Fic: 221B - I, Robot (1/2)
May. 22nd, 2013 06:23 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
anarionTitle: I, Robot (1/2)
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
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atlinmerrick. Day 305.Previous 221b: On display
Today's prompt: robot
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I, Robot (1/2)
"Why on earth are you so angry?”
He stops and turns around so suddenly that I almost run into him.
“You should know why.”
He is moving again, taking the steps to our flat two at a time and by the time I reach the kitchen he has disappeared into the bedroom, slamming the door shut after him with a loud bang.
I replay everything I have said at the crime scene earlier, but I can’t think of anything that deserves such a reaction. Then again, he is prone to overly emotional reactions sometimes.
Suddenly the door is yanked open again and he stares at me accusingly.
“What the hell did I do?”
“What did you do? You embarrassed me!”
I swallow the urge the get angry in return and respond with something along the lines of ‘Now you know what that feels like’ because that would certainly not help to resolve this situation.
“I… how?”
“You flirted with that police woman. Two weeks and you’re already looking elsewhere?”
“I didn’t flirt!” I didn’t.
“You don’t even notice. It’s like you’re on autopilot every time a pretty woman is around.”
I realise that he feels threatened because he thinks he can’t compete with a woman. I reach for him with a soft sigh and for a second wish I wasn’t bisexual.
Next 221b: Not a question of beauty
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AN:
The prompt was 'robot'.
Of course Sherlock would be the first one thinks of when hearing ‘robot’. You might have noticed that I tend to not go with the obvious idea for a prompt (not even when it’s a wonderful invitation for porn. *still waiting for Atlin to hit me for not writing porn for her ‘rim’ prompt*)
Where was I? Yes. Not going for the obvious. I learned that from Atlin. We were walking through London and she was stuck with some storyline and told me that the obvious solution would be Sherlock doing something but clearly it wasn’t working for her and the story, so she was looking for something John could do.
From then on, every time I was stuck, I switched the idea around in my head and usually there was a solution in my mind instantly. I think some of my best 221Bs were born from this. By now it’s almost second nature to switch to the not obvious answer for a prompt.
Yes, I’ll stop talking eventually. I had a point with this! I wanted to thank Atlin for pushing me out the door with this challenge, because I loved every step of the journey so far and I would have never improved my writing as much if it weren’t for her. <3
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no subject
Date: 2013-05-22 05:18 pm (UTC)I really like this. I see insecurity laced through Sherlock's character and this is a wonderful illustration of how it would manifest in the early days of their relationship.
Given your note at the bottom of this, I thought I should say that I've always loved the way you write but I can see changes, little ones, like word placement and turns of phrase that make these later ones zing a little more. And there is an almost indefinable sense of confidence that I don't think was there before.
Oh God, now I'm pontificating and probably sound patronising. Which isn't meant. I just mean that I think you are great!
no subject
Date: 2013-05-22 05:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-05-22 05:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-05-22 05:41 pm (UTC)Or is that just me?
no subject
Date: 2013-05-22 05:43 pm (UTC)I love that second 'I didn't' — is John reassuring us or himself?
"I realise that he feels threatened because he thinks he can’t compete with a woman."
Oh lord that rings so very true! I can imagine he would be terribly insecure were women and John are concerned. How could he not? 'You were the most human…human…" said John and it's true. Sherlock is very, very human and very easy to hurt.
no subject
Date: 2013-05-22 05:46 pm (UTC)I wanted to reply to your wonderful author's note separately from my comment to your wonderful 221B (and I'm excited this is only the first part!).
My reply to your AN is this: Thank you. Some heart-hurty things happened today and took me low and this changed that. That I helped a wee bit to change your life for the better changes mine. For the better. I wish so much I was there to hug you.
no subject
Date: 2013-05-22 06:01 pm (UTC)and not at all because if I say it everybody is going to be in stitches and point at me and call me a nutter. If I'm right, I'll yell, "I KNEW IT! I TOLD YOU! DIDN'T I TELL YOU? TELL THEM I TOLD YOU, ANARION, TELL THEM!" in a very humble way. If I'm wrong, I'll pretend my LJ has been hacked and I'm not the one who sent the PM to Anarion. Or who wrote this comment. No, wait, there's a flaw here...no subject
Date: 2013-05-22 07:05 pm (UTC)And this way I can support you tomorrow when you are correct. Or I can be the first to laugh maniacally at you and call you nutter in a shrill and annoying voice! I win both ways!
Wait...there's a flaw here...
no subject
Date: 2013-05-22 08:19 pm (UTC)The unpredictability is one of the things I love about your writing - especially since I happily follow the wrong leads every time :)
Poor Sherlock is jealous. Aw, I want to comfort him and tell him that he need not fear to loose John as easily as that (if ever).
no subject
Date: 2013-06-05 11:51 pm (UTC)