in the bitter watches of the night

Shell, limestone, and lapis lazuli game board, city of Ur, Sumer, circa 2450 BC

The search engine calculates a score that aggressively favors text-heavy websites, and punishes those that have too many modern web design features.

If you are looking for fact, this is almost certainly the wrong tool. If you are looking for serendipity, you’re on the right track. When was the last time you just stumbled onto something interesting, by the way?

For details and warnings, follow the links to AO3, it's included in tags there.

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The Absolute Truth of the Matter

On the way to Rosenlaui, Holmes falls behind to face Moriarty alone. When it is instead Watson who encounters the Professor at the Reichenbach Falls, events take an unexpected turn.

Or: Watson does a few ridiculously courageous things and there is a crack in Holmes's lens.

The Case of the Lost Cat

Annie hesitated, nervously turning the apple in her hands, lowering her gaze. “I must tell you first,” she mumbled, “that I can’t pay your fee, Mr Holmes, b-but I can help in the garden, or –“ „Oh, but lost animal cases are always free of charge,” Holmes said casually, folding the newspaper and throwing it onto the floor next to his armchair. He is, as I have often stated, really a rather brilliant man.

After the Great War, Holmes and Watson are living a quiet life somewhere in Sussex. The days of great detective work lie in the past, but when a distressed young client asks them for help with finding her lost cat, Holmes and Watson have to solve a case that might turn out to be just beyond their limits.

Flowery Prose

Holmes rarely read to me, and never like this.

The Return of Dr Watson

I think of myself as a practical woman. I am proud to say that I have always been able to manage my household in the most efficient manner, purchasing only what is of good quality without requiring any unnecessary expenses. I have one possession, however, that is an exception to that rule. This is the story of how not only one but two of my tenants returned to Baker Street, and how I came to own one of London’s finest tea services as a result.

Mr Holmes returns. Dr Watson leaves. Mrs Hudson realises that London’s greatest detective might require a little assistance with winning the good doctor back.

The Adventures of the Amorous Amateur

Five times Sherlock Holmes is bad in bed and one time Watson is too.

The Heart's Desire

In which Watson learns how to make love to Sherlock Holmes.

The Adventure of the Lost Footing

“You have been in this particular mood for months,” Holmes stated. “You are in pain, but worse than that, you feel useless. You would clearly be more comfortable – and productive – away from London. Therefore, it seems a permanent relocation is in order.”

When Watson is no longer able to keep step with Sherlock Holmes, he expects to be left behind. As it turns out, Holmes has already devised a plan.

Of Seeing London Again

I had dreamed of London day and night, and now I had returned, but I was not home yet. It would not be until Moran was caught and I could finally reveal myself to my old friend Watson that I would be able to find a modicum of peace.

A Kinder Heart

“Holmes?” The pipe clattered to the floor and there was tobacco scattered all around it, but it passed like a flash before my eyes because I had spun around to face whoever had entered the room. It was Watson, of course.

The Return

“Watson, will you keep this?” I extended my hand and offered the cigarette case.

From the Flowers

Holmes loves flowers. Watson loves Holmes. Mrs Hudson loves to meddle.

A lively discussion about cinematography ends with Watson making a fool of himself – but it doesn’t matter, because Holmes is a fool for him, too.

A Change of Heart

There have been but two occasions in my long and happy association with Mr Sherlock Holmes when we had a row so spectacular that it threatened to terminate our friendship. The first one occurred in April 1894 under circumstances which I put to paper elsewhere. The second time was roughly ten years later, when Holmes’s health once again failed him dramatically and it became apparent that, if he valued his life at all, some drastic changes would be necessary. Holmes did not see it that way, however.

The Adventure of the Telltale Flower

“What happened?” I asked him again, “Who hurt you?” My mind was racing. Had it been some thug in the street? A lover? The police?! I received nothing but an abrupt headshake in return. Holmes was still pressing his hand to his chest as if he could make the flower disappear, and in the grimace on his face, pain and mortification mingled.

Our Highest Assurance

“Watson,” I gasped, my entire being fixed upon the one fact that mattered above all, “are you unharmed?” “Quite,” he coughed. “Are you …?” “Yes.” I could not tear my eyes away from my partner. There was a bruise already forming on his neck and I pressed the revolver harder against Sir Wilfred’s temple, cruelly hoping that he felt a fraction of the terror he had dealt me in the span of the past minute.

A Watch Kept

This time, Sherlock Holmes falls.

In Word and Deed

I was aware I put Watson into an impossible situation. Either way, my life was in his hands. It was now for him to decide if he would attempt to save me by braving a snowstorm with a bad leg, or by operating without assistance or proper equipment. His dreams would return, I knew. If I survived this, I resolved to dedicate all my remaining nights to him and the violin.

A Gap in the Book Market

Holmes's tobacco ash monograph is worth a read.

A Sea Change

When Dr Watson receives notice that Sherlock Holmes is lying on his deathbed in his Sussex cottage, he loses no time in hurrying to his friend’s side. He is desperate for just one more chance to spend his life with Holmes – but will he recognise it if it is granted?

The Last Adventure of H. Sigerson

In 1894, Henrik Sigerson makes the acquaintance of Dr John Watson in a chemical laboratory in Montpellier.

The Case of the Special Sandwich

In which Holmes prepares a meal for Watson, and Watson one for Holmes.

I recently learned an old French euphemism for bisexuality. It means to be powered "by sail and steam," and it absolutely comes from a specific flavor of 19th-century ship.

HMS Terror and Erebus were bisexual, you heard it here first.