#bookmarked fics

Thanks 💜

(submitted by blue-posey)

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OOO this is a good one, I've never actually done this kind of list before! Problem is, that I am horrid at knowing any classic stuff, I just went to a few "top 100 classic literature" lists and tag searched every one of them on my lists, so I'm CERTAIN there are some missing. BUT this should get you started!!

If anyone has some others to suggest, PLEASE send them my way and I'll make a Part 2 list :)

CLASSIC LITERATURE-INSPIRED FICS

See also:

Fairy Tales and Fantasy

TV, Movies, and Books AU (Fantasy Pt. 2)

Crossovers & Fusions Pt 1

Crossovers & Fusions Pt 1.5 (MFL)

Crossovers & Fusions Pt 2

BOOKMARKS

Equilibrium by augustbird (M, 12,351 w., 1 Ch. || Flowers for Algernon Fusion || Jealous then Worried Sherlock, Sick John) – At Baskerville, John is infected by a virus that turns him into a genius. But when the infection progresses into neurodegeneration, it's a race against time to save himself.

Once Upon a Beast Becoming by antietamfalls (T, 24,042 w., 6 Ch. || Beauty and the Beast AU || Magical Realism, Folklore, Celtic Mythology) – An act of pride, a druid’s curse, an enchanted leaf; Sherlock’s torment has lasted an age. Hope arrives in the form of one John Watson, a man uniquely suited to break the spell. But with a single night to win his affections, Sherlock finds his carefully laid plans disrupted by a monstrous killer whose sights are set on the only thing he has left to lose: John.

Darkling, I Listen by You_Light_The_Sky (T, 73,254 w., 8 Ch. || Fairy Tale AU || Loosely Based on Beauty and the Beast, Magical Realism, Suicidal Themes, Romance, Creepiness, Adventure) – No one who enters old London ever comes out. They say that the beast devours them. When his sister disappears, John ventures into the dead zone beyond the wall, and finds a brilliant madman under a terrible curse... Part 1 of Darkling I Listen + Extras, Deleted Scenes

MARKED FOR LATER

The Picture of Sherlock Holmes by CarmillaCarmine (M, 3,306 w., 1 Ch. || Victorian Dorian Gray AU || Angst, Paris, London, Travel, Painting, Major Character Death, Opera, Captain John, First Meetings) – Sherlock Holmes, a rich and frivolous man, after a lifetime of debauchery finally falls in love. His heart chooses Captain Watson.

A Midnight Clear by khorazir (T, 13,120 w., 1 Ch. || Christmas-Carol Inspired || Post S3/Post-TLD / TFP Doesn't Exist, Christmas, Angst, Fluff, Pining, Canon-Typical Violence, Friends to Lovers, First Kiss, Implied / Referenced Drug Use, Magical Realism) – It’s Christmas Eve, and Sherlock is working. Because that’s what he does. He doesn’t need Christmas, or holiday cheer, or even company. He’s fine on his own, thank you very much – until a series of strange encounters on his way back to Baker Street makes him reconsider.

A Chamber to be Haunted by Calais_Reno (T, 18,963 w., 4 Ch. || Supernatural Elements / Jane Eyre Inspired || Ghost, Haunting, Boarding School, Poor Sherlock, Sad Childhood, Mutual Pining, Sherlock Talks to Ghosts, Orphan Sherlock, Ghost John, POV Sherlock) – Sherlock Holmes, orphaned at an early age and brought up by uncaring relatives, is lonely until he meets a ghost, a boy long dead who still haunts his uncle's house.

Much Ado About Nothing or Get Over Here and Kiss Me Already! by MorganeUK (NR, 19,847 w., 13 Ch. || Much Ado About Nothing AU || Mutual Pining, Angst, Lestrolly) – AU in modern time where the Holmes' are a powerful noble family, Mycroft is the chief of defences and Sherlock is working for secret service. Lestrade is a high rank officer in the army. Ms Hudson is an old Lady that took care of her niece and nephew Molly and John since their youth. Part 1 of the Sherlock / Shakespeare series

Second Intention by fiorinda_chancellor (T, 29,512 w., 4 Ch. || Sleeping Beauty AU || Folk Tales, Fluff and Humour, Sherlock’s Mind Palace, Telepath/Empath John, Science Fiction, Magical Realism, Waltzing) – John Watson is a soulsurgeon damaged by war and by caring too much -- if there is such a thing. Sherlock Holmes is struggling with the effects of a curse that bids fair to end his days as the world’s only consulting detective unless a way is found to lift it... But Sherlock doesn’t believe in curses. Even assuming that he learns to believe in John... will that be enough to save him?

John & Sherlock: A Romeo & Juliet loosely inspired modern AU by MorganeUK (T, 36,814 w., 17 Ch. || Sherlock/Moriarty, Possessive / Creepy Moriarty, Government Mycroft, Not A Good Brother Mycroft, Fluff and Smut, Non-Consensual Touching, OOC Moriarty, Angst With Happy Ending, Character Death) – Sherlock is the brother of the powerful Mycroft Holmes, a tool in his hands... And what Mycroft wants is for his brother to date Moriarty. John is the brother of the activist Harry Watson, the thorn in Mycroft quest to more power... Is love at first sight is enough, when all the stars are against you?Are they gone be wiser than their original counterpart and find an happy ending? (spoiler: Yes, of course!) Part 2 of the Sherlock / Shakespeare series

All Our Gifts At Once, or, the Young Sea-man by tiltedsyllogism (T, 48,119 w., 9 Ch. || Victorian Grimm’s Little Mermaid AU || Sacrifice, Pining, Angst, Realistic Fairy Tale, Bittersweet, Botany, Gardens) – John Watson, storyteller and shipwright's son, walks way from his entire life in Portsmouth to follow the mysterious Sherlock Holmes to London.

