Nov 8, 2025
Not me thinking about how this blorbo got to retire and keep bees in a countryside. I’m so normal about it.
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Not me thinking about how this blorbo got to retire and keep bees in a countryside. I’m so normal about it.
Featured Article: Sussex Retirement
Our Featured Article this week is Sussex Retirement!
A popular trope in Sherlock Holmes fandom, Sussex Retirement imagines what happens after the great detective leaves Baker Street behind. Inspired by canon references to Holmes retiring to the Sussex countryside, fans have spent decades reimagining his post-detective life, often with Dr. John Watson by his side. Whether Watson retires with Holmes, joins him later, or reunites with him for one last case, Sussex Retirement stories blend domesticity, nostalgia, romance, and mystery.
The trope appears across countless adaptations, from the original stories to Sherlock Holmes (2009), BBC Sherlock, and more. For many fans, Sussex Retirement represents the ultimate happy ending: a chance for Holmes and Watson to find peace together after years of adventures. The setting has inspired everything from emotional reunions to late-life love stories, making it one of the most enduring concepts in Holmes fandom history.
Want to learn more? Check out its Fanlore page!
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Thread of bee keeping/retirement/cottage Holmes related quotes from cannon:
Holmes quote (said to Watson) From the adventure of the creeping man - acd
From the adventure of the lions mane -acd one of the few stories from Holmes prospective taking place after his “retirement”
Preface to his last bow - acd
From his last bow -acd
Uninvited by EdosianOrchids901
Johnlock Love Letters #2400
ACD Victorianlock. Retirementlock. When Watson shows up at Holmes’ farmhouse in Sussex, he isn’t sure whether his unexpected visit will be welcome. But even though he didn’t initially follow Holmes into retirement, he’s surprised by the response he receives.
Hi hi hi!! Your blog is so cool :D would you mayhaps have some retirement Johnlock fics for me.... Anything where they are old men/retired from cases. Bonus points if Sherlock's a bee keeper 👴🐝
Hi Lovely!!!
Thank you so much for your love of my blog! Thank you so much for this ask because it gave me the opportunity to collect some fics for a new list!! It's been awhile since I've done a retirement list, and since I don't have enough bookmarks for a new list, I've pulled some from my MFL list as well, so I apologize ahead of time if any of them don't follow the proper criteria. I literally just tag searched "retirement" LOL. And there are some with bees here! Hee hee! I hope you enjoy this list, and as always, friends, please suggest your own retirement fics for a third list!
Enjoy!!
RETIREMENT AND OLDER JOHNLOCK Pt. 2
See also: Retirement and Older Johnlock (Jan 2020)
BOOKMARKS
holding steady by darcylindbergh (E, 12,724 w., 4 Ch. || Post S4, Love Confessions, First Kiss, Growing Old, Gone Fishing, Mood without Plot, Soft Sherlock, Caring Sherlock, POV John Third Person, Anxious Sherlock, First Kiss / Time, Touching, Feeling Old, Sherlock Worship, Crying Sherlock, Cuddles, Comforting, Introspection, Retirement, Hand Holding, Forehead Kisses, Caring John, Bed Sharing, Emotional Love Making) – Sitting on a thick wool blanket at the end of a rickety dock side-by-side, legs dangling over the edge, a styrofoam container of wet, dark dirt between them, they’re fishing. John knows what this is about. This is about finally figuring it out.
A Quiet Life by DiscordantWords (M, 25,176 w., 6 Ch. || Post S4, Retirement, POV Sherlock, Awkwardness, Established Relationship, Family Dynamics, Minor Character Death, Questionable Parenting Choices, Non-Linear Narrative, 20 Year Old Rosie, Meddling Mycroft, Pining Sherlock, First Kiss, Love Confessions, Angst, Sherlock Whump) – There had been three days of silence and a funeral. Sherlock had the terrible feeling that whatever happened next would depend, entirely, on him.
