The Pieces That Fall to Earth by Itsallfine (49k, M)
"It seems like after our conversation on your birthday we should really be better at this. That talk was more than we’ve ever had, but even still, we mostly talked around things rather than about them. There’s so much… so much I need to say, so much I’ve never said. And even now, just writing this out is so difficult. I feel like if I were to try to say this to your face I’d just end up having another wobbly, and while that has a certain amount of appeal, I’d rather not ruin all your nice shirts."
This is the fic that made me want to start a fic rec blog, so naturally, I don't have the first idea how to start this rec 😂 I'll do my best to do justice to the fic, a rather intimidating task if you ask me. If this rec is slightly less structured and more rambly than the others thus far, I do apologise — this fic just invokes a lot of feelings in me and it's difficult to categorise them well. I hope this rec is helpful nonetheless!
The Pieces That Fall to Earth, for me personally, is my go-to post season 4 fix-it fic. It is an incredibly comprehensive, touching, hot, and comforting read. It picks up after season 4 and basically fixes...everything. The boys go to therapy! And actually talk and communicate with each other! John's anger issues are taken seriously and addressed incredibly well and in such a compassionate manner. I absolutely love the dedication John has in this fic towards genuinely working on a lot of the repressed issues we see (subtextually, at the very least, and some more obvious ones) in the show. Likewise, Sherlock too gradually begins to open up and address his own mental health issues.
Told in an epistolary style (which is pulled off brilliantly, might I add) there are some truly lovely moments in this fic that I just have to mention, without giving too much away of course. An ongoing theme of this fic with regards to John, is him coming to terms with his sexuality, whatever it may be. The chapter where he finally figures it out and accepts — and rejoices in! — who he is, is truly moving. The way it's written, it feels like you're right there with him, feeling his exhileration and relief. My eyes genuinely misted over while I read that part.
The side friendships in this fic are also really lovely. We see a really nice Molly-John friendship, which I always love to see, because it makes so much sense! Molly helped out John so much with Rosie, it only makes sense that they become close to each other. Molly and Sherlock too share a beautiful friendship in this fic — even in canon, Molly's always been incredibly perceptive of Sherlock and she sees him startlingly clearly. So it is here as well. The understanding and affection she affords Sherlock is heart-warming. Canon really didn't treat Molly and Sherlock's dynamic very well, so it's lovely to see this story do it justice. Molly in general is treated like the queen she is 👑 Her sharper, more assertive side, comes out well in this fic, which I love to see. We also get Greg/Molly on the side, for anyone who ships them 😉.
Another friendship I live for in this fic is Sherlock and Lestrade's. There's a specific chapter where Sherlock goes out for drinks with Lestrade (a testament to all the growth Sherlock achieves in this story), and it's equal parts funny and touching. I think the author gets to the heart of their friendship really well, with Lestrade as a sort-of father figure who genuinely cares for Sherlock, and how Sherlock returns that regard in his own way. Lestrade also has a really fun rapport with John! Very much “mates who rib each other good-naturedly but can also manage emotional honesty occasionally.”
There are so many other things I love about this fic! Harry and John's relationship, for one. Yes Harry is in this fic, yes the siblings actually talk and bond, yes it's awesome. James Sholto makes an appearance and I love how he's integrated into the narrative. And Rosie!! Ugh, I love Sherlock's relationship with Rosie and how much he loves her and wants to be in her life. There are some incredibly adorable moments between the two of them 🥺 (the Nap Scene™️ lives in my head rent free). Mycroft also has a presence in this fic, because of course he does, except he actually behaves like a good older brother. Still protective but not overly so.
One last thing I wanted to mention separately, is the absolute genius and authenticity of Ella's (John and Sherlock's therapist) case notes. Since this is an epistolary style fic, it's told through texts, emails, letters, video transcripts and so on. The whole concept, and the way the author makes it work so incredibly well, is masterful. Ella's case notes though — every time I read the fic, I'm impressed anew by how professional they sound and how they tell us the progress of John and Sherlock's respective mental health issues so comprehensively. I can only imagine the effort that must have gone into that, and honestly, kudos to the author 👏🏼👏🏼
I’m going to wrap this rec up here, because while I could ramble on for ages, I’ve been anxiously scanning this for well over a week and it’s not about to get any less disorganised 😂 To sum up: brilliant fic, adeptly told in an epistolary fashion, very cathartic and moving; read it!
