Fic Rec: Synthetic

[brighteyed-jill.livejournal.com]

Title: Synthetic
Author: aslipperysloth
Pairing: Sherlock/John
Length: ~2000
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: kind of character death
Verse: Sherlock BBC, fusion with Blade Runner
Author's summary: Written for the prompt on the Sherlock kink meme here: John is the best blade runner ever to have worked for the London police. Mycroft calls him out of seclusion to track down and retire one especially slippery replicant that used to be an invaluable asset to them in solving crimes, but over time began to believe that it was human. This replicant’s mind has deteriorated to the point where it now believes that Mycroft is its brother, and that it is a consulting detective.
Reccer's comments: Even if you know nothing about Blade Runner, this tantalizing window into an AU may very well have you reaching for the tissues. During my first read, I thought John came across as a little cold, but as more of the plot was revealed, I came to appreciate the way John’s had to make himself more of a soldier in this world, after what he’s been through. Sherlock is appropriately brilliant and painfully insightful. This story does what all great AUs can do: illuminate something new about the characters by putting them in this setting, and also reveal something novel about the setting by the characters’ presence.


“I played the violin for you earlier. Do you remember the piece?” it asks.

“I don’t much care for the violin,” John states, matter-of-fact.