Do you have any recommendations for some good post retirement, ACD Holmes/Watson fics? After listening to the Bert Coules version of His Last Bow I need something that will either make me feel better or let me have a good cry...
I do! I love this ask. Sussex is my favorite place for them.
The Adventure of the Travelling Correspondent (10k, M, established relationship, casefic). Romance, drama, mystery.
“Why, you’ve turned into such a romantic.”
“Years of your pernicious influence, I suppose.” We laughed, and he stroke my cheek.
The Bricks o’ the ‘Might ‘Ave Been’ (3k, T, established, WWI) by @tweedisgood. Watson talks with an old soldier about angels amid the wounded of the Great War.
“I think…” Watson began, “I think I was saved in battle by an angel once, but his name was Murray, not Gabriel, and he spoke my own tongue because he was made from stout Scots flesh and blood.”
Sun Song (7k, T, friends to lovers, jealousy) by @random-nexus. Holmes indulges in a little sentiment, and frightens Watson with his odd behavior.
“Words seemed to just fall out of Watson’s mouth without stopping by his brain for permission. ‘I saw you on the street earlier, taking leave of…someone.’”
Five Miles From Eastbourne (8k, M, established, casefic). Leaving Baker Street behind they find home again together.
“A fleck of grey now at his temple, a line or two across his brow, but still as sharp as the day we met. More human? Yes.”
Old Friends and New (1k, G, established, domesticity) by @gailbsanders. Holmes plots a party for his Watson. (This is a little scene from an ongoing series I adore.)
“Don’t pick the Chapeau de Napoleon rose today. I’ll do it tomorrow, myself, since they’re Dr Watson’s favourite.”
A Case of Immortality (2k, G, pre-slash, WWI; LJ). Holmes meets Watson at the close of the Great War.
“You will never truly die, Holmes, not so long as people love you through the pages of my ‘ridiculous romanticism.’“
Honeycomb, for a lover (200w, NR, first kiss). Watson behaves quite unexpectedly.
Envoi (5k, G, established relationship, domesticity; LJ). Watson records the hours of their intimacy.
“They’ve called each other ‘old men’ for decades. Now that it’s finally true, the tease has become more of an endearment than anything.”
Return Like the Sea (2k, G, pre-slash, addiction recovery; LJ). After so long a separation they find a way give each other home again.
“I just want to have you to talk to. Listen to. Even just…look at.”
All Nature is Our Satellite (1k, G, pre-slash, growing intimacy). Holmes retires, and Watson wonders whether he knows him.
“You needn’t say these things aloud, you know; you’ve got rather expressive eyebrows.”
Your Sweet Hue (1k, G, friends to lovers) by @gailbsanders. Sussex and how they make their way there.
“The meal passed in silence, but Holmes was aware of that comfortable quality that would fill a room whenever John Watson happened to be there.”
History Rewritten (5k, T, established, relationship negotiation), by @sanspatronymic. Holmes and Watson learn to live together again.
“If you must torment me with poetry, at least do it properly.”
And ones I’ve rec’ed before:
Glad With Our Carols(1k, G, established, tenderness) by @oldshrewsburyian.
“He looked up at me over his toast. ‘I should be sorry indeed to think that I had entirely lost my ability to astonish you.’ ”
Pilgrims of a Sort (12k, T, established, retrospective; also Mary Morstan/OFC) by @earlybloomingparentheses. Holmes and Watson tell their story to other lovers.
“I am not going anywhere, Holmes,” I replied, amused. “You know as well as I that our female clients, no matter how lovely, tempt me not one jot.”
Something To Retire To (9k, T, friends to partners, ace Holmes). In process toward Sussex they nearly miss each others’ wishes.
“A few minutes later, he shifted his body, stretching out along the sofa and resting his head in my lap as if it was the most natural thing in the world.”
Our Hospitality (1k, established, hurt/comfort) by @educatedinyellow. An old grief is unexpectedly raised.
“Many of my greatest pleasures in retirement were unanticipated.”
A Man Of Great Character And Better Humor (2k, G, established, caretaking) by @sanspatronymic. Holmes loves his Watson.
“He nuzzled his nose against the curve of Watson’s cheekbone so sweetly that when he muttered, ‘tough luck, old man,’ it was positively comforting.”
Rewriting History (10k, T, friends to lovers, WWI, epistolary) by @educatedinyellow. Watson goes to war again, and writes to his Holmes.
“When I arrive back in England, then, I will come straight to you for our visit. We can read and argue to our hearts’ content.”
Thanks for the ask! Anyone else have Sussex recs? Add them here!
