Johnlock Fanfic Recommendations
These are all my favorites!
The First and Last Trilogy - In part one, John and Sherlock have a drinking contest. In part two, they catch fevers from being out in the rain at a case, and in part three, they go on vacation. All of this fic is great, but I especially love the middle part because I am a sucker for sicfics and it’s a good one! E at times, pre-relationship to relationship.
A Very Cold Case - This is one of my very favorites. The story revolves around a gripping puzzle delivered to 221B Baker St. by a mysterious client that sends John and Sherlock to Russia where they uncover clues and dabble in history. PG, eventual relationship.
The Thermodynamics Series - A snowstorm knocks out the heating in 221B, and John and Sherlock sleep in the same bed to remain warm enough. After the heat is fixed, they are both reluctant to return to separate beds. A fantastic mucking about in confused feelings that ends quite happily. PG13 to E, pre-relationship to relationship.
To Light Another’s Path - Sherlock falls ill and John cares for him. When they are better, exciting case adventures ensue. This by my most favorite Johnlock author. Her work is just the definition of gorgeous in-character writing, and if you fail to read it you are really missing out! E occasionally, pre-relationship to relationship.
Electric Pink Hand Grenade - Sherlock gets a brutal migraine with unusual symptoms, and John cares for him with the help of Mycroft. By the same author who wrote TLAP and it is just as amazing and brilliant. She captures John and Sherlock like none other, and writes amazing H/C fics. PG13, pre-relationship to relationship.
Chameleon - AU: Sentinel crossover. Sherlock is a Sentinel with heightened senses, strength and endurance. John is a Guide, which are normally hunted down and paired with Sentinels as soon as they come into their powers. John, however, has an impressive ability to remain “ordinary.” This fic is awesome - don’t let its incomplete status deter you! R, pre-relationship to relationship.
Fever of the Bone - There are 206 bones in the body. Sherlock is particularly interested in John’s. I like the style of this fic; it’s a bunch of little scenes with an informational but sweet tone that seems very indicative of what Sherlock’s thoughts might be like. PG13, pre-relationship to relationship.
Bring Me a Dream - AU: Magical Realism. After the fall, Sherlock becomes a sandman and is determined to find a way back home. I generally avoid post-Reichenbach fics like the plague, but this one was really unique, creative and sweet. PG13, relationship.
I Used to Live Alone Before I Knew You - AU: Good Omens crossover. Sherlock is a demon, Mycroft is an angel, and John is a human. I love Good Omens and this fic certainly did it and Sherlock justice. It’s just fantastic, so go read it. Also, wings. PG13, pre-relationship to relationship.
Duvet Green - John has a room in Sherlock’s mind palace. A sweet insight into the mind palace and Sherlock’s feelings towards John. PG, pre-relationship.
Performance in a Leading Role: AU: Hollywood. The author’s summary is best, I think: ‘Sherlock Holmes is an Oscar winner in the midst of a career slump. John Watson is an everyman actor trapped in the rom-com ghetto. When they are cast as a gay couple in a new independent drama, will they surprise each other? Will their on-screen romance make its way into the real world?’ To be honest, I didn’t think I was going to like this fix, but the progress of their relationship was wonderfully written, and they were still IC inasmuch as they could be in Hollywood. E at times, pre-relationship to relationship.
I Prefer to Text - After the pool explosion, John’s and Sherlock’s only means of communication at the hospital is texting, but the texting continues once they’re released. PG, pre-relationship to relationship.
Collared - AU: slavery. Again, author’s summary is best: ‘In a world where the British Empire is still strong and slavery is her economic backbone, John has become a terrorist for the abolitionist movement. He is caught by Mycroft, enslaved, and given to Sherlock for training. The goal: To test a new kind of slave collar with the power to break even the strongest willed fighter. One that will make even John learn to love being a slave.’ Oh man guys, at first I wasn’t sure, but this fic is amazing. Holy crap. A little disturbing at times though, so if slavery and abuse bother you avoid this one. E, pre-relationship to relationship.
The Pull of One Magnet to Another - AU: arranged marriage. Mummy arranges a marriage for Mycroft, to an invalided army doctor. However, Sherlock meets him first. As it turns out, arranged marriage fics are awesome. PG13, pre-relationship to relationship.
Bound in Gold - AU: arranged marriage. The first day John and Sherlock meet is on their wedding day. Again, arranged marriage manages to be awesome. R, pre-relationship to relationship.
A Study in Orange - AU: psychic. Sherlock can read thoughts, and John is an empath with secure defenses - unfortunately for both of them, Sherlock wants to know everything about John. Really neat concept, and John is pretty awesome. PG, pre-relationship.
The Engagement - AU: arranged marriage, royalty. Mycroft is a king and he arranges a marriage between Sherlock and John, a foreign prince. Sherlock is absolutely against the idea until he actually meets John. E, pre-relationship to relationship.
At Least There’s Football (series) - Mystrade. I don’t really ship them, but I love Lestrade so I gave it a go. And stayed up till 4 in the morning reading it. It’s just such a lovely story and a wonderful relationship progression. It’s also really neat to see Sherlock and John’s relationship from another point of view. E.
Imagines Moti (two-part series) - AU, magical realism. Significant events in one’s life appear as pictures on the skin. Really fantastic concept. I wish it was real. PG, pre-relationship to relationship.
