Incredibly, it's time for the 10th installment of my Underrated Fics rec series. This fandom continues to delight, inspire, and amaze with a seemingly neverending fount of brilliant writing and creativity. And because of that virtually bottomless nature, there is no way that everyone can read everything. Recognizing that I myself have only scratched the surface of the fantastic stories that are out there, I've still come across a few that haven't yet reached their potential audience for whatever reason. So here are the latest batch of "underrated" Johnlock fics in the Sherlock (BBC) fandom.
My qualifications for this list are:
- Fic complete
- Last chapter posted prior to April 1, 2018
- Fewer than 200 kudos as of this posting
- Earned a 'favorite' from me on AO3
In descending order of length:
This throwback series (newly posted on AO3) holds up brilliantly with a set of casefics, some loosely based on ACD canon and others entirely original. They are all fabulously done, meaty and complex, with several excellent OC’s and a fantastic (series 1) canon-consistent characterization.
A Game of Hearts (162,553 words) by
zmethosRating: Mature
Relationships: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson, John Watson/OMC
Summary: Seven stories written circa 2010, after the first series/season of Sherlock but before Season 2. Therefore, none of these stories reflect anything from Season 2 onward! Think of it as an alternate timeline or something. Slow build of a relationship between Sherlock and John. Gets quite dark in places.
*
This was a big hit in the German fandom, now brought to English speakers in translation by yours truly. This is a terrific fic for both multi-shippers and Johnlockers alike, with a gripping plot and tons of feels. And although it ends on a cliffhanger, the sequel is complete and currently being posted.
Raw (English version) (149290 words) by
kirin_callsRating: Explicit
Relationships: Greg Lestrade/John Watson, Sherlock Holmes/John Watson, Sherlock Holmes/Victor Trevor
Summary: When John takes up mixed martial arts training, he doesn't expect it to lead to a new relationship. But there are darker things afoot at the gym, and John is soon drawn in deeper than he wants. When an old flame from Sherlock's past turns up, it's time for everyone to declare their loyalties... and for John to finally discover where his heart truly belongs.
*
This eked its way onto my best of 2017 list by posting the last chapter on Dec. 29th, but it would have made it even if it were the first on the list. Coming from a new author in the fandom, it's understandable that people might not have taken a look at this yet, but it's absolutely got the stuff of being a classic. Also, don’t be put off by the first-person OC POV in the first chapter; that’s just a framing device used for the introduction. The real story switches between Sherlock and John.
Mr. Psychopath (80249 words) by
ZingiberRating: Explicit
Relationships: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson
Summary: "Sherlock Holmes has made one enormous mistake which will destroy the lives of everyone he loves... and everything he holds dear."
John's life unravels. Still reeling from the Magnussen case, he begins to question everything he thought he knew: his marriage, his child's safety, and his relationship with Sherlock. And a stranger has come to Baker Street with a case for Sherlock - one that will draw them into a dark conspiracy that threatens to consume them all. It's fine. It's all fine.
*
I am frankly baffled by the low number of hits this fic has received. It’s a Johnlock-focused post-series 4 fixit with an intricate and creative plot, vivid characterizations, amazing OC’s, brilliant insights and commentary, exciting action sequences, barely any Rosie, introspection and healing, profound emotional connections, a resolution that explains much of the downright inconsistency and weirdness of series 4, and what might be the best twist I have ever seen in a fic. Some familiarity with Doctor Who is probably helpful for the premise.
Christmas Time After Time (41543 words) by PlaidAdder
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Relationships: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson, Mary Morstan/John Watson, Clara/Harry Watson
Summary: John's not really big on Christmas; and this year, the first after Mary's death, he's not feeling it. Everyone's away, Sherlock's on a case--alone--and Rosie's asleep. But that's all right. He's fine. He'll just have a quiet Christmas Eve by himself, drinking in front of the telly. Only out there in time and space, there's another Doctor who thinks that sounds like the saddest thing ever. And she's going to do something about it. Thirteen takes John on a whirlwind tour of Christmases past and future. The more he learns about this time travel thing, the more John starts to wonder: how did his current timeline become...what it is? And might these alternatives hold the key to a less miserable present, and maybe a brighter future? ***** This is a fix-it for series 4 of Sherlock. I have tried to include enough information about the Doctor Who universe so that the story works even for people who don't watch the show. This is definitely a continuation of the series, but I've also tried to make it work for new readers.
*
A terrific story, cleverly done, with some great twists that pack a major emotional punch so get those tissues ready. No previous knowledge of Black Mirror is necessary, but if you know the episode it should still be fresh as it doesn't follow exactly the same story line. And don't worry: the happy ending is guaranteed.
