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morganstuartTitle: I Sit Beside the Fire and Think
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: As Sherlock sleeps, John and Greg sit beside the fire and leave a number of things unsaid.
Historian's Note: This takes place during events depicted in the second-series Sherlock episode "The Hounds of Baskerville."
Author's Note: This is comprised of two parts, each a 221b ficlet (221 words, the last beginning with "b").
Part 1: John Watson
As John had expected, Sherlock toppled like a felled redwood upon returning to the inn, spent and insensate.
John found himself downstairs, welcomed by a roaring fire and Greg Lestrade.
“It’s nice, this,” Lestrade said. “Beats drinking by the warm glow of crap telly.”
“That it does.”
“Couldn’t sleep?”
“I’m a bit wound up still.”
John didn’t explain that he could’ve collapsed almost as easily as Sherlock, given his own exhaustion, but he wished to spare the other patrons of the inn. The “experiment” in the lab, the shooting of the hound, the detonation of the landmine: God only knew what his subconscious would do with such fodder.
He could shout himself hoarse with nightmares when he returned to 221B Baker Street, where such things – though rarer these days, to be sure – were accepted without question or comment.
Lestrade merely nodded.
Claiming the same chair from which he’d witnessed Sherlock’s earlier drug-induced meltdown, John wondered at how different it felt in the detective inspector’s undemanding presence.
“I’m not his boyfriend.” John said this simply because it came to mind.
“And I’m not his handler,” Lestrade offered in return.
Together they stared into the mesmerising flames, calloused hands cradling tea and whisky, respectively, until inexplicable mirth waylaid them.
John giggled, shoulders shaking helplessly; Lestrade chuckled, a deep rumble from his belly.
Part 2: Greg Lestrade
Once their fit had passed, along with some minutes of companionable silence, John said, “Good holiday, then?”
“Surprising, what a bit of sun and sleep can do for a man. I'd almost forgotten.”
Greg left it unspoken, how young he’d felt with the Kawasaki between his legs, the wind on his face, and the weight of responsibility temporarily off his shoulders.
And how old, when his body made it clear that catching up on countless nights of missed slumber was its chief priority.
He didn’t mention how anticlimactic it had seemed, when he finally located the perfect, solitary bridge over the perfect, picturesque stream and, with all of his strength, hurled his wedding ring into the uncomplaining water.
No music had swelled in the background; no lightning bolt had shot from the sky. He’d left that bridge the same man who’d gone to it, though more willing now to look himself in the eye during his morning shave.
“By the end, I was ready to be back,” he admitted.
To be needed, he didn’t say.
Mycroft’s request – not order, despite what Sherlock thought – couldn’t have been better timed.
Greg sipped his whisky, digesting the night’s dark events.
“Now we return to London,” John murmured at last, half-smiling.
“In all its glory,” Greg agreed. “And paperwork, crime scenes, and dead bodies.”
THE END
Vital Stats: Originally written in January 2012.
The title comes from the lyrics of Bilbo's song in Rivendell in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.
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: As Sherlock sleeps, John and Greg sit beside the fire and leave a number of things unsaid.
Historian's Note: This takes place during events depicted in the second-series Sherlock episode "The Hounds of Baskerville."
Author's Note: This is comprised of two parts, each a 221b ficlet (221 words, the last beginning with "b").
Part 1: John Watson
As John had expected, Sherlock toppled like a felled redwood upon returning to the inn, spent and insensate.
John found himself downstairs, welcomed by a roaring fire and Greg Lestrade.
“It’s nice, this,” Lestrade said. “Beats drinking by the warm glow of crap telly.”
“That it does.”
“Couldn’t sleep?”
“I’m a bit wound up still.”
John didn’t explain that he could’ve collapsed almost as easily as Sherlock, given his own exhaustion, but he wished to spare the other patrons of the inn. The “experiment” in the lab, the shooting of the hound, the detonation of the landmine: God only knew what his subconscious would do with such fodder.
He could shout himself hoarse with nightmares when he returned to 221B Baker Street, where such things – though rarer these days, to be sure – were accepted without question or comment.
Lestrade merely nodded.
Claiming the same chair from which he’d witnessed Sherlock’s earlier drug-induced meltdown, John wondered at how different it felt in the detective inspector’s undemanding presence.
“I’m not his boyfriend.” John said this simply because it came to mind.
“And I’m not his handler,” Lestrade offered in return.
