Hiiii
Given that you said you weren't getting many asks, I just had to ask if you have any more, preferably shorter, fics of them dancing?
Unless I missed a recent update, I feel like I went through all on your list :)
Hi Lovely!
Oh gosh, so I have one singular Dancing List that has been going around for YEARS and people keep adding to it so I just keep adding to it, and in turn I suppose it's getting a bit blooated to try to find stuff you're looking for LOL
So let's make a new list of SHORT dancing fics, just for you! Most of these will already be on that above list, but I hope that maybe this brings up stuff you will like :) I've also whittled it down to fics TAGGED with 'dancing' instead of reccing every fic that has a bit of dancing in it, so hopefully these will help you find what you're looking for.
As usual, if you have a SHORT fic focusing on dancing of any kind, let us know!
SHORT DANCING FICS (Under 10K Words)
See also:
Dancing (updated Nov 2025)
Sexy Dancing
Ballet Dancer AU (MFLs)
Moulin Rouge AU
BOOKMARKS
Your love it feels so good by Hotaru_Tomoe (E, 2,843 w., 1 Ch. || Gay Club / Gay Bar, Lingerie, Stripping, Anal, Crossdressing, Strip Tease, First Time) – Sherlock is last at a quiz night and is forced by Anderson to perform in a gay stripclub. John must be with him, because he will have to record the performance. Sherlock takes the task very seriously. Part 20 of The English job
Behind Closed Curtains by twisting_vine_x (G, 2,939 w., 1 Ch. || Dancing, Angst, Pre-Slash) – Set loosely during season two, when Sherlock and John are still, ahem, dancing around each other. Sherlock teaches John how to dance.
Unimpressed by 221b_hound (M, 3,106 w., 1 Ch. || New Year’s Eve, Dancing, Jealousy) – Sherlock has no intention of attending the Met's New Year's Eve party. The start of a new year is all but meaningless to him. But he ends up there anyway, having odd conversations, and John does not find Sherlock's jealousy the slightest bit cute. And then there is dancing. Part 10 of Unkissed
No Good Without You by textsandscones (T, 4,021 w., 1 Ch. || Case Fic, Sherlock’s Violin, Dancing / Busking, Soppy Fluff) – A diverting new case surrounding musicians and stolen instruments captures Sherlock's attention, the consequences of which lead both detective and doctor to see one another in a different light. Part 1 of Prompt Fills
Living Musical by VeeTheRee (G, 4,149 w. 1 Ch. || Established Relationship, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Domestic Fluff, Hobbies, Summer, Song Fic, POV Sherlock, Painting, Play Fighting, Soft Sherlock, Dancing, Love Declarations, Hair Petting, Promise of Forever) – A one-shot of John and Sherlock being domestic during summer. There is paint, fluff, and music from Imagine Dragons, namely from the album 'Speak To Me', specific song in this one-shot is 'Living Musical'. Part 1 of the Happy Fluffy Johnlock Time series
The Dance Lesson by bittergreens (G, 4,596 w., 1 Ch. || TSo3 Missing Scene, Dancing, Pining Sherlock, URT/UST, Romance, Angst, POV John) – Sherlock teaches John to dip. Part 1 of Goodnight, Vienna
Sherlock and John Go Clubbing by wendymarlowe (E, 4,716 w., 3 Ch. || Clubbing, Dirty Talk, Dancing, Coming Untouched, Coming in Pants, Bi John, For a Case, Friends to Lovers, Flirting, Sherlock is Lost for Words, Sexy John, Mutual Pining, Possessive John, Floor Sex/Hand Job/Frottage) – John pinched the bridge of his nose - even for Sherlock, this was a new level of no bloody boundaries. “You want me to go with you to a gay club, wait around twiddling my thumbs while I let you get pawed by a criminal, then out-flirt him and talk you into coming home with me instead?” Part 32 of John and Sherlock's Kinky First Times
a very soft epilogue (my love) by darcylindbergh (E, 5,395 w., 3 Ch. || Retirement, Domestic Fluff, Dancing, Dogs, Grumpy Old Men) – Across the pillows, Sherlock shifts and hums, the creases of his face deepening and then smoothing before settling. John watches him wake up, his chest swelling with affection and fondness, and thinks he’ll never get tired of Sherlock in the mornings, sleepy and soft. It’s been some forty-odd years, and John hasn’t gotten tired of it yet. Part 5 of things fairy tales are made of
MARKED FOR LATER
The Curious Case of Ole Twinkletoes Collection by Various Authors (E, 5 Stories || Dancing, Idiots in Love, Assorted Tags and Timelines) – Sherlock stories where one or both of our boys strut their stuff. Dancing of a wide variety, and lots of delicious romance and smut.
