Hello! I'm wondering if you have any AU or different first meeting recommendations? I had a really fun time reading Boyfriend Material and Performance in a Leading Role, so I'm hoping for more. Also thank you for this blog I only recently got back into the Sherlock fandom and it's nice to have somewhere to find recs.
Hi Lovely!!!
Ahh, so happy you enjoy your time here!!
I haven't read any recent first meeting fics to give you a bookmarks list, so I specifically searched my MFL list for "alternate first meetings", and I had a LOT! AND now I have an excuse to make a few new lists, LOL!! So I've split up my MFL list (because there are a lot that came up under the tag), and we're gonna start off with the shorter fics!! Please enjoy these fics and I hope you'll check out my past lists as well! <3 And I'll probably upload the next set of lists for the upcoming weekends (don't know if it will be 1 or two more lists... I never know until Tumblr doesn't let me save them LOL).
Enjoy!
ALTERNATE FIRST MEETINGS Pt. 3 (MFLs, 0-15K w.)
See also:
Alternate First Meetings (Canon-Feeling)
Alternate First Meetings Pt 2
Beginning of Adventures by Honestlyidontcare (G, 849 w., 1 Ch. || Femlock University AU || Alternate First Meeting) – Basically it's a first meeting in a cafe au and fem!lock.
How the Stargazer turned into a Moonlover by topsyturvy_turtely (G, 937 w., 1 Ch. || Original Fairytale AU || Magic, POV Sherlock Third Person, Alternate First Meeting) – Sherlock loves the stars, they are exciting and practically infinite. Sherlock appreciates the moon, it always listens. One day, when Sherlock is exceptionally sad, the moon shows up in his room. Part 13 of turtely's OTP challenge
Love Is A Much More Capricious Communicator by guns_and_poses (T, 1,465 w., 1 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting || Crack, Fluff, Humour, Embarrassed Sherlock, Clumsy Sherlock, Idiot Sherlock, Misunderstandings, Love at First Sight) – For a prompt: When Sherlock first lays eyes on John, it's love at first sight. Unfortunately, Sherlock is sort of a two-year-old about emotions, and gets clumsy, tongue-tied and stupid every time he tries to speak to John. As everyone goes on about how brilliant Sherlock is, John is left wondering if they're talking about the same Sherlock Holmes. Because the Sherlock he knows is barely capable of stringing together a coherent sentence. [TRANSLATIONS: 中文-普通话國語 || Русский]
No Charge by notjustmom (G, 1,742 w., 4 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting AU || Street Artist John, Sherlock Being Sherlock, Art/Drawing) – What if John is a street artist who offers to draw Sherlock...
Hot Stuff by midgetnazgul (T, 1,984 w., 1 Ch. || Firefighter John AU || Alternate First Meetings, Flirting, Fluff) – Sherlock causes the best small disaster of his life.
500 Tumblr Followers Celebration by shiplocks_of_love (E, 2,499 w., 5 Ch. || Ficlet Collection, Alternate First Meetings, Marriage Proposals) – Ch. 4: Rated G. John surprises Sherlock with an engagement puppy because just a ring is boring.
Ruin Me by distantstarlight (E, 2,730 w., 1 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting || Pre-Series, Twink Sherlock, Soldier John, Consensual Sex) – Sherlock is 19 and hungry for a very specific kind of bedmate so out he goes to look. He finds someone who fits the bill perfectly.
Wrong. Number! by Fluffbyday_Smutbynight (E, 2,804 w., 1 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting || Phone Sex, Military Kink, Praise Kink, POV John, Bisexual John, Three Continents Watson) – “How? How did you get it?” “Deduction, Captain Watson. I have a remarkable brain; the only downside being that it requires constant… stimulation.” Is the stranger… flirting with him? Christ, the man hasn’t even offered him his name, but John is buzzed enough to entertain the thought.
