Fic: 221B - The journey is the destination

[anarion]

Title: The journey is the destination
Words: a 221B has 221 words and ends with a b-word
Rating: PG-13
Pairings : Sherlock/John
Warnings: none
Disclaimer: Not mine.

Summary: ‘365 days of 221Bs’ challenge: a prompt a day, given by atlinmerrick. Day 300.




Previous 221b: Missing in Action


Today's prompt: journey + eyes

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The journey is the destination


They have come a long way in many aspects but this is one of the things he cherishes more than others.

He clearly remembers the night when the shouting and thrashing in the upper bedroom had pierced his concentration for the first time. When he went in, John was sitting in bed wide-eyed and panting, his blanket a heap on the floor and his right hand pressed to his left shoulder. Sherlock had approached the bed carefully and sat down next to John even more cautiously. John hadn't moved but his eyes followed Sherlock's every movement. When Sherlock raised his hand towards John's shoulder, he said "Don't" and there was something in his voice that made Sherlock withdraw his hand immediately.

It took time and several nights disturbed by shouts and flailing before John stopped recoiling from Sherlock's touch. Sherlock still feels something like pride bloom inside his chest at the fact that he managed to earn John's trust in that even before they were intimate. Afterwards calming John down after one of his dreams became easier in a way.

At first it was just a soft touch, Sherlock’s hand on John’s wounded shoulder, almost weightless, just something to anchor the shivering man in the present.
Then, gradually, Sherlock’s grip grew stronger and he experimented with short stroking motions, patiently waiting until John allowed him to massage the clenched muscles around his scar after a while and much later even the scar tissue. He never saw the scar until he peeled off John's shirt that first night.

The first time Sherlock kissed the scarred flesh, John made a choked off sound and then took a deep, shuddering breath, that he later thought he had been holding since that first time Sherlock had looked at him.

Now, when his scar hurts (usually because of a change in the weather or because he slept in chairs repeatedly during a case), John grabs the bottle with oil and comes to Sherlock of his own accord, often moaning with relief when Sherlock digs his fingers into his shoulder.

Sherlock never tires of looking at the scar or touching it, and although he would never say it out loud because it is most likely one of the things that are on the ‘a bit not good’ side in John’s eyes, he feels like this is where the universe has marked John for him.

It was a long journey but he knows it was worth it every night when he watches John sleep next to him peacefully, as someone sleeps who has found his place in the world, someone who is whole and happy and no longer broken.




Next 221b: Watch your step


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AN:
The prompts were 'journey (courtesy of Verity Burns) + eyes'.

Some things refuse to be told in 221 words. So this has 442 (two times 221) words and I combined two prompts in it. Still it only counts as one day, no worries! :)

Also, it's DAY 300 today!!!








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Comments

[kizzia.livejournal.com]

And that was just beautiful - it gave me goosebumps; especially as I often think Sherlock would think like that about the scar. What a wonderful 300th (but that means you'll soon be done, which makes me sad) and definitely worth being a 442 :)

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

I had the sazme thought 'Oh no, 300 already?' But when you are done I can read them again from the start, right?

[eldriwolf.livejournal.com]

Ah yeah, before I read it, I was thinking "Oh, No, 300 ALREADY!?"

Now I just have a quiet, happy sigh--- Thank You

[verityburns.livejournal.com]

Oh, it's a double! Excellent... it has been a long day, I am in need of a double round about now :D

This is gorgeous - so much feeling and love in here, I can see why it has overflowed your usual structure. It still seems miraculous you've managed to fit it into only 442 words!

I particularly love the thought of John fetching the bottle of oil and bringing it to Sherlock when he needs to. I bet Sherlock loves that :D

[treelight.livejournal.com]

This is a most worthy 300th story and also a new favourite of mine!
One cannot say it often enough ... Thank you for writing those precious pieces and sharing them with us!

[chocolamousse.livejournal.com]

I love that Sherlock instinctively wants to touch John on the night of the first nightmare, and his patience with him. You make us feel the slow change in their relationship very well.

It was a long journey but he knows it was worth it every night when he watches John sleep next to him peacefully, as someone sleeps who has found his place in the world, someone who is whole and happy and no longer broken.
*sighs happily* So heartwarming. It's a very lovely fic! Also, happy Day 300! :D

I think it's "a choked off sound". :-)

[221b-hound.livejournal.com]

That was beautiful.

[sweetlatejuliet.livejournal.com]

So many lovely quiet moments in here! The first line has the exact feel of a long love. I especially liked just something to anchor the shivering man in the present - they do that for each other, don't they? Sherlock helps John forget the past (anchors him in time), and John helps Sherlock be "of the world" (anchors him in physicality). And he feels like this is where the universe has marked John for him is just tender and sweet and beautiful. Thank you!!

[arianedevere.livejournal.com]

Oh, sweetie, this is beautiful. And if you can't go double on your 300th story in the series, when can you?!

[veniachan.livejournal.com]

It's just wonderful, really!!! Perfect double for day 300!
Congratulation and thank you so much for sharing these little miracles with us!!!