Chapter 10


It’s quite late before John, Sherlock and Greg are able to head back to the cottage. Once the police arrived, the next few hours progressed in the form of statements, being interviewed and why they were there in the first place. Dr James arrived along with several police officers, and was aghast when told that the woman he recently hired to be his assistant is actually the person responsible for all this. He also seemed to notice, along with Greg, the new layer of tension between Sherlock and John. Seeing as how the situation was hardly appropriate to inquire about what happened, neither one asked. Sherlock gave his usual long diatribe of deductions about the crime scene and the woman known as Julia Freemont. As always Sherlock was thorough and gave enough information to satisfy the lead detective...just enough. Now that John is aware Sherlock is holding back information about this woman John didn’t know he had until recently, he is hyper aware of when Sherlock exposes just the right amount of information without giving away the truth that he knows far more than he’s letting on.

John stood there grinding his teeth the whole time (while Greg watched him with a furrowed brow from the sidelines), because focusing on his frustration with Sherlock was a lot easier than thinking about the almost...something they shared in the heat of the moment, or even thinking about what Sherlock said regarding John.

John is sure they would’ve left sooner, if the deeply agitated energy rolling off of Sherlock was any indication, but while the forensic team was collecting evidence, Sherlock was subtly collecting his own and taking snapshots in and around the house with his phone; most of the time Sherlock had a hand fingering something in his pocket. A small detail John didn’t think much on.

When they were finally allowed to leave, Sherlock tossed the keys of Greg’s car back to him and threw himself into the back seat, slamming the car door behind him

 Chapter 8



It is a romanticised notion that when two people make a deep soul mate bond everything will be alright between them, past, present or future pains, nothing will prevent them from being together whenever possible and happy always.

What is true is that there is a deeper understanding, soul magic abilities depending on what they are can influence the relationship also, a language so to speak that exists only between the two people, an urge to be as close as possible. Of course, not everyone follows the same path and for some, acceptance of the bond, especially if the two have already known each other for some time before hand (long enough for potential obstacles to form), takes time and past hurt preclude a person from fully embracing the connection. Most, if not all, get there eventually, their soul biology makes that a near unavoidable inevitability.

It doesn’t mean a person can’t be a stubborn arse about it.

John doesn’t know what he was expecting or hoping for when Sherlock and he sealed their bond. Honestly, he doesn’t believe he was necessarily hoping for anything. As for expecting, he’s heard firsthand accounts and read stories about what it feels like after a bond is made. After having known each other for so long, including that painful two year gap, John was admittedly uneasy about how he might feel after they had to inescapably seal the bond. Would he automatically forgive Sherlock? Would everything he’s done/doing no longer matter? Would he...feel differently about Sherlock? That made him uneasy. He can almost feel his ex-therapist echoing back ‘why does it make you this uneasy? What are you hiding?’ or remember her saying ‘there’s stuff you wanted to say, but didn’t say it, say it now’...John has kept a tight lid on where those thoughts lead for so long he isn’t sure he wants to or can open the lid. He’s been denying they even exist to himself for so long that at times he can almost believe they�

 Chapter 6



It is nearly 4:00am according to John’s clock. Greg went to sleep hours ago, if the loud snoring across the hall is any indication. If John really listens, he can hear the faint sounds of Sherlock still moving around the kitchen every now and then. The rest of day had passed in a haze of tension, Sherlock working in the kitchen, pacing frantically around the house, often with his eyes closed, and Greg and John feeling essentially useless because Sherlock wouldn’t let them do anything, inform them of his progress or tell them anything that was going through his mind. John especially felt ticked because Sherlock got angry whenever John wanted to go outside alone and Sherlock wouldn’t tell him why, for the sake of his blood pressure John relented. And then, when John pointed out he would have to go into work soon, Sherlock then told him he called and told his boss he was sick and would be taking a leave of absence. Suffice to say, nothing had gone particularly smoothly that day.

John went to bed at midnight and tried going to sleep...but when he did, he was hit with a nightmare.