A Study in Scale by NinjaNina2 (M, 3,724 w., 1 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting AU || Crack, Slow Burn, Hurt/Comfort, Implied/Referenced Drug Use, London) – Invalided out of Afghanistan, inert in life, John Watson is back in London drifting through empty dark days. The light comes back one day, in a musty thrift store...
i read your book, you magnificent bastard by a_different_equation (M, 4,145 w., 1 Ch. || Writer Sherlock AU || Coffee Shops, Bookstores, Alternate First Meeting, Epistolary, Love at First Sight, Romantic Comedy, Metafiction, Falling in Love, Sherlock Wears Glasses, Gay John, Matchmaker Mike, Storytelling, Christmas) – In which John Watson, recently returned from the war, buys a book in Mike Stamford's bookshop and Sherlock Holmes is a famous, openly gay, crime fiction writer whose hero is in need of a partner. Part 1 of the Magnificent Bastard!AU series
Dinner and a Murder by vintagelilacs (T, 4,210 w., 1 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting || Valentine’s Day, Online Dating, Mutual Pining, Confessions, Getting Together, POV John, Oblivious John) – Reluctant to spend Valentine’s Day alone, John joins a dating app only to realize he’s already living with the closest thing to a soulmate he’s ever going to get.
Every Online Profile Must Be In Want Of Bad Pick-Up Lines by StarlightAndFireflies (G, 4,231 w., 1 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting || Online Dating, Pick-Up Lines, Flirting, Romance) – Janine challenges Sherlock to get a date, and in a fit of probable insanity, Sherlock accepts. Which is how, unbelievably, he finds himself on a dating website. But perhaps this ex-army doctor isn't so bad... Part 15 of Experiments in Alternates
ranger panties by simplyclockwork (E, 4,331 w., 1 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting || Size Queen Sherlock, Captain John, Public Sex, Oral Sex, Rough Sex, John’s Giant Junk, Military Kink, POV Sherlock) – While in London on leave, Captain John Watson and a particularly intriguing article of clothing manage to catch the attention of one consulting detective. Part 1 of the oh captain, my captain series
Amateurs by lbmisscharlie (E, 4,335 w., 1 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting AU || Amateur Porn, Porn With Plot, Public Sex) – AU wherein John and Sherlock did not meet at Bart's. Instead, they meet in a seedy studio for a bit of gay-for-pay amateur porn. John is doing it because he genuinely, desperately needs money and he'd heard an old army buddy say it paid well for almost nothing; Sherlock's doing it for a case, of course.
Front Row Seat by charlock221 (T, 4,421 w., 1 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting AU || Suicide Attempt, Hurt/Comfort, Humour, Morbid Humour) – He smiled because he was getting out, he was free. Free from the bores of everyday life, of the mind-numbingly dull society that he'd been forced to live in. No one could stop his escape, no one cared and he didn't mind. Sherlock Holmes smiled because he was going to kill himself and he couldn't wait. [TRANSLATIONS: 中文-普通话國語 ]
John Hamish Watson Lestrade by MidnightMonster (G, 4,731 w., 1 Ch. || John is Lestrade's Son || ASiP, Alternate First Meeting, Older Sherlock, Younger John, POV Sherlock, Protective John) – John is Lestrade's son and is 23 years old training to be a doctor and planning to be an army-doctor. Greg's concern about John being a soldier however is pushed into the background when a new problem presents itself. Sherlock Holmes. He is worried that Sherlock will hurt John or get hurt because of him in some way. But despite his concerns and efforts of keeping them apart it seems that they can't be kept away from each other.
Providence by LipstickDaddy (G, 4,856 w., 1 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting AU || Disabled Sherlock, Strangers to Friends to Lovers, John's PTSD, Developing Relationship, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Texting, Flirting, Hurt Sherlock, Doctor John, John Whump, Happy Ending) – Leaving a Veteran’s support group meeting, John Watson catches the eye of a young man named Sherlock Holmes— wheelchair-bound after a fight gone wrong. They strike up a friendship over coffee, and then regular walks together on Hampstead Heath, until the wind changes and both men realize they want something more.
The Soldier by Evandar (T, 5,558 w., 1 Ch. || Alternate First Meetings || Captain John, Spies, Marriage) – Captain John Watson meets Sherlock Holmes in Afghanistan and - after a whirlwind romance involving spies and giant monsters - marries him on the army base there. Months later, he's shipped home to his husband wounded.
