Fake Relationship: The Classics
A Case of Identity: jkay1980 - 91,009
This fic is very close to my heart as it is the first fanfic I EVER read. It also remains to this day my favorite of all time. I am so glad that this was my first because it showed the then skeptical me that fanfiction can be well-written, amazing, and beautiful. Anyway, this involves a fake relationship ‘for a case’ (involving Victor Trevor) which has John and Sherlock go to couples therapy and a therapy retreat. The writing in this still blows me away. Please message me (if you want) if you read this and tell me what you thought as I could talk all day about this fic.
John Watson’s 12 Days of Christmas: earlgreytea68 - 53,464
After meeting at a ‘Santa’s North Pole’ at a mall, Sherlock pays John to pretend to be his boyfriend at the Holmes manor for Christmas. Both men realize they don’t want to pretend anymore while thinking the other is wholly uninterested *bangs head on wall*. By one of the best Johnlock authors (I have over 10 fics by this author on my master list). Includes adorable snowball fights.
And I Keep Waiting: SurelyMeretricious - 53,756
This might be the most explicit fic I have ever read. Sherlock and John have to pretend to be a couple and go to a sex club for a case. Obviously, jealousy comes out on both sides here and brings feelings to the surface. (warnings: BDSM, sex club)
Hitting the Water at 60 Miles an Hour: what_alchemy - 30,568
Sherlock may have told his mother accidentally (on purpose) that he and John are a couple and she invites them on a trip for her 75th birthday to some islands in Scotland. A slow burn with a bit of angst and lots of pining, it makes me want to go to Scotland ASAP.
A Contest of Wills: JanecShannon - 3,155
Mrs. Turner’s ‘married ones’ decide to renew their vows which leads to them being very loud in bed, which of course means Sherlock wants to compete with them by making fake sex noises with John’s help. However, those noises don’t stay pretend for long. ;)
Once More, With Feeling: redcarrigan - 21,178
John convinces Sherlock to pretend to be his boyfriend and come visit his family in order to avoid his mother’s matchmaking. Sherlock behaves like the perfect boyfriend which confuses John. I love the version of John’s parents in this fic.
The Norwood Love Builders: flawedamythyst - 47,798
Sherlock and John adopt false personas and go undercover as a couple at a retreat to solve a murder. John wrestles with his feelings for Sherlock and tries to distinguish between what is real and what is pretend. Strong post-Reichenbach feels.
The Newlywed Game: Johnlock Edition: patternofdefiance - 9,020
A case has these two pretending to be newly married and participating in a local Newlywed Game. Everyone, including Sherlock and John, is surprised to find that the ‘couple’ answers every single question correctly. This fic is so telling about Sherlock and John’s relationship and it makes me smile.
Winter’s Delights: Kate_Lear - 21,173
Sherlock takes John home for Christmas to meet his entire extended family but forgets to mention that everyone believes them to be a couple. John gains insight into Sherlock’s past and meets some memorable relatives (I will never forget Evander).
Rainbow Hearts Retreat: PajamaSecrets - 11,638
Sherlock and John go to a same-sex couples retreat for a case but end up working out the troubles in their relationship as well. Alcohol helps out a bit as well. Will someone please tell Mofftiss to send these two to a couple’s retreat because this plan is foolproof.
That Partitioning of the Things of Youth: wearitcounts - 35,353
Victor Trevor arrives in London throws John and Sherlock’s entire relationship off balance. Very angsty with a happy ending. I love the characterization in this fic; it is very realistic. (warning: unhealthy relationships)
There’s Not A Place On Earth I’d Rather Be Than Here: EverdeenFrayPotter - 6,179
The author’s summary is perfect: “Sherlock and John go undercover as a couple to a ball, to provide suitable evidence to convict a killer. There’s dancing, and kissing, and something about a murder.”
The Pretence of an Unacknowledged Truth: stickleworting - 28,130
Omegaverse: John pretends to be Sherlock’s alpha when going to meet Sherlock’s family. Of course, it is much harder to hide your inappropriate feelings for your flatmate if your body chemistry is trying to pull you and him together. (warning: mildly dubious consent)
Double Entente: hum_hum_humbug - 15,889
Author’s summary: “Sherlock is asked to go undercover in a relationship with a wounded army doctor who is suspected of selling high level information to Sebastian Moran. John is recruited by an old friend from the army to seduce a posh, unstable genius who is suspected of selling high level information to a genius mastermind named “M”.” Things do not go according to plan when both men fall for the other.
Wars We Fought, Things We’re Not: blueink3 - 44,946
I must thank @slashscribe for recommending this fic that is easily in my top 20. Fake Relationship, Parentlock, Pining, what more could you want??? Sherlock and John go undercover on vacation with a baby as the case involves gay couples and their kids. Takes place post season 3/TAB. (Note: WIP but the only chapter that is not posted is the epilogue).
titsay
ellievsbear
germansingergirl
tangentwithtanner
turnnoffyourmind
gamechangershow
