Prompting Part XXXV

[sherlockbbc_fic]

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

FILL 2/? Above the Clouds

[(Anonymous)]

“Honestly, a million pounds in unmarked bills? Which movie were you watching for this creative scenario? Fascinating dialogue, too.”

Unfortunately, the man seems to gain some presence of mind, and points the gun directly at Sherlock, though still trembling. It was a dangerous game, but Sherlock was good at dangerous games. It would not help if the man thought they were together; John turns to the side and misses when the expression on the gunman’s face change from stunned to a new level of fury.

“Do you really think this will impress your ex-wife, though? I mean, the money might help a bit, but playing the action movie fantasy scenario isn’t nearly as effective when you are the villain instead of the hero, and it won’t help your impot…”

“Shutupshutupshutup!” he screams, shoving the weapon at Sherlock’s head and dragging him toward the jump seat in the back of the plane. “There is nothing wrong with me! I’ll fucking show you all there’s nothing wrong with me!”

The silence of the plane shatters as one of the children lets out a scream and the mother draws them closer as the man drags Sherlock down the aisle past them. She is babbling something to them and blocking them from the scene with her body. The other two looked stunned, watching silently before turning away.

Lestrade and John are now together in the front of the plane, looking towards the back, waiting for the right time to make their move. But there is no right time. The gun is nested in Sherlock’s hair, and while there is no longer a risk of richochet, the bullet has only one path. Both men attempt to stay focused as they are forced to watch and wait.

“Undo it!”

Sherlock closes his eyes for a brief second.

“Now! There is nothing wrong with me… now undo it and suck me off! You’re not going to say a word this time, because it will be in your mouth. Do it right, make it good. If she would just do it fucking right it would have been … “ his voice trails off, and his gaze turns away, giving John enough time to navigate into the aisle, but the gun’s angle has not changed, and his gaze refocuses with added determination.

“Now!” he said again. John sees it, sees Sherlock weigh his options, then sees him position himself so the man has to turn a little farther toward the back of the plane as he unzips him, revealing an obstructed view of a mostly flaccid cock. Sherlock ran his fingers over it quickly in an attempt to create a reaction, and realizing drawing it out longer wasn’t going to get him to lower the weapon, he took him in his mouth, and preceeded to do his best to “make it good”, grabbing the shaft while rolling his tongue over the top of the glans, glancing up to gauge his reaction by his facial expressions. Now a bit longer stroke, faster, no, slower. Much slower, and a longer lick to the underside, hand following the path of his tongue, gliding over the wetness he had just created, and he heard a small sigh, and… he didn’t even hear the struggle, just the loud CRACK…blood… splattered on his face…the arm, still gripping the gun, flopped to the side when John had dropped it. Dead, then. Right. He sat up, went to wipe his face with his sleeve and opted for the few short steps to the restroom instead. Once there he took a paper towel, wiped along the inside of his mouth and along his tongue, then rinsed it out with water. He put the paper towel in a plastic cup in the galley area, and handed it to a dumbstruck Lestrade. “Evidence,” he said, as he went back to his seat.

Re: FILL 2/? Above the Clouds

[(Anonymous)]

OP


D= omg omgomgomg you can't stop there.

Re: FILL 2/? Above the Clouds

[(Anonymous)]

I will try to get to it as soon as I can. You're right, I can't leave him like that. ( though I seemed to have no problem doing it to him in the first place)

Re: FILL 2/? Above the Clouds

[(Anonymous)]

I wonder how it's going to affect Sherlock.
Great story so far!

Re: FILL 2/? Above the Clouds

[(Anonymous)]

Thank you! I'm...not entirely sure which path I will take on this because my other fic is occupying my brain space. I won't leave it here for long though.

FILL 3/? Above the Clouds

[(Anonymous)]

John lets Lestrade into the flat, and no sooner does he enter the doorway then Sherlock bolts up from his chair and grabs his coat.

"I was just stopping in to say that it wasn't necessary for you to..."

"Why wouldn't I want to make my statement, Lestrade?" His eyes narrow as he meets the DI's contrite expression with a look of scornful distaste. "Are you implying I should be ashamed to speak of it?"

"God, no, of course not," he replies hastily, shooting a quick look of sympathy at John. Sherlock follows the direction of his gaze, and adds "Yes, but to be honest, Grant, living with me before was no picnic either, was it?"

Lestrade waits a few seconds too long before correcting him. "It's Greg," he says softly.

