Words
AN; So I've given up on numbering these things since basically they are just prompts and they are getting longer and longer, like little ficlets but they are fun so I hope you enjoy them too :-)
Next, Deduction. Also, I have written 90 % of the next chapter of Equation, for those that care :-) but its on another computer 3,000 miles away right now LOL, I'll have it posted probably by Sunday.
Sherlock BBC belongs to Moffat and Gatiss, I am only humbled by their genius. No money made.
Names
Sherlock Holmes.
An unusual name for an extremely unusual man.
People's reaction to the name was varied. Incredulous, sceptical, 'Really? Sherl-ock?'
Many, many times it was said with hostility and scorn.
John Watson pronounced Sherlock's name like no one else he knew.
He finished it with a funny little *click* at the end.
It was like a door opening, a key turning, a puzzle being unlocked.
Sherlock loved it.
And there was more. John could use insults as terms of endearment, idiot, git, others even more colorful, and have them be nothing but affection.
And still, when John uses Sherlock's name it meant one hundred different things and the detective was only now beginning to understand how much could be inflected.
Sherlock! Shouted 'you idiot, you scared me to death, how can I protect you unless you stop leaving me behind?'
Sherlock, Exasperated 'I know you're better than this, stop being a prat.'
Sherlock, Pleading 'Stop shutting me out, please.'
Sherlock, Tired 'I am nearly at the end of my limits, I care about and respect you, but my gods one more push...'
Sherlock, Amazement (one of Sherlock's favorites) 'My god, how did you...when did you...you are FANTASTIC!'
Sherlock, Soft and forceful 'You're hurting, I can see it and I'm not going anywhere until I can help somehow.'
Every tone and inflection shows John's feelings and Sherlock can't tune them out, no matter how he's tried.
The doctor's concern is like gentle acid, eating away at his cold, uncaring persona daily.
But it was the way it was whispered in disbelief, anger, hurt and absolute, complete JOY that finally broke Sherlock's heart.
'You're not dead, you're NOT DEAD! You're here, with me. I, you cannot know, I missed you so much.'
Sherlock, repeated again and again as the smaller man sobbed into the detective's chest. Sherlock Holmes, such a complicated man and an eccentric name, held onto his dearest friend and let his eyes spill over.
And Sherlock's returning 'John', one syllable that meant everything to the man referred to.
John Watson
So common, very common. One of the most common names in many languages.
A common name for a common man.
But the way Sherlock Holmes pronounced it, with a slight emphasis on the 'J', like a salute or anything that would show affection in the detective's own bizzare way, made it more than that.
It made it seem like John was a part of Sherlock's life, even with the slight possessiveness of the name.
John loved it.
Sherlock knew, now, that assuming anything about John was ridiculous, especially before scratching the surface of this seemingly 'common' man. It was to be in the wrong.
John, the name in all of its possibilities, summed up his friend who _knows_ him and accepts him without question or apology.
So, the inflection is one that Sherlock knows, inherently, that John understands.
John, Warningly, 'I don't have time for your trivia.'
John, Sneered, 'You can't convince me of anything. You don't know me or what I was before, who I can truly be.'
Jo-ohn Whine 'Bored, bored, bored, bored...'
John, Direct 'You have it and I will use the Sherlock equivalent of puppy-dog eyes to get it.' This one never works, however.
John, Sighed 'Dull, so dull, but I'm listening regardless'
John, Slight upper inflection at the end 'Your input, I value it, I need it. You are my conductor of light.'
John!, Shouted and excited, 'Keep up will you? You are as on board as me, the game is ON!'
John! An exclamation, 'I'm terrified, you are my weakness, they have my weakness...my heart.'
And then, a word whispered and a grasping hand. One tender syllable that only meant 'Please'. Please. Please don't leave me, I'll be alone, again. You are my best friend, my only true friend. I can't go back to before. Please John, please come back to me.
And John, no, John Watson, such a simple name really, could never refuse that plea. He grasped the other's hand and all of the affection and love one thought was lost came flooding back.
'Sherlock.' Tenor voice, a small click at the end of the word.
'John.' Deep baritone, small emphasis on the 'J'
Music to the other's ears.