates that very well here. Warnings for violence and torture. - The Frayed Edge by hyacinth-sky747
John/Sherlock, John/Mary. A superb reunion story from Lestrade’s perspective. (Sherlock actually collapses on seeing John here-oh, my heart!) I really love the parts that Molly and Mrs. Hudson play, too. This is one of my absolute favorite authors: the writing is superb and often has this kind of amusing but sad, wistful quality that I really admire, with the ability to convey so much in just a few lines. - The ‘getting better’ series by LittlePippin
John/Sherlock. Starting with a brilliant modernization of the ACD canon “Empty House” story and proceeding to a series of other casefics, this is a superb, often playful, excuse to showcase some excellent hurt/comfort elements. The first three stories have some quality John whump with Sherlock taking care of him, and then for the last two they switch roles, and we have John dealing with Sherlock being sick and injured. The whole series is fabulously in-character and very funny at times. God, I love the way John is written here at the beginning and when convalescing and dealing with Sherlock being ill-getting angry, forcing himself to calm down, barely holding onto his emotions but still doing it. Very moving, realistic, and in-character. And of course I adore Sherlock: it’s delightfully canon the way he tells the truth, but in a deliberately misleading way. And I just ate up these hurt/comfort elements with a spoon (panicky, worried Sherlock is awesome; injured and ill Sherlock is even better). Also, one word: apricots. You will know it when you read it. - Gibbous, Waxing by hitlikehammers
John/Sherlock. There are post-Reichenbach stories where Sherlock comes back and John assumes he’s hallucinating a dead man. This is one where the roles are flipped: Sherlock is so used to hallucinating John while dismantling Moriarty’s web that when Sherlock returns, he assumes this John is also a hallucination. Brilliant, brilliant concept, one I didn’t know I wanted until I read this. A wonderful take on John’s integral place in Sherlock’s hard drive and mind palace. This story has tons of hurt/comfort elements with a twist because when Sherlock’s shot or poisoned or beaten or whatever, he imagines John is there taking care of him, when actually he’s not physically there (until he is). Intense and gorgeous. Moved me to tears. I really hope canon’s take on the Return is one in which Sherlock’s the vulnerable one and John is the strong one because this story proves how effective that can be. - Given in Evidence by verityburns
John/Sherlock, some dom/sub themes. After the fall, John goes out seeking danger in an almost suicidal way. When Sherlock comes back, he decides to prove to John how much he matters. Starting with an insanely hot first kiss that releases previously dormant sexual feelings in Sherlock. What follows is an epic reevaluation of their roles in each other’s lives, in turns so funny and adorable and then angsty and then incredibly sexy. The story does a great job at dealing with the anger and hurt that John feels on Sherlock’s return, and how being the last one to know the truth about the fall makes him question everything about his relationship with Sherlock. I’m particularly fond of the way this author writes Sherlock’s perspective (“two sulks later” LOLOL!). He’s utterly adorable when all confused and trying to assess the situation between them. - The Good Morrow verse by greywash (or fizzygins on tumblr),
John/Sherlock, John/OC. I must highly, highly recommend this author’s take on Reichenbach, which ratchets up the tension and is wonderfully plotty and just fantastic. Absolutely my favorite post-Reichenbach story, a must-read classic. The author takes us inside Sherlock’s head (and John’s, too) on their epic journey together and makes everything visceral and present and incredibly real. Reading this made me feel like Christmas had come early. (And also this story cements my absolute desire for a female Moran.) - the grand tour of europe by falling-voices
John/Sherlock. Author’s summary: In the afternoon of May 20th, 2015, Sherlock Holmes starts down the steps of the British Museum and walks neatly into the arms of a dead man. Reichenbach in reverse, based on ACD canon, except this time John jumps from the waterfall in Switzerland, and Sherlock’s left to grieve. Any description I give of this will not be able to do justice to what a gorgeous, nuanced piece this is, as Sherlock deals with John’s return and thinks back on their memories together, on how much he loves John, all filtered through the running motif of photography. Lovely and lyrical. - The Ice Man and the Virgin series by silentauror
