Fic: 221B - The Man Who Came in from the Cold

[anarion]

Title: The Man Who Came in from the Cold
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 240.




Previous 221b: It's the thought that counts


Today's prompt: snow

________________________________________________


The Man Who Came in from the Cold


Sherlock stood at the high window, his gaze following the blond man walking away from the house in long strides. Snow was tumbling from the sky and he soon was swallowed by it, even his footsteps covered in mere minutes.

Sherlock felt a strange sadness sweep over him.

Then he remembered why the man had been there. One of their neighbours had been murdered! What a delightful diversion. Of course nobody had told him that, his parents had even sent him from the room. They really didn’t know him very well.

Although the man (he was an inspector!) had said he’d be back, Sherlock never saw him again.

***

25 years later Sherlock stood at another high window, his gaze unfocused, seeing nothing but the snow that was tumbling from the sky. He had waited for what seemed to be eternity when finally the silhouette of a blond man became visible, walking towards the house in long strides.

The man lifted his head as if he sensed Sherlock watching and Sherlock felt the smile more than he saw it.

Ever since he had been a little boy he had this irrational fear that people that were swallowed by snow might never come back.

He went into the kitchen to put the kettle on and greeted John with a kiss, tea and biscuits.



Next 221b: Sweet as candy


------------------
AN:
The prompt was 'snow'.

Title is obviously referring to John le Carré's 'The Spy Who Came in from the Cold', although I've never read that. ;)







.

Comments

[atlinmerrick.livejournal.com]

This is gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. So elegant, simple and yet complex...there's layers and pathos and joy—all in 221 words!

Fantastic!

[veniachan.livejournal.com]

Exactly what I thought!

(And of course, I've been fell for the trick- again ;))

[verityburns.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's really poignant - well done! Fantastic telling of what seems a much longer story in only 221 words and it's a lovely image of Sherlock standing at the window, watching to see John through the snow. Love it :D

[rox712.livejournal.com]

I could almost see Sherlock by the window watching the snow fall outside.

(und auf Deutsch weil ich zu müde bin: ich liebe diese kleinen Einblicke in ihre Gefühlswelt die du uns schenkst)

[purrculier1.livejournal.com]

Sometimes when i'm reading something i get so lost in the imagery from the words that when i've come to the end, reality feels a little unreal?
Like what was written, felt so right and complete, painted and shaded and so full of depth that fiction overlaps real world? That sweet, slightly sad feeling of "noooo, don't stop"...well, I'm sure everyone who reads gets that feeling.(snerk)

The thing is, it usually takes me several pages or chapters to have enough details and background to get that lovely, lovely feeling....

You did it with only 221 words.

Christ on a cracker with a slice of cheese, Anarion your writing is so scary good. Thank You

[tracionn.livejournal.com]

D'aaaawwwwwwww. Fave of faves of faves of faves. The heart-break, the heart-mending, THE FEELS! Perfection :)