#possessive sherlock

[biwa-co]

Retained

The boxes stacked in 221B were finally being sorted, at Mrs Hudson's request — a request that had, by now, come to border on a threat.

Everything John kept from the army fitted into one old lidded kit box. How long since he'd opened it — years, certainly. A folded beret, spare dog tags, pale faded sand in the bottom of the box — and then. Sherlock's long fingers lifted out a small round tin.

"May I open it?"

"Since when do you ask?"

The tin was packed with cotton wool, and bedded in the middle of it lay a single dull lump of metal.

One bullet, its tip crushed flat.

John said nothing. He had never once thought of throwing it away. He had never once opened the lid. It had simply travelled with him, move after move, at the very bottom of his luggage.

Sherlock picked it up, no gloves, and held it to the window light.

".303 British. Lee-Enfield. Old British Army rifle — the range is why it's still used for sniping in Afghanistan. Which means this bullet was made in Britain. The bullet that shot you has come home."

"…Never thought of it that way."

"The jacket alloy is old. Manufactured over half a century ago — it's older than you are. Five rifling grooves, left-hand twist: that confirms the Enfield. From the deformation at the tip and the scoring along the side, it was well below the speed of sound on impact. Range, roughly seven hundred metres. A sniper. A good one."

Then, still holding the bullet to the light, Sherlock went quiet for a moment.

"—The angle of entry is wrong. Not the angle of a man standing and returning fire. You were bent low. Over someone — covering them."

John didn't answer. Not answering was the answer. When the bullet arrived, John's hands were holding not a weapon but a dying man's left leg, all but blown away.

Sherlock set the bullet gently back on its cotton wool, and closed the lid.

"I'm keeping this."

"…Why?"

"It marked you. In that case, it belongs with me."

The reasoning didn't quite join; somewhere in the middle of it there was a gap. What was kept in the gap, John didn't ask.

"…Yeah. All right."

Sherlock dropped the tin into his trouser pocket and, as though nothing had happened, started on the next box.

From that night on, John's luggage was one thing lighter.

fin.

[inevitably-johnlocked]

Hii do you have any fics with possessive sherlock?

Hi Nonny!!

I do!! And though it's not many bookmarks, I'm going to use your ask for an update to past lists. I've also gone through my MFL list with entries tagged "Possessive Sherlock" to pad out this list a bit as well :) ! I hope you enjoy, and if any of y'all have more to add, please let me know and I'll them to a fifth list!!

POSSESSIVE / OBSESSIVE SHERLOCK Pt. 4

See also:

Jealous & Possessive Sherlock

Possessive Sherlock Pt 2

Possessive / Obsessive Sherlock Pt 3 

Rupert Street by WritingOutLoud (M, 27,262 w., 9 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting || Case Fic, Sexuality, Demisexual Sherlock, Drugging, Smart John, Sherlock Has Internalized Biphobia, Fluff, Angst with Happy Ending, Gay Bar, Flirting, John Manipulates Sherlock to Eat, John Deduces, Arguments, Kidnapping/Torture, Hospitalization, John Whump) – Discharged from the war with nothing but the clothes on his back and a realisation of his bisexuality, John Watson has to learn who he’s become. He can’t afford London on an army pension, but the city is the only friend he has. In an effort to understand his newfound queer identity, he heads to a bar one night, where he stumbles across a mysterious stranger who turns his life upside down. ‘I dug around inside myself, and I'm not quite sure what I found, but it was beautiful and terrifying all at the same time.’

Domestic Matters by ohlooktheresabee (M, 29,404 w., 6 Ch. || Fantasy AU || First Meetings, Developing Relationship, Fluff and Angst, Domestic Fluff, BAMF Sherlock, BAMF John, Idiots in Love, Misunderstandings, Supernatural Elements, Implied / Referenced Child Abuse, Elf Sherlock, Human/Elf Politics, Emotional Abuse, Possessive Sherlock, Anxious Sherlock, Buddy Greg) – All flatmates need to work out domestic matters between them - who does the dishes, who takes out the rubbish, how often does the carpet need to be vacuumed - these are part and parcel of sharing a living space together. However, when you’re an elf and your flatmate is going to be a human you just met, this rather complicates things…Very loosely inspired by 'The Elves and The Shoemaker' by The Brothers Grimm.

