My Favorite Fics of 2021
Wow, it seems so much longer than a year ago that I read some of these fics! 2021 was like a time warp. I have a bunch more saved that I still want to read, but things being the way they are, I thought it better to go ahead a post my favorites from the ones I finished while it’s still January.
In descending order of length, my 30 favorite fics that were completed in 2021:
Love Me, Love Me Knot (English Version) by kirin_calls, XBelladonnaX (213K, E, Johnlock, John/OC)
In an alternate universe, the Omega Sherlock and the Alpha John meet by chance and enter into a pact which leads to far-reaching consequences. What is meant to be a simple solution to their problems turns out to be a challenge that pushes both men to their limits.
To Stand Before the Storm by ArwaMachine (132K, E, Johnlock)
Somebody has been killing sheep on an uninhabited island just off the western coast of Ireland, and Sherlock—of course—can’t resist the call to investigate. As a soon-to-be-divorced John and a recently-not-dead Sherlock unravel the mystery of the murdered sheep, they find that they may be forced to confront unspoken sentiments that have lingered between the two them for some time—that is, if they don’t fall victim to the dangers of the island first.
The Ancillus's Tale by Chryse (128K, E, Johnlock)
Once Sherlock’s body had been his alone. He was free to treat it with great care or none at all; to live on cigarettes and coffee and cocaine and then sleep it all off for days on end. He was free to stay in and sleep alone or to go to clubs and choose someone to touch him, mark him with nails and teeth or to kiss him with sweetness and care, according to his whim. Every part of it had been his decision. No more. Now he was property of the Crown, tagged and marked like one of the King’s deer, to be bred like one of his horses.
First, Do No Harm by J_Baillier (114K, M, Johnlock)
When Sherlock's career and sanity are compromised by a case that ends up on the nation's front pages, he and John struggle to find a way forward. How can a surgeon reconcile being protected for a mistake they made but put on trial for one they didn't?
No Clean Slate by BeautifulFiction (112K, E, Johnlock)
Not even Mary's death is enough to wipe her slate clean. Especially when she never died at all. John Watson must face up to his wife's past and keep his daughter safe. He doesn't ask for help, not from anyone. Except Sherlock Holmes.
From a Drop of Water by victorianpining (95K, M, Johnlock)
Sherlock is certain that James Moriarty is dead and he already has a theory for the person behind his apparent return. Considering Sherlock was overdosing at the time, it's only to be expected that he overlooked a few details in coming to his conclusions. John meanwhile has moved back in with Mary after reconciling with her at Christmas, but finds himself agonising over why Sherlock would have thrown away everything he cares about to keep her safe. Could Sherlock be in love?
Swallow the Night by ArwaMachine (87K, E, Johnlock)
John’s stag-do doesn’t go as planned. Or--depending on how you look at it--it went exactly as planned. Life goes on, of course, but can it?
Bakers with Benefits by Raina_at (83K, E, Johnlock)
Sherlock Holmes has a successful YouTube baking channel, but what he really wants is his own bakery.
When an old friend sends him a call for the very first Great British Bake Off, he seizes the opportunity to finally win a sponsor for his bakery.
Here's the plan: Win Bake Off, get the bakery, don't fall in love with the handsome Army doctor at the neighbouring station. Easy.
So Grant Us All a Change of Heart by ArwaMachine (83K, E, Johnlock, Mystrade)
It’s Christmastime at Baker Street, but things are far from festive. Mary is dead, John and Sherlock’s friendship is all but ruined, and Sherlock has become a right dick about everything. More convinced than ever that sentiment is objectively useless, Sherlock needs a little paranormal intervention to see the error of his ways or else run the risk of losing all that is important to him.
In Sickness And In Health by J_Baillier (75K, E, Johnlock)
When John gets a long overdue tonsillectomy, Sherlock is robbed of a chance to meet lots of handsome officers in uniform.
Messages From Deep Waters by J_Baillier (56K, E, Johnlock, Viclock, Warstan)
They say that people who settle in such isolated, wild places cradled and battered by the sea are exceptionally at peace with themselves or running away from something. Sherlock certainly knows which one applies to him, but what about his reclusive neighbour John Watson?
Together We Fell by Enterthetadpole, WritingOutLoud (55K, E, Johnlock, Mollstrade)
Fuelled with post-case adrenaline, Sherlock takes a risk and shows John Watson what he really wants. The pair fall into a whirlwind romance, filled with laughter, cases and lovemaking, but without a solid foundation to build on. Six months later, John is left in the ruins, wondering where everything went wrong.