The Measure of a Gentleman by i_ship_an_armada (E, 67,096 w., 25 Ch. || Pride and Prejudice / Regency AU || Regency Romance, Historical) – It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a partner. Less universally acknowledged is that a single man in possession of very little in the way of fortune may be in want of a partner as well, but John Watson had little time or energy to devote to his own wants or needs... Enter one Mr Holmes... Part 1 of the TMoaG Universe series

The Vampires of London by consultingdetective (E, 72,660 w., 21 Ch. || Dracula AU || Pining Sherlock, Army Doctor John, Sharing a Bed, Porn With Feelings, Plot Twists) –  Over one hundred years after the first battle, a series of murders have caught the attention of London's police force and Sherlock Holmes. While most of the city has forgotten the vampire that once walked its streets, the descendants of the Van Helsing, Harker, and Seward families have not.

So Grant Us All a Change of Heart by ArwaMachine (E, 83,276 w., 5 Ch. || Christmas Carol Fusion || T6T Compliant, Pining, Angst with Happy Ending, Smut, Temporary Character Death, Drug Use / Reference, Suicide) – It’s Christmastime at Baker Street, but things are far from festive. Mary is dead, John and Sherlock’s friendship is all but ruined, and Sherlock has become a right dick about everything. More convinced than ever that sentiment is objectively useless, Sherlock needs a little paranormal intervention to see the error of his ways or else run the risk of losing all that is important to him.

Come to Morning by sunryder (T, 95,891 w., 36 Ch. || The Hobbit Fusion || Character Death) – John Watson was a Shire Hobbit, born and bred, but he was really quite terrible at it. Perhaps that's why Bilbo Baggins has never heard his story before. Or maybe he's never been told because John Watson ran away from home, then darted around Middle Earth trying to stop a serial killer, and fell in love with an Elf.

The Stories in Our Veins by victorianpining (E, 101,717 w., 29 Ch. || Dracula Crossover / Victorian / Vampire AU || Unreliable Narrator, Blood and Injury, Blood Drinking, Gaslighting, Mental Instability, Depression, Suicidal Thoughts, Strangers to Lovers, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Angst with Happy Ending) – You hold in your hands a leather-bound book inscribed with the title The Stories in Our Veins. No author is named by the cover. On the first page, the following passage has been written in an elegant, cursive hand: A confederate who foresees your conclusions and course of action is always dangerous, but one to whom each development comes as a perpetual surprise, and to whom the future is always a closed book, is indeed an ideal helpmate. Sherlock Holmes in “The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier,” written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1926.

Nonsense and Insensibility by ChrisCalledMeSweetie (T, 112,812 w., 52 Ch. || Regency AU / Sense and Sensibility Fusion || Johnlock, Mystrade, Viclock || Young Sherlock, Captain John, Bisexual John, Drama Queen Sherlock, No Period-Typical Homophobia, No Heteronormativity) – Mycroft and Sherlock Holmes were born to an extraordinary fate. They were born to discover the falsehood of their own opinions, and to counteract, by their conduct, their most favourite maxims. The oft-spoken conviction of each — “the more I know of the world, the more I am convinced that I shall never see a man whom I can really love” — would be put to the test by Greg Lestrade, Victor Trevor, and Captain John Watson. Part 3 of Jane Austen Writes Sherlock

WORK IN PROGRESS

Happy "Only one month until the release of S3" day everyone!! To celebrate and get y'all into the mood – and since I've been reading some new GO fics – I've decided I'm going to make a new list of my newest Good Omens bookmarks!!! How exciting! So let's get into the spirit of S3 and chomp at these delicious recently-added to my bookmarks fics! And I'll probably have a new bookmarks list post S3, so I'll keep you updated on that! If you have fics I should check out, let me know in reblogs and comments, and I'll give them a go!! <3

Enjoy!!

See also:

Good Omens / Ineffable Husbands Bookmarks (March 2020)

Good Omens MFL Recs

Good Omens MFL Recs Pt 2 (Feb 2026)

Good Omens: Hurt / Comfort Fics (Aug 2023)

Good Omens: Aziracrow and Wings

Good Omens: Fics for First-Timers

Good Omens: Fluff Fics (August 2025)

A Promise Kept by goodomensblog & just_quintessentially_me (G, 1,054 w., 1 Ch. || S1 Timeline, Fluff and Angst, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Idiots in Love, Mutual Pining, Soft Idiots, Love Confessions, First Kiss, Promises, Worried Idiots, Tenderness, First Kiss) – After translating Agnes Nutter's prophecy, Aziraphale and Crowley spend an evening attempting to learn each other's mannerisms.

Silver and Exact by LaurelAnne09 (G, 1,056 w., 1 Ch. || Ambiguous Relationship, Insecure Aziraphale, Body Image Issues, Soft Crowley, Body Positivity, Emotional Hurt/Comfort) – Aziraphale: My corporation may have… expanded slightly. Crowley, who has spent six thousand years watching the angel enjoy food, books, life itself, and rather likes the body that’s been built by it: If you miracle yourself thinner I will start a plague.

