Both Sides Now

Title: Both Sides Now
Author: QED_221B
Fandom: Sherlock
Characters: Sherlock, Mycroft
Warning: PG-13, child abuse (Mycroft), violence
Length: Medium
Status: Completed


Mycroft and Sherlock didn't meet until Sherlock was 7, Mycroft lived with his abusive father. Sherlock doesn't learn of the abuse until years later


AO3


This story highlights different aspects of Sherlock and Mycroft's characters.
Sherlock's a brat. And a bastard. Then he's adorable. Then protective. And an idiot. Mycroft claims he isn't, though.
Mycroft appears weak, which was at first rather distracting. A tad OoC one might think. Well, then he is hopeful, just to get all his hopes crushed. Then he forgives Sherlock.

I haven't seen a story that illuminates their relationship from so many different angles.

A Study in Lullabies

Title: A Study in Lullabies

Author: shooting-stetsons

Fandom: Sherlock

Characters: John/Sherlock, OMC (baby), Jim/Sherlock, Mycroft, Lestrade

Warning: PG-13, genderbender( fem!Sherlock), child abuse (Sherlock)

Length: Novella
Status: Ongoing

In which Sherlock Holmes is a woman with an infant son.

AO3

Read it. Now.

Sherlock with a child is something that has been done before, but not often. Here, John knowingly enters the strange relationship they develop. From the beginning, he suspects that he will end up  as a father without actually "having gotten" some. Yet, he moves in.

You really feel the love between them, and the love they feel for the baby.

Castle and Sand

Title: Castle and Sand

Author: grey853

Fandom: Sherlock

Characters: John/Sherlock, mention of Sherlock/others, Mycroft/Lestrade, Mommy Holmes

Warning: NC-17, slash, illness (PTSD, cancer - Mommy Holmes), child abuse (Sherlock), non-con (Sherlock), 

Length: Novel

Status: Completed

Sherlock and John both have difficult pasts that affect their evolving relationship. When John prevents a mugging, it sets off a dangerous chain of events that not only impacts him, but his whole family. In the end there's a wedding and a honeymoon, but will there really be a happy ending?

AO3

Another goodie for my novel collection.

I particularly like how both, Sherlock and John, are broken in their own regards and need each other to find some sort of closure. They do not wall in their misery, but it is definitely an issue. Haunting them. Well-done, grey853.

Le Scandale Bohème

Title: Le Scandale Bohème
Author: mycake
Fandom: Sherlock
Characters: Sherlock/Lestrade (switch once), Mycroft, Mrs Hudson, Jim
Warning: NC-17, slash, chan, drug abuse, non-con (Sherlock/other), child abuse (Lestrade)
Length: Novella
Status: Ongoing


A desperate police officer puts all of his faith into an eighteen year old junkie who is only interested in getting his hands on the only thing that can ease his unstable mind. Both men become far more involved with one another than either had intended and must keep their home life a secret or risk losing everything.


AO3

Yes, I read that monster, and I read it twice.
In here, we got a lot of the typical "Lestrade picks up Sherlock when he's at his worst and makes him better" elements but it also is about Lestrade himself, for once. He has problems; financial, social, family. In a way, that makes him less jaded than the Lestrade we see in other fiction, strangely enough. Lestrade is young, his age nonwithstanding. He's actively dealing with his life and influencing it. I think this is as much about Lestrade as it is about Sherlock. I like that.

Left Behind

Title: Left Behind
Author: MoonRiver
Fandom: Sherlock
Characters: John/Sherlock, Victor/Sherlock(switch), Mycroft
Warning: NC-17, slash, child abuse(Sherlock), injury(Sherlock, John, Victor, Mr. Trevor), violence(Sherlock), drug abuse(Victor, Sherlock)
Length: Novella
Status: Completed


Sherlock lost his virginity after his first year at university. After running away from his abusive father he allows Victor Trevor in, offering him complete trust until tragedy tears them apart. The breakup is traumatizing, and they don't speak again...until Victor shows up in London nine years later, asking for Sherlock and John's help.


At AO3


I like this one. Classic for the fact that it involves Victor and is sort of meta - in a way that it covers Sherlock' university years until "now" while not breaking the magical 100.000 words.
I have a very high opinion of this - there's so much love in there. You feel the joy and love MoonRiver holds for BBC Sherlock.