The Short Tragic Death of John Watson by Calais_Reno (49K, M, Johnlock)
Thirteen years ago, Sherlock starred in a television series about an alien boy stranded on Earth. Now Molly has written a reunion episode and he's expected to join his old costars and recreate the role of Alex Tribble, now an adult returning to rescue his old friends from an alien threat. Having had some success since playing a teenage alien, Sherlock is reluctant to reprise the role. And there's another problem no one wants to discuss: John Watson, who played his best friend, is dead.
Rewind by khorazir (47K, M, Johnlock)
An accidental touch sends Sherlock back to Barts morgue on 29th January 2010, thus undoing eight years of acquaintance with John Watson. Is this a most unfortunate incident, a curse, even? Or is it indeed a second chance to finally shape his relationship with John the way it should have been from the beginning?
Here We Go Again by disfictional (46K, E, Johnlock)
Ransacking some old trunks, Rosie Watson finds her father's old journal filled with remnants of a blog he used to keep about his association with Sherlock Holmes. In an attempt to meet the man who had a profound impact on her early years, Rosie invites the long-estranged detective to her wedding under false pretenses. It's a Mamma Mia Fusion!
Ride On by Silvergirl (34K, E, Johnlock)
After the disastrous reveal at the Landmark, John tells Sherlock there can be no excuse for what he’s done, and no forgiveness. Sherlock leaves London and starts a new life, and not even the British Government knows where. It’s up to John to track him down and make things right, with a trip around the world and a clue only John would recognize.
If There Were Any Time for a Miracle by Berty (31K, E, Johnlock)
John and Sherlock are spending Christmas at the Holmes' family home. Sherlock has a plan that John doesn't know about. John has a wish that Sherlock doesn't know about. If there were any time for a miracle, this would be it.
Sleepwalkers by ArwaMachine (27K, E, Johnlock)
Five times Sherlock and John share a bed after a near-death experience, and one time they share a bed for…other reasons.
What Makes Us Real by lurikko/toyhto (26K, E, Johnlock, Sherlock/OMC)
Sherlock is a sex robot who doesn’t like sex. John’s job is to find out why.
Human Behaviour by lurikko/toyhto (21K, E, Johnlock)
Sherlock wakes up after a nap and finds out that sixty-five years have passed. Also, there's a human living in his apartment.
Treading Water by DiscordantWords (21K, T, Johnlock)
As their personal and professional relationship slowly unravels under an intangible strain, a case forces Sherlock and John to spend the night inside the London Aquarium.
Fading Stars and Black Holes by lurikko/toyhto (19K, M, Johnlock)
Sherlock Holmes, known from movies A Scandal in Belgravia and Don’t Make Me Choose, comes back to acting after two years. He’s starring in a romantic comedy about two men who move in together for practical reasons and stumble into a surprising friendship. The only problem is that his co-star is John Watson, a man whom he hasn’t seen since he left their shared flat two years ago, leaving John only a note. During the time they have been apart, John Watson has gotten to himself a wife, a child, and a divorce.
Hot Water Bottle by khorazir (18K, T, Johnlock)
A case in one of the remotest corners of the Lake District, a storm, an inn, a broken boiler, a room with two beds but only one hot water bottle, and two men who have a lot to sort out between them – all of this makes for a night to remember.
House of Light by AlgySwinburne (17K, E, Johnlock)
“For god’s sake,” Sherlock blusters, “John and I are--” “Happy. So very happy,” John cuts in loudly. He gives Sherlock a resounding slap on the back, jerking Sherlock forward. “In fact, we couldn’t be happier, did I already say that? The two of us. Sherlock and I, that is. Because we’re together--in a relationship--as you so astutely noticed before we could break the news. So. Yes. Thank you, Mrs Holmes.”
I Can Carry You by lurikko/toyhto (17K, E, Johnlock)
There's a new virus. Sherlock catches it.
Winning the Goat by ArwaMachine (17K, E, Johnlock)
The life that Sherlock and John have together is rather unusual. Sometimes they lounge about the flat with their daughter. Sometimes they flee for their lives from a band of organ-harvesting criminals. Sometimes they shag. Sometimes Sherlock insists upon arguing with John about the Monty Hall problem for weeks on end. Somehow, they love each other. Somehow, it all works.
For Love by lurikko/toyhto (13K, M, Johnlock)
Sherlock asks John to marry him. It's for a case. Probably.
The Zebra Sheets by agirlsname (13K, M, Johnlock)
Sherlock is back from the dead and he's exhausted. So is John. They go on a holiday to a faraway cottage and unexpected truths are revealed.
holding steady by darcylindbergh (12K, E, Johnlock)
Sitting on a thick wool blanket at the end of a rickety dock side-by-side, legs dangling over the edge, a styrofoam container of wet, dark dirt between them, they’re fishing. * John knows what this is about. This is about finally figuring it out.