John/Sherlock, hints at Mycroft/Moriarty, pre-Mycroft/Lestrade. Mycroft’s perspective of the buildup to and recovery from Reichenbach. The first story in the series is a wickedly clever, intense game of manipulations between Moriarty and Mycroft that kept me guessing and made my jaw drop at one point. The second story focuses on Sherlock’s resurrection, particularly Mycroft and John’s reactions to learning Sherlock is alive, which are so affecting. This series really gets inside Mycroft’s head and gives a very moving portrayal of his concealed emotions and a fascinating view of his relationship with Sherlock. And how I adore the way this author characterizes Sherlock, mmm, so vulnerable. Warnings for mentions of dub-con, torture. - I Will Take Care of You by SailorChibi
John/Sherlock. Post-Reichenbach, Sherlock shows up on the couch in John’s flat, ill and injured and hallucinating. BAMF!John and Lestrade finish taking out Moriarty’s web while he’s out of it. Plotty and tense with excellent hurt/comfort elements and John, Lestrade, Mycroft, and Molly cooperating-just what I love, and executed very well. - Nothing Else Matters by achray
John/Sherlock, Mary/John. Post-Reichenbach, John is very angry at Sherlock and can’t process the clues Sherlock’s giving off. Oh my God, this story actually made all my muscles tense with wanting to hug Sherlock, who’s so transparent here in his desperation for John. Heartrending, brutal angst that made me want to shake John. Also fantastic characterizations of the other characters (Mary, Lestrade, Mycroft, and Molly), with a particularly unique take on Mycroft. Warnings for mentions of violence, torture, sexual abuse. - Not the King’s Men by StoneWingedAngel (bamboo-door)
John/Sherlock. Post-Reichenbach, Sherlock is literally delivered to John in such a pitiful state that John fears Sherlock may never fully recover. Meanwhile John has to deal with his latent feelings for Sherlock and the realization that the danger Sherlock faced may still be out there. This version of the return, having Sherlock come back to John so shattered and broken, was a fantastic idea, very creepy and scary. The story deals very well with John’s emotional stress, his mix of guilt and anger with no appropriate outlet for it when Sherlock’s in such distress. And then there are John’s feelings for Sherlock, which just add to the delicious angst. Warnings for mentions of torture, violence. - Rags and Bones by emungere
John/Sherlock. Reichenbach if John had disappeared instead of Sherlock, and Sherlock thought he was dead and thinks he’s going crazy and keeps holding John’s hand. Sherlock and Harry also get drunk together. Like many of this wonderful author’s stories, this fic is so sad but so happy and adorable at the same time. Sherlock’s perspective really makes this. Possibly disturbing in what Sherlock does to a dead body when he thinks John is dead. - Red/White/Black by emmagrant01
John/Sherlock. A lovely post-Reichenbach story with Snow White motifs and a female!Moran, cool! The author really has Moriarty’s voice down well. I love the situation Sherlock gets into and his connection with some of the homeless youth in London especially. - Renegades by augustbird (fic at emptyaddress)
John/Sherlock, Sherlock/other, warnings for drug use, torture, dub-con (lots of warnings because while this underworld is endlessly exciting, it isn’t a happy one). An AU of Reichenbach where Sherlock doesn’t fake his death: he takes John along with him instead. If you like Breaking Bad, you’re in for a treat: here Sherlock and John basically enter that world in order to topple Moriarty’s crime ring. So, yeah, this story hooked me right from the first sentence: it’s a phenomenal fix-it for Reichenbach. It’s John who cuts and dyes Sherlock’s hair, John who picks out a gun from a shady dealer, John who is possessive when he sees what Sherlock is forced to do to get the information they need. Most of all, though, this story makes me terrified for Sherlock trying to do all these things by himself, confronting his past and all these terrifying people by himself, without his John. It’s just so much more efficient if John’s along for the ride, and so much better for Sherlock in every way (except having to worry about John’s safety-but he’s probably doing that anyway, regardless of where John is). Their pseudonyms are also priceless. Quote: But he’s sitting in a strange car in the middle of a strange land, miles away from any city and he thinks that he’s never felt so much at home. - Resurrection by silentauror
John/Sherlock, John/Mary. Author’s summary: It's been three years. Can a man simply come back from the dead? This author has a brilliant knack for getting inside Sherlock’s head and showing all that vulnerability. Panicky, inexperienced Sherlock who is nonetheless desperately in love with John so steals my heart here. His whirling emotions are so clear, how he can barely speak even when John wants him to, how he has to actively prevent himself from thinking about what’s happening. And John’s married, so that brings in a whole new set of angst and complications-and Mary is uniquely intriguing here. I also adore this take on Sherlock’s relationship with Mycroft, as well as Mycroft’s role in planning the fall and hiatus. - Scotch series by earlgreytea68
