Fic Rec: Restless Things

[swissmarg]

Title: Restless Things
Author: redhandsredribbons
Pairing: John/Sherlock, Jim/Molly
Length: 35,879 words
Rating: Explicit
Warnings: Extreme violence, non-canon character death, dub-con
Verse: BBC Sherlock
Author's summary: John Watson and Molly Hooper are each paid a visit after Sherlock's fall. John, a visit from a very alive Sherlock, who's investigating the bizarre murder that's drawn him back to London. Molly, a visit from a very alive Moriarty, who only plans on a quick little interrogation—until he wonders if Molly's not quite as boring as she seems. (Johnlock first time fic/case fic.)

Reccer's comments: I almost didn't read it because of the Jim/Molly pairing, but I can't turn down anything with Johnlock in it, so I gave it a try, and I am so glad I did. This has something for just about everyone. You want Johnlock feels? This has Johnlock feels. You also like het? This has het. Do you want casefic with your smut? This has case. And smut. Can you not get enough creepy!unbalanced!Jim? This has creepy!unbalanced!Jim. Are you a fan of Molly? This not only has Molly, but BAMF!Molly, which. Obviously. There is even oblique Mycroft/Lestrade, although I don't want to get your hopes up on that count because it's really just a brief mention. Still.

Right, let's back up. First, a brief synopsis. As the summary says, both Sherlock and Jim survived the Fall, and both have come back to pick up their sidekicks to continue their 'game'. In Sherlock's case, it's not surprising that he's come for John, but no one was expecting Jim to choose Molly. Not even Jim. But things – and people – are not always as they seem...

“Kittens don't talk, Molly,” Jim says, fiddling with his phone with thumbs. Sherlock always made her feel like a mouse, small, squeaky, meaningless. At least she's moved up in the world now.

“Jim—”

“Meow meow.”

“Jim, please, I'm seri—”

“YOU WANT ME TO STAB THE SHOWER ROD THROUGH YOUR EYE?” he shouts, still facing away from her.

Molly takes a deep breath. “Where are you staying?”

I loved Jim in this. Well, not that I was rooting for him or anything. He is completely bonkers. And creepy and evil and utterly manipulative and I gobbled up every scene with him.

The John/Sherlock part was a slow build-up to an eminently satisfying resolution. I appreciated that John was just as much of a dick as Sherlock, and not just the wrongfully slighted, long-suffering, secretly pansexual, all-round do-gooder. The banter between the two of them was the perfect blend of aggression and affection. And the pillow talk at the end, OMG! I was giggling so hard.

If you read this at the AO3 link, there are several wonderful illustrations embedded (this was written for the 2012 johnlockbigbang). However, they are spoilerish, so you may want to refrain from scrolling through the entire work before you read. Also, while we're on warnings, see how I put 'extreme violence' up there under the official warnings for this rec? Yeah, there's a reason for that. There was one scene that I couldn't even read all the way through. I got about halfway and said, 'Okay, I get it, the guy's toast,' and skipped to the next page. There's also torture (less graphic, but still present) and gore and basically a huge list of trigger warnings at the top of the fic, so just be aware.

The ending was another one of those stroke-of-genius things, both the main climax and then the little extra epilogue-type scene tacked on at the very end, where I just sat there for several minutes afterwards nodding and going, 'Yeah. Yeah. I can totally see that. Sequel please?'

Comments

[mijeli.livejournal.com]

Ooohh I LOVE you for rec'ing this just now! :D Only yesterday I begged my friendslist to rec me some batshit crazy Moriarty, and there you go and post this. I'm so in the mood for something like it, violence and all, and who doesn't need more BAMF!Molly and Johnlock feels in their life along with it? Of all the things you listed, "creepy" is what entices me the most. And maybe I'm weird for sticking this on my eReader and taking it out in the sunshine, but there you have it ;) Thanks for the rec!

[swissmarg]

You must have sent me a telepathic message, haha! I hope you enjoy this as much as I did. And yes, going out in the sun with my eReader as well for more ficcy goodness. :D

[mijeli.livejournal.com]

*has finished the fic and is mind-blown* Whoah, what an amazing and unforgettable ride. Thanks again for rec'ing it! Hope you had a fine day in the sun :)

[swissmarg]

Oh yay! Unhappily, the fic I picked was not as good. Not terrible, just not rec-worthy. But the poolside was pleasant anyway. :)

[woldy]

Um, I would suggest that the excerpt you've included is triggery enough that it should be behind a cut with its own warning.

[swissmarg]

Okay, but... he's just spouting off, he doesn't do it.

[woldy]

For many people (myself included) threats of violence are plenty triggery. Thank you for the cut.

[bk7brokemybrain.livejournal.com]

I haven't read this fic yet, but I will. I just had to say how much I adore your recs. You imbue them with so much energy that you make me want to read All Teh Fic, lol. I trust your judgement. And I love your hubba-hubba!Molly icon. It suits you, somehow. ;)

[swissmarg]

Wow, thanks. All I can say is, the authors in this fandom are amazing and we are all very lucky to be profiting from their talents.