Fic: 221B - An Aspect of Beauty

[anarion]

Title: An aspect of beauty
Words: 221
Rating: PG-13
Pairings : Sherlock/John
Warnings: none
Disclaimer: Not mine.

Summary: ‘365 days of 221Bs’ challenge: a prompt a day, given by atlinmerrick. The second was 'beauty'.



Previous 221b: Warrior
_________________________________________________________________


An Aspect of Beauty


“Tell me what you like about your body.“

The voice drifts over from the tub. He looks into the mirror, gazing at himself thoughtfully. His skin seems very pale in the harsh fluorescent light. He never thought about his body in ways of beauty. Lifting his head, he locks eyes with the other man, seeking encouragement in the warm smile.

The first thing he notices are the love bites.

The first thing other people notice is the scar. It still looks red and angry. They never know how to react to it, they either pity him (“Oh, John.”) or look away. Sherlock was the first to actually like it, first for its symbolical meaning, but mostly because it’s interesting.

John isn’t sure how he feels about it, it’s not a sign of pride like his RAMC tattoo or the scar on his leg where he was wounded by a knife and still got his patient to safety. He doesn’t hate it either though.

Scars aren’t bad, they are one form of memory, a part of you.

He smiles at Sherlock knowing that he already read everything John wanted to tell him.

‘Sometimes I like what I see in the mirror, sometimes I don’t. But when you look at me like that I feel like I have the world’s most perfect body.’


Next 221b: Over the Hills

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AN: I needed a little writing exercise. I asked Atlin for a prompt. Then we decided that I was going to write a 221B every day we spent together.






.

Comments

[tracionn.livejournal.com]

Aww, so lovely! Both your 221b's are.
How wonderfuly they found each other, isn't it? Of course they had to find each other - for finding peace and being understood.
Thnx so much for sharing! Looking fprward to more of your exercises:)

[rox712.livejournal.com]

Now it's my turn: Aaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwww!

I totally get it. It is so difficult to find youself beautiful. Love that he can see it in Sherlock eyes (don't mind me, I'm a little bit sentimental today)

[chocolamousse.livejournal.com]

First reaction : can I quote rox712 ? Aaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwww!

Second reaction : so, er... If I get you right... Sherlock is in the bathtub ? Oh. This is, er, interesting.
*visualizes the scene*
Yep. Definitively interesting.

I think you mean RAMC instead of RMCA ! :-)

[anarion.livejournal.com]

RAMC instead of RMCA

I was probably thinking of YMCA... ;)

Yes, Sherlock is in the tub. John will either join him shortly or drag him over to the bed. *stares thoughtfully into the distance*

[sabrinaphynn.livejournal.com]

Ok now I am all warm and fuzzy .... :) yea!

[atlinmerrick.livejournal.com]

"Scars aren’t bad, they are one form of memory, a part of you."

This, this, this, this, this. God that's beautiful. It shines out, it glows, it makes me see John so clearly. This whole 221B is beautiful, like our dear doctor, but the rightness of that thought is sweet and perfect. Thank you for writing this.

[maggie-conagher.livejournal.com]

I love them having tub and talk time and Sherlock finding another way to compliment John. Having John think while he(S) puts the love in his eyes. It's far more powerful than the words.

These are moments, pearls of memory you are capturing on a string for us.

[mirith.livejournal.com]

It's really telling that Sherlock asks John what he likes about his body and John immediately thinks of the marks Sherlock put there! It's like asking paper what it likes about itself, and paper replying, "The words left by the pen."

It makes me happy that Sherlock likes John's scar. John's scar is a result of the bullet that sent him home. Without that bullet, would John have met Sherlock?

My favorite part is the bit about how scars are one form of memory. Yes. That's insightful and gorgeous. Memory written on the body instead of on the brain.

[mildly-neurotic.livejournal.com]

Very nice :-)

[verityburns.livejournal.com]

This is lovely - I agree with the points made above and also particularly enjoyed the emphasis on 'you' in the first line... I like the implication that Sherlock has already told him many times what HE likes about John's body - now he wants John to see it for himself.

Gorgeous :D

[anarion.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!

If you're looking forward to more, I just agreed to do a 365 days challenge, so there will be a lot of 221Bs coming. ;)

[anarion.livejournal.com]

Tee-hee, thank you! <3

Also, there's nothing wrong with being a little sentimental!

[anarion.livejournal.com]

Yay for warm and fuzzy feelings! :)
Thanks!

[anarion.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the prompt and the scar on my hand to remember the wonderful time I had with you and all those prompts in London! :)

[anarion.livejournal.com]

These are moments, pearls of memory you are capturing on a string for us.
Aaw, thank you! <3

[tracionn.livejournal.com]

Awesome! Will follow and try to read whenever time allows :)

[anarion.livejournal.com]

I wasn't certain about the scar thing, because while I like my scars, I don't have any that are huge and prominent or were acquired in a traumatic moment.
But since I don't seem to have appalled anybody, I will just continue to like that statement. :)

It's like asking paper what it likes about itself, and paper replying, "The words left by the pen."
Ooh, I like that!

Thank you!

[anarion.livejournal.com]

Thanks for taking time to read and comment! :)

[anarion.livejournal.com]

Thank you sweetie!
I am sure that Sherlock tells him constantly what he likes about John's body. :)

I feel very bad for not having time to read and comment on your story at the moment. I will start again when Wendy is gone *sobs*

[mirith.livejournal.com]

Be *very* certain about the scar thing. The quintessence of John and Sherlock is the pull they feel towards each other, scars and all, and you capture that here. Of course Sherlock is going to find John's scars interesting. They're part of John.

[anarion.livejournal.com]

I am sure that Sherlock tells him constantly what he likes about John's body.

I am sure that Sherlock tells John constantly what he likes about his body.

Um... rather like that? Well, you know what I want to say.

[verityburns.livejournal.com]

'I feel very bad'... then I demand you cease and desist IMMEDIATELY!

Good Lord, anyone who puts reading fic over spending time with Wendy wants shooting!

Have fun, ladies :D

[atlinmerrick.livejournal.com]

Your thumb is so not going to scar! Throb a little perhaps, but not scar. I am a lady, I do not mar my friends.

[anarion.livejournal.com]

But, but... Memory! Me wants scar. *pouts*

[atlinmerrick.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah! Okay, if it doesn't scar I'll wound you again, only I'll make you bleed proper-like! Or we just have to go dancing some more!

[anarion.livejournal.com]

I think I prefer the dancing to making me bleed proper-like by wounding...

[veniachan.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, it's just sooo beautiful!!!
You have to love your body, at least a little bit to belive that others can love it as well. And if they do, it'll increase your love for it :)

"John isn’t sure how he feels about it, it’s not a sign of pride like his RAMC tattoo or the scar on his leg where he was wounded by a knife and still got his patient to safety. He doesn’t hate it either though."

You can consider it as the first step on the road, led him to Sherlock ;)