John/Sherlock, Mycroft/Lestrade. What starts with Mycroft and Lestrade sharing scotches slowly transforms into an epic story of two lovely relationships and how Reichenbach affects them all. And while, yes, I love the Johnlock, and the chemistry in that relationship and Mycroft’s with Lestrade is off the charts, I found myself most enjoying the interactions between Mycroft and Sherlock. This author is so brilliant at many things, but especially at the brothers’ doublespeak and wordless communication. Quote: They hadn’t communicated about it, but John thought maybe there was an invisible kinship between men in love with Holmes brothers: Sometimes you had to save them from themselves, and Lestrade would know that. - so if you’re leaving, walk slow by overnightbivouac
John/Sherlock, OC/Sherlock. A post-Reichenbach story about Sherlock and how much he misses John. This story is so fierce with emotion; Sherlock’s desperation is almost palpable. It’s really raw and powerful. Also features one of the best, truest moments between Sherlock and Mycroft I’ve read. Also by this author, I loved: for when time goes in reverse. Reichenbach in reverse: surprising, unusual, lovely, and after you finish reading it, just as painful. - Space by earlgreytea68 and lovely art by threeplanetswatson
Pre-John/Sherlock. Post-Reichenbach, Sherlock thinks of a few more, er, orthodox methods of wooing John Watson back to him. Starting with roses. This story is incredibly sweet and very funny but also has a perfectly hefty dollop of angst and Sherlock being vulnerable, which I adore. - Spaces Between by aubkae
John/Sherlock. Post-Reichenbach, Sherlock returns and he and John work their way back to normalcy. This story I feel deals successfully with not only how difficult it will be for John and Sherlock to reconcile and for John to get over this new, horrific form of PTSD but also how difficult it will be for Sherlock to resume his work, to earn his livelihood, to work with all the distrustful people at the Yard again, to get over what he had to do to save his friends. Many stories just gloss over this section (because, really, it seems to me that it will be difficult, and probably impossible, for things to go back to the way they were before). It requires Sherlock to have “a mix of careful grace and anxious tension” that I think is very authentic and poignant while John “rides the waves of anger and betrayal and sympathy and pity and caring and resentment and joy and hurt.” But I love that they can go through that process together and come out on the other side better for having each other, and this story really beautifully explores that process. (As a companion to “Spaces Between,” I read Contingency Planning as a prequel.) - Stages of Grief by Speranza
John/Sherlock. A creative, fascinating, and unique post-Reichenbach story where Sherlock comes and lives in an empty room above John in 221 Baker Street while untangling Moriarty’s very literal web (UPS tracking codes!). I absolutely loved everything about this story, particularly that moment when Sherlock realizes how hard John has taken his absence. The reunion scene was perfect: violent, messy, sexy and passionate as hell. - Terms of Service by kres
John/Sherlock. Author’s summary: John finds out from the telly. Yeah. And, understandably, John is not happy with Sherlock, and they both try to work out their issues, but in a very unconventional way. The author warns that this story is dark, deals with sexualized violence, and may be triggery. I think at its heart this is a story about negotiating a very successful BSDM relationship without explicitly discussing it, and with some questionable motives at the start. But they just fit so well together, each with his own secret darkness that only the other can unlock, that their relationship still works even when they’re wildly miscommunicating and misunderstanding each other. I adore the dynamics (because Sherlock deliberately provoking John and John knowing it’s deliberate is just crazy hot), and I especially love the focus on John’s anger and his trust issues. - ’Till I Reach You by mazarin221b
John/Sherlock. Post-Reichenbach, John accidentally discovers that Sherlock’s not dead before Sherlock’s ready, then John utilizes Sherlock’s methods to find and help him (he even starts “deleting” unnecessary things). One of my favorite things about this story is that John may not know Sherlock’s techniques as well as Sherlock, but he knows Sherlock, and that will be incredibly helpful for him. This author is a master at perfect descriptions and imagery, and this story is a great example of that, particularly with the words used to describe Sherlock’s eyes. There’s also an incredibly sexy scene on a balcony that I adore: hot, yes, but also so deep and intimate it’s almost surreal. Quote: He can feel the pull of Sherlock across a continent; his own need to protect and care and love pointing a true north to the one person that has drawn him in like a gravity well, like a black hole, inevitable and forever.