MARKED FOR LATER
The Case of the Nearsighted Detective by standbygo (T, 221 w., 1 Ch. || 221B Ficlet, Retirement, Fluff and Crack, Texting) – A series of text messages between Sherlock and John. Sherlock accuses, John is amused.
From Sherlock by JustHereForLaughs (G, 322 w., 1 Ch. || ACD Holmes || Love Letters, Retirement, Love Confessions, Historical) – This is a letter Sherlock writes to John after the decriminalization of homosexuality in England.
The Last of the Honey Bees by what_alchemy (T, 2,000 w., 1 Ch. || Apocalypse, Retirement) – “When we’re all space dust… when all of this is gone? My molecules will find yours.”
The Walking Man by suitesamba (T, 2,200 w., 1 Ch. || Post S4, Retirement, Fluff and Angst, Sussex) – When it was all over, when the east wind had blown through and they picked themselves off the pavement, Sherlock said enough. Eighteen years later, the real journey begins.
Grow Old Along With Me by mslilylashes (NR, 2,822 w., 1 Ch. || Major Character Death, Sherlock’s Retirement, Outsider POV) – A series of snapshots of Sherlock and John’s life together, as seen by an unlikely outside source.Please heed the warnings for major character death.
The Last Summer by CumberCurlyGirl (T, 3,301 w., 1 Ch. || Retirement, Devotion, Established Relationship, Bathing/Washing, Facial Shaving, Sussex Cottage, Beard, Caretaking) – Sherlock lovingly cares for a bedridden John in their Sussex cottage. John reveals that he's always wanted to grow a beard.
Blame it on My Youth by standbygo (M, 4,151 w., 1 Ch. || Retirement, First Kiss, Declarations of Love, Song Fic) – “Courage doesn’t mean you’re not afraid. It’s knowing that you’re afraid, and doing what you need to do anyway.” Sherlock and John are retired, but receive an unexpected client. Part 10 of the November 2014 Song Challenge series
The Final Proof by SilentAuror (T, 4,469 w., 1 Ch. || Retirement, POV John, Character Death, Sussex) – Sequel to At the Heart of it All, set late into their retirement. This time it’s easier for John, though it’s never easy. Part 2 of the The Heart Experiment series
Unsettled by suitesamba (M, 7,879 w., 3 Ch. || Pining, Angst, Jealousy, Retirement) – Recently-widowed John takes a look at his life and finds it lacking. It's been twenty years since Sherlock returned from the dead, but he's never stopped thinking things should have turned out very differently. Sherlock has been living in Sussex for five years now, but it takes the news that he has a new partner in crime to get John out of London. A tale of pining, and jealousy, jumping to the wrong conclusion, and old men in love.
bread and honey by weneedtotalkaboutsherlock (M, 8,814 w., 8 Ch. || Farming AU || Second Person POV Sherlock, Angst, Suicidal Thoughts, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Healing, Therapy, Alcohol Abuse, Implied/Referenced Drug Abuse, Early Retirement, Seizures, Service Dogs, First Kiss/Time, Happy Ending) – The next thing you are sure and aware of is the mix of mud and water seeping through your shoes as the cabbie drops you in front of the old farmhouse. You do not know this, but today marks the first day of spring.
A Beginner's Guide to Apiology. by VictoryCandescence (M, 10,952 w., 1 Ch. || Retirement AU || Friendship, Love, Bees & Beekeeping, Old Age, Dreamy Sexytimes, Angst, Soulmates, Grumpy Sherlock, Magical Realism) – John and Sherlock meet for the first time as old men in Sussex.
Stamford Series by flawedamythyst (G, 12,407 w. across 2 works || Pets, Retirement) – Who would have guessed that John would be the one who struggled with retirement?