Wherever We Go by leaveanote (G, 1,719 w., 1 Ch. || Fluff, Romance, First Kiss, Hurt Crowley, Aziraphale Loves Crowley, Love Confessions, Tooth-Rotting Fluff) – It’s been one week since the world didn’t end, and Crowley is going out of his mind. He needs to just tell Aziraphale how he feels, but when something's gone unspoken for this long, no words feel good enough. Eventually, he can't take it anymore, and asks Aziraphale to walk with him in St. James Park. Absolute ineffable fluff.

how can we go back to be friends? by yuri_lovesamaryllis (G, 1,788 w., 1 Ch. || Domestic Fluff, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Communication, Love Confessions, Hopeful Ending, Partners to Lovers, Apologies, Happy Ending, Forehead Kisses, True Love's Kiss, Idiots in Love) – After months apart, Aziraphale returns to his quiet Soho bookshop, burdened by regret and the realization that Heaven was never what he hoped it could be. When Crowley unexpectedly walks back into his life, old wounds resurface—hurt, pride, and the lingering ache of a love left unchosen. Through painful honesty and long-overdue confessions, they confront their fears of unworthiness and abandonment.

The First Night of the Rest of Their Lives by crowley_ngk (T, 1,883 w., 1 Ch. || Post S1, Tooth Rotting Fluff, First Kiss, Drunk Crowley) – After finally being able to let their guard down on the bus ride back to Crowley's flat, the two are left questioning what to do upon arrival. So they drink, whine about being sober, then have the first out-of-the-ordinary interaction of the night. I mean, some unusualness is to be expected after the day they've had, right?

Forever by goodomensblog & just_quintessentially_me (G, 1,903 w., 1 Ch. || Angst, Nightmares, Fluff, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Love, Romance, Soft Romance) – Heaven’s execution chamber was elegant, magnificent - and bare. Polished floors gleamed, immaculate; their cleanliness made it impossible to guess at the atrocities committed upon them. Clean, white walls glared, and a window as large as the room was tall, teased of freedom just out of reach.

Contemplation by PASIVITY (G, 2,078 w., 1 Ch. || Friends to Lovers, Hurt/Comfort, Pining Crowley, Light Angst, Married Newt/Anathema, Happy Ending) – Crowley can't think of a word to describe how he feels, he fixates on this a little too hard.

in lieu of i love you by kalang (G, 2,252 w., 1 Ch. || The Bookshop, Gay Panic, Crowley POV, Crowley's Trust Issues, Through the Ages, Angst with Happy/Hopeful Ending) – Aziraphale, having just purchased a bookshop in London, invites Crowley inside. Crowley is unbelievably puzzled about it. What does an angel want with a demon, anyway?

A Respectable Bookshop by thebestthingatthisparty (E, 3,737 w., 1 Ch. || POV Crowley, Possessive Aziraphale, Friends to Lovers, Jealous Aziraphale, Mutual Pining, Crowley's A Mess, Love Confessions, Blow Hobs, Sex in the Bookshop, Blow Jobs, Frottage, Hurt/Comfort, Happy Ending) – Crowley expected a quiet Friday evening in the bookshop. He did not expect a stranger, a suddenly very jealous angel, and Aziraphale of all beings finally saying the words he had been waiting millennia to hear.

Seven by chamyl (E, 3,740 w., 1 Ch. || Post S1, Established Relationship, Porn With Feelings, Porn Without Plot, Fluff, Domestic Bliss, Multiple Orgasms, Wings, Blow Jobs, Anal Sex, Marathon Sex, Switching, Celestial Powers, Excstacy, Crowley Receives) – Crowley asks Aziraphale to use his angelic powers on him in bed. Of course, because this is Crowley, he does not realize he’s in way over his head until it’s too late.

The green-eyed Serpent by Angelica_Tree (T, 4,160 w., 1 Ch. || Post S1/Not S2 Compliant, Misunderstandings, Jealous Crowley, POV Crowley, Happy Ending) – The thwarted Armageddon means that Crowley can openly saunter over to Whickber Street whenever he wants. But being around Aziraphale every single day makes it impossible to ignore how much the humans adore Aziraphale. And when one human apparently asks Aziraphale out on a date - How will our hero cope?

Anam Cara by vintagelilacs (T, 6,454 w., 1 Ch. || Soulmates AU || Romantic Soulmates, Soul Bond) – “There is, apparently, an angel with a soulmate.” Crowley’s expression was one of poorly-veiled amusement. “Uh oh. Reckon your lot weren’t too happy ‘bout that. Soulmates are supposed to be strictly for mortals, aren’t they?” “Crowley.” Aziraphale’s voice was just on the side of testy. “The angel’s soulmate is a demon.” Crowley’s face morphed from hilarity to understanding and finally to horror in a matter of seconds. “Oh,” he said. His eyes met Aziraphale’s from behind his designer sunglasses. “Oh."

'best friend' doesn't quite cut it by untrustworthyglitch (T, 6,750 w., 1 Ch || Mutual Pining, Idiots to Lovers, 6000 Year Slow Burn, Pet Names, Insecure Crowley, Supportive Aziraphale) – Okay. So Crowley might have invented pet names as a way to work around a speech impediment. No big deal, right?