Together they stared into the mesmerising flames, calloused hands cradling tea and whisky, respectively, until inexplicable mirth waylaid them.
John giggled, shoulders shaking helplessly; Lestrade chuckled, a deep rumble from his belly.
Part 2: Greg Lestrade
Once their fit had passed, along with some minutes of companionable silence, John said, “Good holiday, then?”
“Surprising, what a bit of sun and sleep can do for a man. I'd almost forgotten.”
Greg left it unspoken, how young he’d felt with the Kawasaki between his legs, the wind on his face, and the weight of responsibility temporarily off his shoulders.
And how old, when his body made it clear that catching up on countless nights of missed slumber was its chief priority.
He didn’t mention how anticlimactic it had seemed, when he finally located the perfect, solitary bridge over the perfect, picturesque stream and, with all of his strength, hurled his wedding ring into the uncomplaining water.
No music had swelled in the background; no lightning bolt had shot from the sky. He’d left that bridge the same man who’d gone to it, though more willing now to look himself in the eye during his morning shave.
“By the end, I was ready to be back,” he admitted.
To be needed, he didn’t say.
Mycroft’s request – not order, despite what Sherlock thought – couldn’t have been better timed.
Greg sipped his whisky, digesting the night’s dark events.
“Now we return to London,” John murmured at last, half-smiling.
“In all its glory,” Greg agreed. “And paperwork, crime scenes, and dead bodies.”
THE END
Vital Stats: Originally written in January 2012.
The title comes from the lyrics of Bilbo's song in Rivendell in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.
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Date: 2012-01-12 04:04 pm (UTC)I'd forgotten John's PTSD but lovely to bring it up here.
And all things Greg and the bride and young and old... so so so so good. That one I shall read again, now I think.
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Date: 2012-01-13 03:20 pm (UTC)The two things that really struck me about this episode (above and beyond how fantastic and brilliant it was) were Lestrade's conspicuously absent ring (nice, quiet development of that character arc) and the thought that everything John had experienced that day/night (punctuated by the landmine detonation) had to affect him in some way he wouldn't want to share. I'm thrilled to hear that the nod to the PTSD, as well as Lestrade's failed marriage, seemed fitting to you.
And thanks so much for pointing out the young/old contrast with Lestrade. I'm so pleased that worked!
I really appreciate your lovely feedback. Thank you so much, my friend.
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Date: 2012-01-12 04:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-13 03:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-12 04:08 pm (UTC)Then there are the drabbles themselves. I adored the ominous mention of the landmine. Of course John would have been affected by that in particular, and afraid of bad dreams. I loved the non-sequitur of "I'm not his boyfriend". lol John seems to spout that a lot lately. And I"m so glad that Lestrade stiffened his spine a bit and dealt with pain.
Lovely pair of drabbles. I do love this format so much.
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Date: 2012-01-13 03:50 pm (UTC)Thanks so much for telling me what you liked most. I'm very happy that it made sense for everything John had experienced that day/night - especially the landmine - to be haunting him a bit. And I'm tickled that his non-sequitur gave you a laugh! ;) I think that must be his "default mode" by this point, assuring everyone they're not a couple. LOL.
It's also great to hear that my explanation for Lestrade's conspicuously absent wedding ring made sense.
I love this format, too! It's tough, but it's also rewarding, and I appreciate the freedom to offer a comment through fiction without having to write a 5,000 or 10,000-word epic every time. (Ha!) Thanks a million for reading and for leaving such incredibly helpful comments. You're the best!
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Date: 2012-01-12 04:33 pm (UTC)no subject
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Date: 2012-01-13 04:37 pm (UTC)Thank you so much for reading and commenting. I appreciate your kindness so much!
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Date: 2012-01-12 04:57 pm (UTC)no subject
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Date: 2012-01-12 05:11 pm (UTC)Ari
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Date: 2012-01-13 04:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-12 05:41 pm (UTC)John giving up sleep to spare the strangers who stay at the inn. sweet, self sacrificing sweary John
RG on a motorcycle was not the holiday envisioned, even better, but for some reaason, I pictured nude sunbathing. Not in character at all. I keep wondering if RG was tan or if Lestrade was. If only Lestrade was, who got to apply the make up.