Sacramentum Amoris by LipstickDaddy (E, 5,592 w., 1 Ch. || Victorian Priest AU || Alternate First Meeting, Friends to Lovers, Period-Typical Homophobia, Internalized Homophobia, Mutual Pining, Priest Kink, Priest Corruption, Priest Sherlock, Captain John, Making Out, Semi-Public Sex, Anal Sex, Angst with Happy Ending, Top John, Bottom Sherlock) – Captain John Watson of the 5th Northumberland Fusiliers has found himself invalided home from the Afghan Wars a broken man. Searching for a higher purpose and for a comfort he didn’t know he needed, he finds it in a crumbling Catholic church in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, where he meets the handsome, lonely priest, Father Sherlock Holmes.
It's all Fun and Games Until Someone Falls in Love by Malakia (T, 5,618 w., 1 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting || Fluff, Bullying, BAMF John, Online Dating) – Anderson and Sally while drunk sign Sherlock up for some gay dating event or website as a laugh, hoping to embarrass the detective. The next time they see Sherlock, he is on a date with his new boyfriend John who he met at the event/ through the site.
The Boys of Summer by Mazarin221b (E, 5,738 w., 1 Ch. || Teenlock || Alternate First Meeting, Lifeguard John, Snogging, Smut) – John and Sherlock meet the first time during the summer of 1992 in Bournemouth - John is a lifeguard, earning money during his gap year before he goes to medical school. Sherlock has been dragged along on a final family holiday before he goes to Cambridge. They meet, and its the most interesting thing that's happened to either of them the entire summer.
Just For Me by TheMadKatter13 (E, 6,249 w., 1 Ch. || Sentinel / Guide Omegaverse AU || Alternate First Meeting, Homeless John, Case Fic, BAMF John, First Time, Mounting, Top Sherlock, Bottom John, Virgin Sherlock, Bonding, Biting/Marking, Guide John, Omega John, Alpha Sherlock) – Homeless veteran John working as part of the homeless Network for Sherlock before going to 221b. Part 32 of The Tumblr Faultline
Scheherazade of the Thrift Shop by standbygo (T, 6,292 w., 5 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting AU || Strangers to Lovers, Friends to Lovers, Backstory) – Sherlock, cut off by Scotland Yard and desperate for something to do, decides to try deducing in a thrift shop. There he meets John Watson, back from the war and in a difficult situation. As John tries to recover his possessions from the shop, they begin a strange friendship built on storytelling.
Coup de Foudre by prettysailorsoldier (T, 6,446 w., 1 Ch. || Teenager/University AU || Alternate First Meeting, Skiing, Winter, Sherlock Speaks French, Christmas Fluff) – When John and his friends decide to blow off some steam after finals with a holiday to the Swiss Alps, he's expecting a week of roaring fires, hot chocolate, and snow as far as the eye can see. He is not expecting to fall head over heels for a fellow guest--a young Frenchman known only as "Blue Scarf"--but John's not one to let a little language barrier get in the way, and, with the help of Google Translate, it might just be a Christmas to remember after all. Part 7 of 25 Days of Johnlock
Fallen Embers by Schattengestalt (T, 6,538 w., 1 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting || Drug Addiction, Suicidal Thoughts, Angst, Vulnerable Sherlock, Trans John, Hurt/Comfort, Developing Relationship) – Sherlock has given up on life, just like everyone has given up on him. The decision to jump is only logical, but when he is about to take the final step, something happens. Something interesting or rather... someone interesting.
Supernova by sherlockandjawn (T, 6,710 w., 2 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting || Solar System, Tragic Romance, One Lives/One Dies) – Sherlock and John met because of their shared love of the solar system. But the army will always come first for John Watson, and nothing can prevent the chain of events that unfold because of it.
The toe that didn´t belong by meet_me_in_samarra (E, 6,859 w., 1 Ch. || Punk University AU || Alternate First Meeting, Dirty Talk, Slutty Sherlock, Drug Addiction, Horny John, Bottomlock, Name Calling) – Every time John thought back to the occasion the funny thing was that the first thing he had noticed to be out of place had been a...toe.
The Chauffeur and The Consultant by eragon19 (M, 6,892 w., 1 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting || Run-Away Groom Sherlock, Driver John, First Kiss, Soft Idiots) – Invalided home from Afghanistan, John Watson takes a job as a chauffeur with Stamford’s Limo Service to make ends meet. The work is mundane, with his clients usually ignoring him for the most part, until he drives his first run-away-groom; Sherlock Holmes.