::: Other Pairings :::
- Faith Like a Child by Ricechex
John/Mary. The Reichenbach fall does not go as Sherlock had planned, and he sustains a brain injury that makes him regress to having a childlike understanding of the world. John and therapist!Mary help him. Sherlock in this state is adorably sweet, but at the same time the entire situation is almost unbearably heartbreaking because without the brain damage, he wouldn’t have been this cute. Scenes where he enthusiastically plays with Legos or colors a coloring book almost undid me. I really love the idea of Mary being his therapist, though-that they would have an important connection that was separate from her relationship with John is a wonderful idea. I also liked Mycroft’s evolving role in the story. - The Fall of Gods by impishtubist
John/Lestrade, Victor Trevor/Sherlock. Post-Reichenbach, John and Lestrade are grieving, and Mycroft teams Sherlock up with Victor Trevor, with whom he has a long and complex relationship. Many post-Reichenbach stories gloss over the details of what, exactly, Sherlock is doing (not to mention how), so it was such a delight to read this epic, which seems to glory in the details, no matter how brutal and angsty. The author is wonderful at portraying the constant tensions and frustrations and terror that Victor and Sherlock must face while hunting on the run together across the globe: the ghosts of both their pasts haunting them while they try to outwit those who are hunting them. (And also the sex was scorching.) This story was epic and blew me away. Warnings for violence, serious physical injuries, other warnings that the author discloses as the story progresses. - The Good Place by impishtubist
Lestrade/Sherlock. Sherlock’s return is hard on everyone, perhaps Sherlock most of all. But while he won’t let down his guard and show his pain in front of John, he will in front of Lestrade. A quiet, melancholy, and beautiful exploration of how everyone has changed since Sherlock’s fall. There are so many moments of this eloquent story I love-Angelo’s part, Sherlock’s injuries, Sherlock’s smoking, Lestrade and John’s reactions, and how much the Work and Sherlock’s reputation mean to him. - Out of the heart and into the darkness by dioscureantwins
Mycroft/Sherlock. In this epic post-Reichenbach story, Mycroft has to deal with his and Sherlock’s carefully-thought-out plans going horribly awry-but no one, not even Anthea, not even Molly, can know. The mental and physical strain this puts on Mycroft as he envisions scenario after scenario as to what could have happened, interspersed with flashbacks of the brothers’ deep, lifelong relationship, are all phenomenally well-done and convincing. It’s fascinating to watch Mycroft confronting his own jealousy and terror about what Sherlock is up to while working blind and having to keep up the appearance in front of everyone that nothing is wrong. But what really makes me adore this story is Mycroft’s overwhelming love for Sherlock. Warnings for mentions of offscreen rape, gruesome murders, torture, and incest (obviously). - The Sign of the Four by Solojones
John/Mary, implied offscreen Irene/Sherlock. As the title suggests, this is a retelling of “The Sign of the Four” with a multilayered case and post-Reichenbach reunions that seem very like ones we might expect from canon, Mary included. I like that Mary’s willing to be patient and observant with Sherlock, giving him the benefit of the doubt. It’s wonderful seeing him through Mary’s eyes for the first time, especially as she’s so compassionate. And believe it or not, Sherlock’s analysis of tobacco ash actually comes in handy here! If you love angst, I particularly rec this because Sherlock’s judgment of his own worth to his friends in this story is heartbreaking. Sherlock’s abuse of his body during the case leads to a huge helping of well-researched medical trauma and hurt/comfort, which is my addiction. And I totally love all the comparisons of Sherlock having been “at war” like John was in Afghanistan. The only part I don’t quite believe is Mycroft’s role in the fall (since I privately believe Sherlock and Mycroft planned it together), but since we don’t have confirmation either way at this point, it’s still lots of fun to read and speculate. Warnings for violence, drug abuse, and discussion of drug addiction.
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