obsessive maniac

An Experiment By Any Other Name by adventureofthedancinggirl: Sherlock conducts an “experiment” that involves giving John a rose every day.  The results could change the dynamic of their relationship forever. (Teen and up; 21k). It’s sweet anf fluffy, romantic and funny, and yes, even with a Garribeds-remix. And I can promise you: You learn all about the language of flowers! ;)

Incidents with Dogs, Curious and Otherwise by DiscordantWords: Rosie, it seems, is quite taken with dogs. So is Sherlock. John cannot help but notice. (Teen and up; 6k). Parent!lock at its finest; matching coats, a nod to ACD (it is a reference to “Silver Blaze”, is it not?), gorgeous fanart by @khorazir, spot-on dialogue, all you wanted of a post-season 4 (fix-it). Highly recommended.

the argument from roses by syllogismos: Universal pleasures do not exist: some people don’t like the smell of roses, some people don’t like sex. (Explicit, 9k). It’s an oldie, but a goodie (published in 2013). Its’ asexual!Sherlock trying to make a relatioship with John work; and to debunk some assumptions while doing so. One day, I will print out the first paragraph about the church’s “argumentation”… Spot-on.

Language of Love by @isitandwonder: Sherlock wants to brush up his German.  The source he chooses leads  to some unexpected events, featuring awkward conversations, the misuse of a fountain pen and the usual misunderstandings. But they figure it out in the end. (explicit; 3k). That story is hella fun, cracky as f*ck, and probably sexy. And I have a soft spot for languages. Give it a try - THIS one will definitely surprise you!

It may not be the done thing (!) but I would also love it if authors would more often post a rec of one of their own fics with a sentence or two on what they prize about it.

Reblog, signal boost, tag writers…

I’m going to rec my story Call Me Honeybum by 72reasons (hello!)

This version of Sherlock is insecure and self-hating. He falls and breaks his wrist, because he’s jealous and distracted, then proceeds to act like a child when John tries to take care of him. John is concerned and loving, he tries to help, but he’s exasperated and has to pull rank on Sherlock to finally get him to listen. Sherlock believes he doesn’t deserve John, John is immensely frustrated with whoever made Sherlock this way. 

John tried to convince him with this: John pulled back, looked up at his face, and quietly said, “It’s very simple. I love you and I’m never going to leave you. Not even when you act like a jealous, viciously rude, ungrateful twat. Because most of the time, the way you love me takes my breath away, and I have to fucking pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming this life. With you.”

Sherlock cries and finally starts to believe him. John calls him a bunch of silly pet names and Sherlock loves it. It ends with some frottage and a bit of a praise kink (that came out of nowhere when I was writing this). 

I really wanted Sherlock’s self-doubt and insecurity to come out in this. I find a lot of very strong-willed, brusque people are soft little mush-bunnies when they let you see it. I wanted Sherlock to cry with self-pity but ultimately start to understand that he is worthy of love. I want him to see himself the way John does…maybe in the years after this incident he finally does… 

Originally this story was a gift for a Tumblr user I did not know but I loved her writing and she inspired a part this story. It was my first and pretty much only negative fandom experience. You’ll notice it is not gifted to anyone now, no hard feelings :)

Good luck, and drop me an ask if you get stuck!

The Search Within Results Field and You, Part 1 The Search Within Results Field and You, Part 2 The Search Within Results Field and You, Round Up

Jan’s 7-Step Tutorial on how to filter out Characters and/or Relationships on AO3

Dizmo’s simplified explanation (with pictures)

Sherlock Watson Moriarty

Hullo nonny! This is what I have under the angst category …

Rape & Torture Medley

http://alexxphoenix42.tumblr.com/post/156559852498/hey-im-looking-for-fic-recs-whenever-you-have-a

Newer Angst Fics

http://alexxphoenix42.tumblr.com/post/150436318882/hey-hey-do-you-have-any-new-recs-for-angst-i

Classic Johnlock – Angst with a Happy Ending

http://alexxphoenix42.tumblr.com/post/151246512488/alexxphoenix42-classic-johnlock-angst-with-a

John and Sherlock Break Up

http://alexxphoenix42.tumblr.com/post/156841793853/could-you-please-recommend-some-fics-where-john

Angst Fic Recs

http://alexxphoenix42.tumblr.com/post/152270261889/are-there-any-angsty-super-angsty-fics-youd

Johnlock Angst I Won’t Read

http://alexxphoenix42.tumblr.com/post/155081037893/johnlock-angst-i-wont-read

Mycroft deals with Sherlock’s drugs

http://alexxphoenix42.tumblr.com/post/157527945483/hey-do-you-know-any-angsty-fics-with-mycrofts

Helping Sherlock With Drugs

http://alexxphoenix42.tumblr.com/post/157835505203/hey-master-of-the-fic-world-whimsycatchers

Angsty Drugs & Prostitution Fics

Sherlock wraps his arm tighter around John’s shoulders. Sour, black grief like oil wells up around his ribs with the memory of John, lost in London, of John, broken and hopeless, of John, unsteady and uncertain on the rain-slick city streets. I know. I saw.

