An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Word count: 125,518 Chapters: 23/23 Fandom: Sherlock (TV) Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson, Molly Hooper/Janine Characters: Sherlock Holmes, John Watson, James Moriarty, James Sholto (Sherlock), Mike Stamford, Dimmock (Inspector), Greg Lestrade, Molly Hooper, Janine (Sherlock), Bill Wiggins, Sally Donovan, Captain Hook | Killian Jones, Mrs. Hudson, Philip Anderson, Sebastian Moran, Victor Trevor Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Pirate, Pirates, Alternate Universe - Historical, Piratelock, Enemies to Lovers, Johnlock - Freeform, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Sailing, The Golden Age of Piracy, NOT Caribbean pirates, BAMF Sherlock, Slow Burn, Unresolved Sexual Tension, UST, Masturbation, BAMF John, Turtle of Fortune, First Kiss, Hookus Interruptus, Whales, Age of Sail, Alternate Universe - Age of Sail, Sea Battle, Canon-Typical Violence, Flirting, knifethrowing, RST, Facial Shaving, Storms, Blood and Injury, but minor, Mentions of past drug use, long meaningful conversations, Sherlock Plays the Violin, violin, Moonlight, Sexual Content, Schmoop, Action/Adventure, Adventure, Action, Action & Romance, Minor Character Death, very heavily implied Mystrade, Happy Ending Summary:
Here be a tale of adventure for both body and soul, but beware if ye be not of stout heart, for this be piratelock, ya savvy? Luckless ship's surgeon John Watson takes a chance, and finds himself eye to eye with The Ghost, the scourge of the seven seas and a definite thorn in the side of the blaggard, James Moriarty. But when John finds there's more to this most cunning pirate than be meetin' the eye, he has to choose--is it a pirate's life for him?
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Rec: This is basically a fic that’s made for the big screen, with amazing costumes, exotic locations, swashbuckling action, atmospheric interludes, steamy looks, colorful characters, and hard physiques that are best viewed in digital high-definition. Close-up. It’s not Pirates of the Caribbean, but it’s extremely easy to picture this set in the same universe, and I won’t lie, I definitely saw shades of Jack Sparrow in The Ghost’s character.
Featuring super slow burn and emotional constipation with a side of insecurity, this is ‘just kiss already’ Johnlock of the best sort, in which even getting around to the kissing part doesn’t resolve their sexual (and other) tension. On top of that, there is a fantastic case of sorts, although it’s more a mystery for John and the reader to solve of why The Ghost is doing what he does.
With a highly satisfying ending that, in best Hollywood blockbuster tradition, paves the way for a sequel... (one can only hope).
Includes rather graphic violence and mention of noncon.
