Prompting Part XXXIV

[sherlockbbc_fic]

S3 SPOILER POLICY
THE MEME NEEDS ARCHIVISTS!

GUIDELINES

• Anon posting is not required, but most definitely allowed. If you think you recognise an anon, keep it to yourself and don’t out them. IP tracking is off, and will remain that way.


• Multiple fills are encouraged, and all kinds of fills are accepted! Fic, art, vids, cosplay, interpretive dance — whatever. Go wild! :D


• Don’t reprompt until TWO parts after the last posting of the prompt.


• RPF (real person fic, i.e. fic involving the actors themselves) is not supported at this meme.


• Concrit is welcome, but kinkshaming, hijacking, and flaming are not tolerated.

THE FILLED PROMPTS POST
When you fill a prompt, please use the appropriate Filled Prompts Post to archive your fill (there are instructions on the actual post).

If the part you wanted isn't up yet, just wait and one of the archivists will get to it, but please, once it is up, make sure you post your fills there according to the guidelines. DO NOT skip out on doing this because it seems like too much effort. If you want your fill to make it to the Delicious archive, that’s the way to do it.

Do not be afraid to ask questions about how it works if you are confused! The mods will be happy to explain.

WARNINGS/OFFENSIVE WORDING IN PROMPTS
Please consider warning for prompts that may trigger people (and also for fills, because some people read in flat view) and phrasing prompts in a manner that strives to be respectful.

Things which you might want to consider warning for include: Rape/Non-Con, Death, Suicidal Thoughts, Self-Harm, Underage Relationships, among others.

That being said, this is a kink meme. As such, there will be prompts that could offend you in a number of different ways. Not every prompt will have a trigger warning, and not every prompt will rub you the right way. If you have an issue with a specific prompt, feel free to bring it up in a discussion that takes place off the meme. However, flaming will not be tolerated regardless of origin.

You are highly encouraged to scroll past any prompt that you dislike.

Remember: be civil, be friendly, but don’t be shy!

THINGS THAT MAKE BROWSING THE MEME EASIER FOR EVERYONE
Please nest your fills. Doing so will make it easier for archivists to save your fills to the Delicious archive. Using subject lines will also help people reading the meme in flatview keep track of what’s happening. Finally, titling your fills (even if it’s something silly) will be helpful to those tracking a lot of prompts or scrolling through the meme.

PROMPT FREEZES
Depending on the rate of activity, there may or may not be a prompt freeze when a part reaches 2000 and 4500 comments. However, there will be one when it reaches 7000. After the 7000 comments freeze, a new part will be posted, and all prompting should happen on the new part.

CONTACTING MODS
Your mods for this meme are ellie_hell, charname, anonspock and anonbach. If you have any questions, concerns, comments about anything at all on the meme feel free to send a PM or contact us via the Page-A-Mod post.

MEME LINKS
Pinboard Archive - Delicious Archive - Guide to the Archive
Filled Prompts Posts: Parts 1-23 - Parts 24+ - Spoiler Free
The Glorious FAQ - Page-A-Mod

Flat View of This Page - Newest Page in Flatview - Newest Page of the Meme

Love Post - Chatter Post - Searching Post
Concrit Post - Story Announcement Post - Orphan Post
Spoiler Free Prompt Post - Overflow Post

Links to previous prompting parts

OTHER LINKS AND AFFILIATES
sherlock_rant: A place to rant about or discuss anything with few to no restrictions.
sherlock_rpf: This is a kinkmeme for RPF about the show.
sherlockcrit: A multi-fandom betaing/concrit community, with a focus on BBC Sherlock.
sherlockbbc: A community dedicated to the BBC adaptation of Sherlock Holmes.
Useful resources for Sherlock and LiveJournal.
Sherlock screencaps.

NOTICE: All links on the meme are now being screened because of spambot issues. When you submit a comment containing a link, it will be marked as spam. Please don't worry, the mods will unscreen it as soon as they can.

Comments

Re: Fill: Keep Them Spinning (What Else Is There To Do) part 2a/2

[(Anonymous)]

……….