And to round it up, a short quote.

Because I can tell you’re worth it.

(Victor to Sherlock when asked why he cares for Sherlock)


I think this is true, not just for Victor but for the entire Sherlock Fandom. Why do we like BBC Sherlock? I mean, just from the description without ever having seen Sherlock, we get an aggressive, ruthless, intelligent, rude, almost non-empathic person. So why do we like the series, why do we want season three, and possibly season four, and whatever they will give us? Because we can tell that Sherlock is worth it. The person. We see something in him that tells us that there's more to him, and that's why we feel with him. That's why we care. Why we care to see where he's going.

Shadow Child

Title: Shadow Child
Author: Kourion
Fandom: Sherlock
Characters: John, Sherlock, Mycroft
Warning: NC-17, child abuse (Sherlock), non-con(Sherlock), illness(Sherlock)
Length: Novella
Status: Ongoing


I take a step back, my heart fluttering in my chest. The look of rage I had seen a moment before is rapidly draining from my friend's face. "Did I... did I hurt you?," Sherlock clarifies, his eyes closed. Unwilling to look. 


AO3



I am not sure whether this is over the top brilliant or over the top out of character.
Both, probably.
There are several aspects that made me continue with reading instead of bolting; as far as child abuse and non-con is concerned, the descriptions are real, horrible, and excellently adapted into written form. It's difficult for me to see Sherlock in there. It's too much to result in the person we see in canon. One aspect, non-con or child abuse, yes. But both, and then his incredible difficult time growing up, seem not compatible with the person I see in BBC Sherlock.
From an experienced (well, somewhat) reader, I still believe this to be a thorough story which deserves to be read, not cast aside due to the "lineup".

What You're Owed

Title: What You're Oweds

Author: carbonbased

Fandom: Sherlock

Characters: John/Sherlock, Mycroft

Warning: R, slash, child abuse, suicidal(Sherlock, John), drug abuse, character death(John)

Length: Medium

Status: Completed

A package arrives at 221B and the contents send John back almost three years. He never thought he'd hear that voice again.

At AO3

I believe this story has got a sibling. One where John has to find the recordings, though.

Okay, basically Sherlock left John a tape with different voice recordings. John discovers Sherlock's past and that is the truly gorgeous part. I loved how vulnerable Sherlock sounded when spilling his most private memories. I loved John's reaction, I loved how unstable he was - the end was shocking. I thought this would be one of those light-heartened, heart-warming stories. It was. But it also was one of the stories that illustrate how precious our time is, how heart-breaking life can be.

Promises

Title: Promises
Author: hastings
Fandom: Sherlock
Characters: Mycroft, Sherlock, Mommy Holmes, Siger Holmes
Warning: NC-17, non-con(Siger/Mycroft), child abuse, murder (Mycroft), character death (Siger), childfic
Length: Short
Status: Completed


Everything Mycroft has ever done has always been for Sherlock.


At AO3


Dark. And I love Mycroft in here, he's so lost, so fixated on his younger brother.
And their family is so screwed up, it hurts to read it. Mycroft's struggling through it and is confused, has nothing but Sherlock in his life that anchores him.

The Absent Voice

Title: The Absent Voice
Author: obscure_affection
Fandom: Sherlock
Characters: Mycroft, Sherlock, Lestrade, John
Warning: PG, mention of drug abuse, child abuse, Asperger
Length: Short
Status: Completed


A story can be told without the protagonist, a story can be told through the impressions, reports, memories and experiences of others. In the end, the only voice we don't hear is that of the main characters. This is not, naturally, always a good thing.




At AO3


Character study featuring Asperger Sherlock. As I favor this theory, I really liked this work. Mycroft's voice was rather intriguing, especially during their childhood.

Tomorrow Never Knows

Title: Tomorrow Never Knows
Author: pandarave12
Fandom: Sherlock
Characters: John/Sherlock, Mycroft/Lestrade
Warning: R, mpreg(Lestrade), omegaverse, attempted rape, child neglect, slash, minor character death
Length: Novella
Status: Completed


Sherlock's an Omega, John's an Alpha, and no, this shouldn't just be about sex.