2 Down, 5 Across by disfictional (E, 12,702 w., 1 Ch. || COMPANION PUZZLE || Post S4, No Rosie, Love Confessions, Blow Job, Growing Old Together / Retirement, Happy Ending) – It's been five years since everything, and John and Sherlock are estranged. John, lonely, takes an interest in crossword puzzles. He starts noticing that the clues have a very particular theme and style, one that reminds him of years ago. Part 1 of the 2 Down, 5 Across series
The Death and Resurrection of a Beekeeper by shiplocks_of_love (M, 12,922 w., 1 Ch. || PODFIC AVAILABLE || TLD / S4 Fix-It Fic, Sherlock’s Retirement, Sussex / Seaside, Brief Mentions of Suicidal Thoughts, Emotional Trauma, Angst with Hopeful Ending, Estranged Friends to Lovers, Partial Epistolary, No Eurus) – Sherlock escapes London for a quiet, solitary life in Sussex, exhausted after the whirlwind of drama following Mary’s death. One day, a letter arrives.
Patterns of Return by wordsandpics (G, 13,058 w., 57 Ch. || Post Canon, Epistolary, Email Format, POV Sherlock, Retirement, Complicated Relationships, Slice of Life, Slow Build, Sussex, Beekeeping, Ambiguous Relationships, Minor Character Death) – Told entirely through Sherlock Holmes’ one-sided emails over four years, this is a story of beekeeping, forensic decay, questionable jam, and emotional migration — of two men making their way back to one another, one season at a time.
The Adventure of Downton Abbey by PlaidAdder (T, 13,427 w., 1 Ch. || ACD Canon / Downton Abby Crossover || Undercover for a Case, Case Fic) – Desperate to free her husband from prison, Anna Smith Bates tracks down Holmes in the country retreat he shares with Dr. Watson and persuades him to come out of retirement and investigate the death of Vera Bates. Holmes visits Downton Abbey under an assumed identity, with Watson in disguise as his valet. Working together again helps them cope with a recent trauma that severely tested their longstanding relationship--and also allows them to uncover a solution consistent with and yet so much more satisfying than the one used on the actual show.
John Comes to Sussex by iriswallpaper (T, 13,468 w., 9 Ch. || Post S3, Victor/Sherlock, Mutual Pining, UST/URT, Sherlock-Centric, Love Declarations, Implied/Referenced Drug Use, Grief/Mourning, Eventual Johnlock, Terminal Illness, Domestics, Retirement) – Sherlock and John both had two great loves of their lives. They had waited more than half their lifetime for each other. They’d both married and had good lives and now as widowers the time for their relationship had finally come. A story of happiness, loss, rediscovered love, contentment, retirement together, family, friendship and late-life love. Un-betaed. I know there are verb tense irregularities but the Internet said that's OK for flashback scenes. All errors are mine and mine alone. It made me ridiculously happy to write this fic. I hope it makes you happy to read it - if it does, please leave a comment. Comments make me ridiculously happy, too. Part 1 of Retirement in Sussex
A One-Track Life by JennLynn77 (E, 13,526 w., 7 Ch. || Post S4/TFP, Parentlock, Est. Rel., Medical Procedures, Anal, Cuddling/Snuggling, Bed Sharing, Surgery, Physical Therapy, Retirement, Sherlock Whump, Caring John, Bottomlock, Endearments, Drug Addiction, Triggers) – A medical situation threatens to derail the plans Sherlock had for his life with John and Rosie.
The Intricate Dance of the Butterfly Observed Over Time by mydogwatson (NR, 14,671 w., 1 Ch. || Friendship, Marriage, London, Sussex, Illness, Retirement) – The story of Sherlock and John. Fragments of a life. From the start, but not quite all the way to the end.
