This is the End, my Friend! Coming in at only one day late, here are the last three limericks and ficlets for Rickmas.
Chapter 12: Mistletoe, Presents, Gratitude
Here's your one example!
They All Say "Finally!"
So now Sherlock and John are a pair.
They were fools not to see what was there!
They know to give thanks
For the help from the ranks
Of their friends. Now they're well beyond "stare."
Let me know if you want on or off the list! @helloliriels @friday411 @meetinginsamarra @peanitbear @naefelldaurk @totallysilvergirl @fruitviking @basketcasebetty @copperplatebeech @chriscalledmesweetie @cumbercurlygirl
“Our hearts are full of gratitude for you all.”
Said John standing next to his husband so tall
“A joyous new year,
To those we hold dear.”
*Virtual hug* I send their sentiment to you all!
Snowman - Kennedy + Jay (Colonel Brandon x Eliza Brandon)
Day 17 of Rickmas2025
Fic Summary: A time for Colonel Brandon to mourn and regret.
Parings: Colonel Brandon x Eliza Brandon
Content Warnings: Grief, Death
Notes:
Making this one very short only because I've only seen the movie once and have not read the book, only having refreshers from like online tidbits. But I still wanted to write something sad and short lol. So I'm hoping I got the characterization right. If not it is what it is.
Read on Ao3 or below the cut:
Colonel Brandon knew it wasn’t wise to be near someone who was dying of consumption. It was important to keep your distance so that the infected person did not spread what they had. Especially in his position, where he was valued by others, he could not, and should not risk getting sick.
That didn’t matter to him as he continued to stroke the hair of his withering Eliza, her eyes closed as she leaned into his touch.
He would give her the comfort that she needed in her last moments, however long they were.
It was likely to not be much longer before she passed.
If the rain had been seen as a cruel force of nature, the winter storms were even worse. What would be a time for small children to play in the snow, for him, it was a time to make sure the people he held close to him were kept warm. This was not the ideal weather conditions for someone like Eliza, nor for her daughter.
He looked out to the door to listen if the young girl was crying. He wanted to bring her inside the room to make sure he could keep a proper eye on her. But Eliza had begged him, not wanting her to get sick. She even begged him to attend to the little girl so he wouldn’t get sick either.
He couldn’t bring himself to do that. He needed more time with her.
He had missed her so much, everyday since he was sent away to his relatives and then sent off into the army. He wanted nothing more than to be by her side, as they had planned. But fate had other plans. Now he was left to pick up the pieces.
He let out a broken sigh. This caused Eliza to open her eyes. She smiled sadly, seeing that Brandon was starting to get teary eyed as he was already starting the process of mourning her. She reached up to his hand, and placed it on her cheek.
“Don’t cry.” She softly spoke, not wanting to get into a coughing fit right when his face was close by.
Brandon moved her hand to his lips and gently kissed her knuckles.
There was so much he wanted to say, to tell her. To express the regret he had, the shame he felt for himself. To reassure her that he would be by her side so long as she would have him be. To tell her that it will be okay. To do anything other than sit beside the bed as he looked on at her.
He couldn’t.
But it was not like he needed to.
Brandon’s soft eyes had conveyed so much ever since Eliza was reunited with him. His very presence gave her comfort that she never had within her legitimate marriage. The time she would have left, even if it was short, it would be the best gift she would have ever gotten. She was finally able to be open, and honest with her heart.
“I’ll love you forever.”
She told him this constantly, ever since she stayed with him. And he wanted to say it back.
But he couldn’t.
The years he spent in the army, all of that talk of courage that is supposed to be built within men, was wasting away with every second he stayed quiet.
He didn’t need to.
Being by her side, taking her and her daughter both in when he very well could have disregarded them both. Seeing him show more love and care for her in a gentle way, allowing himself to cry in front of her, was a more courageous act that she had ever seen any man commit.
She held onto his face, wiping away the tears that could help but let themselves out.
This routine of Brandon watching over Eliza happened with each passing night, followed with him checking on the daughter as she requested. He would not break from this routine.
John wanted to surprise Sherlock but how to do so?
All presents deduced. The man was, after all, a pro.
Hide it in plain site
Till the time was right
Five golden rings, now four. Guess the song will survive though.
Mrs. Hudson had had enough from those two
The pining duo needed a push she knew
Mistletoe was hung
Her trap to be sprung
With that kiss, they would finally have a clue
John wasn’t going to be home for hours yet
A more perfect time he and Rosie wouldn’t get
He wiggled her toe
And the words to flow
The story of piggies and her tears did abet
Unknown to Sherlock, John was home early that day
Watching Sherlock and Rosie giggle, he said “hey”
In alarm Sherlock turned
With a blush, his cheeks burned
Caught playing the game he’d said he would never play
Sherlock wanted angst this time. What is the deal with these two?
Sherlock’s relationship with food is complicated
When he was a young child, it had been created
Some textures were off
Made him tear and cough
His family didn’t understand, he was frustrated
He found foods he could tolerate as he grew
Compared to others, it was still very few
When to the flat John came
He expected the same
But John saw Sherlock, he understood, he knew