I missed his hair sticking up and his little belly. He was looking trim in the dark shirt with the cute little jackekt. sorry, i have a lot of squee stored up. :)
Thank you for writing these. :)
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Date: 2012-01-13 10:07 pm (UTC)I wrote this under the influence of some of Rupert Graves' other films, in which he shows a certain finesse with motorcycles. ;) I'm guessing he's the one who's tan, since he had some guest starring roles in other shows earlier this year (perhaps filmed around the same time?) that also required a tan. One in particular. But if it is only Lestrade, what lucky makeup artists! I share your appreciation of that lovely man and the lovely actor who portrays him.
Thank you so much for reading and commenting! I really appreciate it.
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Date: 2012-01-12 05:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-13 10:12 pm (UTC)Thank you for reading. I appreciate your kind words very much!
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Date: 2012-01-12 06:22 pm (UTC)I'm glad someone else picked up on the idea that scaring the crap out of John might be a bit not good. And I also loved Lestrade's closure moment on the bridge.
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Date: 2012-01-13 10:16 pm (UTC)It does seem a lot for an invalided soldier with PTSD to experience, doesn't it? I'm glad you agree that all of it combined would be a bit not good. It's wonderful to hear that Lestrade's coming to terms with it all on the bridge worked for you, as well. I thought it was a nice bit of quiet, stealth character development in the episode to show that Lestrade was no longer wearing his ring.
Thanks so much for reading and commenting! I really appreciate it.
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Date: 2012-01-12 06:36 pm (UTC)no subject
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Date: 2012-01-12 10:39 pm (UTC)Really well written. Thanks for sharing.
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Date: 2012-01-13 10:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-12 10:50 pm (UTC)As for Greg, the anticlimax he felt on holiday and the wish to be needed are sad, but at least he's got his friends.
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Date: 2012-01-13 10:48 pm (UTC)I was intrigued by how Lestrade's character arc was silently taken another step in "Hounds" through the conspicuous absence of his wedding ring. I'd like to think that the bridge scenario in this story gave him closure and a measure of peace, if nothing else. And, as you say, he does have friends - whether they call themselves by that name or not, we know they're there for him. (I loved in the episode how John went out of his way to tell Lestrade that Sherlock was glad he was there. Such a lovely touch!)
I really appreciate your thoughtful and kind feedback. Thank you, my friend, for your encouragement!
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Date: 2012-01-12 11:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-13 10:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-12 11:52 pm (UTC)lovely pair of 221bs for a lovely pair of characters.
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Date: 2012-01-13 10:52 pm (UTC)I really appreciate your comments about these little ficlets. I do love these two characters, and I'm most grateful for your kind words about my writing.
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Date: 2012-01-13 02:11 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-13 11:06 pm (UTC)We did get some lovely Greg in this series, didn't we? And we still have another episode to go!
Have you checked out the kinkmeme at
I really appreciate your reading and commenting, my friend. Thanks again!
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Date: 2012-01-13 03:38 am (UTC)I just realized this now (because I'm dense), but this fic is wonderful because of all that isn't said. This moment really is about John and Lestrade having an opportunity to take stock of recent events and think.
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Date: 2012-01-14 01:33 am (UTC)I'm so very glad you enjoyed this. The two things that really struck me about this episode (above and beyond how fantastic and brilliant it was) were Lestrade's conspicuously absent ring (nice, quiet development of that character arc) and the thought that everything John had experienced that day/night (punctuated especially by the landmine detonation) had to affect him. I'm so happy to hear that the nod to his lingering PTSD, as well as Lestrade's closure over the end of his marriage, seemed appropriate to you.
this fic is wonderful because of all that isn't said. This moment really is about John and Lestrade having an opportunity to take stock of recent events and think.
Oh, thank you for this! I liked to think that these two men are familiar and comfortable enough with each other that the silence would work; each could leave a lot unsaid and take that time to think in the other's presence. It absolutely makes my day that this comes through and that you find it convincing. Thank you, my friend! I appreciate it so much.
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Date: 2012-01-13 05:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-14 01:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-13 05:51 am (UTC)yes, greg. get free. it's hard, it hurts, then it's lighter. so much lighter.
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Date: 2012-01-14 01:46 am (UTC)Poor Greg! I loved the episode's quiet nod to the unfolding character arc there, showing him for the first time without his ring. After the news at the party in ASiB, it does seem like he did the right thing in getting free.
I appreciate your kind and thoughtful comments so much. Thank you!
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Date: 2012-01-13 07:05 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-14 01:49 am (UTC)I'm grateful to you, as always, for reading and commenting. Many thanks!