You Might Just as Well Be Blind by ArwaMachine (E, 56,625 w., 12 Ch. || Fake Relationship, For a Case, Bed Sharing, Platonic Cuddling, Jealous Sherlock, Oblivious John, BAMF Hudders, Fluff and Angst, Frottage, Anal Sex, Happy Ending, Case Fic, Flirting, Pining John, POV John, Toplock, Possessive Sherlock, First Kiss/Time, Infidelity) – When a serial killer starts targeting couples, Sherlock and John must do what they have to do in order to get to the bottom of things. Unfortunately, John already has a girlfriend. Surely pretending to be in a relationship with Sherlock won't pose any problems with his relationship, will it?

Drawn to Stars by Silvergirl (E, 109,272 w., 60 Ch. || S4 Compliant to TLD / TFP Doesn’t Exist, Sherlock’s Italian Adventure, Sherlock/OC and Johnlock, Jealous John, Mutual Pining, Misunderstandings, First Kiss/Time, Idiots in Love, 3 Part Story, Slow Burn, Inexperienced Sherlock, Bottom Sherlock, Introspection, Multiple Alternating First and Third Person POV, Separation and Reconciliation, Emotional Love Making, Love Confessions via Letters, Angst with Happy Ending) – After the Culverton Smith case Sherlock is clean, working, and looking for a romantic partner—since John has told him that’s what he needs. Shame John didn’t mention he was interested in that role himself, before Sherlock went off to Rome with a gorgeous Italian copper to try to fall in love and become a complete human being.  Part 1 of the Drawn to Stars series

Out There by DiscordantWords (T, 131,695 w., 10 Ch. || X-Files Fusion || Past Soldier John, Panic Attacks, POV Alternating Present Tense, Anxious John, Canon Adjacent, Deductions, Obsessive Sherlock,, Travelling, Sherlock’s Family, Jealous Sherlock, Mind Palace John, Awkward Flirting, Batting Cage, Kidnapped/Abducted John, Semi-Reverse Reichenbach, Worried/Anxious Sherlock, Hospital, Slow Burn, UST, Case Fic, Government Conspiracy, Aliens, UFOs, Mutants, Mutual Pining, First Kiss, Coma John, Forehead Touching, Hand Holding, Drinking/Bars, Past Jolto) – FBI Special Agent John Watson, medical doctor and army veteran, is assigned to assist eccentric genius Sherlock Holmes with paranormal investigations on the X-Files project.

MARKED FOR LATER

Sexual Frustration by SailorChibi (E, 2,181 w., 1 Ch. || Semi-Public Sex, Possessive Sherlock, Porn with Feels, Neglected John) – "You," Sherlock said very quietly, "have a 15 minute head start to get home, strip, and get in my bed. If I catch you before you make it back to the flat, I will fuck you where I find you regardless of who is watching." His hand tightened, fingers threatening bruises. "Either way, I am going to fuck you so hard you won't be able to walk for three days."

Display by 221b_hound (E, 2,377 w., 1 Ch. || Post-HLV, Tattoos, Public Hand Jobs, Exhibitionism, Possessive Sex, Possessive Sherlock, Possessive John) – A new client has been flirting with Sherlock and, finding no joy there, with John. John seems annoyed to be second-best, Sherlock thinks, so Sherlock decides to give the departing woman (and maybe also John) a demonstration of who, exactly, John belongs to. But there's more than one level of sexual jealousy and more than one display of possession going on here, outlined in the window of 221b Baker Street. Part 2 of Lock and Key

Paperback Writer by Teddy (I_am_lampy) (M, 8,171 w., 1 Ch. || Possessive Sherlock, Crack, Writing, Secrets, Sexual Tension, Jealous Sherlock) – John has a secret. Sherlock wants to know what it is. His deductions happen to be wrong. Part 9 of Standalone stories

The City of Dreams by bittergreens (E, 12,908 w., 1 Ch. || Established Relationship, UST/RST, Oral/Anal, Hotel Sex, Opera, Case Fic, Toplock, Hand & Finger Kink, Dirty Talk, Possessive Sherlock, Champagne, Drinking, Post-Case Sex) – In which John and Sherlock go to the opera, apprehend a criminal, and then return to their hotel room to have jubilant, endorphin-fueled, post-case sex. Part 1 of the The City of Dreams series 

