Fic Rec: Read Our Futures in the Rising Steam

[persiflager.livejournal.com]

Title: Read Our Futures in the Rising Steam
Author: xzombiexkittenx
Pairing: Sherlock/John
Length: 21,902
Rating: Explicit
Warnings: None
Verse: Sherlock BBC

Author's summary: An unknown killer begins kidnapping and vivisecting men who bear a strong resemblance to one John Watson. Lestrade wants both John and a newly-resurrected Sherlock as far away from the case as possible- and not just because Sherlock is the Met's prime suspect. But this is a case that Sherlock, still feeling out the limits of John's grief and his own guilt, can't just ignore.

Author has warned for drug use, rape/non-con references and implied torture.

Reccer's comments: Oh, this is a good fic.

It's told from Sherlock's point of view and he manages to be brilliant, idiotic, funny and sympathetic all at once. Both the case and his developing relationship with John are satisfyingly complex and nicely paced. Best of all, everyone gets a chance to shine - John in particular with a spectacular display of BAMF-ness, and Sally (written as a competent, intelligent professional) with an intuitive leap of her own.

Special mention goes to Mycroft, who's nicely human and witty here, and the understated way Sherlock's relationship with him is handled.

Sherlock has been collecting vital details about John: DNA, x-rays, dental records, and such. He never wants to stand in a morgue wondering. And if it’s John, if it’s ever John lying on Molly’s table, he’s not confidant in his ability to be unemotional about it. He’s as certain as it is possible to be that he’ll prove to be spectacularly ridiculous in his reactions. Sherlock has the nagging sensation he’s already being a little ridiculous and John hasn’t even been inconvenienced, never mind actually harmed, at this point.

Sherlock's relationship with sex is complicated in this fic - if I had to pick a label, I'd describe him as minimally sexual. The sex is consensual and enjoyed but if descriptions of asexual characters having sex make you feel uncomfortable then you might want to skip to the end or give this fic a miss.

Comments

[swissmarg]

Ooh yes, good one, and this is often requested in fic searches so it's great to see it put up here.

[persiflager.livejournal.com]

Ta! I think that it might have suffered from having a not particularly memorable title - I always have to go back to my bookmarks to remember what it's called.

[margi-lynn.livejournal.com]

Oh, this is great! I would have never have read this without this rec; thanks for the point!

[persiflager.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[chapbook.livejournal.com]

On the ever-growing pile of fics to read. OK, more a chain of mountains than a pile now. :)

Hmm, perhaps this Sherlock is demisexual or on the asexual spectrum. Demisexuals usually need to form deep emotional attachments before forming a sexual attraction, whereas asexuals tend to not be sexually attracted to anyone. And like anyone else asexuals and demisexuals may be pan/bi/homo/hetero/romantic or aromantic. If you think either label fits the bill, you could add the appropriate content tag. I know people who are trying to find more demisexual! and asexual!Sherlocks, so if this is an example of either, it would help them find it...

[persiflager.livejournal.com]

I did think about it but this Sherlock doesn't identify as either and the author (in the comments) explicitly rules out him being asexual, so I'd hesitate to label this with what is only my interpretation.

[chapbook.livejournal.com]

I think you struck the right balance. Now I'm even more curious to read it.

[persiflager.livejournal.com]

Brilliant, thanks! I hope you enjoy it!