SCREAMZIIEZ

By popular demand, a new pinned post about us and the show for new followers/audio drama listeners/people who might be here because of our Sherlock Holmes postings! Find more info on the show and how to listen on our website, 224bbaker.com

🚨 ANY SHOW-RELATED SPOILERS ON THIS BLOG ARE TAGGED #224B SPOILERS 🚨

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.

The Illustrious Client

“He gave no explanations and I asked for none. By long experience I had learned the wisdom of obedience. But when I had left his room I walked down Baker Street, revolving in my head how on earth I was to carry out so strange an order.”

Someone and a friend told me, “Change the lyrics to make it more interesting.” I hope that's true :,

I've always liked the fact that the wizard looks different depending on who's looking at him. I know they don't adapt it much due to budget or time constraints, but it's peak.

Extra:

Watson teaches Holmes how to flirt fic

but then it backfires on him! (who couldve thought..)

one day Holmes laments he has to endear himself to a number of women at a social event bc of a case - watson first scolds him for leading on the ladies but when holmes asks if he will not help him he says ofc i will! it would be a great pleasure. how? well watson you've been quite a ladies man in your days have you not? he blushes but is also a bit proud of his effect and ability - but is still taken by surprise when Holmes says: so teach me 

very well 

a bit awkward at first but they find their thespian footing - its even fun!

watson is surprised by how well they create a ‘fake’ sexual tension (oh baby)

they practice every evening for a week, different scenarios

next day watson comes home from some errands to find a beautiful lady in their sitting room? oh my? and holmes is not anywhere? he consoles her and says holmes will be here soon, do not worry, he is the most brilliant man i have ever known…..oh? she inquires and he waxes poetically for a bit more, she must’ve liked it bc she comes onto him - oh but his sensibilities! he is so tempted….her beautiful eyes….so familiar… wait! ha! holmes reveals himself, watson is soo surprised, oh holmes, you should not have, but i cannot help but marvel at your abilities….truly remarkable….holmes blushes in his pretty dress…..they both get shy and holmes goes to change back, they sip a whisky by the fire, happy and content 

the next day they naturally slip into their ‘training dynamic’ without an official lesson

he compliments holmes and they have a Moment 

why is he blushing and his heart is beating? haha holmes you’re getting too good at this

Holmes expression is indecipherable 

watson convinces himself it was just superb teaching and natural talent (bc ofc Holmes has natural attractiveness and is talented in all he does, oh he is so amazing…his beautiful friend…) 

(meanwhile holmes is having a total crisis unbeknownst to watson bc this has awakened sth in him….he has had to reckon with some realizations…..)

watson goes to bed proud of what they have accomplished together

the day of the event! holmes gets ready and looks just SO dapper oh wow oh man…..watson feels inadequate beside him…but so happy and honored to be able to join him that evening…maybe he could even be of service……

holmes flirts his way through the crowd like a PRO, the ladies hang to his every fake word, even his body language is perfectly deceptive

watson watches him with amazemenmt and adoration

one of the women is especially taken…..the flirting gets almost real…wait is it real? watson cannot help but wonder…ofc how could SHE not fall for him clearly…but holmes? is he taken? it has always struck watson odd that so attractive and charming and smart a man should remain a bachelor….perhaps now he is falling in love at last…but…..but why does it not please him? why is he not happy for his bestest friend in the whole world? 

ohno………..whatever could it mean…….

holmes catches him staring and looking troubled, immediately joins him, they talk with a twinkle in their eyes, the flirting comes so naturally….watson looks at holmes lips like the women have done all evening and……has a SUDDEN REALIZATION

he starts, a bit panicked and ashamed, holmes frets over him, whats wrong, but then the Case picks up and he is on the trail, leaving watson behind confused and in love

a few weeks pass 

-Part One

-Part Two

-Part Three

-Part Four

Sherlock Holmes & the Adventure of Making Up For Three Years of Touch Deprivation

"I struck against an elderly deformed man, who had been behind me, and I knocked down several books which he was carrying. ... I endeavoured to apologize for the accident, but it was evident that these books which I had so unfortunately maltreated were very precious objects in the eyes of their owner. With a snarl of contempt he turned upon his heel."

THE EMPTY HOUSE, part 2 - (part 1) - Several reunions, which do not go exactly to plan.

This update comes with a content warning, which you can read here if you're so inclined.

THE FINAL PROBLEM - part 9 of a few more - part 1 - part 2 - part 3 - part 4 - part 5 - part 6 - part 7 - part 8.

-In the last lines of the comic, Holmes is recalling this conversation.