[i]Sherlock was lying on the pavement outside St Barts, almost peaceful. No one around, blood pooling everywhere, at first glance it looked like it was coming from Sherlock...but it was pouring out of Johns chest. Tears of horrible pain fell down his face as he watched his dead friend, the both of them frozen and unable to move. Suddenly, Sherlock opened his eyes; they were pure white...empty. His face, deathly pale, turned to face John. John didn’t react and continued to sob, kneeling before the moving corpse of Sherlock Holmes. The world around him turned to red fog, a loud whooshing sound gave John the strongest urge to scream. Sherlock was suddenly in front of him; still covered in blood, still pale, his eyes a swirling milky white. He leaned towards John, lips a hairs breadth from touching his own. John felt his burning hot tears continue to fall. Suddenly there w

 Chapter 4



The car ride into the small village isn’t long. It is however incredibly awkward and uncomfortable. Sherlock gave a bare bones explanation to Greg, leaving out the exact details of his and John’s reunion, telling him only why he faked his death and why he is here now. Hearing it again...John has a feeling that Sherlock isn’t being entirely honest, which wouldn’t be a first really. John resolves to confront him later about whatever it is he’s hiding.

The feeling that he is being kept in the dark about something makes him feel sick. John wants to get angry again, but since his initial blow out has passed, whenever he looks at the man he’s been missing these past years something stops him from blowing up again. Whether that’s the sight of the wings (and the mixed emotions that gives him) or something else, he isn’t entirely sure.

Who knows when that will change though?

They only got in the car after Greg heard it all, or as Sherlock put it only what was necessary to hear; filling him in on the murdered man. After that, with Sherlock in the back and John and Greg in the front, the drive was silent. The latter two shared multiple silent glances, seeming to speak without words.

How are you?

Fine.

You’re lying.What’s going on with you two?

No bloody clue.

Think you can forgive him?

Can you?

Eventually, maybe.

He’s never going to say sorry. I doubt he’d even care enough to.

Do you really believe that?

I don’t know what to believe anymore.

Sherlock doesn’t say a word, elbow resting against the window; gazing out the glass with fire in his stare the entire drive.

The ride is pretty much like that until they arrive at the local police station, mortuary and resident coroner.

They pile out of the car, Sherlock exiting far more quickly than the other two men, and stride towards the entrance.

There are only a few cars in the lot, the one closest to the

 Chapter 2



I’m hallucinating, I must be, because...what the...what? How...what is this the twilight zone?

Standing in front of John Watson, in all his traditional Belstaff coat and dark curly hair (both soaking wet) glory, is the unmistakable figure of Sherlock Holmes. Consulting Detective; dead for two years...two years.

The man in front of him looks...almost afraid, nervous. That can’t be right, Sherlock Holmes doesn’t get afraid.

Those opalescent eyes are fixed on John, the violinists hands twitch nervously at his sides as he gauges the reaction of his ex-blogger...shouldn’t he be...pleased? He doesn’t look pleased, why isn’t he? That doesn’t matter now. He has to get inside. John...John, it is good to see you...I never should’ve missed you as much as I have.

Summoning up his determination and locking away the persistent sentiment bashing around his mind, he opens his mouth to speak.

“John, while I appreciate that this must be...shocking, I assure you I am not dead nor am I a hallucination, with that covered I need to enter and I require the immediate use of your laptop. It is urgent.” Sherlock is all business and very little consideration as he speaks, and those last few words are laced with something dark that John hasn’t heard in -

It all hits him like an ice cold shower; simultaneously shocking him and breaking him out of his confused daze. His hand, white knuckled and gripping the door knob like a lifeline, begins to shake and disbelief is quickly replaced with a deep and resounding anger, he is a pressure cooker ready to explode.

“You-” John is humiliated to hear his voice come out hoarse and cracked, he breathes deeply, taking comfort in the eye of the storm feeling washing over him as he gazes at the clearly impatient detective. “You were dead, I thought...” His voice still isn’t as confident as he would like, emotions warring and overwhelming him from all sides.