Idle Hands by kinklock (E, 7,226 w., 1 Ch. || Deaf Sherlock, Phone Sex, Alternate First Meeting, Dirty Sign Language) – While working as a video sign language interpreter for the deaf, John's last client of the day asks him to interpret a highly unusual call. (aka deaf Sherlock wants to call a phone sex hotline AU)
The Posh Purple Pirate (Enter My Life and Make Me Drown) by Loveismyrevolution (E, 7,408 w., 1 Ch. || Exotic Dancer AU || Alternate First Meeting, Strangers to Lovers, For a Case, Lap Dancing, Hand Job, First Kiss, Pirate Sherlock, Drama Queen Sherlock, Dancer Sherlock) – When Mike Stamford invited him to a fun night out, John Watson never expected it would become such a wild ride - captivated by an enigmatic pirate his life suddenly gains speed in an unexpected direction. Part 1 of PirateDragQueenVerse
Burn by EmilyisSOgay (T, 7,481 w., 1 Ch. || Alternate Universe || Jazz Singer John, Alternate First Meeting, First Kiss, Everyone is Gay, Love at First Sight, Falling in Love, Flirty John, Song Fic, Romance, Sexual Tension, Sherlock POV, Sherlock in Love, Jealous Sherlock, Fluff) – John is a seductive jazz singer at small London club. And Sherlock gets a special birthday performance that sets his Mind Palace ablaze.
Only Friends by HollyShadow88 (E, 7,514 w., 2 Ch. || University AU || Accidental Voyeurism, Christmas / New Year's, Light Angst, Embarrassed John / Sherlock, Roommates, Alternate First Meeting, Anal Fingering/Sex, Affection, Topping from the Bottom, Enthusiastic Consent, Sex Tapes, Student John / Sherlock, Blow Jobs) – John Watson is assigned Sherlock Holmes as his new roommate when he is transferred to his university. Only problem is, Sherlock's hot, and John has to work around his growing feelings for him while also secretly paying for school with an OnlyFans page. With the end of the term approaching, an accidental discovery changes their relationship.
Flooded by ShirleyCarlton (E, 7,536 w., 1 Ch. || University AU || Alternate First Meeting, One Night Stand, Bottom Sherlock, Happy Ending, John's First Time) – Sherlock tries to seduce John for a one-night-stand, which initially fails, but eventually he ends up getting more than he bargained for.
The Curious Incident of the Detective, the Doctor and the Dogs in the Night by mydogwatson (T, 7,652 w., 1 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting AU || Dogs, First Kiss, Honeymoon) – A meet-cute. Dogs and cases and romance. [TRANSLATION: Русский]
The Way Home by Calais_Reno (M, 7,702 w., 1 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting AU || Christmas, Post-PTSD, Injury Recovery, Meeting the Parents, Coming Home, Past Drug Addiction, Developing Relationship, Moving in Together, Falling in Love, POV Sherlock Third Person) – It's Christmas Eve, and Sherlock's landlord has evicted him due to a little misunderstanding about a very small explosion that really only burned the curtains. Mrs Hudson isn't willing to let him move into 221B until after the holiday. He's left with only one alternative: go home. Spend Christmas with his family. On the train, he meets someone who might just be having an even worse holiday. Part 32 of Just Johnlock
Meanwhile The World Goes On by Raina_at (M, 8,075 w., 1 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting || Christmas, Strangers to Lovers, Mentions of Suicide, First Kiss, Blue Carbuncle) – It's just past midnight in December 25th, 2009. John is in the middle of a staring contest with the abyss when he meets a mysterious stranger who proves to him that life is far from done with John Watson.
