Hi Steph!!! Love your blog! Only found you recently, but it’s nice to see people talking about bbc sherlock fic in 2024! Do you happen to have a compilation of fics where John grew up in an abusive household/has a history of being abused?
Thank you, I'm so happy you enjoy your time here!! Welcome to my blog and I hope I can continue to provide you with content you will enjoy!
That said, I don't have any personal recs but I have been suggested some in the past from similar asks... I haven't read any of these, so if I'm mistaken on the content, my apologies. If anyone has any they can add, please do!
ABUSE IN JOHN'S PAST / CHILDHOOD (MFLs)
The Colors Of John Watson by Biana_Amberly_Vacker (T, 1,944 w., 1 Ch. || John/Sholto || Major Character Death, John's Father, Hurt / No Comfort, Homophobia, Child Abuse, No Dialogue, Colours, Afghanistan, Metaphors, Unhappy Ending, Run-On Sentences) – John Watson's world has exploded into colors. This is his life tinted in various shades, from caramel yellow to gunmetal grey. Part 1 of covered in the colors / pulled apart at the seams
The Best Thing in My Life (is your absence) by Itsallfine (M, 2,695 w., 1 Ch. || Homophobia, Angst with Happy Ending, Love Confessions, Emotional / Psychological Abuse, John’s Abusive Parents, First Kiss) – John’s estranged parents drop by 221B unexpectedly after reading the blog. They aren't happy with what they saw. John doesn't much care.
O Human Child by Odamaki (T, 7,159 w., 1 Ch. || 1980′s Kid Fic || Familial Abuse, Pirates, POV John) – John doesn't think about what's on the other side of the fence- all he wants to do is get away. Instead he discovers not only escape but friendship, a summer of childhood and a wild, incredible boy, passionate about building a pirate ship.
Hot Chocolate by ohlooktheresabee (G, 10,756 w., 2 Ch. || PODFIC AVAILABLE || Post S4, POV John, Idiots in Love, Christmas Fluff, Developing Relationship, Sherlock’s Heart, Affection, Falling in Love, Past Child Abuse, Light Angst with Happy Ending) – With Sherrinford but a distant memory, Christmas season approaches and John Watson is not in the mood. His friend and flatmate Sherlock disappears for a week, leaving him behind again, and John doesn’t think that things can get any worse. However, with a little help from their friends, he might finally start seeing the reasons to enjoy this Christmas after all...
The Deepest Darkest Corners of John Watson's Soul by Telula13 (M, 26,022 w., 10 Ch. || Romance, Rape/Non-Con Elements, Rape Recovery, Body Worship, Sexual Content, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Secrets, Violence, Past Child Abuse) – Sherlock confesses his love for John, but John keeps saying he's straight. My DARK twist on why John's so adamant about 'being straight'. WARNING: contains descriptions of past child abuse and rape descriptions: not too graphic.
The Lying Doctor by pagimag (E, 44,285 w., 20 Ch. || S4 Fix It, Hurt/Comfort, Past Alcohol/Drug Abuse, Anger Issues, Depressed John, Watson Siblings, Coming Out, Bi John, First Time, Dom/Sub Undertones, Parentlock, Internalized Homophobia, Past Child Abuse, Angst With Happy Ending) – Sherlock and John's relationship is fragile after the events at Culverton Smith’s hospital. John struggles with guilt and anger issues. During a case he decides to visit his aunt, which leads to an unexpected development. He’s forced to reevaluate ingrained behaviours, confront long lasting issues and question how he leads his life.
Vows Made in Wine by love_in_mind_palace (E, 59,837 w., 16 Ch. || Victorian Handmaiden Fusion || Romance, Angst with Happy Ending, Plot Twists, Mystery, Child Abuse, Dubious Consent) – John Watson, a low born young man from the slums of London appears in the farthest corner of country to work as a valet for the young master living in the secluded mansion. Secrets, betrayal, conspiracy. A love blossoming in the most unfortunate circumstances.
Rebuilding Rome by SilentAuror (E, 94,002 w., 15 Ch. || Post S4, Drama, Abuse, Therapy, Alcoholism, Child Abuse/Neglect, Alternating POV, Canon Compliant, Sexual Repression, Depression, Happy Ending) – When a case unexpectedly forces John to acknowledge some difficult truths about himself and his life, he spirals downward, leaving Sherlock to do his best to rescue him from his own darkness and somehow try to build something new on broken foundations.
A Long Walk Down a Dusty Road by sgam76 (T, 143,091 w., 49 Ch. || S4 Fix It, OMC, Holmes Family, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Mental Health Issues, Implied / Referenced Alcohol Abuse, Psychological Trauma, Implied Child Abuse, Anger Management, Aftermath / Recovery, Autistic / Asperger’s Sherlock, Angst, Mind Control) – John Watson has survived bad parents, war, tragedy and Sherlock Holmes. He's damaged, and freely admits it--admits that, often, his coping mechanisms have been almost as bad as the things that made them necessary. Some of it is his own fault--but some of it isn't. And some of it makes John dangerous, to his friends and to himself. Part 7 of Scheherezade 'verse
Castle and Sand by grey853 (E, 158,541 w., 4 Ch. || Violence, Alcoholism, Discussion of Sexual Slavery / Prostitution, Discussion of Abuse of a Minor, Suicidal Ideation, PTSD) – Sherlock and John both have difficult pasts that affect their evolving relationship. When John prevents a mugging, it sets off a dangerous chain of events that not only impacts him, but his whole family. In the end there’s a wedding and a honeymoon, but will there really be a happy ending?
The Grating Roar by Engazed (M, 261,366, 31 Ch. || Dystopian AU || Hurt/Comfort, Falling in Love, Mature Themes, Redemptive Story Arc, Past Abuse) – In a London we almost recognise, Sherlock Holmes is a stroppy, solitary genius shirking his civic and moral duty to care for the unfortunate and dispossessed of New Britain. So what is it that possesses him to bring such a wretched, nameless creature with a dark, unspeakable past to Baker Street? Sherlock's life is about to be turned on its head, and all the world with it.
Radioactive Trees In A Red Forest by Maribor_Petrichor (E, 280,251 w., 73 Ch. || PODFIC AVAILABLE || Post-S4, Suicidal Ideations, Alcohol / Rx Drug Abuse, Coming Out / Bisexual John, Seizures, Past/Referenced/Implied Child Abuse, Hallucinations, Rehab, Celibacy, Sobriety / Relapse, Slow Burn, Friends to Lovers, Grief/Mourning, Psychological Trauma, Nice /Not Anti-Mary, John’s POV, Parentlock, First Time, Angst, Switchlock, Angst with Happy Ending) – John Watson is what happens when a man can no longer see a reason to go on. John Watson is what happens when a man starts to let go. "It is what it is." John Watson is what happens when what "it is" becomes too much to bear. This is a story of the life, death, and resurrection of John Hamish Watson.