He really can’t breathe. by Luna_sharp618 (NR, 696 w., 1 Ch. || Pining Sherlock, Dancing, Sherlock Teaching John to Dance, TSo3 Fic) – In which Sherlock teaches John how to dip his dance partner for the wedding and has some pining thoughts.
Tango by standbygo (M, 1,424 w., 1 Ch. || Different First Meeting || Case Fic, Dancing) – “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” “Shut up and dance – a man’s alibi depends on it.”
Operation Synchronous by Daziechane (NR, 1,691 w., 1 Ch. || Dancer Sherlock, Lip Synch Battle, Abuse Of Umbrellas, Bets) – Sherlock never welches on a bet. That doesn't mean he'll give in easily, however.
on his mouth like liquor by chrysanthemumsies (T, 1,780 w., 1 Ch. || TSo3, Stag Night, Gay Bar, Romance, Dancing, First Kiss, Fluff) – The gay bar scene from Stag night that the creators didn't want to show! Pure crack with a bit of angst and a whole lotta fluff (if you squint). Sherlock and John on the dance floor - what's not to love?
Take me to Baker Street by MorganeUK (G, 2,087 w., 1 Ch. || Adult Ballet AU || Ballet Dancer Sherlock, Doctor John, Song Fic, Pre-Slash) – I always loved Sergei Polunin interpretation of Take me to the church so I decided to write a version where Sherlock is a ballet dancer in serious need of a doctor…
May I Have This Dance? by ScaryFairy13 (G, 2,297 w., 1 Ch. || Slow Dancing, Fluff, First Kiss, Wedding) – John drags Sherlock to Greg's and Molly's wedding. Dancing ensues as well as the discovery of certain sentimental feelings.
Body Language by CeruleanDarkangelis (T, 2,706 w., 1 Ch. || PODFIC AVAILABLE || Dancing, Song Fic, POV First Person John, Voyeurism, Dirty Dancing, Clubbing) – There is a language to dancing; a call-and-response from one body to another. Even with the poncy kind of dancing I knew he was versed in, the kind that requires classes and counting and rules, there is communication between bodies. Watching him now, I’m more than pleased to discover that he understands my dialect as well. Part 1 of the Without Words series
Three Sad Thoughts, Danced by Fluffbyday_Smutbynight (T, 2,788 w., 1 Ch. || Slow Dancing, Music, Double Entendre, First Kiss, UST, Mentioned Mary, POV John) – John is learning waltz, but Sherlock has something different on his mind. Slow dancing is a slippery slope.
A Lesson In Love by arthurs_best_knight (G, 2,825 w., 1 Ch. || TSo3 Missing Scene, Dancing / Waltzing, Infidelity, Unrequited Love, Unhappy Ending, Angst, Hurt / No Comfort, Angry John, Implied / Referenced Drug Addiction) – John asks Sherlock to teach him how to waltz in preparation for his wedding with Mary. Unfortunately, Sherlock is terribly in love with John.
The Very Thought of You by reveling_in_mayhem (T, 2,386 w., 1 Ch. || Canon Divergence, Song Fic, Kitchen Dancing, First Kiss, Fluff) – John and Sherlock have danced before. For a case and for a wedding. But they've never danced like this. So why is John reaching out his hand for Sherlock's now?
Under the Lights by CarmillaCarmine (E, 2,872 w., 1 Ch. || TSo3 Fix It, Stag Night, Gay Club, First Time, Dancing) – Following Sherlock’s map marked with all the streets where they had found a corpse, John and Sherlock stumbled into a gay club. Part 1 of TSoT Fix-It
Giving In by Goddess_of_the_Night (G, 3,035 w., 1 Ch. || Post-Mary, Friends to Lovers, Flirting, Lestrolly Wedding, Dancing, First Kiss, Idiots in Love, Canon Compliant, Mistaken Relationship) – Sherlock and John attend the wedding of Greg and Molly. They both get bored and think of interesting (but very false) backstories for the saints in the stained glass windows before moving on to the reception where everyone keeps assuming they’re a couple.
You'll Do by hesagoodone (G, 3,234 w., 1 Ch. || TSo3 Fix It, Dancing) – They could probably dance in perfect sync blindfolded.
Masqued in Candlelight by Deaths_Dark_Angel (E, 4,369 w., 1 Ch. || Costume Parties & Masquerades, Dancing, Masked Stranger, Seduction) – Sherlock is forced to attend the Met's annual charity ball without John, who ends up with a last minute emergency at the surgery and is unable to attend. As a result, a mysterious masked stranger seduces the consulting detective on the dance floor. Pure fluff.
The Adventure of the Dancing Man by Marta (T, 5,091 w., 1 Ch. || ACD Canon || Friendship, Vacation, Case Fic, Hurt/Comfort, Ballet, Undercover, France, Temporary Poverty, Implied/Referenced Character Death) – When the Countess Howard's family heirlooms are stolen, Holmes must take on a rather unusual disguise to recover them.