IsthatitissincewhenohGodtheylook-

“How did that happen?” John found himself using his forcing-myself-to-be-calm voice, like the time he’d asked about the bowl of big toes in the fridge. Like the first time he’d seen a firefight.

He saw Sherlock hesitate, and jumped in. “Don’t even think about lying, Sherlock. I am not a man you want as an enemy.”

Sherlock appeared to consider this for a moment. “If I told you it’s an experiment, would you let it drop out of courtesy?”

“No. No, I don’t think I would.” Whatifthey’reinfectedcaughtanarteryshitwhyaretheythereatall- John reached out and down towards Sherlock’s arm. “Can I-”

“I’d really rather you didn’t.” Sherlock didn’t move, but John could see he’d tensed every muscle against the urge to flinch away from John’s touch. He carefully withdrew his hand. “I’d really rather not do all…” – Sherlock made a fluttering gesture with his hand – “this.”

“All this?” John sat back down heavily. WhydidIgooutIshouldhavestayedhewasn’t-

“This. You, with the flapping. Yes, I cut. I am a cutter. I’m also a scientist with an understanding of infections, so they’re clean, and if any of them were deep enough to be a problem you’d be able to tell by the blood all over the floor, which is conspicuous by its absence. So that’s it. It’s all fine.”

Antisepticstitchesbandagepsychotherapistsectioning- “Christ, Sherlock, it’s not all fine. It’s the opposite of fine, it’s the textbook bloody definition of not bloody fine. Look at me, would you?”

Unwillingly, Sherlock dragged his eyes up to meet John’s. John took a breath and tried to calm down. WhydidIwhatifhewhenwhyone problem at a time.

“Can I see them? I just want to be sure you’re safe, Sherlock. I’m a doctor. I’m your doctor. Please.”

Sherlock pulled back his sleeve, eyes daring John to even think about touching him. John lowered his eyes and tried to forget it was Sherlock he was examining.

Approximately a dozen lacerations to the left forearm. Self-inflicted. Transverse – likely no suicidal intent, increased risk of nerve damage. Wounds approximately three hours old, currently coagulated. No apparent damage to circulatory or nervous systems. Clean edges to lacerations.

“You used a fresh blade?”

“Yes, John.”

Low risk of infection at this stage. Signs of historical self-injury, no infection-scarring. He’s right, he does know what he’s doing. I don’t know if that’s better or worse.

“Ok. I’d like to disinfect and bandage them, but you obviously – you’ll keep them clean?”

Sherlock snatched his arm back angrily. “No, I thought I’d bathe them in botulism. Of course I’ll keep them clean.”

John studied him. And could deduce nothing. “Would you mind if I asked a question?”

“Oh, do stop tiptoeing John. It’s demeaning.”

Ok, so less of the concerned-doctor voice then. And asking how he feels is clearly not the way to go. Focus on the logic. “Why?”

“Why? Because it helps, that’s why.”

“What does it help with? Help me out here, Sherlock, because I can’t see how doing that could possibly help with anything.”

Sherlock sighed. “My mind is a finely balanced instrument, my work depends on it, but there are so many things to balance and sometimes it’s like I’m the only man that’s got to keep a thousand plates spinning in a hall of mirrors. And I try to prioritise, focus on the important plates, the international-web-of-crime plates and the graffiti-paint-deduction plates, and then there are the showering-and-getting-dressed plates, and by the time I’m down to the being-nice-to-Anderson and the being-sociable-with-my-flatmate plates I’m just so tired, so tired, John, of running round finding the right plates to spin, and cutting – it lets me take a breath. It gives me a focus, for a second, and helps me balance everything again.” He tailed off, struggling to explain clearly. “It helps.”

Re: Fill: Keep Them Spinning (What Else Is There To Do) part 2a/2

[(Anonymous)]

Their voices are entirely right. I normally don't read cutting fics for several reasons, but you've got me sticking with the story anyway.
Since you asked for concrit as well, I would suggest making Sherlock more precise in his word choice (a specific toxin instead of botulism and maybe "for a moment" instead if a second) but I am being ultra-picky because you were brave enough to request feedback and I get frustrated when I'm trying to improve and people don't say anything, or worse yet, say they don't like it but don't say why)
Looking forward to more of this!