Evening Falls So Hard (Sherlock)

[morganstuart]

Title: Evening Falls So Hard
Author: Morgan Stuart
Fandom: Sherlock
Disclaimer: This universe does not belong to me; I'm just an appreciative visitor. I make no profit from this fan work.
Description: From a bridge, John takes in the view of life after Sherlock.
Historian's Note: This occurs after Sherlock is gone and presumed dead, post-Reichenbach (or any other "Final Problem"-esque scenario you choose).
Author's Note: I've never before written a 221b ficlet (221 words, last word beginning with a "b"), so I thought I'd give it the old college try.
Warnings (Highlight to Read): Musing/discussion about suicide




"Greg." John sounds surprised.

"I may be slow, but I usually get there in the end. You had me bloody well terrified I'd be too late here."

"Sorry," John says. "And thanks for the thought. But you shouldn't have come."

"Why's that?"

He considers. "You didn't know me, before. Former soldier. Former doctor. Now I'm a former flatmate, former... well. There's only so far a man can go, measuring himself by what he isn't anymore, what he's lost."

"You're a good man. That hasn't changed."

"I shot that cabbie."

"Yeah, I know."

The water mutters below them.

"Pardon me for asking the obvious," Lestrade says, "but I've been told it's what I do. Planning to jump, are you?"

"And waste my valuable training? Why, with these skilled hands" – John's right one clutches his cane, while the left trembles violently – "I might could do up my own shoelaces, given enough time."

"It's not your hands he valued the most. It's your heart."

"That's not in the best shape either, these days."

A pause. "Not just yours, mate."

John turns, stares at Lestrade as if he's never really seen him, and then nods.

"No, I'm not jumping," he says at last. "Just limping along. Wouldn't mind some company, though." John's brief smile is grateful, if bleak. "Always good for a clearer view, bridges."


THE END

Vital Stats: Originally written in August 2011.

The title refers to the lyrics "When evening falls so hard, I will comfort you" from the song "Bridge Over Troubled Water," written by Paul Simon and first performed by Simon and Garfunkel.

Comments

[goldvermilion87.livejournal.com]

That was beautiful! I like that it's angsty, but not TOO angsty... I mean, I guess I might find it a bit overly dramatic if Lestrade was actually stopping John from jumping?

Also, I think the title is great!

[mazaher.livejournal.com]

Every word seems to make drops of sense trickle out of grief, like blood from a wound. Rather frighteningly beautiful. Thank you.

[spacemutineer.livejournal.com]

There's something about the way Lestrade says, "Yeah, I know." that I really love. There's a lot in those three words about familiarity and trust. Did he always know? Did he just trust Sherlock about it when he let it go in the first place? The line is such a perfect touch here.

Overall, lovely and sad, which is always my favorite. Very nice work.

[kari77.livejournal.com]

This is fantastic. Just the right amount of melancholy and comfort, two people sharing a similar grief.

There's only so far a man can go, measuring himself by what he isn't anymore, what he's lost."
What a gorgeous and perfect line.

Thank you so much.

[sc010f.livejournal.com]

Oh my heart!

Every word is so well chosen and perfect here!

*sniffles* beautiful.

[kari77.livejournal.com]

P.S.: Just dug out my Simon & Garfunkel folder and listened to the song.

[uwsannajane.livejournal.com]

Wow! One of the best 221B's I've seen - you've gotten the language just right, so that each word does its work and the whole thing feels like a full story, rather than a vignette. That's rare. Plus the actual story is so sad and lovely.

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

I really like the way you've captured John's sadness and Lestrade's concern and the promise that they will limp along together.

[linkedfingers.livejournal.com]

This is beautiful!
I've read heaps of 221b ficlets, but I think this must be one of the best examples. Perfectly structured, perfectly balanced, every word meaningful (or even doubly meaningful) And I know that's the point, but you've managed to do it so well, and make it work on so many levels. All the restraint and perfection of a haiku - just longer - a haiku's favourite uncle maybe... A Holmesku? Anyway - thank you for making my morning.

[archea2.livejournal.com]

Beautiful. I loved the last line in particular - pulling grief into a perspective of hope.

[ghislainem70.livejournal.com]

So beautiful, I have a lump in my throat. I am very sensitive always to inspirations from music, and you chose and honored a timeless song so wonderfully. Well done!

[litlover12.livejournal.com]

Oh, awesome. John's lines in particular were just perfect.

[mazarin221b.livejournal.com]

Lovely. I like the exercise of the 221b - makes you think, plan, choose very carefully. I like how much you've said with so little, here.

[fengirl88.livejournal.com]

oww.

beautifully done!

[belleferret.livejournal.com]

You break and heal my heart with every fic you write. The love and understanding between these men is astonishing.

"Not just yours, mate."
*heart breaks*

"No, I'm not jumping," John says at last. "Just limping along. Wouldn't mind some company, though."
*heart heals but not without a few tears*

And I LOVE the S&G reference. A favorite teary song of mine!

[litlover12.livejournal.com]

Icon love!

[innie_darling]

Oh, John. This is lovely.

[methylviolet10b]

New Morgan!fic! Already Tuesday is better.

"No, I'm not jumping," John says at last. "Just limping along. Wouldn't mind some company, though."

His brief smile is grateful, if bleak. "Always good for a clearer view, bridges."

You slay me. Absolutely dead. D-E-A-D dead. I just love the tone you achieve here, all the things that aren't said but clearly understood, all the emotions that won't go into words, all the utter weight of what John's struggling under, Lestrade's fears, the whole lot of it. GAH. Just...GAH.

Beautifully done, as always - and doubly impressive that you managed this in just 221 words.

[cookiefleck.livejournal.com]

Loved this... poor, dear, hurt John, my heart goes out to him. The emotional delivery of the doing up shoeleaces line absolutely slayed me.

And Lestrade, such a good man himself, saying the right things, being in the right place, selflessly.

Great use of language... loved the muttering water, too. And ETA, how much do I love S&G. I once wrote a fic called "Troubled Water." And the name of my LJ blog is "The Dangling Conversation." Treasure any mention of their music.

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you so much! This makes me very happy. I'm so glad that the angst level hit the right note without going too far.

I'm also delighted you liked the title. I was afraid it was a bit trite, but I couldn't help myself. Once I heard the song in my head, connected to this ficlet, I couldn't "unhear" it, you know? ;)

I really appreciate your reading and commenting.

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

Oh, what a lovely thing to say! My goodness. Thank you so much for this.

[vince-moon.livejournal.com]

Oh, well done. So much emotion in this.

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm so happy you liked Lestrade's line there. I do like to think this is a sign of trust - not only that he knew (as you say, perhaps as early as the very night it happened) and chose to be quiet about it, but also that he lets John know that he knew -- and that he's still calling John a good man, despite the knowledge of what John did.

Your kind words have made my day. I'm a fan of "lovely and sad," myself, so it thrills me that you think this works. I appreciate it.

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

I'm so happy you liked it, and that it struck the right balance between melancholy and comfort. I'm particularly pleased that the "measuring himself" line seemed right to you. Poor, dear John: my heart is already bracing for Reichenbach!

Thanks for your lovely and encouraging words. They're most appreciated.

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you so much for this! That 221b format is a lesson in humility, I discovered. It's so much harder than it looks! I'm so glad this worked for you anyway. I really appreciate your kind words.