Of Dinner and Desires by IneffableHusbands95 & KittieHill (E, 16,663 w., 5 Ch. || Fake Relationship, Established Mystrade, Powerful Mycroft, Bisexual John, Gay Sherlock, Sexual Tension, Drama, Jealous Sherlock, Confused John, Sad Wanking, Masturbation, Banter, Big Brother Mycroft, Possessive Sherlock, Anal Sex, Virgin Sherlock, PWP, Blow Jobs, Shower Sex, Marriage Proposal) – Mycroft bared his teeth and glared before softening. “Surprisingly, I do have better things to do than watch you drink yourself into a self-pitying stupor.” He looked like he might get up and walk out, but he inhaled, fixed his collar and then ordered a gin and tonic from the bar staff who looked at the strange man but scurried off to fix his drink immediately. “We need to discuss your attraction to my brother.”

Evidence of Human Life by thesardine (E, 16,906 w., 1 Ch. || Possessive Sherlock, Mental Health Issues, Rough Sex, Dubious Consent) – Sherlock's sanity deteriorates while he and John are stranded on a deserted island.

For John, With Love by AnneCumberbatch (E, 18,550 w., 18 Ch. || Serial Killer AU || Dark / Serial Killer Sherlock, Cheating John, Pining Sherlock, Romantic Sherlock, Protective Greg, Manipulation, Developing Relationship, Anal, Infidelity, Kissing, Possessive Sherlock, Unhappy Ending) – Bodies have been showing up all over London with intricate pictures carved into their skin. The bodies appear to be the work of a serial killer. Greg Lestrade is the lead detective on the case and John Watson is the medical consultant. Soon afterwards, the designs on the bodies begin to change, all of them containing a frightening inscription.

If you close your eyes by orphan_account (E, 21,775 w., 7 Ch. || TSo3 / Stag Night, Infidelity, Dark John / Sherlock, First Time, Angst, Pining Sherlock, Obsessive / Possessive Sherlock, Drunk John / Sherlock, POV Sherlock, Past Drug Use, Jealous Sherlock, Self Harm) – John smells like everything Sherlock has ever wanted and scotch and clean laundry and the only thing he can think is John John John, chanting within him, plastered on the inside of his skull like wall paper. Part 1 of the Bad Blood series

Hello, Hamish by Norma_de_Plume (M, 23,833 w., 18 Ch. || John/OMC and Johnlock || Pre-TRF, Fluff, Idiots in Love, Confused John, Mild Knife Violence, First Kiss/Time, Friends to Lovers, Jealous Sherlock, Doctor John, Mutual Pining, Scheming Sherlock, Possessive Sherlock, BAMF John, Hurt / Comfort) – John and Sherlock never imagined that their relationship could ever be more than flatmates and best friends. Hoped, perhaps...but... *ahem* Could one person change that? What if someone else had their eye on Dr. Watson? What if it wasn't a woman?

Beyond the Bay by urfavv_strawwberrywinter4 (E, 25,697 w., 5 Ch. || American AU || Case Fic, Possessive / Obsessive Sherlock, BAMF Johnlock, Top Sherlock, Bottom John, American John, Hand Jobs, Anal, Dirty Talk, John's Jumpers, Protective Johnlock, Jealous Sherlock, Love Confessions, Kissing, Hurt/Comfort, Fluff and Angst, Happy Ending) – Recently retired police officer, John Watson, stumbles upon an odd man named Sherlock Holmes when traveling by train on his way home. He concludes the detective is insane after having only one conversation with him, but can't help but be intrigued. Ignoring John's hesitance, Sherlock brings him along on an exciting case. Through this adventure, Sherlock doesn't bother to hide his palpable obsession with John while John tries to hide his growing feelings. What will happen when they both break, following their desires?

You Can't Leave by heat_lightning (E, 26,544 w., 11 Ch. || Light BDSM, Friends to Lovers, First Kiss, Possessive Sherlock, Light Dom/Sub, Mutual Masturbation, Orgasm Delay/Denial, Verbal Humiliation, Past Drug Addiction, Making Out, Blow Jobs, Nipple Play, Choking, POV Sherlock, Purple Shirt) – John makes plans to leave 221b to move in with his boring, ordinary girlfriend. Sherlock makes some deductions about just how Not Gay John really is, and seduces John to keep him around. He needs John's medical expertise for the Work. Also, rent money. John loves Sherlock. Sherlock loves the Work. Sherlock knows that John at least wants to fuck him. And Sherlock is perfectly willing to exploit John's attractions to him as a means to an end. Obviously. Mycroft is not amused.