The Bee Charmer by GubraithianFire (T, 17,918 w., 1 Ch. || Fried Green Tomatoes Adaptation / 1920s Sapphic Femlock || First Kiss, First Love, Fluff, Angst, Bees, Lose Love, Jazz, Period-Typical Racism, Implied/Referenced Domestic Violence, Retirement, Teenagers, Falling in Love, Implied/Referenced Death) – "Joan smiled at her, feeling her heart burst with fondness. She lowered her head, whispering in Sherlock’s ear, “You’re a bee charmer, my dear Sherlock Holmes, an adorable bee charmer...” Sherlock smiled at nothing, keeping her eyes closed and gripping a bit more tightly onto Joan’s hand. Joan sighed with happiness, resting her head against the trunk behind her. She felt happy like one can only feel when falling in love on a summer’s day.”
Welcome Christmas by MissDavis (T, 18,774 w., 24 Ch || Post S4, Christmas, Winter, Parenthood, Canon Compliant, Hurt/Comfort, Mutual Pining, Bed Sharing, First Kiss) – Join John and Sherlock at Baker Street as they celebrate Rosie's first Christmas and beyond. From Rosie crawling around the flat as they tiptoe around each other en route to their first kiss, to a happy retirement with a young grandson who wants to be just like Grandad and Papa, this fic shows how Sherlock and John celebrate Christmas together through the years.
Wooing Sherlock Holmes by Calais_Reno (T, 22,091 w., 6 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting || First Person POV Sherlock, Rosie, Old Age, Sussex, Falling in Love, Sherlock in Love, Oblivious Sherlock, Sweet, Light Angst, Bees, Growing Old Together, Awkward Flirting, Happy Ending) – Being retired will probably be boring, but Sherlock will give it a try. OR: Sherlock meets John Watson, the handsome doctor who lives down the road, and retirement is suddenly less boring. Cute old men in love.
A Strangely Likeable Woman by Gregorovitch (E, 25,998 w., 5 Ch. || Genderbent AU || Alternate First Meeting, Female John, Case Fic, Misogyny, Internal Conflict, Self Confidence Issues, Smoking, Oral Sex, Face Sitting, POV Joan, Patriotism, Happy Ending) – After having some differences with her commanding officer, Joan was forced to take a premature retirement. She was back in a town near London, with a temporary place to stay and no job. Was premature retirement really worth it? Was it a betrayal to just abandon her duties like that? She had no idea. But she was glad to meet a strangely likeable woman later on.
The Luckiest Girl in the World by Lock_John_Silver (T, 24,009 w., 31 Ch. || Post-S4, Older Rosie, Childhood Memories, POV Rosie, Developing Johnlock, Humour, Tutoring, Martial Arts, Love Confessions, Excursions, Pet Names, BAMF Rosie, Halloween, BAMF John, Protective Sherlock, Summer Vacation, Weddings, Sherlock and Bees, Protective Mycroft, Meeting the Family, Young Love, Pride Parades, Speeches, Pregnancy, Retirement/Sussex, Family Dynamics) – Rosie thinks back to the day her and John's life changed because of Sherlock Holmes.
A Quiet Life by DiscordantWords (M, 25,176 w., 6 Ch. || Retirement, Family Dynamics, Established Relationship, Minor Character Death, Questionable Parenting Choices, Non-Linear Narrative) – There had been three days of silence and a funeral. Sherlock had the terrible feeling that whatever happened next would depend, entirely, on him.
Convalescence by AlJeDd (E, 28,628 w., 5 Ch. || Physical Disability, Amputation, Wheelchairs, Physical Therapy, Mind Control Aftermath & Recovery, Permanent Injury, Brain Damage, Speech Disorders, Sign Language, Hurt/Comfort, Friendship/Love, Age Regression/De-Aging, Seizures, Implied/Referenced Rape/Non-Con, Rape Recovery, Retirement, Sequel, Moving On, Implied/Referenced Character Death, Angst with Happy Ending, Domestic Bliss, Service Dogs, Bees) – Following John’s rescue, he’s given a dire prognosis. Disabled and afraid, John will endure a gruelling recovery process. With the helps of his friends, he will conquer. If only he’d let Sherlock near. A sequel to ‘Daddy’s Had Enough Now’. Part 2 of Reclaimed
If Equal Affection Cannot Be by blueink3 (E, 31,156 w., 3 Ch. || Post S4, Family, Retirement, Grown Up Rosie, Angst, Reunion, Loneliness, Sussex, Fluff, Sexy Times, Happy Ending) – Sherlock fled London a couple of years after John left him in hospital with nothing but an old walking stick and a half-hearted goodbye. Rosie grew up thinking that Sherlock died when he committed suicide in front of her father by jumping from Barts' roof. So it's somewhat awkward when they run into each other in a Sussex general store between the loaves of bread and the Mars bars...
