pipmer1: (Default)
pipmer1 ([personal profile] pipmer1) wrote2012-05-16 01:54 am

Sherlock fic: It burns

Title:  It Burns
Author:  PipMer
Wordcount:  221
Genre:  Angst, friendship, 221b
Characters:  Sherlock, John, Moriarty
Pairing:  John/Sherlock
Rating:  PG
Spoilers:  The Reichenbach Fall
Disclaimer:  Not mine, just taking them out to play.

Summary:  Moriarty has won the battle.  Sherlock must make sure that he doesn’t win the war.

A/N:  My very first attempt at a 221b.  Unbeta'd, all mistakes are mine.




He doesn’t know how it has come to this.  Him, standing on the edge of a roof with a dead body behind him.  John, staring up at him from the pavement; confusion plain on his face, but also that look that makes something inside Sherlock’s chest twist painfully, that look that broadcasts pure faith and, if he’s honest, love.  He doesn’t want to do this, god, does he ever not want to; he knows if he does, John will never trust him again; he knows if he doesn’t, John will die.  There is no choice. 

He feels tears running down his cheeks.  He hasn’t cried… really cried… since he was twelve years old. 

I will burn the heart out of you.

Moriarty has won the battle.  Sherlock must make sure that he doesn’t win the war.  Whatever it takes.  Even if it means that he loses John’s respect and admiration.  At least John won’t lose his life. 

Sherlock says his last words, and ends the connection.   Between the two phones, and between the two men. 

I don’t have friends.  I’ve just got one.

Just one.  He doesn’t even know if he has that anymore. 

He fixes his eyes on John, maintaining eye contact as he throws his phone to the side.

Sherlock!

He spreads his arms, and he falls.

It burns.



[identity profile] holyfant.livejournal.com 2012-05-16 06:43 am (UTC)(link)
"He doesn’t even know if he has that anymore." This KILLED ME. He wouldn't, would he? He's developed so much emotionally during the arc of S2 but it's true that he won't ever be able to fully grasp what he's doing to John right now, at least not until he returns and they maybe find a way to talk about it. Uggggh, what a terrible non-choice. This just drove it home for me again.

Beautiful little snippet <3

[identity profile] pipmer1.livejournal.com 2012-05-16 05:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks, Kat!

In the show, we rarely get any glimpses into Sherlock's mind, whereas John we can read like a book. I like to think that he struggles with his emotions just like the rest of us.

Sherlock's fears about John reaction aren't unjustified, either; we've been told that John won't be too happy to see Sherlock when he returns, although I really can't see that situation lasting very long.

So glad you liked :)

[identity profile] arianedevere.livejournal.com 2012-05-16 09:59 am (UTC)(link)
Oh my good god, this made me weep. A beautiful description of that scene, and such a good insight into Sherlock's perspective of it. Such a painful sacrifice, and not made lightly.

And the choice of 'b' word is amazing.

[identity profile] pipmer1.livejournal.com 2012-05-16 06:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh goodness, sorry I made you weep. I'm not sorry that you were touched.

I hope that the writers of the show don't try to diminish the emotion of that scene. Even if the tears were drug-induced, I don't think that would necessarily negate any emotions that Sherlock MUST be feeling.

Glad you liked the 'b' word; it seemed to fit.

I'm really glad you liked!

[identity profile] fawsley.livejournal.com 2012-05-17 09:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Terrible and tragic and oh so sad but wonderfully beautiful too. Poor Sherlock and his emotions... Lovely stuff. This one's going straight to the men!cave.

Actually came over to your LJ to let you know that I'm having loads of email trouble at the moment so if you've sent me anything that's why I've not responded. Web in intermittent but email is pretty much dead. Hope to get it sorted over the weekend so keep your fingers crossed for me!

(Anonymous) 2012-05-18 05:21 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you! I love exploring Sherlock's emotions, since he displays them so rarely.

Bummer about email; I haven't sent you anything recently, so no worries. Will keep my fingers crossed for you!

[identity profile] morganstuart.livejournal.com 2012-05-18 05:59 pm (UTC)(link)
So, so glad to see you're doing 221bs! *makes clappy hands*

[identity profile] pipmer1.livejournal.com 2012-05-18 06:47 pm (UTC)(link)
*grin* Thanks so much! It was quite fun to do, I'm sure I'll do more.
debriswoman: (hare and moon)

[personal profile] debriswoman 2012-05-23 06:22 pm (UTC)(link)
A very well crafted fic, and an excellent last line. Well done:-)

[identity profile] pipmer1.livejournal.com 2012-05-28 01:12 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you so much, I'm glad you liked it!