Fic: 221B - Worth every wound

[anarion]

Title: Worth every wound
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 324.




Previous 221b: Night at the Museum


Today's prompt: debt

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Worth every wound


When it finally calmed down in his head, Sherlock left the state he had been in for the last hour or so and found himself standing in front of the city hall. Next to him stood John, a quiet, relaxed presence, looking out over the Thames to the Tower.

Sherlock stepped a little closer, until he felt John’s warmth through the sleeve of his shirt. John turned his head and smiled at him.

‘He has just been walking 45 minutes next to me in a pace slightly too fast for him to be comfortable while I ignored him completely. And he did that without thinking about it, without hesitating, after I ignored him for three days during the last case except when I used him as a soundboard. How does he put up with me?’

His gaze travelled over John and came to rest on the barely visible scar on his neck.

‘I saved his life. Maybe he thinks he owes it to me?’

He focused on John’s words.

‘The Tower. Boring. He wants to, though.’

He gave his consent and the smile he got in reply made the whole Tower visit worth it.

‘Oh. Obvious. That is why he walks with me. Why didn't I see this earlier? Maybe it is true that in certain regards I am rather blind?”



Next 221b: Need-to-know


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AN:
The prompt was 'debt'.

People wanted to know what Sherlock was thinking during Cross a bridge when you come to it, so I wrote this 221B. I rewrote it three times and am still not entirely happy with it. Oh well. *shrugs*

Thanks to all of you who offered to talk to me about their ink. I will get back to you as soon as possible (probably tomorrow or Tuesday)! :D







.

Comments

[chocolamousse.livejournal.com]

I'm one of those who wanted to know, thank you for telling us!

I don't know why you're not quite happy with it but I like it, especially Sherlock stepped a little closer, until he felt John’s warmth through the sleeve of his shirt, where Sherlock shows his vulnerability and his need of comfort wordlessly.

His gaze travelled over John and came to rest on the barely visible scar on his neck.
Did you already tell us the story of this scar? I don't remember, you write so much! :D

Maybe you could add a link to this 221B at the end of Cross a bridge when you come to it? The two fics are even better when you read together, to my mind.

Is it me or is something grammatically wrong in "Next to him stood John, a quiet, relaxed presence, and looked out over the Thames to the Tower"? Maybe "who looked out"? Sorry if it's just me! :-)

[anarion.livejournal.com]

I'm glad to hear that you liked it!

So far I've only linked back and never forward because I don't want people to jump ahead when they start reading from the beginning. Or is that stupid?

I have no idea. It sounds ok to me - obviously or I wouldn't have written it. ;) The 'a quiet, relaxed presence' is just a parenthesis, isn't it?

[verityburns.livejournal.com]

Assuming it's John who's looking out, then I suggest:
'Next to him stood John, a quiet, relaxed presence, looking out over the Thames to the Tower.'

[anarion.livejournal.com]

Thank you, sweetie! <3

[chocolamousse.livejournal.com]

Oh, I see. The only reason I didn't make this suggestion is that I was sure that Anarion was going to answer, "And here she goes, messing up my wordcount. Again," with a dark look and probably a threat to write only in German from now on. But when you make the same suggestion you have a "Thank you, sweetie" and a heart and probably a petting on your hair and a piece of cake. I'm gutted. :D

[anarion.livejournal.com]

Anarion was going to answer, "And here she goes, messing up my wordcount. Again," with a dark look and probably a threat to write only in German from now on.
You know me so well! ;)

No, in this case I could undo something that I had to do before posting because of the word count, so Verity's suggesting worked out well. Otherwise I'd have said to her: "Oy, you're messing up my wordcount, lady. Do that again and I'll start writing in German from now on!" :D

[verityburns.livejournal.com]

What can I say? The cake was yummy :D

*is embarrassed to admit she never even thought about the word count*

[chocolamousse.livejournal.com]

I don't want people to jump ahead when they start reading from the beginning. Or is that stupid?
It's not stupid at all! Not to mention that it's your journal after all. :D

No no, the parenthesis is fine, it's just the use of the same subject for a subject-verb inversion and a normal subject-verb contruction (I'm afraid I'm not quite clear here! I mean "John" as the subject of "stood" and "looked out") sounds weird to my ears. But they are French ears after all. :D

[verityburns.livejournal.com]

Aww, that's really sweet - interesting to get Sherlock's perspective on the situation!

[phoenix-glow.livejournal.com]

I think what is so compelling about the characters of Holmes and Watson finding each other is the idea that no matter how broken you may be, someone can still love you. You reveal this beautifully in your ficlets. Thanks for continuing to write these!

[rox712.livejournal.com]

That's true love! Love the way you go into his head.

And the canon refference in the title is perfect!