Sherloc

Schmiezi wrote:

Todays story is for BreathingIsBoring.
 

Authors note:

Your prompt was; I’d love a Post-Reichenbach Reunion that isn’t S3 canon-compliant, with pre-slash to slash Johnlock and a Sherlock with sad emotions. Crying is acceptable from either or both parties. AU - Soulmates preferred. And you wanted to read about Casefic, Wingfic, Magic Realism, Soul-Mates and Post-Reichenbach Reunion.

Thank-you so much for the prompt! This is probably the longest story I've ever written and I owe it all to you. I hope I've managed to capture what you wanted to read about in an entertaining enough way.
I wasn't able to get it 100% beta'd in time, but I was able to edit myself. There may be some mistakes, but I will polish the story later and put it up on AO3 at some point after the authors are revealed.
I hope you enjoy!


My head's under water, but I'm breathing fine

 

Prologue


How did I end up here?

John wonders, as the last vestiges of sleep drift away and for a moment all he feels is peace, a blissful ignorance...a feeling that is quickly shattered by the memory of his dream, and a hollow aching sensation echoes throughout his body. He resists the urge to cry. He doesn’t cry. He won’t – can’t let himself. John Watson’s life may feel out of control to him, but he is – was a soldier, a doctor, and has seen death many times over...he can do this one thing and not let himself cry.

John lets out a shaky breath and closes his eyes. His hands clench beneath the flannel bed sheets in an effort to control the tears threatening to break free. An image from a long ago memory, yet still so close to his heart, is brought forward by the dream and resounds powerfully through his mind - curls, rain, copper, blood, pavement vacant eyes, shock - he quickly opens his eyes again, and the mirage of a man still so important to one John Watson flashes i

Hello all! Schmiezi has asked me to post the last story today since she won't be able to, it is quite long and I don't have time right now to post it, but I will in a few hours. Rest assured I will get it up ASAP!
Thank you for your patience!

P.S. I feel bad that I haven't commented on any of the stories yet , the last month has been very hectic for me. After I post the last story, I'll be sure to get to reading the others written by you wonderful talented authors!

gently69 wrote:

La Jolie wrote:

Schmiezi, I agree with your schedule, except with the dates towards the end. Maybe it's just me, but the actual Christmas days (starting with the 24th) are always real family time for me, which means I will just have absolutely no time whatsoever to read fic and comment on it... can't we have those just a little earlier? I'd be sorry to miss three whole stories and only get to read them when the authors are revealed and it's all over anyway... not to mention how rude and stupid I would feel if one of those was written for me...
(If it's just me, never mind, but maybe someone else feels the same?)
 

That's a good point. Didn't think about it first.
 

We did do it that way last year, but I can certainly how those dates would be problematic for many (I myself won't be able to celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas Day , 'twill be a late Christmas for me) and if we all agreed it would make more sense to maybe skip those three days and start posting on the 27th? Maybe the last could be posted on New Years Eve? I don't know, whatever works for everybody , I'm fine with whatever is decided.
 

Schmiezi wrote:

HO HO HO

Just a little reminder ... It's December 1st soon.
To those who have not send me a fic or a request for a new deadline yet, are you okay?

Well as you already know I'm still working on mine , BUT it has now gotten to the point where I can actually see the ending...it may be a dot on the horizon, but I will get there! Hehe
Really excited about reading what everyone else has come up with!
 

Schmiezi wrote:

La Jolie wrote:

What's the deadline again, Dec. 1st?

Yay to baby Schmiezi for sleeping well so far. All prompts are on their way.

As for the deadline, I would like to start posting the stories on Dec. 1st, so an earlier deadline would be perfect. Let's say it's Friday, 28th November. If someone has a sertioius problem with that, please contact me and we'll work it out.

Thanks to those of you who gave me feedback concerning their prompts, BTW. Good to hear that you all seem to be comfy with them so far.

I've always had trouble with meeting deadlines...BUT I will try my best to get my fic done by November 28!  And thanks again for setting all this up! I am very happy with my prompt, kudos to who wrote it