Only To Be With You (40768 words) by SinceWhenDoYouCallMe_John
Rating: Mature
Relationships: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson
Summary: I tell myself that next time I’ll come near this same place again. Wait around for the mysterious stranger in his coat to dash past me, hot on the heels of a new criminal in black. I think this all the way back to my Exit, planning where I’ll wait and what I’ll say when I see him. Scheming on how to get his name. It’s only once I reach the Exit Point door that I realize two hours and forty-five minutes have passed, and I realize that this won’t be the last time I Visit. It won’t be the last time at all.
*
Another case where it's truly inexplicable to me that this masterful, atmospheric series doesn't have a stronger following, but if it's the length of the series as a whole that's putting you off, this can be read on its own as a casefic pastiche of The Speckled Band featuring some very bad men and their snakes. Innuendo intended.
Signs Following (24285 words) by Vulgarweed
Rating: Explicit
Relationships: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson
Summary: 1976. Bone Fiddle-verse; Appalachian AU. A couple years into their relationship, John and Sherlock are cozily setting up for spring with Mrs. Hudson's expert guidance when a distraught young woman appeals to them for help and sends them on one of their strangest cases yet - in order to solve one murder and prevent another, they must tangle with a sinister preacher and enter the much-sensationalized, little-understood world of Pentecostal Holiness believers who strictly observe Mark 16: 17-18. (And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.)
*
Okay, first off: This is not a John/Eurus fic. Their singular tryst (with her in the guise of the woman from the bus) serves merely as the kickstart to the plot, in which John – and Sherlock and Mycroft – are faced with his impending second fatherhood. It’s also not that much of a parentlock fic, with Rosie barely present and the new baby not appearing until the very end. I am prefacing my rec with these disclaimers because I suspect the listed pairings, characters, and tags may be putting many readers off. Don’t let them. Instead, this is an absolutely heartfelt Johnlock story in which the two men finally solidify what they mean to each other and how they intend showing that. (Spoiler: They do the deed. Repeatedly.) The characters are treated with great respect and consideration, the dialogue is fresh and filled with weighted words, and the intricacies and consequences of Eurus’s nefarious plans are both fascinating and surprising. There are also some great scenes with the Holmes parents, a perfect date, the mysterious language of music, and scientific investigation of the Watson Charm™.
In short: This fic delivers much more than it looks like on the surface and is worth at least 10x the hits and kudos it has so far.
The Strings that Bind (20713 words) by BakerTumblings
Rating: Explicit
Relationships: Brief Eurus Holmes/John Watson, Sherlock Holmes/John Watson
Summary: So what if John and Eurus had managed a hook-up somewhere off screen in Season 4?
*
A haunting fic - nearly literally - that speaks directly to the heart, this cranks up the angst as we see how John (nearly doesn’t) cope after Sherlock’s death, following canon up to TEH. It then goes off-book, treating the reader to a heaping helping of fantasy-fulfilling fluff, snuggles, smut, and the world once again righted. You truly don't need more than this.
This is all we get (16724 words) by consultingbeekeepers
Rating: Explicit
Relationships: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson, Mary Morstan/John Watson
Summary: Sherlock is dead, but John still sees him everywhere. When John is awake, Sherlock is in the back of his head; when he's asleep, he appears in his dreams. Although the nightmares of his fall prevail at first, the atmosphere of his dreams changes eventually, revealing a part of Sherlock John wishes he'd been able to explore when he was still alive. When he's not touching John in his dreams, he appears out of nowhere in his daily routine, during his dates with Mary, and even when they're in bed together. As nice as it is to still be surrounded by him, he just never shuts up.
*
This might be languishing due to the low rating and the fact that it's part 9 of a much longer series, but you honestly don't need to worry about either. I found it to be highly satisfying and empowering and thoroughly enjoyed seeing a robust, healthy version of Sherlock and John’s relationship as well as how much strength, confidence, and stability both men derive from it.
2017 (11466 words) by J_Baillier, 7PercentSolution
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Relationships: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson
Summary: Sherlock takes on a case that raises unexpected challenges, both professional and personal. Memories of times before John complicate matters.
*
A bit of AU silliness, lots of fun with a case thrown in and surprisingly sweet domesticity. But mostly, they do it like they do on the Discovery Channel.
Beyond the Black Stump (11885 words) by Talizora
Rating: Explicit
Relationships: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson
Summary: "Get out. Go Dark." The words spell danger and signal the failure of his current mission to unravel Moriarty's web. Now Sherlock must pay the price for Mycroft's mistakes. Sent to a far away land full of the most dangerous creatures in existence Sherlock faces his biggest challenge yet… a Zookeeper.
*
Cute and sweet with lots of fun banter, movies, well-intentioned meddling, takeaway, and happy endings.
Audit, Review, and Track (10777 words) by Ewebie
Rating: Mature
Relationships: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson, Mycroft Holmes/Greg Lestrade
Summary:
“Sir, we need to find a replacement for Morris.”
Mycroft frowned. “Morris?”
“On audit, review, and track.”
“I thought we had replaced him last week with…”
“We did, sir. With Morris.”
*
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