I Could Get Used To This by curiouswriterkr (M, 7,707 w., 4 Ch. || Post-S2, Not Canon-Compliant, POV Crowley, Getting Back Together, Non-Sexual Intimacy, Snuggles and Softness, Aziraphale is a Mess, Soft Crowley, Soft Aziraphale, Second Kiss, Apologies, Established Relationship, Pet Names, Idiots in Love) – Aziraphale and Crowley have their first date after the world ending is averted yet again.

Exposed by LollipopCop (E, 8,867 w., 2 Ch. || Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Idiots in Love, First Kiss, First Time, Making Out, Wings, Love Confessions, Virgin Crowley, Angst with Happy Ending) – In which Gabriel can feel how much Aziraphale loves Crowley, and outs him.

equinox by leaveanote (E, 8,993 w., 1 Ch. || South Downs Cottage, Love Confessions, Mutual Pining, First Time, Romance, 6000 Years of Pining, Soft Idiots, Love, Anxious Crowley, Emotional Lovemaking) – Here in the South Downs cottage, Crowley has more than he ever thought he would: the two of them, safe, and he gets to live alongside Aziraphale every day. He still can't bring himself to say it, though, still finds himself wanting, doesn't want to drag the angel down with the mess of his love, doesn't want to ruin what they have. Aziraphale, however, is getting tired of Crowley staring longingly off into the night sky, and confronts him. There is more of a balance here than Crowley thought.

Archangel of Healing by Nnm (T, 9,317 w., 1 Ch. || Post-S1, Crowley Was Raphael, Miscommunication / Fight, Physical Intimacy, Aziraphale POV, Pining Aziraphale, Idiots In Love) – Aziraphale susses out Crowley's pre-Fall identity, as the Archangel Raphael. With this, he must rethink everything he thought he knew about the last six thousand years, about his own identity and his friend's, and even the Ineffable Plan. There is a fight, expressions of fear and hurt, reconciliation, yearning and confusion, and the sorts of questions that by all rights should cause an angel to Fall. Also, at one point, Crowley admits he once lied about breeding rats for demonic ends. Part 1 of The Healer and the Lover

wherever you are, i'll come to you by mutalune (T, 11,375 w., 6 Ch. || Post-Apocalypse, Hurt/Comfort, Fallen Angel Aziraphale, Aziraphale Loves Crowley, Crowley Tries to Help, Slight Angst, Petty Demonic Aziraphale) – “Now that I’m no longer beholden to a rather arbitrary moral code, I have to ask: Do you pay taxes? Actually, more importantly, do you think I can stop paying taxes now? That seems like a sufficiently demonic thing to do. Refusing to do my civic duty and whatnot. Quite devious, I’d argue.” This was, in hindsight, not the most sensitive way of breaking the news.

His Lips Sealed by LollipopCop (E, 11,824 w. 2 Ch. || Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Repression, Drunken Love Confession, First Kiss/Time, Making Out, Love Letters, Oblivious Crowley, Virgin Crowley, Upset Crowley, Angst With Happy Ending) – Aziraphale knew Crowley was desperately in love with him; he heard it straight from the source one incredibly drunken night. He was just the only one who remembered, and was too afraid to do anything about it.

You Never Had A Heart by HotCrossPigeon (T, 12,983 w., 3 Ch. || Hurt Aziraphale, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Blood/Injury, Scared/Panicking Crowley, Idiots in Love, Caring Crowley, Aziraphale Whump, Demonic Traps, BAMF Aziraphale, Hugs, Soft Crowley, Discorporation, Caring/Protective Crowley, Humour, Angst with Happy Ending, Crowley Rescues Aziraphale, Bad Acting, Knife Wounds, Traumatized Crowley, First Kiss, Protective Aziraphale, Hurt Crowley) – Aziraphale finds himself unwittingly ensnared in a demonic trap. Unfortunately for a panicking Crowley, there’s only one way to get the angel out of it. Part 6 of Hurt!Aziraphale Stories

speed limits (and how to break them) by darcylindbergh (E, 13,750 w., 4 Ch. || Valentines Day, UST / URT, Mutual Pining, Slow Burn, First Kiss / Time, Romance, Anxious Crowley, Gift Giving, Touching, Love Confessions, Marriage Proposal, POV Crowley, Bottom Crowley, Fantasies Become Real, Sensuality, Humour, Awkwardness) – There is a trick people do with a mint candy and a bottle of cola which results in a small eruption, and something very like it, for much higher stakes than a laugh in a car park, is about to take place in Aziraphale’s back room. Or: what happens when you finally unscrew the cap on a six thousand years of repression, and drop in Valentine’s Day.

all i need, darling, is a life in your shape by deadgreeks (G, 14,243 w., 1 Ch. || PODFIC AVAILABLE || Angst, Repression, Domestic Fluff, Mutual Pining, Slow Burn, Bedsharing) – After everything, Aziraphale and Crowley, by unspoken agreement, begin sharing their lives.

Witness the Fall by Waifine (G, 14,512 w.., 5 Ch. || Pre-Fall, The Fall, Post-Fall, Crowley Was Raphael, Hurt/Comfort, Angel Crowley, Angst with Happy Ending, Crowley's Memories, Aziraphale POV, Not-Nice Archangels, Feathers, Soulmates, Wings) – Crowley never talked about his time as an angel. Aziraphale never asked. But when Hell sends Crowley a package containing his most painful memories, it is Aziraphale who is plunged into the nightmare history of when his beloved friend, the angel who had once been Crowley, was hurled from the Heavens into the bowels of Hell.

