An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Word count: 17,544 Chapters: 13/13 Fandom: Sherlock (TV) Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson, Molly Hooper/Greg Lestrade Characters: John Watson, Sherlock Holmes, Lestrade (Sherlock Holmes), Molly Hooper, Sally Donovan, Harry Watson Additional Tags: Dancing, Dirty Dancing, Tango, Ballet, Three Continents Watson's got some moves, Sherlock can dance too, Vogue, Very very minor original character death, Frottage Summary:
Written in response to this kink meme prompt: "John is a great dancer: we're talking all types. Not only is he able to pop and lock it, he's got some great ballet technique. He was best at lifting / holding girls."
Thirteen chapters, thirteen dances, interwoven in two parallel tracks: John's past and his present. And maybe his future, too. (I do love a happy ending with a bit of smut.)
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Rec: This is the quintessential fic for those who wanted to see that scene of Sherlock teaching John to waltz for the wedding. Only in this fic (written prior to series 3), it's John who teaches Sherlock. To tango. And yes, it's everything you hoped for and more. John is the ultimate BAMF here, wowing all the lads and ladies with his moves both on and off on the dance floor. It's all done with complete aplomb and understatement, though, never turning John into some kind of flamboyant dancing wunderkind but keeping him grounded and quietly confident, making his dancing talents as natural a part of him as his gun-wielding or jumper-wearing. We get a broad survey of John's life through dance, from ballet lessons as a child to high school disco parties and a brief stint as the star of a viral YouTube video from his time in the army. And woven through it all is the stomach-fluttering, throat-tightening, heart-stuttering metaphorical dance that Sherlock and John engage in as they feel their way toward each other's arms. And that tango scene. ;)
