Fic: 221B - The Gift

[anarion]

Title: The Gift
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.





Previous 221b: Carried Away


Today's prompt: laughter

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The Gift

Laughter was something that only came in Sherlock’s adult life with John.

Sounds that never passed his lips before (unless he faked it for some reason), were now heard often: Giggles (not only at crime scenes), bouts of laughter (sometimes until he is out of breath and his sides hurt), soft chuckling (his favourite, especially when he and John share the moment – it’s warm, intimate and the most wonderful thing in the world, that someone would laugh with him and not at him) and all other kinds of laughter.

He never laughed much when he was a child and stopped completely when he was four (a year before he stopped crying).

John brought the crying back too, but that is something nobody ever needs to know.

Not about the tears he shed when John got stabbed and was fighting for his life, not about those that flowed freely when John left him (only temporarily, thank God) and certainly not about the tears of joy he spilled after their first night together.

Mycroft saw none of those, but he sometimes sits in his office and watches CCTV footage of Sherlock and John, walking, talking and laughing.

He would never admit it out loud, but among all the good things John brought into his brother’s life, bringing the laughter back was the best.


Next 221b: Time Doesn't Always Heal


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AN:
Today's prompt was 'laughter'.











.

Comments

[arianedevere.livejournal.com]

Oh, honey. How do you keep turning out these beautiful stories every day? The line about someone laughing with Sherlock instead of at him is heartrending. So much emotion in 221 words. You are awesome.

[anarion.livejournal.com]

<3 Thank you. *blushes*

[sabrinaphynn.livejournal.com]

I think I might have just squeaked at this, both for the heart-breaking and the adorableness, in a range only dolphins can hear.
So much expressed in 221 words- the warmth of the comradeship and love that is SherlockandJohn, the quiet gratitude and positive regard of Mycroft, the loneliness of an isolated childhood... And the tears, god, the tears...

[anarion.livejournal.com]

That is a wonderful comment, because I wanted to put all of these things into it and to hear that it came across to you as a reader is really good to hear!
Thank you!

[tracionn.livejournal.com]

AAWWW, some day you'll kill me with the brilliant sweetness of you drabbles. And not only are they sweet, but bittersweet as well, and oh so touching. Another great one!!

[anarion.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much, it is a wonderful thing to hear that you touched people with what you do! <3

[chocolamousse.livejournal.com]

Aww... Lovely, sweet, adorable, very moving... I love it! I love how John knocked all of Sherlock's defences down and gave ALL the emotions back to him. And how you refer to other fics you wrote, Warrior about Sherlock who stopped crying when he was five or I Watch You While You Sleep about John leaving Sherlock (temporarily!!!).

And I love your last line, it is utterly keeping with my headcanon. It reminds me of a sentence from The Green Blade, which I remember because I find it absolutely gorgeous and so true: "Laugh lines," John said. "They can be my gift to you - what you get out of this relationship." Believe me, I couldn't compliment you more than by saying that your fic reminds me of something Verity wrote! :D

*sees your current mood*
This 221B worths its weight in cookies, have some!

[anarion.livejournal.com]

John knocked all of Sherlock's defences down and gave ALL the emotions back to him.
That's how it works, right? You can't feel only the good things, you either feel them all or nothing.

Also, you are brilliant for getting the references. Let me kiss you!

And wow, thank you for that last compliment! :)



And now: cooookies!

[rox712.livejournal.com]

You wonderful person, you. This was the perfect gift to break the tension that save Undershaw has build today.

[anarion.livejournal.com]

I am so glad to hear! :)
Thank you! <3

[ledasdaughter.livejournal.com]

what what whaaaat are you doing? Right in my heart.

that first line. and then the "one year before he stopped crying". ;___;

[anarion.livejournal.com]

YES!

Um, I mean, sorry. *pats gently*
I made it all better in the end. I hope.

[ledasdaughter.livejournal.com]

haha you did :-)

you also made it better with breakfast on your balcony ;-)

[verityburns.livejournal.com]

You have such a gift for these 221Bs, I don't know how you do it, seriously. It's like distilled nuggets of emotion. This one is beautiful.

[anarion.livejournal.com]

distilled nuggets of emotion.

*stares in awe* Thank you!

[atlinmerrick.livejournal.com]

"John brought back the crying, too"

THIS IS VOODOO. What you keep doing is so realistic. You say, for example, John made things better—but it's not some magic pill of everything's awesome now. It's John brought the gift of everything—laughter and tears.

That you slip that in so smoothly in so few words is beautiful.

[anarion.livejournal.com]

I am wise beyond my years. :D
[I am actually. Except for the part where I am 12. *snorts*]

BTW, this comment gave me goosebumps. Thank you!

[mirith.livejournal.com]

This one is a little marvel. "John brought the crying back too, but that is something nobody ever needs to know." Perfect.