Too Much Love (Will Kill You) by Captain_Kieren (T, 15,150 w., 1 Ch. || PODFIC AVAILABLE || Post-S1, Hurt/Comfort, BAMF Crowley, BAMF Aziraphale, Protective Crowley, Protective Aziraphale, Lunch Dates, Weddings, Holy Oil, Demonic Possession, Fluff, Angst, Idiots in Love, Asexual Relationship, Established Relationship, Pining, Exhaustion, Sleep Deprivation, Bad Humour, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Aziraphale Whump, South Downs) – Heaven is trying to kill Aziraphale and Crowley is having none of it. Basically: stupid, protective idiots in love nearly dying to save each other.

Fancy Patter on the Telephone by HotCrossPigeon (G, 17,699 w., 9 Ch. || Lockdown Episode, Idiots in Love, Dialogue-Only, Flirting, Love Confessions, Pub Quiz, Drunken Shenanigans, Bastard Aziraphale, Snogging, Attempted Seduction, First Kiss, Nudity, Bubble Bath, Making Out, Fluff, Tickle Fight, Christmas) – A series of telephone conversations between Aziraphale and Crowley during the Lockdown. They get steadily more desperate and ridiculous as the weeks go on. Featuring a moping demon, a teasing angel, a pub quiz, an explosion, extraordinary amounts of alcohol, a bubble bath, awkward flirting, several love confessions... and an ill-conceived bet on who can last the longest without seeing the other. What could possibly go wrong? Part 1 of Stories to brighten up your day

scherzo in f-sharp minor, for orchestra by astrhae (M, 23,232 w., 3 Ch. || Post S2, Temporary Amnesia, Angst with Happy Ending, Canon Compliant, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Mutual Pining, Slow Burn, Forgiveness, The Second Coming, Angsty Crowley, Rediscovering Each Other, New York) – Two years after things fall apart, Aziraphale shows up at Crowley's doorstep without his memories. The easy part is getting it back, the hard part is getting them back together.

How to Woo a Demon by Bookwormgal (T, 23,875 w., 6 Ch. || Post S1, Idiots in Love, Miscommunication, Mutual Pining, Oblivious Crowley, Crowley In Denial, Courting Rituals, Flirting, Crowley's Plants, Mixed Signals, Gift Giving, Lurking, Best Friends to Lovers, Vandalism, Mischief, Minor Violence, Demon Summoning, Discorporation, Overwhelmed Crowley, Love Confessions, Eventual Happy Ending) – After Nope-mageddon, Aziraphale feels more confident and relaxed. He no longer feels like he needs to keep Crowley at arm's length for their own protection. He can finally tell Crowley that he cares about him more than "friendship" can describe. But he doesn't want there to be any chance for miscommunication. But directly talking about feelings in the past with the demon tended to be uncomfortable, so he would need to be a little subtler than that. Of course, human flirting wouldn't work. They already enjoyed traditional human dating activities together, but only as friends. Aziraphale needed something that Crowley couldn't possibly misunderstand. Well, perhaps he could research what counted as demonic methods of courting someone. That should be familiar enough for Crowley that he would understand Aziraphale's intentions. What could possibly go wrong?

lit in the darkness by ToEdenandBackAgain (M, 40, 575 w., 14 Ch. || Slow Burn, 6000 Years of Pining, Bed Sharing, Friends to Lovers, Historical, Passage of Time) – Aziraphale returns to Crowley's flat for the night after Armageddon. After all, it's hardly the first time they've shared sleeping arrangements. Or: Times throughout history Crowley and Aziraphale have shared a bed.

Until the Bitter End by sentientsky (T, 40,758 w., 17 Ch. || Post S2, Fluff and Angst, The Second Coming, Canon Compliant, Temporary Amnesia / Memory Loss, Slow Burn, Yearning, Protective Crowley, Anxious Crowley, Hurt/Comfort, Reunion, War, Love Declaration, Crowley's Gay Panic) – After learning the truth about Heaven's plans and fruitlessly trying to fix a corrupt system (and maybe also having his memory messed with a little bit in the process), Aziraphale slips back to Earth in search of Crowley.

Last update: 07/10/26 ┃ Sources: ArchiveOfOurOwn, Fanfiction.net

Collection of The Mentalist fanfics I’ve enjoyed and would recommend, based on my personal preference. Most of these focus on Jisbon ship, set during&after the series, canon-compliant, canon-divergent, and alternate universe. Don’t forget to check the ratings and tags as preferences can vary.

[Disclaimer: I did not write any of the stories on this list. All credit goes to the wonderful and creative writers who continue to keep this fandom alive a decade after The Mentalist ended. I do not repost/reupload stories and don't encourage it either. All of the stories on this list are linked to the original posts published on fanfiction sites. + Post is inspired by: everlarkficquestions/masterlists]

Favorites

Fanfics that I've read thousand times and are living in my mind rent free. As always, please check tags first.

Strawberries with Chocolate  - kushiro » (G / Angst) ɤ Or also, Lisbon's injury is worse than expected.

The Hunt - lleira  » (M / AU) ɤ Patrick Jane is a psychic not touched by any drama, living without family, while Lisbon is an ex-agent, hunting down Red John after he destroyed her life.