-There's a part in Granada Holmes (The Hound of the Baskervilles) where Holmes takes off his glove to shake Watson's hand. There was something so intimate about it, I wanted to capture that when he writes the letter.

-For that drawing of Watson standing looking out at the Falls, I kept thinking of a line from Lord of the Rings. It's when Samwise thinks that Frodo has died. He leaves the body, determined to carry on his mission, but stops for a moment to look back. "He peered out at that high stony place where all his life had fallen in ruin." There may be one or two commonalities between the things I like okay?!??

-Also for that drawing, that canon line "who was to tell us what had happened then?" shook me to my core when I first read this story. I knew I had to work it in somehow. What happens to the narrator when his protagonist dies?

-More canon lines - Moriarty talking about an "engine tearing itself to pieces" and "the days of the great cases have passed" are things that Holmes says himself.

-There's an instinct to drawing comics that makes me love making them more than any other medium. When a character is going to go through something complex, first I make sure that I can draw them experiencing that emotion. If I can't draw it, then there's probably something wrong and I need to write a bit more. Here are some sketches I did as I was ideating (which ended up being used in the comic):

-I was agonizing a few months ago about how to do this story, how to bring Holmes to the brink of the cliff and then bring him back. Sometimes when I'm stuck I just freewrite to see what comes up, trying to step through things from the character's perspective and see what makes sense. Here's some of this that I kinda think slaps:

When he survives…

He didn’t expect it. He was fully prepared to die. And he almost steps over that cliff, he does. Because he’s written himself into the end of the story. He’s written John the perfect ending.

But he doesn’t. Some animal part of his starved and neglected body, the part that kept him from falling in the first place, that kept him fighting. Is it the part that was loved and nurtured by watson? Some lingering love keeps him from following Moriarty. Hands that touched him in tenderness and love, now holding him back.

INTERLUDE - in which everyone goes to various clubs and no one has a good time.

This is part of the Watson's Sketchbook series and really will only make sense in context of previous updates!

The text of Holmes' letter is almost entirely pulled from the ABSOLUTELY BRUTAL opening of A SCANDAL IN BOHEMIA:

-you can see on the certificate that Lestrade was their marriage witness, I didn't draw it but please imagine him being deeply baffled by the whole affair

-Also please imagine the other shy undersocialized guests at the Diogenes looking at heartbroken manic Holmes tapping his feet and huffing and pacing until someone sends the pageboy to very politely tell Mycroft that his weird little brother is disturbing the guests

-Mycroft carefully moving the breakables:

-This last bit I didn’t finish about the Watsons discussing how to decorate their house, it was better to end with Holmes for THE DRAMA of it all but I still think it's cute:

-ok ACtually I wrote and half drew 2 other version of this before figuring out how I wanted to do it, here's an alternate beginning from just outside the marriage registry. Mary is not immune to the lesbian urge to punch your male friends in the arm a little too hard when they are being self pitying:

-to be quite honest I am kind of in love with the Watsons. pity about this sparking a self destructive spiral in our favorite detective but Watson deserves to have a friend 😤 thank you for reading as I wallow in self indulgent angst and queer Victorian history...I promise this series will eventually reach a happy ending!

"Look here, Watson; you look regularly done. Lie down there on the sofa, and see if I can put you to sleep.”

He took up his violin from the corner, and as I stretched myself out he began to play some low, dreamy, melodious air- his own, no doubt, for he had a remarkable gift for improvisation. I have a vague remembrance of his gaunt limbs, his earnest face, and the rise and fall of his bow. Then I seemed to be floated peacefully away upon a soft sea of sound, until I found myself in dreamland...

-the Sign of the Four

Or: when your crush is falling for someone else and you’re making one last ditch effort to show your good qualities

Details:

Doodles for SHOSCOMBE OLD PLACE, a wholesome adventure in which Watson and Holmes go fishing and hang out with a dog. Don’t worry about the charred human bones in the furnace.

MYCROFT INTERLUDE - an imagined conversation between Holmes and Mycroft in 1888, after the events of the Greek Interpreter, when Watson and Mycroft meet for the first time. I was thinking about the 1885 Labouchere Amendment and Mycroft being protective of his younger brother.

oh baby it’s time for THE GREEK INTERPRETER! Holmes decides it’s time to introduce Watson to his brother and Watson saves a guy…with brandy!

Bonus Mycroft sketches bc I love him…started out really inspired by Stephen Fry’s portrayal but tried to make him my own. Might be working on a longer comic with a conversation between him and Holmes, stay tuned!

Noble Bachelor doodles I HAVE A THEORY and I have to make it funny or else I will cry