Fic Rec: A Substitute for a Hatstand

[swissmarg]

Title: A Substitute for a Hatstand
Author: TheRimmerConnection
Pairing: Watson/OFC, Holmes/Watson
Length: 23,829 words
Rating: Mature
Warnings: Character death (but not H or W)
Verse: Granada
Author's summary: Sequel to 'An Improvement on a Hatstand'. Watson and Holmes seem to have settled down into a managable relationship, albeit one that is not always satisfactory from Watson's point of view. However, Sherlock is rumbling on about things that cannot be true, and Watson has never been able to resist Holmes, even when he knows full well that he's being deliberately aggravating.

Reccer's comments: This is the second in a three-part trilogy, but you don't absolutely need to read the first part to understand what's going on. There are a few references to things, but the main plot of this part is self-contained, which also means there is no need to be anxious about waiting for the third part to be completed (it is a WIP as of this posting).

The thing that made this fic stand out to me is the fact that Watson gets married … to his second wife, who is not Mary. There's some debate amongst scholars of the ACD stories as to how many wives Watson actually had, with suggestions ranging from one to six. Interestingly, this is rarely treated in fan fiction except perhaps in passing. And when one of Watson's wives is given a larger role, it is nearly always Mary. This is the fic that breaks that pattern, fleshing out Watson's proposed second wife, a widow named Caroline Deynforth.

One of the things that I love about the dynamic between the main characters is the level of sheer pigheadedness of both Holmes and Watson. They are both so messed up and do their worst to each other when they are trying to do their best. Holmes and Watson have been involved in a romantic relationship with each other since Mary's death at some point before this story begins. However, Holmes - believing he is acting for Watson's own good - all but bullies him into re-marrying.

'You are still happy to be my best man, tomorrow?' I asked.

'Of course, but that's not it.' He leaned closer, to look more intensely, and I felt his breath gusting across my lips. My eyes began to close of their own accord, and I pulled away. I stepped back, horrified at myself. I had thought his dismissal of me had killed my desire for him, but that was folly. Of course it had not. I had simply covered love with anger and pretended that was all. But I had a duty to perform. I would marry this woman because it was what I had promised. It was what I wanted, I was certain... almost certain, and it was what Holmes had told me to do. He had asked me to do it. He did not want me any more... no. I knew that was a lie. I had seen the lie in his eyes, but I would never drag the admission of it out of him.

That evening I dined with him and we sat in the theatre side by side, but I did not allow myself a moment's relaxation. I was too afraid of what a second's lapse of concentration might reveal at this late hour.

The next morning, I married Caroline.

And that is where the fun really begins. Well, I say fun...

The story is heart-wrenching as everyone tries their very best to play their part and do what is right, but every move is burdened by the choices that led them to that point. Greatness of heart is displayed by all, but it doesn't seem possible to resolve in a way that will leave everyone happy. Perhaps it is even impossible to resolve in a way that will leave anyone at all happy.

Comments

[tripleransom.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes, this is a wonderful fic. True, you don't need to read the first part, but go back and do it, you will enjoy it.

This one definitely doesn't end happily, but the author has a third part...still a WIP as Swissmarg says, but if angst puts you off, it does look like things will eventually get resolved.