Ego versus Eros by Betwixt (Lunavere) (M, 29,008 w., 12 Ch. || University AU || Student John, Professor Sherlock, Voyeurism, Tattoos, Marking, Independent / Dependent Variables, Possessive Sherlock, Dependent John) – John Watson had heard warning after warning about taking one of Professor Holmes's courses. He knew he should stay away if only for the sake of his grades. However, when he reads the description for the module “Proper Criminal Investigation and Forensic Techniques,” he cannot help but enroll himself in the course and merely hope beyond hope that he doesn't regret his decision. Surprisingly enough, though, Professor Sherlock Holmes takes an immediate interest in him, although whether that is good or bad is up for question.

The Half-Life of Love by Calais_Reno (E, 38,751 w., 12 Ch. || Dev. Rel., Angst with Happy Ending, Obsessive / Possessive Sherlock, Different First Meeting, Manipulative Mycroft, Drug Withdrawal, Rehabilitation, Pining, Mild Dub Con, Abusive Parents) – “Maybe we met too soon or at the wrong time, under the wrong circumstances,” said John. Sherlock shrugged. “Hypothesis Contrary to Fact: none of these 'what ifs' happened, so it’s all pointless speculation. We did, in fact, meet at a specific time and place.”

Gilded Cages by MaryLouLeach (E, 52,323 w., 21 Ch. || Supernatural Creatures AU || Rape/Non-Con, Graphic Violence, Suicide Attempt, Attempted Murder, Vampires and Werewolves, Blood Drinking, Slavery, Dom/Sub Undertones, Torture, Anal Sex, Turning, Recreational Drug Use, Drug Addiction, Dark Sherlock, Protective Mycroft, Possessive Sherlock, Bonding, War, Hurt/Comfort, Romance, Angst, Child Abuse) – The vampire remained motionless in the dark of his prison; his eyes clasped shut as if he were sleeping. However Vampires didn’t sleep, or rather this one did not. Sleeping would bring dreams; dreams were solely a human condition, whereas nightmares, nightmares were what plagued the sleep of the immortal. Sherlock knew he was a monster, and even now in this hellish prison locked in the unfurnished room, he felt the darkness of soul start to fester. Pushing at him and all he wished to do was silence it, he needed his fix needed more. The last addict he fed on wasn’t enough. He needed more, needed to shut out the screaming that plagued him that weighed him down and kept him shackled to his hunger. Part 1 of the GILDED series

Best Laid Plans by TheMadKatter13 (E, 57,366 w., 9 Ch. || Omegaverse AU || Post-TRF Rape/Non-Con, Graphic Violence, Angst, Marking, Scenting, Time Skips, John's Blog, Nesting, Hurt/Comfort, Torture, Mounting, Biting, Breeding, Bonding, Knotting, Mpreg, Mating Cycles, Alpha Sherlock, Omega John, Omega Jim, Possessive Sherlock, Alpha Moran, Kidnapping) – After the detective's suicide, anyone with eyes could see that there was no John Watson without Sherlock Holmes. Only a rare few even realized there was a flipside to that coin: that there was no Sherlock Holmes without John Watson. Unfortunately, Jim Moriarty is one of those rare few, and while kidnapping his blogger had drawn out out the genius so well the first time, new intel on the 'alpha' doctor has the omega criminal arranging a little bit of 'playtime' between his alpha and his bait while they wait for the not-quite-dead to arrive.

The Song Nobody Knows by Laur (E, 78,669 w., 4 Ch. || Merfolk AU || Sirens, Developing Relationship, Human Eating, Captivity, Rape/Non-Con Elements, Mentions of Self Harm, Supernatural Elements, Dark Fic, Female Mycroft, Possessive Sherlock, Questionable Medical Practices) – If Sherlock could take John Watson back to his cave, he would keep him alive as long as possible. He would collect rain water and sea weed and fish to feed him, and he would keep him warm with his soft feathers. In return John Watson would answer all of Sherlock’s questions. Yes, Sherlock would keep him, his own little mystery to unravel. Eventually, though, the human would die, as they always did, and Sherlock would have to eat him, like he always did. This was much more interesting.

