Fic Rec: Getting Better

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Title:  Getting Better

Author:  nox_candida
Pairing: Gen
Length: 75,229
Rating:  Teen and up
Verse: Sherlock BBC 

Author's summary: . Tristram Holmes dreads attending his new primary school, fearing he'll be teased and bullied as usual. Only, nothing goes exactly as he thinks it will when he finds himself with a seemingly unlikely friend in Emily Watson.

Reccer's comments:  Kidfic is one of those interesting fic subgenres that readers often love or hate, but even if you tend to avoid it, this story is worth a try.  Unlikely most kidfic stories, where a child is inserted into the canon timeline, this story is AU from the start.   Sherlock and John never met, and both men, under entirely different circumstances, became single fathers.  Getting Better is only peripherally their story; the main focus is on Tristram and his friendship with Emily.  And Tristram is the main reason I enjoy this fic.   Nox_candida has sketched a wonderful portrait of what a normal little boy would be like, if he were raised by Sherlock.  Tristram, although intelligent for his age, is not a mini-Sherlock, but he loves his father and, Sherlock, in his own way, loves him.   Seeing Sherlock through  Tristram’s eyes is a treat, as Tristram tries to find his place in the world.  Emily, who has her father’s courage and bright spirit, is his perfect compliment.  There is also a nicely paced casefic plot, as well as cameos from Uncle Mycroft.  Highly recommended.