They head to the station and Sherlock dispassionately recounts the particulars of the assault to the clerk on duty, who faithfully copies down the description of the chain of events in Sherlock's own words, from his "decision to provide a distraction", "physical obstruction of the aisle", and "incendiary word choice", to his "gunpoint-induced fellatio... interrupted by a readily visible blood splatter which indicated the incapacitation and probable death of the assailant". He fills out a few forms and leaves. John's statement will have to wait until their legal team has been consulted. Lestrade will see to it John does not need to face any unnecessary legal scrutiny.

When he and John return to 221B, Sherlock goes back to his chair and perches like a bird of prey.

John considers, and nearly immediately rejects, suggesting Sherlock talk things over with a professional. He considers offering himself as someone willing to listen for a slightly longer time, before rejecting that as well. He's here if Sherlock needs him, and Sherlock knows it. Reminding him would serve no positive purpose. Instead, he does what he always does when there are no words... silently makes the tea and waits.

He places a cup on the small table beside his chair, then goes to his laptop and stares at his blog.

Headed up north to figure out how in the hell a sapphire ended up inside a goose. Will update later. Right now we've got entirely too much packing to do, as the private jet takes off within the hour.

Three sentences. Only one comment in reply from Mrs Hudson: "Have a safe trip! See you when I get back. Remember to check that Sherlock hasn't left any equipment running, since I won't be there to smell anything burning this time."

He manages a grin. The last time they had left in a hurry for an out-of-town case, a burner was left on low and the heated tube of God-knows-what had omitted a foul odor. Sherlock insisted leaving it on had not been hazardous, and that keeping it at a steady temperature had been vital for the experiment, but Mrs Hudson claimed to have smelled it all the way down hallway and turned the blasted thing off.

He had been planning on titling it "The Wild Goose Chase". Now the entry stared back at him. He could delete the whole thing. Hell, he could even tell Mrs Hudson they never went on that trip. Had never been on that plane.

He looked over at Sherlock, who hadn't moved a muscle since he first sat down over an hour ago. Maybe he would be deleting this, too.

Re: FILL 3/? Above the Clouds

[(Anonymous)]

So interesting!

Re: FILL 3/? Above the Clouds

[(Anonymous)]

Thank you! That's very important to me!

Re: FILL 3/? Above the Clouds

[(Anonymous)]

I think I'm addicted to this story. Thank you so much for writing and sharing! Please update asap.

Re: FILL 3/? Above the Clouds

[(Anonymous)]

Thank you for the lovely comment! Mind Palace is coming up next. I promise never to abandon this, but I gotta juggle it with some other fics I'm working on. Maybe within the week? I'm glad I decided to write it anyway. I very much appreciate the opportunity to enable you.

FILL 4/? Above the Clouds ( noncon reminder)

[(Anonymous)]

[ I think I'm giving myself nightmares tonight]



“Alone?” Lestrade mouthes as he looks across the narrow aisle to Sherlock for confirmation.

Sherlock nods discretely.

“I'll distract him." A whisper. It’s John.

Sherlock shakes his head and points to himself. John has a weapon. Sherlock would be the better choice to distract.

The rest unfolds exactly the same way. Sherlock watches himself as he is dragged to the back of the plane. Watches as the man orders him to unzip his trousers. He feels the flesh on his tongue a second time, tastes the sweat and the pre-ejaculate, a mixture of salty and bitter, as he watches the scene unfold before him. When the blood finally splatters, he is able to turn away. The scene whites out before coming into focus again.

***

“Alone?” Lestrade mouthes as he looks across the narrow aisle to Sherlock for confirmation.

Sherlock nods discretely.

“Distraction?” A whisper. It’s John.

"Wait," says Sherlock. They watch to see what he does next. He is impatient. So is Sherlock, but he managers to wait for him to make a move. He yells again. "You don't believe me, do you?!" He turns around to assess who to threaten and the child screams. John uses the distraction to rush forward and...

Sherlock closes his eyes, shakes his head violently, forces the scene back to its original outcome, like splicing a film, and he is in the back again, waiting to be ordered to make it good. It plays out before fading to white once more.

***

“Alone?” Lestrade mouthes as he looks across the narrow aisle to Sherlock for confirmation.

Sherlock nods discretely.

“Distraction?” A whisper. It’s John.

“Me,” says Sherlock, as he turns his gaze towards the panicking man, stretching his long legs out into the aisle.

“What are you looking at?” says the hijacker, swinging around to the front of the plane to face Sherlock.

"I believe the correct retort is ‘not much’, isn’t it?” Sherlock replies, with a tight-lipped smile. “Honestly, a million pounds in unmarked bills? Which movie were you watching for this creative scenario? Fascinating dialogue, too. Do you really think this will impress your ex-wife, though? I mean, the money might help a bit, but playing the action movie fantasy scenario isn’t nearly as effective when you are the villain instead of the hero, and it won’t help your impot…”

Sherlock raises his hand to freeze the scene. He has effectively taken the focus off of the other passengers. He has given John time to plan a course of action, Lestrade time to notify the police, who will be amassing on the ground. He has the man thoroughly attentive to what he is saying. And what he is saying is that extra bit... the one that comes out of his mouth before he even realises. The man is impotent and now the entire plane knows it. His hand drops and the action resumes.