Broken - mayzee  » (M / Incomplete) ɤ Jane still works at the CBI but Lisbon is living a very different kind of life on the other side of the country after suffering a gruelling ordeal. A case brings them into contact again when Jane asks for her help, hoping by solving it she can banish her demons and he can find the woman he loved once again. 

All the Colors the Future May Hold - lurallure » (G / Fluff) ɤ Post Series Lisbon-Jane pregancy stories.

Lavinia – nerwen aldarion » (M / Angst) ɤ When tragedy strikes Jane and Lisbon find their roles are reversed. Lisbon is now the one who is shattered and Jane has to attempt to pick up the pieces.

Forgotten – nic73 » (G / Angst) ɤ Jane forgets and Lisbon tries to help him remember.

The Damaged Rose – heclosescases » (T / Multi Chapter AU) ɤ Jane knew he had crossed a line the moment Lisbon left him in Salton Sea, but he didn't truly grasp what the consequences of that could be until he witnesses her fighting for her life in a pool of her own blood after she is lured by Red John to 5570 West Huron.

Hi Nonny!!

You know, I really REALLY love whenever y'all mention that re: needing a Me in every fandom, LOL. It honestly makes me feel like I'm doing something really special for the BBC Sherlock fandom, and it means the world to me to know y'all also feel that way. As an aside, I actively read and tag fics in the Moon Knight, Red Dwarf, Loki (Series), Detroit Become Human, Good Omens, and CURRENTLY Disco Elysium fandoms if you're looking for something from any of those as well LOL.

THAT SAID, this is a great ask for a list idea!! I'm going to go to my bookmarks and pick out the top 25 fics with low kudos. AND you know, I'm going to also shamelessly promote my own fics that I've written (all short one shots), since like no one ever reads or recs them and I think that they're pretty neat.

Of course this list will be obsolete in the future, but I needed a list for today, so this works LOL.

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EDIT: OKAY so I CAN'T sort BOOKMARKS by kudos, unfortunately (you can only do it on the works page), so I went through everything and picked out AT RANDOM 25 bookmarks that I loved and need some more love. LESS THAN 300 KUDOS is the cap on these fics. This is COMPLETELY the most RANDOM LIST I've ever made, so apologies if it's not up to your liking <3 I hope you'll give these fics all some love regardless!!!

HIDDEN GEMS (UNDER 300 KUDOS FICS AS OF AUGUST 2025)

TOP 25 BOOKMARKS

The Last Room At The End of The Hall by Corporate_cards (G, 219 w.,  1 Ch. || Fluff) – All things can wait, for finally things work, in the last room at the end of the hall. Part 1 of Random Things I've Written In Class -- Johnlock (43)

Soaring Above by Corporate_cards (G, 394 w., 1 Ch.  || TRF, Light Angst, Superpowers) – "Have you ever though about having a super power...?" Part 2 of the Random Things I've Written In Class -- Johnlock series (23)

Vale Mea by JohntheBlonde (G, 622 w., 1 Ch. || Implied/Referenced Death, Ambiguous/Open Ending, Pining Sherlock, Epistolary) – 'I, William Sherlock Scott Holmes...hereby...declare this my last Will and Testament.' (95)

Octopus by glass_rose_paperweight (G, 705 w., 1 Ch. || Established Relationship, Fluff, Bed Sharing, Limpet Sherlock) – A week after Sherlock and John finally get together, and John is finding sharing a bed with Sherlock Holmes to be ... difficult, sometimes. If not downright suffocating. (255)

Teacups by wsswatson (T, 1,045w., 1 Ch. || Fluff) – A forgotten purchase rekindles a flame. (102)

The Other Shoe by thewaitwasworthitlove (NR, 1,053 w., 1 Ch. || Pining Sherlock, Angst, URT, Post-TSo3) - Sherlock realizes how deep in love he has fallen for John. Only Sherlock Holmes would manage to be more shattered than crystal dropped on concrete. (166)

Clarity by socomessnow (thoughtfulwishing) (NR [T], 1,283 w., 1 Ch. || Post-HLV, POV Sherlock, Pining Sherlock, Tarmac Scene, Stream of Consciousness, URT, First Person Present Tense, Implied/Referenced Drug Use) - During-and-post-HLV piece tracking Sherlock’s thought process from his phone call with Mycroft to his return to the airfield. Part 1 of Rifts (44)

Untouchable by greengrapegaze (T, 1,368 w., 1 Ch. || Pre-S3, UST/URT, Oblivious John, Lonely Sherlock, Angst with Happy Ending, Emotional Hurt / Comfort, Emotional Sherlock, POV Sherlock, Pining Sherlock) – “He never would. Petty, childish, immature-bitter. Jealous. She had all that he wanted. All he could never have.” Part 1 of Steps to a Bittersweet Symphony (224)

The Talons of Sentiment by dearcst (G, 1,463 w., 1 Ch. || First Person POV, Angst, Unrequited Love, Pining Sherlock) – I promised myself long ago I wouldn’t succumb to something so degrading, something so vicious. I promised I wouldn’t let myself fall. But that was before him. That was before I met John. In sleep there is such bliss and peace, and as John slept on my shoulder, it killed me inside to know I was so close yet I could never touch him. (79)

The Imminent Danger of a Tumblr-Night by Loveismyrevolution (T, 2,135 w., 1 Ch. || Tumblr Fics, Friends to Lovers, Sherlock is Out of His Depth, Humour, Fluff, Pining Sherlock, Military Kink, POV Sherlock) – Sherlock gets into trouble when he pretends to know all about John's favourite social media site - tumblr. To save face he seeks help from one of the bloggers and gains more answers than he had aimed for. (287)