A weak smile against the skin above his collarbone. I know. I thought, afterwards, that maybe that was why you invited me along. On that first case.

It was, Sherlock admits. I was less practiced then. Not used to being with someone. When I realised I’d left you behind I called Mycroft to find you.

John laughs, warm and damp in the heat between their bodies. The ease of it makes Sherlock’s heart start beating again. Should’ve known. How many favors did that cost you?

I’d’ve done anything for you, even then, Sherlock tells him quietly, ignoring the question as he brushes his lips into John’s hair. I’d never felt that way before. I’m afraid I wasn’t very good at showing it. 

John huffs another laugh and then pushes up away from Sherlock’s neck so he can look Sherlock in the eyes, feather-down greys blinking bashful and a bit regretful back at him. He leans in carefully, presses a kiss to each eyelid, to the tip of Sherlock’s nose, to his mouth. To his mouth. Again, to his mouth, all hope and simplicity and happiness. 

This is everything I ask to see. Seriously. Nothing more. No kiss, no sex, no romantic stuff…just them calmly saying they love each other. Something that is natural and true. This is all I ever wanted.

Bonus:

Hey nonny,  there are actually SO FEW stories with Sherlock angry, and so MANY with John angry. Sigh. Here’s a few things I could find …

Sherlock is Angry

InWhich John is Attractive and Sherlock is Angry by kim47, 2 k teen. Everyone wants John, and Sherlock is angry.  He tells everyone to piss off and get theirown Watson.

TwoFirst Kisses byohnoitsthatgirl, 2 k, teen. Out with friends at a pub, John is dared to kissthe next person to walk in, regardless of who it is. He agrees. The next personto walk in is Sherlock. John laughs about it and kisses him, but Sherlock getsall flustered and quiet and leaves. When John gets home later, he findsSherlock is angry with him.

Threadlockedby distantstarlight, 4 k,explicit. Tempers are high at 221 B Baker Street, so high in fact that they’vehad to call in reinforcements.

the opera/ballet which is secretly sherlock’s favorite and he never tells john that because he doesn’t think john would enjoy it but finally john catches on and he surprises sherlock with tickets and sherlock gets a little wobbly and john kisses him and they both have a really nice time

sherlock takes john to a planetarium. they sneak in boxes of milk duds and share sticky kisses and giggle in the back and learn nothing at all. 

they go to all these tiny little restaurants, little hole-in-the-wall places where sherlock knows the owner, or the cook, or the waiter, and they get forkfuls of samples brought out hot from the kitchen and sometimes tours of the kitchen or asked their opinion on the menu, and there’s always a candle, even if sometimes it’s just a tea light that john had hidden in his coat pocket 

cinema. they go to a super late night showing of something that’s been out for a while so they’re the only ones in the theatre, and they get a huge bucket of popcorn with extra butter, and then talk and yell at the screen and finally when sherlock deduces they end they just slouch down in their seats and make out like teenagers.

crashing parties. weddings, corporate receptions, open houses, stag dos, whatever they can find. the game isn’t to go eat all their hor d’oeuvres, obviously, though they do, the game is to see if they can get in, to see how long they can stay, to see if they can sham their way through it. john, somehow, is better at this than sherlock, which baffles sherlock and to which john responds only, “we had very different uni experiences i think.” 

museums, and this one is actually serious, which surprised sherlock at first. but john gets really into it, and he likes to read all the plaques (he takes forever) and they get into these big debates about different styles of art and the british colonial thefts and what should be done with the artifacts now, and sherlock actually ends up taking a few cases to help resolve some ownership issues and return some debated artifacts to the rightful owners when he’s able.  

sherlock pulls a few favors and finally gets john up behind the face of big ben, and they slow dance to the sound of the rain on the clock face, to the sound of the clock’s machinations, to the sound of their hearts beating in sync with the rhythm of their city.