John is at his side now. "Show off," he says to the version of him that can't seem to shut up.

"Go ahead. Take him," says Lestrade. "We will make sure these innocent passengers are all right."

He checks on the woman with the children. John checks on the silent couple. The hijacker drags Sherlock to the back of the plane and begins to shout his orders. There is the small sigh, but this time there is no shot, no blood splatter, as Sherlock lets the film continue to play. The stewardess gathers drinks and snacks from the galley to his left for the passengers and draws the curtain as she heads back to the main cabin. The man orders Sherlock to strip, to bend over the jumpseat.

Sherlock reaches into his suit-jacket and places a handkerchief in his own mouth. A gag, primarily, but also something to bite down on and something to clean himself off with when the man finally finishes doling out his punishment.

Re: FILL 4/? Above the Clouds ( noncon reminder)

[(Anonymous)]

*gaaaahhh* This is so powerful!

Re: FILL 4/? Above the Clouds ( noncon reminder)

[(Anonymous)]

Authoranon
I've been stressing all day that I went too far. Thank you for your comment! I was going for that...hopefully without it being a cheap shot at shock value.

Re: FILL 4/? Above the Clouds ( noncon reminder)

[(Anonymous)]

Oh, Sherlock... Why? D:
Hopefully, John won't leave Sherlock alone in this. It's a bit startling that Sherlock calls it 'punishment'.
This part is so interesting!

Re: FILL 4/? Above the Clouds ( noncon reminder)

[(Anonymous)]

Yeah, I went back and forth on that, because I worried people might interpret it as an kink (s/m or d/s) thing, but it really isn't. Maybe I should have put that in notes. It is a punishment to him that he is allowing to proceed because he blames himself and his inability to shut the fuck up. He feels he brought it upon himself as a character flaw...which is why he has John and Lestrade abandon him to care for the innocent victims who did nothing to bring about this sequence of events. He also gags himself because he sees it as shutting himself up yet again. So basically he did the wrong thing, didn't think it through, brought it upon himself, and believes he deserved even worse than he got...so it is a punishment in that sense of the word.
John will figure out what's going on to a certain extent.

Re: FILL 4/? Above the Clouds ( noncon reminder)

[(Anonymous)]

Thanks for replying! But you absolutely shouldn't worry that any of this looks like a kink. It really doesn't.

Re: FILL 4/? Above the Clouds ( noncon reminder)

[(Anonymous)]

OP here

I'm so glad you're writing this piece.

I wonder, is Sherlock going to stick to exactly what happens when he visits the scenes in his mind palace or will his mind start distorting it into something even more terrifying? I can't wait for your updates!

Re: FILL 4/? Above the Clouds ( noncon reminder)

[(Anonymous)]

Thank you so very much, OP! I am enjoying exploring this prompt. Both of them, actually!
You mean as he continues to explore it? This is why I love being able to talk about this stuff as I write...gets my brain going in ways I haven't thought of yet. I'm not sure, but I think he will do both. He needs to keep it completely accurate in one place in his brain, but also I think he will probably do the equivalent of mental self-harm with it. I think there is some overlap between the idea of 'intrusive thought' and what he is actually doing here... because he isn't just thinking about it in the way an intrusive thought might pop up in a normal person's head. He's reliving it. He feels it.
Hmmm... I think I've got a lot to say about this, so I am gonna simultaneously post it on my AO3, where I can be thinkier and not take up board space.
I will still update here.

FILL 5a/? Above the Clouds

[(Anonymous)]

John's fingers actually touch the keys on his mobile this time before he quickly puts it down once more. To his knowledge, Sherlock has said nothing to Mycroft, and it isn't right for John to be the one to break this news. He doesn't appear to be in any real medical danger. Probably some Mind Palace exercise, but he has never seen this before. Two hours, like this. Maybe even more; his internal clock is nowhere near as good as Sherlock's. Maybe, if he didn't say why he was like this, just that he came home from work and... no. This is Mycroft Holmes. One does not simply fool Mycroft Holmes.