The Breaking Wheel by J_Baillier (M, 93,289 w., 18 Ch. || POV Sherlock, Big Brother Mycroft, Serious Illness, Confused Sherlock, Medical Procedures, Miscommunication, Sherlock Whump, Doctor John, Awkwardness, Vulnerable Sherlock, Friendship, Panic, Anxiety, Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms, Confessions, Hurt/Comfort, Drama and Angst, Friends to Lovers, Jealous Sherlock, Medical Realism, Slow Burn / Romance, Tragedy, Pining, Possessive Sherlock, Protective John) – His immune system is decimating his nervous system - a civil war raging inside of him. Is there a reaction he's supposed to be having to this news, now? Something normal: cry, scream, pound the wall? Shake his fist at the uncaring universe? John can't stop this. An uncomfortable bed at some hospital ward isn't going to stop this. They keep telling him that this will most likely pass, but no one is answering the most important question: how will he be able to endure the uncertainty and the long wait? Part 1 of the On Pins And Needles series 

Riptide Lover by jinglebell (E, 114,090 w., 20 Ch. || PODFIC AVAILABLE || Merfolk & Victorian AU || Mermaid Sherlock, Human John, BAMF John/Sherlock, Possessive Sherlock, Oral Sex, Hand Jobs, Mild Gore, Dubious Interspecies Consent, Stockholm Syndrome, Dark Romance, Dubcon and Morality, Rough Sex, Abstract Mentions of Rape, Size Queen, Switchlock, Foot Fetish) – The year is 1866. When John becomes swept overboard, he never expects to encounter a living creature of myth. When the merman absconds with John, the lost sailor must use every tool at his disposal to convince Sherlock not to kill him. But it seems that killing John Watson is not what the deadly, beautiful creature has in mind at all...

It won't be the War that kills you... by superblue (E, 121,713 w., 32 Ch. || Omegaverse || Past Jolto, Omega John, Alpha Sherlock, Attempted Rape/Non-Con, Angst, Homeless Network, Pseudoscience, Mild Violence, BAMF John, Case Fic, Non-Con Drug Use, References to PTSD, Slow Burn, Scenting, Sexual Assault, POV Alternating, Nightmares, UST, Homeless John, Emotional Hurt, Kidnapping, Possessive Sherlock, Love Declarations, Playful Sex, Rough Sex, Mating/Bonding, Rimming, Oral/Anal, Gunshot Wounds, Rehabilitation, Happy Ending) – John can't seem to find his place in the world, and he's just about to give up trying. Sherlock discovers a sickening trail of corpses that lead him right to the good Doctor. Somewhere along the way these two discover each other, in more ways than one. Part 1 of Tho' it were ten thousand mile

Forest King by Elphen (E, 141,856 w., 27 Ch. || Magical Realism / Omegaverse AU || Mythical Creatures, Group Sex, Body Worship, Drinking / Impairment, Dubious Consent, Anal Fingering/Sex, Transformations / Shapeshifting, Mpreg, BAMF John, Possessive Sherlock, Celtic Mythology, Paganism, Sherlock’s Violin, Frottage, Illnesses, Caring Sherlock, Netherworld/Underworld, Coping Mechanisms, Paternal Lestrade, Defensive John, Big Brother Mycroft, Insecurity, Self-Esteem Issues, Misunderstandings, Mild Jealousy, Pregnant Sex, Male Lactation, Birthing, Emotional Support, Parenthood, Family History) – After falling out with his sister, John ends up in a Cornwall Midsummer’s Eve celebration in the middle of a forest that’s rather…different. After the hazy night of magic and passion with a pale-eyed man, he goes home to London. He’s in for a surprise when his stomach starts growing and buds appears on his head. Not one to just accept things, he returns to Cornwall to demand an explanation. When he meets the forest king, Sherlock, again, he has to come to terms with not only what’s happened to him but what kind of magical world he’s been thrust into. Plus, there’s the questions of whether he trusts the antlered man and how he'll survive being apparently pregnant. Sherlock isn’t much help. That doesn’t mean he isn’t trying to somehow make John understand his feelings, however, even if he’s greatly hampered by being Sherlock. They slowly move forward but problems beyond their control may arise from an act done with the best of intentions. How will they cope, separately and together? 