Once More, With Feeling - ‘To put off his meddlesome, matchmaking mother, John convinces Sherlock to play the role of his significant other. Unparalleled awkwardness ensues.’ This fic was really funny and sweet, and I loved the ending. PG
A Terrific Soporific - ‘Sherlock has always struggled with insomnia. He usually can’t fall asleep easily nor stay asleep for long when he does. However when Sherlock and John end up having to share a bed at a hotel while on a case (only one room available with one bed) Sherlock is pleasantly surprised to find he sleeps through the night. As it turns out, sleeping and/or cuddling with John helps him sleep. From there, Sherlock tries to maneuver himself into John’s bed.’ Very cute. PG, pre-relationship to relationship.
Blood from a Stone - Sherlock is cursed by a witch and begins to properly feel things, though that entails feeling emotions of everyone around him as well. R, pre-relationship to relationship.
Whatever Makes You Happy - AU: X-Men. ‘He was a mutant, a freak, a ‘plague upon the planet’ as he’d once heard it described.’ Sherlock’s mutation lets him drain the life force of others with skin contact. When John decides to move in with him, he doesn’t know. PG, pre-relationship to relationship.
and stand there at the edge of my affection - ‘“You’ve written love letters,” Sherlock asserted.’ Sherlock asks John’s advice about how to write a love letter. PG
Where the Sun Never Shines - ‘John is a mess. Sherlock can’t fix him, but he tries. That’s good enough, John thinks.’ A good balance of bittersweet and regular old sweet. PG
Hearts at Home (series) - ‘Sherlock Holmes is everything Father John Watson should probably disapprove of. He’s an atheist, a rationalist, an addict, and gay. But none of those things is enough to stop him from being the most fascinating person John’s ever met.’ I generally stay far, far away from fics involving priests and scandals, but this was beautifully written and handled so well that I wish I could make everyone read it. The stories are sometimes heart-wrenching, but so so good. The insights into John’s mind are fantastic, and really everything about it is great. I have nothing but praise for this fic. E, pre-relationship to relationship.
Song of the Dauntless Knight - ‘14th-century England. Sir John Watson and his knightly comrades return home from fighting for the Black Prince in France and enter into the household service of Duke Moriarty. Among the many castle denizens is Lord Sherlock Holmes, heir to his brother the Earl and long-time hostage of the Duke. An unlikely relationship soon emerges.’ The manner of speech takes a bit of getting used to, but this was a really cool fic! E, pre-relationship to relationship
The Stars Move Still - “What could I want so desperately that would make me sell my soul? What could possibly compel me to surrender the part of myself that makes me who I am: the source of my magic, my self-control, everything?” This is yet another stunning work by BeautifulFiction (author of Electric Pink Hand Grenade and To Light Another’s Path), written for the prompt “Faust: Sherlock sells his soul.” Sherlock is very good at magic, Moriarty’s a demon, and John is John. Nothing I can say will accurately describe how brilliant this fic is, so just go read it. E, pre-relationship to relationship
Skeleton Key - ‘Sherlock Holmes is anything but predictable; a fact that John has grown used to over the year they have known each other. However, nothing could prepare him for his reaction to Sherlock’s mysterious decision to pierce his tongue.’ Another BeautifulFiction work. So awesome. E, pre-relationship to relationship
Home and Dry - ‘Sometimes actions speak louder than words, and comfort can come from the most unlikely source. John and Sherlock pre-slash blanket-fic fluff.’ Short, adorable fic by BeautifulFiction. G, pre-relationship
No Mistletoe Required - ‘Sometimes all it takes is a little Christmas spirit to give things a nudge in the right direction, but will Sherlock allow himself to be a victim of sentiment, just this once?’ By Beautifulfiction. Short and sweet. PG13, pre-relationship to relationship
Their Great Reward - ‘Boxing day, in John’s opinions, is the worst day of the year. Christmas is over, the tree is wilting and stripped of gifts, and there’s a week of dead-time until the clean slate of the new year. However the combination of a blizzard, a power-cut and Sherlock might just make it a day to remember. (John and Sherlock pre-slash to slash fluff)’ Adorable, by Beautifulfiction. PG13, pre-relationship to relationship
Right Inside the Human Mind - ‘John Watson works in a book shop, and everything is well in order and predictable until he lets Sherlock Holmes borrow a book.’ Shameless self-promotion. PG, pre-relationship to relationship
Apologies - ‘Several months after Sherlock’s return, John and Sherlock have an argument.’ Written for the one-line prompt, “No! Not the chair.” Short. More shameless self-promotion. G, relationship
The Road to Inlé - AU: Watership Down. “If we’re going to make a habit of this,” the Black Rabbit said, “you can call me Mycroft. For all farms are mine, and I wait for rabbits there more often than not.” AMAZING. Don’t even be skeptical about this. Just read it. G
Pater Noster (series) - AU: Good Omens. Mystrade. ‘Mycroft trades favours and requests that Lestrade keep an eye out for his current vessel’s little brother. Lestrade begins to suspect that having to babysit the impossible Sherlock Holmes is all just a new stage in the technical if highly one-sided war that he’s been waging against Mycroft’s influence, an opening salvo from Mycroft against his sanity, maybe.’ Wings and Good Omens verse. Can’t go wrong with that. The plot is pretty cool, too. NC-17, pre-relationship to relationship.