At AO3

A promising story featuring John and Sherlock as children. No, it is not as bad as it sounds. Actually, it's quite nice - didn't you always wonder how much John would be unnerved by a irritating five-year-old Sherlock?
Nicely woven into omegaverse content.


Same Author as:
Obscuro

What Mycroft Did

Title: What Mycroft Did
Author: LittlePippin76
Fandom: Sherlock
Characters: Mycroft, Sherlock
Warning: R, violence, drug abuse, illness, child abuse
Length: Medium
Status: Completed

"Listen," he said to me, "you will take care of him, won't you? He's a good kid, I know he is, but, well it's all got a bit out of control. I'm sorry. I think being on his own for Christmas didn't help."

I wondered what he was apologising to me for, but it occurred to me he felt responsible for S's habit. And perhaps even for not inviting him for Christmas himself. I suspect I have not been the only one keen on resolving the drugs issue.

At FF


Pre-Canon story featuring Mycroft's diary entries while Sherlock is detoxing. Frankly, a very simple writing style that is also one of the most cutting. You see the damage on Mycroft's mind, the damage done to Sherlock from their home. And there's this adorable side to Mycroft, the one you want to hug and cuddle and tell him that it's alright to indulge it. He's a child inside, a child that wasn't allowed to be one. Ever. A sappy drug story.

A Place for Warriors

Title: A Place for Warriors
Author: owlsaway
Fandom: Harry Potter
Characters: Snape, Harry, Dumbledore
Warning: PG-13, child abuse, suicidal
Length: Novel
Status: Completed

5th year, Room of Requirements, Occlumency


Dumbledore locks Harry and Snape in the Room of Requirement. Harry's magic works, and Snape's doesn't. Will they kill each other?


At FF


This is not a Room of Requirements Sap Story in which Harry tells Snape that he had been abused by the Dursleys. No. Yes, there's child abuse, yes, they're locked into the Room of Requirements. But it is so much more than it's ingredients.
And do you know what's the most heart-breaking? When Snape realizes how much damage Dumbledore has caused on Harry's soul. Without spoiling too much - that happens after they leave the room.

Never the Twain Shall Meet

Title: Never The Twain Shall Meet
Author: Storystuff
Fandom: Sherlock
Characters: Sherlock, Mycroft, John, Mommy Holmes
Warning: R, child abuse, drug abuse, injury, illness
Length: Novel
Status: Completed


When Mycroft swore to look after his brother he never thought that perhaps one day he wouldn't have to do it alone. A story of brotherhood, friendship, hope, jealousy and the changing of the winds.


At FF



Do you know the sort of works that scream "ooc" but at the same time "well-done" and "worth a read"?
If not, don't fret, here's one of those with an ugly version of Mommy Holmes, paired with supportive!John, caring!Mycroft and whump!Sherlock.
Storystuff isn't an author yet known to me, though I'll have a look at their other works.
I hold her in quite high regards - okay, the story idea wasn't original, the writing wasn't outstanding. It was good, at both accounts, but it's not the originality that impressed me most. It was the last chapter. How do you manage to make your readers feel just as awkward reading about the brother "reunion" as the brothers probably feel themselves? Definitely a talented author.

The Definition of Home

Title: The Definition of Home
Author: oliversnape
Series: Definition
Fandom: Harry Potter
Characters: Snape, Harry
Warning: R, alcohol abuse, child abuse
Length: Novella
Status: Completed


Harry runs into Snape while trying to find the definition of home, and finds himself drawn into Snape's Order task, finding a location outside of London. Along the way, he and Snape learn a few new definitions themselves.


At FF



While I consider Snape's notion of discipline somewhat old-fashioned and ancient, the story itself is well-written and shows the various nuances of Snape's and Harry's relationship.

Pt 1: The Definition of Home
Pt 2: The Definition of Family
PT 3: The Photo Album


oliver.snape belongs to the authors which need to be mentioned when talking about Snape and Harry.
Not only did oliver.snape write lots of interesting gen interaction between those two characters, but Snarries also are part of the author's repertoire. In all writing, there is some kind of subtle craziness, which makes the reader think "oh... whatever". While it's not Canon-compliant at all, and somewhat out of character, oliver.snape presents stories that are - attention! - interesting.
Stories to rec too:
The Fifth Act
Addition Alley Christmas
A Grim Old Cat
To Recollect the Future

The Pumkin Scone Conspiracy
Far Beyond a Promise Kept
Coiners

Four Weeks in April

Title: Four Weeks in April
Author: melissophobia
Fandom: Harry Potter
Characters: Harry, Snape, Sirius
Warning: R, non-con, chan, child abuse
Length: Short
Status: Completed


When Snape teaches Harry to block his mind with Occlumency, Snape stumbles upon some memories not even Harry could remember. What did Harry block out and why?


