Fic Rec: Sonata Form, by CJ_Ludd18

[mariska-lee.livejournal.com]

Title: Sonata Form
Author: cj_ludd18, whose fic can be found at paisley_pie
Pairing: None, other than a brief mention of past Sherlock/OMC.
Length: 7,294 words
Author's summary: Mycroft Holmes has always revolved his life around that of his little brother, whether he wishes to do so or not.

Rating: Teen, maybe an R for things listed in the warnings below.
Warnings: Drug use, brief depiction of drug rehab (withdrawal effects), hint of underage drinking, mention of suicidal thoughts, a few swear words.
Verse: Sherlock BBC

Reccer's comments: I'm having a hard time finding words that will do justice to this fic. There are certain types of hurt that can really only occur between siblings - a dual love/resentment that comes from growing up together knowing one sibling is the favorite, or one is the dependable one, or one can get away with everything that another one can't, yet bonding because you're both there - in that life, in that home - and no one else will ever understand you in quite the same way.

That dynamic plays out in a series of moments in Sonata Form. It's a Mycroft POV, and an evolution of Sherlock from ten-year-old spoiled child through his university years and drugs, and leading up to just shortly before John would enter the picture. It's painful and poignant and lovely.

Sonata Form

fic rec: the dangerous book for boys. by orange_crushed

[falling-voices.livejournal.com]

Title: the dangerous book for boys.
Author: orange_crushed 
Pairing: John/Sherlock
Length: 14,000 words or so
Author's summary: There is already someone sitting at the opposite end of the table, but there are books and petri dishes spread out across the length of it, in all directions. There is an unlaced man's shoe sitting on the edge. There does not appear to be a foot attached to it.
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None.
Verse: BBC 'verse.
Reccer's comments: A highschool!AU that not only manages to be stunningly well-characterized but very well-written — orange_crushed's style is very clean and emotional, with hints at emotions and details just below the surface that really tug at the reader. The friendship between John and Sherlock comes as easily as it does in canon, and the entanglement between their lives as college students and Sherlock's budding criminal investigations (and the way it ties in with the events of TGG) makes for a very realistic, believable, and enjoyable read. (Also featuring Lestrade as the school principal, which is a wonderful little cameo.)

ETA: unovis_lj pointed me in the direction of the sequel, which I've just read and is awesome: Harry Watson Investigates.