Locked Room by Calais_Reno (T, 8,346 w., 2 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting AU || Pool Scene, Mystery, Near Death Experience, Drug Addiction, Serious Injuries, Temporary Amnesia, POV Alternating, Love Confessions, Happy Ending) – John wakes up in a locked room, unable to remember how he got here. The last thing he remembers is his hands covered in blood, trying to keep a soldier from dying. His roommate also seems to be suffering from amnesia, and has decided that John is a delusion. Part 33 of Just Johnlock
Hallelujah by Randomwordsonpaper (M, 8,661 w., 1 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting || PODFIC AVAILABLE || Case Fic, Detective Sherlock, Army Doctor Captain John, Sherlock’s Violin, First Kiss/Time, Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, Light Angst, Love Confessions, Happy Ending) – John didn’t know if it was the sight of the dark-haired man with the sharp cheekbones, the dexterous, long fingers on the violin, the beautiful notes he played, or a combination of all three, but he was utterly mesmerised the moment the man started playing. A shiver ran down his spine, and he was unable to look away. Suddenly the man looked up, straight into John’s eyes, and their eyes locked. The man’s eyes were ice-blue, almost glistering in the warm light that surrounded them, and John swore he’d never seen such remarkable, gorgeous eyes before. The man gave him a small smile, and that was it. John felt how his knees went weak; his heart skipped a beat; his lungs refused to take a decent breath. If he didn’t know better, he would’ve sworn he’d just fallen in love with a complete stranger. But that couldn’t be possible, could it?
The Detective I Can't Forget by amalnahurriyeh (M, 8,761 w., 1 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting AU || Online Dating, Gay Culture, Grindr, Sympathetic Sally) – John Watson knows whoever he met last night was amazing. He just can't remember a bloody thing. He never should have joined Grindr.
the dead-end case of the kilted kirkyard killer by darcylindbergh (E, 8,823 w., 1 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting || Scotland, First Kiss/Time, BAMF John, Frottage, Blow Jobs, Banter) – In which Sherlock follows the wrong man and gets more than he bargained for.
Signed in Love by Jberry (E, 8,850 w., 6 Ch || Deaf Sherlock, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Time Jumps, Alternate First Meeting) – Three Continents Watson meets Deaf Sign Language Interpreter Sherlock Holmes at a medical conference. They clash, mostly due to John being trash. (haven’t read this yet, so read at your own discretion)
Collections of Clues by ianavi (E, 8,922 w., 1 Ch. || Library AU || Alternate First Meeting, Librarian Sherlock, Mutual Pining, Age Difference, Virgin Sherlock, Flirting, Begging, First Kiss / Time, Oral Sex, Anal Fingering, Mutual Masturbation, Praise Kink) – There was no sleeping that night. And not due to the awkward stammering in the stacks of the library. Or the phrasing of what felt as a sudden dismissal. All Sherlock could think about was John's gaze on his neck, lips, reddening cheeks. How heated he felt under that gaze, how alone when John left. He was itching with desperation to not just be looked at but also touched. It was juvenile fantasy. But he was alone in his bedroom, it was past midnight, and he could indulge. He imagined John's hand reaching to touch his cheek, his fingers brushing his lips. He buried his head into the pillow and groaned. Could John ever see him like that, ever want him?
Meet Ugly by JRow (T, 9,766 w., 5 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting AU || ASiP Divergence, Meet Ugly) – One encounter with a gorgeous madman is a good story. Twice is a crazy coincidence. Three times might just be fate.
The Perfect Place by meet_me_in_samarra (T, 10,070 w., 14 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting AU || Crack / Humour, Mutual Pining, Misunderstandings, Only One Bed) – Sherlock needs a flatmate and already has the perfect person in mind. Now he only needs to convince his object of desire to move in and also find out if he desires Sherlock as well.
Invalid Home by Tindomerelhloni (NR, 10,853 w., 7 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting AU || Depression, Suicidal Thoughts, Strangers to Lovers) – Captain John H Watson has only been home from the war for two weeks. He is not home out of his own free will but due to an injury that has put an end to his ability to serve. On one fateful day, he decides that he will seek out three strangers and do something kind for them before he ends his life. On his third encounter, he meets a strange man who sees right through him and helps pull him from the brink of self-destruction.
Not Your Average Roman Holiday by StarlightAndFireflies (M, 11,253 w., 1 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting || Rome, Vacation, Flirting, Romance, First Kiss / Time, International Crime Solving, Language Barrier) – After his relationship with Mary falls apart, John finds himself on what should have been his honeymoon, alone and directionless. Then, a chance encounter with a handsome, intelligent stranger changes his entire outlook -- but this gorgeous man doesn't seem to speak any English... AU in which John is a tourist and Sherlock is working on an international case, and they meet by chance. Sparks fly.