In My Life (and dreams, you take my breath away) by Nina36 (NR, 2,847 w., 1 Ch. || Post-TRF/TEH, Angst, Pining Sherlock) – The first time he had dreamt about John he had been in Peru. He had been “dead” a little over a month, squatting in a tiny rented room, the heat and the stains on the walls making him slightly claustrophobic. It had been a nice dream: John and he eating take away Chinese in their kitchen, a song coming from Mrs. Hudson’s radio downstairs, something about friends and lovers and how no one compared with him, his mind supplied in his dream. (162)

BBCSH ‘Lament’ by tigersilver (T, 2,951 w., 1 Ch. || Implied Infidelity, Angst, Post-HLV, Canon Divergence) – When Sherlock is alone in the flat he still speaks to John Watson. (87)

Until the End of the World by SarahCat1717 (G, 3,049 w., 1 Ch. || Angst, First Kiss, Pining Sherlock, Oblivious John, Drunkenness) – Taking place in Season 3, John listens to an old favourite song and sorts through his memories and feelings about Sherlock and Mary. (143)

Living Musical by  orphan_account (G, 4,149 w. 1 Ch. || Est. Rel., 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 (63)

But Tonight You Belong to Me by esplanade (T, 4,296 w., 1 Ch. || Fluff & Angst, Pining, Stag Night, Sad Ending) – “You. It's always you. John Watson, you keep me right.” (191)

Shifting Parameters by ladylindaaa (G, 4,566+ w., 1/? Ch. || WiP || Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Friends to Lovers, Inexperienced Sherlock, Humour, Giggles, Caring John, Nervous Sherlock, Adorable Sherlock, Smitten John) – This is getting a bit unbearable, now. Well... more than a bit. (251)

A Case of Identity by PostcardsfromTheoryland (T, 4,978 w., 1 Ch. || Post-TRF, John on Holiday, Pining Sherlock, Sherlock Whump, Angst, Reunion) – All John wanted was to get away from London for a few weeks. No people pointing and whispering about Sherlock Holmes when he walked past, no reporters wanting an "exclusive" about the dead detective, just some rest and relaxation in the sunshine. Then again, these holiday trips never seem to go as planned. (239)

No Light, No Light (in your bright blue eyes) by orphan_account (G, 5,915 w., 1 Ch. || Angst, Pining, Songfic, Mutual Unrequited Love, Unresolved Tension, UST/URT) – Relates to both Sherlock's and John's feelings for each other and highlights select moments of hurt and inner turmoil starting from right before the fall all the way to HLV. (30)

The Meaning of Sacrifice by arts_and_letters (T, 14,101 w., 6/?Ch. || WiP || Angst, Reunion, Hurt/Comfort, Mental / Emotional Turmoil, Pining Sherlock) – Sherlock has risked life and limb to protect John Watson, sacrificing his freedom and safety to fulfill his last vow. When Sherlock comes back bruised and battered from his second exile, will John's love be enough to help Sherlock heal? And will John ever know the truth behind Sherlock's enigmatic farewell? (160)

The Slow Dance and Death of a Carbon Copy by batslikepastel (T, 15,576 w., 8 Ch. || Angst with Happy Ending, Mutual Pining, Mental Health Issues, Mary is Not Nice, Idiots in Love, Eventual Fluff, Developing Relationship, Alcoholism, Love Confessions, BAMF John, First Kiss) – He hasn’t talked to Sherlock outside the bedroom since that first night. Today, though, when Sherlock painstakingly makes John’s favourite breakfast- eggs Benedict- he smiles delightedly and kisses his cheek. “Thanks, Mary.” The first sign of delusion. (231)

Insanity in the Middle by DotyTakeThisDown (E, 28,010 w., 8 Ch. || Equestrian Sports AU || Alternate First Meeting, POV John, Pining John, Bottomlock, Clueless Sherlock, First Kiss/Time, Passionate Kisses, Hand Holding, Caught Making Out, Bed Sharing, Spooning, Blow Job) – John is a world-class eventing rider with a gold medal and several four-star wins to his credit, but he's never won at Rolex. Sherlock is an up-and-coming rider taking the sport by storm. (205)

To Mend Icarus by AlessNox (T, 28,347 w., 14 Ch. || Post-TRF / Pre-S3 Divergence, BAMF John, Anger, Fighting, Sex, Bed Sharing, Stalking, Case Fic, John’s Past, Introspection, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Crime, Mythology, Darkness) – After a case lands John Watson in court, he tells Sherlock that he is leaving. Not understanding why, Sherlock decides that the only way to learn the truth is to investigate his flatmate, Dr. John Watson. Sherlock finds that coming back is not enough to fix all of the damage that he caused by leaving. A post Reichenbach, post reunion re-discovery fic. (157)

Winter’s Storm by LoloLolly (M, 51,812 w., 11 Ch. || Canon Compliant Through TFP/S4 Is Canon, Alternating POV,  Established / New Relationship, Parentlock with Rosie, Explicit Torture, Mentions of Sherlock’s PTSD, Mentions of Human Trafficking, References to Child Abuse, Violence, Kidnapping/Torture, Captivity, Angst with Happy Ending, Fluff, Case Fic, BAMF / Soldier John, Sherlock Whump, Mycroft and John Work Together, Marriage Proposal, Autistic Sherlock, Lestrade Finds Out, Polyglot Sherlock, Aftermath of Serbia) – Sherlock had buried the past. Shut Serbia away in the attic of his mind palace. Muddy footprints at a heinous crime scene, however, have led him right back to old enemies. And right back to captivity. For God’s sake, Mycroft. Part 2 of the Earthly Pomp (Is But a Dream) series (291)

