Fic rec: One of Maple, One of Palm

[keerawa.livejournal.com]

Title: One of Maple, One of Palm
Author: currently anonymous
Pairing: Sherlock/John
Length: 7,500 words
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None
Verse: Sherlock BBC
Author's summary: Over the course of twenty years, Sherlock attempts to solve the greatest puzzle of them all.
Reccer's comments: A number of stories feature Mummy and her relationship with the Holmes brothers, but this is the first I've seen that delves into Sherlock's relationship with his father, Siger Holmes.

'One of Maple, One of Palm' is evocative and gently emotional, giving us glimpses of Sherlock through-out his life as he struggles to open the elaborate and beautiful puzzle-box his father built for him when he was thirteen. The author does an excellent job of helping the reader comprehend and feel each reveal as Sherlock does.

Read ( One of Maple, One of Palm ) .

Fic Rec: Mummy, No Thank You

[misplaced-exile.livejournal.com]

Title: Mummy, No Thank You
Author: unloyal_olio
Pairing: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson, Mycroft Holmes/Greg Lestrade (mentioned), Mycroft Holmes/"Anthea"
Length: 19 918 words
Rating: M
Warnings: Omega-verse and all that entails (see author's warnings)
Verse: Sherlock BBC, AU (omega-verse)
Author's summary: Mummy Holmes arranges a marriage for Sherlock. Since Sherlock refuses to meet anyone properly, she must go to one of the breeding camps where older omegas are kept. She finds John Watson. Sherlock and John get along fine, but Sherlock refuses to marry and breed. Mummy decides that John should marry and breed with Mycroft if Sherlock doesn't want to. Sherlock is not happy at all. Thus, a p0rny, case-ficky, dark comedy.

Reccer's comments: Omega-verse is a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine, but I initially found it difficult to get into this kink due the fact that many fics I had read were just gratuitous PWPs. Luckily for everyone this fic is not that at all. Don't get me wrong, this fic has some pretty explicit sex scenes, but it also has a great plot, a case, an arranged marriage, action, adventure, bonding, a creeptastic Lady Holmes, a BAMF!Anthea, fantastic John-Harry sibling love, hilarious!Mrs. Hudson, evil villans and more. The writing is great, everyone is well characterized, the pacing brisk and the dialogue snappy (and supremely humourous). Even if you don't think this is your thing, I urge you to give it a try, as in the words of one commenter, it "captures the fun potential of this 'verse perfectly".

Excerpt: The woman standing in front of him isn't really a woman.

Or at least John has a hard enough time thinking of her as one. Her smell gives it all away. The honey and hunter smell that they all have. She's an alpha, and when she smiles, it's with too many teeth; her canines look too sharp.

"Open your mouth," she commands.

"Rather not." John is in a bad mood. It would just figure that an alpha female would seize upon him. He'd always hoped for a male—young ideally. Not some old, stinky bitch. John pouts the most insolent moue he can muster.