The Handler by saturn_in_retrograde (E, 11,300 w., 10 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting || Soldier John, Sherlock’s Military Kink, John’s Voice Kink, Job Interview Sex, Sassy John, Mutual Masturbation, Shower Sex, Frottage, Snarky Mycroft, Posh Boy, Light Dom/Sub, Blow/Hand Jobs, Deep Throating, Dog Handler John, Happy Ending) – Sherlock is injured after a mission and is resting at Mycroft's estate, bored out of his mind. That is, until the handsome Captain John Watson shows up to interview for a job as a dog handler. Sherlock decides to have some fun with a fake interview, but the Captain might ultimately have a few lessons for Sherlock about animal behavior...
Explicit by Robottko (E, 11,857 w., 8 Ch. || Porn Star AU || Porn With Plot, Case Fic, Masturbation, Pining, Alternate First Meeting, Kidnapping, Lust at First Sight, From Sex to Love) – When a few of the adult entertainers at Treasure Island Media drop dead from seemingly accidental causes, no one bats an eyelash. That is, until one of them leaves a note... Now Sherlock must find the person responsible for these deaths, or someone else may die, particularly a short blond who goes by the stage name John, and Sherlock's current obsession.
A Minor Detail by meet_me_in_samarra (T, 12,450 w., 7 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting AU || Fake Relationship, Idiots in Love, Fluff, Getting Together, Mutual Pining, Humour) – Sherlock has found the perfect flatmate for sharing 221b Baker Street. If only there would not be that minor detail in the small print of the lease agreement. Now, John has no other choice but take part in Sherlock‘s scheme.
Body Parts by Hope_Austen (M, 12,461 w., 6 Ch. || Unilock, Mild Angst, Happy Ending, Alternate First Meeting, First Kiss, Fluff) – Sherlock Holmes has never met John Watson, but for some reason he keeps catching just a glimpse of the mystery man around campus … John Watson’s tan, muscular arm resting on an open car window frame, John Watson’s blue eyes peeping through the bookshelves in the library, the top of John Watson’s head with its silky, golden hair. It’s becoming a frustrating puzzle because Sherlock only ever sees parts of John Watson. He never seems to be able to catch a view of the young man in his entirety. Until one day … Sherlock does.
Sleepless in Yaverland by MorganeUK (T, 13,237 w., 6 Ch. || Sleepless in Seattle AU || Pre-ASiP, Alternate First Meeting Developing Relationship, Long-Distance Relationship, Online Dating) – John is back from war but never took the most important walk of his life... Unable to afford London with his pension, he ends up in a small village on the Isle of Wight. Wanting to be alone. Or does he? Part 3 of the Rom-com adaptations... series
Almost Home by Berty (E, 13,871 w., 1 Ch. || PODFIC AVAILABLE || Alternate First Meeting, Captain John, Pining John, University Student Sherlock, Gay Bar, First Time, Anal, Mutual Masturbation, Protective Big Brother Mycroft, POV John, Time Skips, Memories, Angst With Happy Ending) – He pulls out the ID card – the one that Sherlock had somehow seen when he was buying drinks at that awful club. He’s had other ID cards since then but he’s hung on to this one for some reason. He looks at the image of his face, young and pale and idealistic, and he knows that just a month later that man would have found and lost the love of his life within a week, and even knowing that, John wouldn’t change a single thing.
Part Two: Hors d’oeuvres by Calico & Habernero (E, 14,507 w, 6 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting) – Eighteen months later: now they meet.
The Meeting Place by standbygo (E, 14,653 w., 11 Ch. || Man Up AU || Case Fic, Alternate First Meeting, Romantic Comedy, Mistaken Identity, Misunderstandings, Murder, Serial Killers, First Kiss / Time, Past Abuse, Romantic Fluff, First Dates, Blind Date, Happy Ending) – Sherlock thinks it's a breakthrough in his case. John thinks it's a date. They're both kinda right.
Bionic Women by Calais_Reno (T, 14,957 w., 4 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting AU || Post-Surgical Recovery, Friendship, Siblings, Background Case, Developing Relationship, POV First Person Sherlock) – Sherlock has just moved into 221B; John is still in Afghanistan. They haven't yet met. Mrs Hudson is having her hip replaced, and has brought in someone to help with her recovery and see to any problems with the building. Sherlock Holmes, meet Harry Watson.