Baseball Series by earlgreytea68 (M, 146,073 w. across 4 works || Baseball Player AU || Slow Burn / Dev. Rel., Possessive/Obsessive Sherlock, Jealous Sherlock, Mutual Pining, Body Appreciation, Depression, Closeted Sexuality, Family, Sherlock’s Mind Palace, Ogling Each Other, Anxious Sherlock, Panic Attack, Drunkenness, Talk of Forever, Big Feelings) – Sherlock Holmes is a pitcher and John Watson is a catcher. No, no, no, it's a baseball AU.

[consult-sherlockholmes]

You can't stop me from dreaming about John you know. And truthfully most of the dreams I have are about me being at 221b with the two of you and just being part of your family. Not sexual.

But. There's been a few extremely hot dreams about him in the past. He's the most attractive man in the world, so you can't blame me. Deny it all you want, I'm sure you have had at least one of those yourself. You are way too jealous and overprotective of anons wanting to date him and whatnot. (Jealous, possessive, overprotective, clingy, desirous, acquisitive, proprietorial. Pick any word lol) You obviously feel like John is yours, belongs to you only, and you aren't the sharing type. Since you can't use your words to describe all of this to John, show him with actions. Maybe have a few good hot dreams about him yourself for some ideas, then go from there. @consultjohnwatson will react positively I'm sure.

You want to be part of our family? Of course you can be, especially after this message and your dreams about John. How about you unveil your non-anonymous identity, visit 221B, and become a part of our family as the new skull on the mantlepiece? Sounds nice, doesn't it? I will just have to slightly modify your body and turn you into a skull. The rest can be used for experiments. So you could be a very useful addition to the 221B family. As a specimen.

[komotionlessqueenmm]

Imagine # 817

Gif NOT mine.

If this gif is yours (or you know who's it is) please let me know, so I can give you/them credit.

Gif credit goes to - @sweatyfbiprofiler (Unless told otherwise.)

Year posted - 2021

*Feel free to extend this, just be sure to tag me so I can read it. (^_-)

[cupidford]

attachment theory by simplyclockwork

Johnlock Love Letters #2002

Sherlock finds himself a little distracted.

[johnlockfanficrec]

Description: John has always had good luck with the ladies. He's charming, friendly and funny, not to mention great in bed. However, his usual skill with the opposite sex is constantly being thwarted by Sherlock and his outbursts. How will John ever get a leg over when Sherlock is always cockblocking him? 

Review: Sherlock is jealous and it eventually things go his way. Tbh I read this last week and forgot to rec it then but I remember that I liked it. 

Rating: Mature

★★★★☆

[biwa-co]

Territory

The day his divorce came through, the first face Alex Murray thought of belonged to the officer who had looked after him through the desert years. John Watson. Good-natured, easy to push, single far too long. Not a bad prospect, on paper. …Liking him, though — that part was real. That much, at least. His wife, he had never managed to tell he was gay, right to the end.

So this reunion was reconnaissance. That was the word Murray had settled on, privately. He still had some of a scout's discipline left in him.

He chose the kind of pub John used to take him to. Worn carpet. A telly running football repeats with the sound off. A quiz machine. Two old regulars, and an elderly dog that belonged to nobody, asleep by the fire. A proper cheap pub, smelling of spilt bitter and old wood and dog. Any pub for drinking with John had to be exactly this.

John arrived five minutes late. Unchanged — no. Improved. And wearing, round his neck, something that did not belong in this pub.

Murray had been John's medic. A man who had earned his living by smell and observation.

The moment John raised his left hand and came over, the nose reported first. Expensive musk. The kind that opens from underneath at skin temperature. Which is to say: the real thing, and stupidly dear.

The scarf itself could be read, too. Cashmere, far too good. Not a thing John's salary bought, and not his taste. And the wrapping was too careful. Not the wrapping of a man who does it himself without a mirror. Someone had wrapped it. This morning. On his way out.

"Captain. That's a handsome scarf."

"Oh — my flatmate's. Said it was cold out."

"Flatmate as in… partner?"

"What? As in flatshare. He's a strange one, but a good man."

So. A flag was flying. But the man himself hadn't registered the flag.

Which meant the ground, as yet, was nobody's. Reason enough to carry on with the reconnaissance.

Passing him his second pint, under cover of politeness, Murray let his fingers rest on John's for an instant. Response: none. Aversion: none. Clear. He leant into the old stories, closed to shoulder-touching distance. John was happily explaining how vile the tea bags in the ration packs had been. Wariness of proximity: none. Clear. On the tail of a joke, he took the hand John had left lying on the table, held it, and looked at him. One step short of contact that would look odd from the outside. John, beaming, paid it no mind whatsoever. All clear.

