Series Rec: You Can Tell Me Anything

[swissmarg]

Title: You Can Tell Me Anything (Series)
Author: coletta
Pairing: Gen with John & Sherlock
Length: 2,957 + 34,765
Rating: Teen and Mature
Warnings: Suggested character death
Verse: BBC Sherlock
Author's summary:
A Place for Quiet Conversations: With a little encouragement, Sherlock comes out to John. Not slash, Celibate-Gay!Sherlock/Straight!John friendship.
Please Say Something: THE CONCLUSION. After Sherlock comes out, John thinks he's happy for his flat mate until he starts struggling with unexpected feelings of homophobia. Sherlock's trust is shattered when John breaks his promise to accept him unconditionally. CelibateSherlock/StraightJohn.

Reccer's comments: This is much different than my usual recs. It is not happy, and there is no romance. The / in the summary indicates only a friendship, not a romantic relationship. In fact, let's get all the caveats out of the way. I found both Sherlock and John OOC in the second part, and there are moments that border on John-bashing. I still want to rec this.

The main thing that makes me feel this is an important fic to read is the fact of its brutal honesty. What would really have been the repercussions of the way Lestrade led investigations? How would a normal person really have reacted at being treated the way Sherlock treated John (putting him down, ordering him around, being disrespectful of him as a person)? What would John's life really have been like without Sherlock? And Sherlock's without John? What really happens when people make wrong decisions?

Excerpt:

John's anger flared. "I'm not going to let you make this my fault. I had every right to walk away from this relationship. Sherlock was a prat. He was rude to my girlfriend, he tried to sabotage our dates, he was always…"

Without warning, Mycroft turned suddenly and grabbed John by the throat with one hand. He picked John up, squeezing his windpipe shut for a moment and set him down in front of the sink, so that John was nearly nose-to-nose with FAGGOT.

Then Mycroft let go of John without harming him. He gently smoothed his hand down the side of John's neck, over John's shoulder where his jumper had rumpled, almost affectionately. He cleared his throat and smiled, almost as if to say, Oh, was that me just now that nearly broke your neck? Ha-ha, please excuse me.

The story deals extensively with homophobia, from both the points of view of the perpetrator and the victim. There are several very disturbing scenes, including physical violence and suicidal ideation, and I was brought to painful tears more than once. If that sounds too heavy for you, then just read the first part, because alone, it's a beautiful scene. But for a very well-done and in-depth exploration of the underlying issues at work in the dynamic between Sherlock and John, find a safe place, take a leap and try the second part as well.

Comments

[ntjnke.livejournal.com]

This was brilliant. I was hesitant to read because of the warning of OOCness...but I'm so happy I did.

For those wary of reading, just know that the writer doesn't pull any punches when telling a very emotional story. Any variances from canon are well-worth it and it's sure to be a story you'll remember for a long time.

[swissmarg]

Thanks for your added words. I keep thinking about it too. Especially those scenes toward the end, with the lipstick. Gosh, brilliant (in a devastatingly sad way).