The Unsinkable Ship by drjohnhwatson( NR, 36,758 w., 5 Ch. || ACD Canon Holmes Titanic Fusion || Retirement, Established Relationship, Historical References) – Holmes and Watson board Titanic for her maiden voyage.
Here We Go Again by disfictional (E, 46,687 w., 10 Ch. || Mama Mia-Inspired Fusion || Post-S4, Older Rosie, Alternating POV, Reunion, Retirement, Case Fic, Mutual Pining, Coming Out, Parentlock, Weddings, Fluff and Angst) – Ransacking some old trunks, Rosie Watson finds her father's old journal filled with remnants of a blog he used to keep about his association with Sherlock Holmes. In an attempt to meet the man who had a profound impact on her early years, Rosie invites the long-estranged detective to her wedding under false pretenses.
The Man No One Liked Universe Series by shouldbeover (E, 86,207+ w. across 7 works || Series WiP || Historical AU || Drugs, Adultery, Mystery, Grief, Tuberculosis, Retirement, Bee Keeping) – In November of 1913, Doctor John Watson is invited to the country house of his distant relation, Lord Lestrade. He and the footman, Holmes, who has been assigned as his valet for the weekend, are instantly attracted to one another. But before the weekend is out, someone will be murdered, and Sherlock and John will have to race to sort through family secrets to find the killer.
The Boys in Sussex Series by notjustmom (E, 200,577 w. across 37 works || Post-TRF, Garridebs/John Whump, Retirement, Sussex, Established Relationship, Angst, Fluff, First Kiss/Time) – Post-Reichenbach, Post Return, Post Mary and non-baby, the boys retire to Sussex after the Garridebs case.
Sketchy Series by serpentynka (E, 696,806 w. across 5 works || Post TRF Canon Divergence, Career Change, Love Story/Romance, Slow Burn, Art, Illness / Heath Issues, Coming of Age, Established Relationship, Porn With Feelings, Philosophy, Portraiture, John Whump, Switching, First Time, Retirement, Travel, Possessive John, Jealous Sherlock, Marriage, Cases) – What (and who) will be left when nobody cares about your Work? A slow-burn fic with cases, places, mistaken identities, unfair choices, essential changes, violent feels, blatant lies, fearless portraiture, family secrets, high-risk bespoke gifts, durable friendships, bedtime stories, foreign travel and tongues, sickness (and health), and the significance of things which are slow to unfurl -- but cannot be ignored. Oh, and...porn.
SINGLE FIC WIPs
The Clever Hopes Expire by blueink3 (M, 39,465+ w., 11/17 Ch. || WiP || Post-HLV, Reunions, Family, Angst, Retirement, Parentlock, Kidnapping, Misunderstandings, Protective Mycroft, BAMF John, Vulnerable Sherlock, Big Brother Mycroft) – What if, after Sherlock took off in the plane, a broadcast of Jim Moriarty's face was never played and the plane never turned around? What if Sherlock survived, but retired from the world upon his return? What if John Watson never knew, but needed him again anyway? What if?
Redraw of one of my first works here - retirement guys my beloved
There are few things as satisfying to me as a classic “happily ever after.” i don’t care how cliche it is. Ever. Seeing characters I’ve grown attached to grow old and live their life in a home they love with a family they grew and being told “after everything that happened to them, they can rest. they’re happy” will get me every single time
Time to retire to Sussex…🐝🐝🐝