Not unwilling. More than that: not aware of a single thing. The obliviousness hadn't changed since the desert. A man who never could tell whether the ranks below him adored him or wanted him.

With the third pint, half a step further. He moved in to put an arm round John's shoulders, face close, the excuse already prepared — straightening the man's collar for him.

The hand stopped, mid-air.

It was the distance at which the musk thickened.

Well made, Murray thought. No entry beyond this point. The boundary was posted — in scent.

Then the door opened.

Anyone walking into this pub in a Belstaff coat is one of two things: lost, or here on purpose. The man didn't so much as glance round the room. The two old regulars looked up from the telly together. An elegant, impossible silhouette came straight across the worn carpet, dead on course.

The face was familiar. A newspaper face. The detective. So John's strange-one-but-a-good-man was — that.

"Sherlock? What is it — a case?"

"Finished. …No. Ongoing."

A lie, Murray thought. The man drew out a chair nobody had offered him and sat, wedging himself in between Murray and John. The cheap chair creaked under the excellent coat.

"So. You'd be the flatmate."

"So. You'd be the medic."

"Four years with the Captain, life and death. When he was shot in Afghanistan, I'm the one who carried him out."

"Ninety seconds, I'm told, from impact to stretcher. A good time." The man went on. "Though the record for the four years since is mine."

He's done his research, Murray thought. Ninety seconds. A number Murray himself had never known.

"Still — the next four years are anyone's guess."

"Statistically, they are settled."

Between them, John alone looked from one to the other, beaming, wearing the face of a man enjoying the rhythm of a good conversation.

In the flow of talk, Murray put a hand on John's shoulder one more time. A final sounding. Before the hand had lifted, the man's long fingers reached across and adjusted the scarf at John's neck.

"It's loose."

It was not loose. The touched ground had been written over.

In time, John stood and went to the bar for the fourth round. In a cheap pub you order at the counter; there are moments when this is a mercy.

At the table for two, Murray opened.

"…You're rather like a dog, you know."

The man's eyebrow rose, a fraction.

"Military dogs in season do the same — go about putting their scent on everything. Come spring, the handlers had a job of it. Which is to say—"

Murray tipped his chin towards the scarf at John's neck, over at the bar.

"That is marking."

"Not on everything," the man said at once. "The target is singular."

"…So you admit it."

"A dog will do."

The answer came without a beat. The man showed not even the pretence of shame.

"If it is effective, the method is immaterial."

The mind the papers call a national treasure said so, with perfect composure, on a creaking chair in a cheap pub.

"It was effective," Murray granted. "My nose had told me before I sat down. …He hasn't noticed a thing, mind."

"I know."

"When are you going to tell him?"

For the first time that evening, the man did not answer at once.

In place of an answer, John came back, three pints managed neatly between his hands.

"What, having fun without me?"

"Talking about dogs."

Murray said it; the man did not deny it. By the fire, the old dog rolled over.

For the hour that followed, Murray drank like a gentleman. A scout's discipline. Engagement was never part of the brief. The ground was already held.

At parting, he raised the bottom of his glass a little.

"You're well looked after, Captain."

"? Well — he does cook now and then."

Faced with that answer, from a man who understood nothing, Murray and the detective sighed — for the first time — at the same moment, the same sigh.

Outside, in the winter night wind, he thought he could still catch the last of that musk.

A block's walk, and it was gone. What had rubbed off on him amounted to that much. But what was on John's neck would still be there tomorrow.

Perhaps till death do them part.

fin.

[inevitably-johnlocked]

hey, I'm looking for a fanfic. it's on ao3, far under 100k but at least 10k I'd say.

basically Sherlock doesn't want John to leave and find someone new and so he makes himself the convenient option.

I'm pretty sure they're on a date in an Indian restaurant at some point there and Sherlock is trying to determine a spice-o-meter for butter Chicken to rank them across london.

basically Sherlock doesn't know how to romance but wants John to be with him a disappointed they slowly slup into thsi synaptic before John confronts him and then they do it properly

Hey Lovely!

Oh gosh I thought I knew this one until you mentioned the butter chicken thing and now I don't know LOL.

AH I want to know though, 'cause I feel like I have read this one before... AHHHH. Anyone able to help us out??