At FF


A different approach to the damage Azkaban did to Sirius; tragic circumstances, two words summing up this oneshot.

For You I Bleed Myself Dry

Title: For You I Bleed Myself Dry
Author: ohmydarlingdear
Fandom: Sherlock (TV)
Character: Mycroft, Sherlock (/John)
Warning: illness PG-13, (cancer), child abuse, mention of slash
Length: Short
Status: Completed


Sherlock was born for the sole purpose of keeping Mycroft alive - Mycroft, who was suffering from leukemia. He is alone for so long and then suddenly he's not - he meets John and everything changes. John teaches him what it is to care and be cared for, to love and be loved. And Sherlock is, for the first time in his life, happy, really, really, stupidly happy.


For You I Bleed Myself Dry



A cancer story at its finest - without the details, simply about how desperate parents can become, how cruel desperation makes people. And finally the reacquaintance of two brothers estranged, separated by their parents unconditioned love for one and their conditioned love for the other.

Flawed Lines

Title: Flawed Lines
Author: diagonalist
Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Snape/Harry
Warning: NC-17, slash, suicidal, child abuse, chan
Length: Novella
Status: Completed




Tired of live in general, Harry loses the will to survive. Too bad for him that one of his professors simply doesn't see life the way he does.



Flawed Lines at angelfire


I always thought either you write a mentor!Snape or a Snarry story. You cannot do both, you got to choose. Flawed Lines proved me wrong: it is possible to combine both, to even add suicidal tendencies into the mix. This story is one of the few where the ingredients seem awfully incompatible, but in the end? Yeah, something delicious is created. This is more hurt/comfort than romance, more growing up, maturing than actual love. If you don't like slash, if you aren't a fan of Snarry, this is one of those stories that may "break you in".

diagonalist is one of those authors you stumble across every other month or so. Funnily you always recognize the user name but never remember the other titles. Even now, I cannot rec her completely. She got a nice writing style, nice ideas. No doubt there, you just habe to appreciate the good quality of her works. While diagonalist is not the best writer there is, I hold her in high regards.

Other story by diagonalist:
Every wand I've ever sold

Slave Child

Title: Slave Child
Author: Kristen Hudson
Fandom: Harry Potter
Characters: Harry, Snape
Warning: PG-13, child neglect, adoption, suicidal thoughts
Length: Novel (250.000+)
Status: abandoned


A duel with Draco leads to drastic and permanent consequences for both Harry and Severus. AU from the end of OotP.


Slave Child at FF


One of those novel-length stories you just have to love. It's a pity there hasn't been an update in two years. Still, this does not make it a bad read. The main plot is already solved, there are only a few loose ends which are not that important.
Slave Child represents a different kind of Sevitus-Story. Snape being forced to take care of Harry due to a spell, then beginning to care. Is Snape out of character? Maybe. Later on, yes. In the beginning, I do not think so. This story is somewhat sappy, somewhat dramatic, somewhat emotional. So many somewhats... that's why it is a story many people enjoy.

Kristen Hudson is only known in the Harry Potter Fandom and focuses on Snape+Harry.

Harry Potter and the Princes of Slytherin

Title: Harry Potter and the Princes of Slytherin
Author: Aethyr
Fandom: Harry Potter
Characters: Harry, Snape
Warning: PG-13, child neglect
Length: Medium (40.000+)
Status: abandoned

Snape and Harry resume Occlumency lessons in book six, with significantly different results. Harry grieves for Sirius (rather than getting over his death impossibly quickly). Things... ensue... 


Harry Potter and the Princes of Slytherin at PS


Abandoned, so why reccing it?
Because it's well-written. Okay, there is not much plot, I have to agree. The drama part is quite interesting, though. Snape and Harry seem rather in character. Bonus: Occlumency lessons