Fic Rec
@thetimemoves had the wonderful idea to celebrate @splix71‘s memory today, on her birthday.
So, in honor of Splix, I want to take a moment to gush about one of my absolute favorite BBC Sherlock fics of all time.
The Case of the Green Gown
I followed along with this fic as a WIP from the very first chapter. I usually don't make a habit of bookmarking stories until they are complete, but I bookmarked this one immediately. The note I made on my bookmark, way back in January of 2015, was "heartbreakingly plausible."
This fic. This fic.
In addition to being an absolutely smashing original casefic, with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing right up until the end, every single chapter is permeated with breathtakingly complex character work and rich emotional nuance.
The timeline jumps back and forth, with John and Sherlock reconnecting to work on a case together after they have drifted apart. The reasons behind their estrangement are explored slowly and with devastating effect as the story unfolds.
Complicated character relationships are handled beautifully, in a way that feels both painful and so very, very real. John is a study in buried anger and resentment, Sherlock is proud and stubborn and lonely, Mary is deeply flawed and persists in making bad decisions for very believable reasons, and Mycroft-- even Mycroft is gifted with a beautiful, heartbreaking history of his own.
All I can say is... if you haven't read this absolute masterpiece, go read it. Savor it. We are so lucky, collectively as a fandom, that Splix gifted us with her time and talent. ❤︎
