Sherlock Fic: Last Breath

[pipmer1]

Title:  Last Breath
Author: PipMer
Rating:  G
Characters:  Sherlock Holmes, John Watson
Genre:  Friendship, angst, 221b ficlet
Warning:  Major Character Death
Wordcount:  221
Disclaimer:  I don't own, no money is being made.

Summary:  He knows it isn’t physically possible, but he swears that he can feel his heart breaking.


A/N:  Written, quite literally, in a ten-minute fit of madness.  Hopefully it isn't too awful.  I am truly sorry. Don't hate me too much.   Meant to be friendship only, but can be seen as slash if you're so inclined.  




Sherlock Holmes has only cried once in his entire adult life, and that time was drug-induced, when he was on the rooftop of Bart’s preparing to deceive the only friend he’d ever known.

This is the second time, and the only thing inducing it is the pain of imminent separation.

He knows it isn’t physically possible, but he swears that he can feel his heart breaking.  Mycroft would scoff at such sentiment, but Mycroft isn’t here.  It’s just the two of them here now, alone and desperate, hoping for a miracle that Sherlock knows will never come.  It’s too late.  All of John Watson’s miracles have been used up, the last one years ago.

He manages a shaky smile as he squeezes John’s hand.  He can hear the sirens in the distance, but they are faint and won’t arrive in time.  He knows this as surely as he knows that he lives at 221B Baker Street.  He tries to say something, but John’s finger rests on his lips, forestalling him.  Words have always been superfluous, between the two of them.   This time is no exception.

Sherlock blinks the tears from his eyes, and nods once.  He places the palm of his hand on his friend’s chest.  John closes his eyes  and bows his head.

And then, Sherlock takes his last breath.

Comments

[holyfant.livejournal.com]

Ah, damn, Deb! ;_: This is heartbreaking and beautiful.

[pipmer1.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Kat!

I originally intended for the roles to be reversed, but I guess Sherlock had a death wish on this one ;)

[arianedevere.livejournal.com]

Oh my heart. This is so tragically beautiful. And it's so cleverly written that it's still not clear which one of them actually died. Could have been Sherlock; or could have been John and then Sherlock stopped truly living as well.

[pipmer1.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much, ariane!

I originally meant for John to have been the one to die, but then Sherlock took over (which he tends to do every time, the bossy git) and this is the result :) I'm glad it worked.