The Ichor of Talos by Nikoshinigami (T, 59,779 w., 24 Ch. || Sci-Fi / Red Dwarf Inspired AU || Angst, Murder Mystery, Drama, Eventual Romance) – After being convicted of the murder of Sherlock Holmes, Dr. John Watson is sentenced to confinement, therapy, and to the constant companionship of a hologram of his victim to aid in his rehabilitation. While John remains uncertain of his guilt, Sherlock is only too happy to engage in the mystery of his own murder to try and discover why he died and how events set his path to cross with the war-ravaged stranger he's now posthumously bound to. Part 1 of the The Unlikely Death series (82)

Question.

If you had to pick your top johnlock fics EVER what would they be?

Like fics you still think of and have a place in your heart. The fics you’d want on a desert island fics yanno.

Just super interested ❤️

Hi Lovely!

OH GOSH, y'know, I get asked this every once in awhile, and my answer is usually always the same: probably any of the fics on any and all of my Fave Fics Lists. Though it's been awhile since I've read new Johnlock fics so I haven't really ever changed my fics for that ship, LOL.

My fave Johnlock fic of all time, though, is still this one:

A Promise Made to Be Broken by PlantsAreNeat (E, 37,018 w., 7 Ch. || Fake Relationship, Pining, Slow Burn, RST, Eventual Relationship, Primarily POV Sherlock) – A young John makes an ‘if we’re still single at 40, we’ll get together’ pledge to a woman who ends up all wrong for him. She keeps reminding him of the promise, and won’t let go of it. John asks Sherlock to pose as his boyfriend at a family wedding, so as to dash her hopes permanently. Sherlock, who has at last acknowledged his feelings for John, reluctantly agrees despite knowing how painful it will be to ‘have’ John, but not keep him.

=====

I go back to it at least once a year. :) But yeah, please check out all my Fave Johnlock fic lists linked above and definitely read that fic there. :)

i wanted to ask if you have some fics that are just, really, really well-written? i know it's subjective, but maybe you can still recommend me some?

length is not that important, but i do prefer longer works

thanks!

Hey Lovely!

OH GOSH this is SUCH a loaded question hahahhaah. One, because it's been a LONG time since I've read a Sherlock fic (I've been fandom hopping lately) so I don't really have anything new that I've read recently, and two, because I tend to consider "well written" as "these feel like the show characters, I'm enjoying it" so honestly I tend to just... keep choosing the same stories haaha. And often my idea of well-written seems to not be what others think *shrugs*

That said, I think it's best for me to rec my fave fics lists for this ask:

Top 20 Fave 40K+ w. Fics (April 2017)

Ten Fave Short Johnlock Fics (Easy Reads April 2018)

25 Fave Johnlock One Shots (April 2018)

Top 10 Fave Fics (September 2018)

Top 20 Bookmarks of 2018 (March 2019)

Another Top 10 Fave Fics (June 2019)

Top 30 Read-Again Fics (March 2019)

Top 30 Read-Again Fics Pt. 2 (Sept. 2019)

Fave Read-Again Fics (10) (Dec 11/20)

Top 25 Fave Non-Ao3 Fics (Nov. 2019)

Top 25 Fave Non-Ao3 Fics Pt 2 (Apr 2022)

Top 25 Fave Non-AO3 Fics Pt 3 (May 2023)

Top 25 Bookmarks of 2019 (Dec. 29/2019)

Top 30 Bookmarks of 2020

Top 25 Bookmarks of 2021

Top 20 Bookmarks of 2022

Top 35 Bookmarks of 2023

Top 20 Comfort Fics (Feb 2022)

Top 30 Fave Angst Fics Under 10K

25 Fics for Fic Rec Bingo

10 Current Fave Multi-Fandom Fics (June 2023)

Top 30 Fave Whump Fics (Feb 2025)

I-J’s Last 50 Bookmarked Fics (June 2017)

Last 17 Bookmarked Fics (July 2017) 

Last 30 Bookmarked Fics (November 2017)

Last 86 Bookmarked Fics (Jan 2019) || [MOBILE]

And perhaps these lists might please you for "longer fics" that are probs well written!

Fic Series Pt 1: Bookmarks & Oneshots (50K+) (July 2024)

Fic Series Pt 2: Bookmarks & Oneshots (Under 50K) (July 2024) 

just wondering, do you have any recommendations for very in-character johnlock fanfics? it’s a bit tricky to find ones where their personalities are accurate to canon for me :0 thanks sm, no worries at all if not!! hope you have a lovely day <3

Hey Nonny!!

Oh gosh, this is a very... subjective type of ask, since we all read characters differently, and my version of "in character" may not match some others' "in character" fics :) For instance, to me, ALL my personal recs are "in character", LOL!

Of course, I'm going to suggest to you my Fave and Bookmarked Fics since those will be the ones I personally enjoyed because they felt the most in-character to me, and I have one list, Fics in “Sherlock’s Voice”, that is the closest to a single list I have for this request.