Fic: 221B - Words don't come easy

[anarion]

Title: Words don't come easy
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: Keepsake


Today's prompt: row

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Words don't come easy


For someone who usually has so many words - big words, complicated words, unusual words, posh words, arrogant words, boastful words - Sherlock has surprisingly few words in times when he really needs them. In fact in situations like these, he usually only has one: John.

He’s usually at a loss for words when he wants to say things like ‘I’m sorry’ or ‘I am afraid’ or ‘I was wrong’ because he never learned how to say those things. No one ever showed him. In his family one wasn’t sorry. Or afraid. And certainly not wrong.

But he is. He was sorry when they started fighting over the concept of marriage (although he didn’t understand why John was so adamant, it wasn’t like he was going to marry someone anyway). He was afraid when John was lying there in the hospital bed, pale and unmoving. And he was wrong when he thought that John would be better off with someone else (and even more wrong when he tried to say it to John).

I don’t think either of them ever realised it, but despite learning to say ‘I’m sorry’ or ‘I am afraid’ or ‘I was wrong’, ‘John’ is the only word he ever needed. The only one he ever will need.

Somehow, when he says John’s name, everything gets better.



Next 221b: What is love if not this?


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AN:
Today's prompt was 'row' (as in fight).

I'm back safe and sound. :)

Did I use that title before? I feel like I used that title before. Choco, does it ring a bell?







.

Comments

[tamzette.livejournal.com]

Lovely!

[chocolamousse.livejournal.com]

In fact in situations like these, he usually only has one: John.
Awww. I can hear him say this name, with this voice, and... *gets lost in a dream*

He was afraid when John was lying there in the hospital bed, pale and unmoving.
Hey, you never told us about that story! I want you to tell us about that story! Ooops, I've just asked for angst. Dammit.

Somehow, when he says John’s name, everything gets better.
Lovely and touching. I like this 221B very much!

No, you didn't use this title before. I know it because, being a very conscientious and very modest friend, I've just scrolled down all your posts, and gosh do you know you wrote quite a lot? :D But you wrote Words, whose summary is: "Sometimes even Sherlock is at a loss for words." But don't worry, it doesn't look like this fic at all. Maybe you think of I won't come quietly? :D

Pst! "when he tried to tell say it to John", or "when he tried to tell John about it". Look, I didn't ruin your word count this time! :D

[atlinmerrick.livejournal.com]

"Choco, does it ring a bell?" I LOVE THIS. Choco is our resident never-forgets. I've yet to respond to a comment you made for "Long Time Coming," (I think) wherein you mention plot points of EIGHTEEN THOUSAND other stories of mine and I literally opened my mouth wide enough to accommodate passing flies and went, "Whaaaa? How does she do that?"

We love you Chocolamousse, we really do.

[chocolamousse.livejournal.com]

Don't laugh about that. I'm the victim of an ancient curse. I'm doomed to remember all the details from the Sherlock fics I love and to immediately forget all the horribly boring thrilling stuff that was said at the last work meeting. It's a hard life. Not to mention that Anarion uses me as her aide-mémoire and regularly forces me to do research in her previous works, which is a dreadful chore because as you know I don't really like slash in fact, and I'm not even paid. I mean, once in a while I only ask for a nice little porn coda after a six-part angsty fic, and I've got nothing. I feel so miserable right now.
*hopes Anarion takes the very subtle hint*

[rox712.livejournal.com]

Now I need to know if the reason for the separation is one of these. Oh God, why did I have to think about that again? *snif*

[atlinmerrick.livejournal.com]

Yes, I utterly agree with this, that when it comes to John Sherlock can be at a complete loss for words...except that word.

And I do so love the sentiment at the end..."everything gets better."

[treelight.livejournal.com]

Welcome back! And you give is something so bitter-sweet with a touch more on the sweet side right away!

I have no idea if you used this title before, because it certainly seems familiar to me - but I think it's a song-title. :)

It always gives me a little fright when John ends up in hospital. It's usually Sherlock's fault in one way or another and he usually doesn't really know what to do in such a situation (which might turn out for the better or worse).
Not saying that it doesn't give me a little fright when Sherlock gets written into hospital ;)

[purrculier1.livejournal.com]

Yay! you're back, 'safe and sound'

And after reading this let me say, "Oh hella yah, Anarion is back." :D

Midnight Storms and Dawn-Kissed Skies this was heartbreaking in the best kind of way. stuffed this into the Tiger Wedding folder so fast, might have sprained something.

'because he never learned how to say those things. No one ever showed him. '
I know I go on about wanting to hurt whoever made Sherlock think he's unworthy of being loved, but I think I'd like a crack at his family right now for that horsesh...right, sorry, fictional. lather, rinse, repeat.!GRRRRRRR!!

'He was afraid when John was lying there in the hospital bed, pale and unmoving.'
'Kay thanks for the heads-up, add tissues to shopping list 'cause you are so going to tell us 'bout that. Right? please say you're going to write that. Please? Please? Begged twice gotta be worth something.

And he was wrong when he thought that John would be better off with someone else WHAT! Angst tag's going to get quite the workout isn't it?

‘John’ is the only word he ever needed. The only one he ever will need.
And Purr is on the floor, crying happy tears.

crying and giggling little bit 'bout: Did I use that title before? I feel like I used that title before. Choco, does it ring a bell? Gonna start calling her Encyclopedia Chocolamoussica.

[arianedevere.livejournal.com]

Gonna start calling her Encyclopedia Chocolamoussica.

I approve of this title. She should be employed as a permanent online resource and should set up her own website.

[purrculier1.livejournal.com]

I approve of this title. She should be employed as a permanent online resource and should set up her own website.

Stripper pole Christ! {sorry}. Will sign that petition. Who's writing it, where's the line? Queue-up starts here. :D

[tracionn.livejournal.com]

Aw, all my belly butterflies are back and flying around wildly in there. So much a fave!
And welcome back :D

[verityburns.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's lovely and poignant and so very true.

And the A.N. rocks!

[kestrel337.livejournal.com]

What's wonderful is I can actually hear him saying "John" in different voices for each emotional state you described.

Glad you are back, hope all went well.