Fic: 221B - The naming of a loved one

[anarion]

Title: The naming of a loved one
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.






Previous 221b: Noises in the otherwise quiet night


Today's prompt: terms of endearment

________________________________________________

The naming of a loved one


“Come and kiss me, my little violin.”

“Please stop with the ridiculous nicknames, Sherlock.”

***

When they first got together, John tried to find a nickname for Sherlock. He was fended off pretty quickly. Granted, 'Sherly' sounds ridiculous. And Lock? John could have lived with that, but Sherlock hated it.

“Why do you even need a nickname for me?”

“Because I don't want to bother with your two syllable name when I am happily blessed out in post-coital haze. I just want to say 'love you, Lock' and fall asleep.”

“And why do you need to add my name to that? We’re the only people in the bed, who else would you be talking to?”

“Says the man who constantly uses my name.”

“I like your name. John.”

***

While John settled for ‘love’, Sherlock tried to find a nickname for John, but what do you do with a one-syllable name? Johnny? Terrible.

***

“You don’t need to try so hard, Sherlock.”

“But it’s important to you.”

“It's not. And it does nothing for me when you feel uncomfortable doing it. Besides, the way you say my name in these situations is better than any nickname or term of endearment. It’s more intimate than a touch and more tender than a kiss.
So, please, stop trying to be something you’re not on my behalf.”




Next 221b: The cleverer give in


------------------
AN:
Today's prompt - courtesy of Verity - was 'terms of endearments'.

I apologise for the crack going on here in the beginning. I'm pretty sure Sherlock has no idea how to use a nickname or a term of endearment. He will just stick to John's name. Which is fine, because don’t you think Sherlock has a certain way to say John’s name even in the series? Imagine the way he’d say it in bed! *starts drooling*

I am terribly busy at the moment and have sadly pretty much no time to answer your comments. But know that I love them and they are what keeps me going [that and Atlin's oppressive contract ;) ]
THANK YOU all for reading and kisses to all those who take the time to comment! <3







.

Comments

[verityburns.livejournal.com]

Lovely! I listened to an mp3 file a bit ago which was made up entirely of Sherlock saying 'John', as he does so many times in the series. I may try to track it down and listen again while re-reading this delectable morsel :D

[tamzette.livejournal.com]

Ooh, do post the link to that whn you find it again!

Anarion, brilliant as always :-)
Your 221Bs have truly revolutionised the genre (possibly not genre, but whatever they are, and genre sounds good) for me!

[anarion.livejournal.com]

Your 221Bs have truly revolutionised the genre for me!
That's the most amazing thing I've heard! Thank you! <3

[anarion.livejournal.com]

Gimme! *grabby hands*

[chocolamousse.livejournal.com]

First, this is a great prompt! Second, in case you're interested, I recently saw two videos of all the times John says "Sherlock" in season 1 (first link) and season 2 (second link). :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMZ0pwcSU18&feature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS7dLHNmuzo&feature=plcp

[chocolamousse.livejournal.com]

“Says the man who constantly uses my name.”
Yep. It's canon!

It’s more intimate than a touch and more tender than a kiss.
I'd give a lot to hear that... In season 3, maybe. (This is called "positive thought". :D)

“You don’t need to try so hard, Sherlock.”
“But it’s important to you.”
I like that Sherlock makes efforts to please John even if it goes against his nature. And I like that John doesn't want him to go against his nature.

I apologise for the crack going on here in the beginning.
Don't apologise, it's cute! After all for Sherlock the violin is something he loves, something which soothes and comforts him, and (beginning of the cliche) something he plays wonderfully and he gets beautiful sounds out of when he lays his hands on it (end of the cliche).

Imagine the way he’d say it in bed! *starts drooling*
*imagines*
*joins the drooling*

Funny and very sweet at the same time; I love it!

Beginning of the nitpicking, since you want me to nitpick! ;-) The inverted commas are "back to front" at the end of "Why do you even need a nickname for me?" and there's one line break and inverted commas too many between "It’s more intimate than a touch and more tender than a kiss." and "So, please, stop trying to be something you’re not on my behalf.” Also, it's terms (in "Today's prompt" and the AN). End of the nitpicking. :D

[anarion.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Say, while we are it, do you have time to beta read something tomorrow or on Monday? And yes, please feel free to berate me for my extremly fucked up time management... ;)

[chocolamousse.livejournal.com]

"What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
Better time management."
Benedict Cumberbatch, here.
You see, it's not such a terrible flaw if even Him has it! :D

I'd be glad to do it, but would it be okay if I sent the fic back on Monday evening, perhaps late? Because I'm not sure I'll be able to do it before, but I'll try anyway.

[anarion.livejournal.com]

That's perfectly fine! I have to post it on the 18th (Tuesday).
You are a darling! *mwah*

[rox712.livejournal.com]

I really thought that this was going to be a funny one (my little violin, what?) and you go and turn it around and I end up full of warm fluffy feelings again.

[kestrel337.livejournal.com]

So today I had a convo with my rising 13 year old. She's an aspiring musician, song writer, and story writer. I'd like to think she's pretty talented.

I guess some of her friends have been giving her a hard time for 'talking too fancy' and 'using big words'. It all led to a discussion about how much my whole family LOVES language, and how less can be so much more if you do it right. To me appropriate word choice is like...hore-frost in the sunshine. Sun dogs. Northern lights over the campfire. GLORIOUS.

And then I told her about 'this writer I've been reading' who says more in 221 words than many others say in 2221. (Granted that I can't exactly share a lot of these with her...she's young for her age and I'd like to keep it that way)

Your precision use of language is absolutely scintillating. I may have to go back through these and try to find a few to share with her so she can see how so few words can say so very much.

Would that be OK?

[anarion.livejournal.com]

Would that be ok? WOULD THAT BE OK???

I'd be honoured!
While I agree that a lot of my stuff is not for 13 year old kids (or even older ones), I think there are definitely some that you could use.

[tracionn.livejournal.com]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWW, so much love for this one!! I adore (and drool over) John's and your reasons and I'm sitting here shouting YES YES YES!
John and love are just the perfect terms of endearment for them to use for each other. And gee, the way we heard Sherlock saying John's name? No wonder at all this is all John need...
*bursts with feels*

[atlinmerrick.livejournal.com]

That someone's teaching their child how to use words using your 221Bs...lord that's one of the best comments I've ever read in the entire history of ever. Congratulations Anarion!

Also I am in love with "my little violin."