Dirty by standbygo (E, 5,093 w., 1 Ch. || Established Relationship, PWP, Dirty Dancing, Romance, Smut and Fluff) – “Yeah, I actually learned how to dance like that, like in the film. I was quite the hit at parties while the craze lasted. Some of Harry’s friends called me Johnny Castle, after the character. Or Swayze.” “Swayze? What kind of word is that?” John did not reply, but gazed at Sherlock, his lips pressed together but still smiling. After a moment, he stood and held out his hand to Sherlock. “Dance with me,” John said.
Detective's Orders by aquileaofthelonelymountain (M, 5,826 w., 3 Ch. || Mutual Pining, Flirting, First Kiss, Fluff, POV Alternating, Slow Dancing, Love Confessions, Friends to Lovers, Protective Idiots, Massage, Five and One, Idiots in Love) – Five times Sherlock tries to ensure John lives a long and healthy life, and one time John realizes what all the fuss is about.
Behind closed curtains by consultingbatch (G, 5,918 w., 1 Ch. || TSo3 Fix It, Deleted Scene, Gay Bar Scene, Bisexual John, First Kiss, Soft Johnlock, Drunken Confessions, Drama Queen Sherlock, Drunk John / Sherlock) – “So, Waltz right?” he asked with his hands behind his back, his camel dressing gown fluttering after him, before he looked at John. “Yes, yes, Waltz. More traditional.” the doctor said and got up as well, clenching and unclenching his fists continuously. “The curtains though… close them, please…” he asked, looking at the windows, trying to figure out if people might have seen them dancing together. Part 1 of the lovers at first sight series
Purposeful Guidance by Lock_John_Silver (T, 6,081 w., 6 Ch. || Five and One, POV Mrs Hudson, Developing Relationship, Diary / Journal, Matchmaker Mrs Hudson, Idiots in Love, Writing, Baking, Museums, Dancing, Roses, Texting, Sherlock Backstory, Protective Mycroft, Brotherly Love) – The New Year's Concert from Vienna is over, and Mrs Hudson marvels in the fact that both Sherlock and John are on the right track. At long last! Part 6 of Mrs. Hudson's diary Series
Flirty Dancing by standbygo (T, 6,084 w., 6 Ch. || Alternate Universe || Dancing, Screenplay/Script Format, Strangers to Lovers) – Welcome to Flirty Dancing, where we take two potential romantic partners and teach each of them their half of a choreographed dance. Then they meet, they dance, and then walk away – all without saying a word.
Take Me To Church by Daziechane (M, 6,370 w., 1 Ch. || Ballet, Song Fic, First Kiss / Time) – John’s days blurred. It didn’t even bother him anymore, that he wasn’t onstage. At least, that’s what he told himself every time he clocked in for another shift. Sherlock’s days blurred. It didn’t even bother him anymore, that he wasn’t onstage. At least, that’s what he told himself every time he stepped into 221B.
The Way Back by emilycare (T, 6,433 w., 7 Ch. || Road Trips, Pining, Scotland, POV Sherlock, Only One Bed, Fluff, Sexy Dancing, Hurt/Comfort, Angst with Happy Ending) – After impersonating a married couple for a case, John and Sherlock travel homeward to Rosie. Nothing could go wrong, or change the nature of their relationship, could it? Part 2 of Silver and Gold
The Posh Purple Pirate (Enter My Life and Make Me Drown) by Loveismyrevolution (E, 7,408 w., 1 Ch. || Exotic Dancer AU || Alternate First Meeting, Strangers to Lovers, For a Case, Lap Dancing, Hand Job, First Kiss, Pirate Sherlock, Drama Queen Sherlock, Dancer Sherlock) – When Mike Stamford invited him to a fun night out, John Watson never expected it would become such a wild ride - captivated by an enigmatic pirate his life suddenly gains speed in an unexpected direction. Part 1 of PirateDragQueenVerse
En Pointe by nbcravenstag (T, 9,968 w., 1 Ch. || Ballet Dancing, Insecure Sherlock, Overprotective John, Bullying, Idiots in Love, Love Confessions, Pining Sherlock, Fluff, Angst with Happy Ending) – The thought of John Watson, his John Watson finding out about his love of ballet was terrifying. John was a soldier. Robust, muscular, almost rippling with strength, and he could only imagine what said soldier would do if he found out. Of course, in the back of his mind, he had a dream once of his rugby-playing soldier doctor meeting him after show, teasing him lovingly about the leotard and tights, wiping away the sweaty stage make up that fell down his face as he leaned in for a kiss... But it was wrong. John wasn't gay, Sherlock wasn't a ballet dancer, and love was a horrible thing to think about after a murder.
There ared definitely new ones in here for me thank you!! Especially for sorting them :)
Sherlock teaching John to dance is just one of my favourite tropes <3