An hour later it is looking less and less like a Mind Palace excursion and more and more like Catatonic Depression. He would need to get his hands on some Benzodiazepine if this went on for much longer. John takes a deep breath before heading over to the chair to lay his fingers on Sherlock's carotid artery. Pupils appear normal, and even track properly, though he doubts his eyes are registering his presence. Pulse surprisingly high. Not what you would expect from someone in a stupor. Respitory rate increased as well. So, for all the external veneer of calm, there was something going on internally that was very different. Would he feel relieved, like being woken up from a nightmare, or would...


Doctor Watson, would you care to inform me of the events that transpired on your return trip? -MH

Oh bloody hell! How on earth does he... John instinctively scanned for cameras, although he knew if they were indeed there he would never spot them at a glance.

You posted on your blog that you were headed to the North Country, only to delete the entry upon your return.

Amazing, too, how he could hear the sigh right in the text. Even the word 'blog' rang out with a condescending emphasis.

The case, however-- judging by the local papers-- was solved, and held the promise of being one of your more popular, and, dare I say, fascinating, tales. Furthermore, it was not deleted immediately, so you had planned to write up the case, until you arrived at home. Odd, also, to have not deleted the entry during the interminable wait at the airport. It wasn't that you didn't have the time to compile the story; you wanted to delete evidence of the entire outing. So, I ask you again. Would you care to inform me of the events that transpired on your return trip? It's not as if I can not come to my own conclusions on the matter, in time. I merely offer you the opportunity to clarify any details.

John looks at Sherlock. Then rubs his eyes with the palm of his hand and collapses into the chair opposite him.

FILL 5b/? Above the Clouds

[(Anonymous)]

why are you texting, Mycroft? I thought you preferred the lovely sound of my voice all the better to analyse me with.

Indeed, I do. But it seemed a matter of some delicacy, and the written word proves far more discreet.

Yes. Discreet. This is not his story to tell. Even asking if Sherlock had done this sort of extended... checking out... before was far too much information to give voluntarily. If he found out, it would not be because John told him. Whist debating what to type, another message comes in...

Neither of you are in hospital, but my brother is somehow incapacitated. You are extremely concerned. As am I.

John starts to type out "how do" when a new text appears on screen.

Since I have not yet been told to 'sod off', I can only assume he is incapable of requesting you do so. You wouldn't navigate this conversation alone by choice. Is he merely asleep-- at four in the afternoon-- or is he unconscious, Doctor? Surely, if he is unconscious, it is not of a medical origin or indeed he would be in hospital.

John backspaces. Paces. Considers shutting the mobile off. In the end, his concern for Sherlock's well-being wins out.

how long can he stay in his mind palace?

He once was imobile for two days straight, but that was as a child, when he was far less proficient. As an adult, he has been more inclined to intersperse the stillness with sporadic movement. I should suspect, if there is no change in position at all, you could hold off any medical concern for that same length of time. If he does, in fact, move, I would suggest not speaking to him until he makes eye contact. A combination of isolated thought as well as movement, without any attempt at communication, could theoretically go on indefinitely... but of course it will resolve itself when the issue is solved.

thank you

I am here if you should require my assistance, John.

Re: FILL 5b/? Above the Clouds

[(Anonymous)]

Perfect! I'm so happy you updated! Yay!

Re: FILL 5b/? Above the Clouds

[(Anonymous)]

John must find a way to snap Sherlock out of it. D:

Re: FILL 5b/? Above the Clouds

[(Anonymous)]

<3 Mycroft...

Re: FILL 5b/? Above the Clouds

[(Anonymous)]

New Anon here. I'm really enjoying this! I really hope Sherlock's excursion into his Mind Palace will do more than torture him--surely there's a way he can heal himself somehow.

FILL 6/? Above the Clouds

[(Anonymous)]

(Sorry this one is so short. John will interact with him next, and that should be up in the next few few days, I hope. Real life is demanding again)


Sherlock heads down the small jetway and into the airport terminal. The seats vanish and the room is suddenly large and sunny. There are many lush, green plants, a fish tank, and a piano in the corner. It is quiet, but the garish color of the paintings on the walls, indeed the walls themselves, are far too distracting, and shatter the peacefulness of the room.

Sherlock sees a small child sitting at a table which is more or less proportioned to his size. More accurately, he sees a mop of unruly dark hair and the back of a chair.

Scattered all over the table are pieces to the game Mouse Trap, only the boy has disregarded the rules of the game and is merely shuffling around pieces. In fact, there are no other children around to play with, even if he wanted to, though Sherlock is very sure he doesn't. He has chosen to reconstruct the trap and attempt to engage it. It is built hastily, and not entirely level, Sherlock observes, but he knows the child can not hear him, so he doesn't attempt to offer advice. He merely watches as the marble falls off the incline.

The child tries again, and, still not properly aligned, it misses the chute.

A third time, the marble with the pole doesn't dislodge the ball above.

A fourth, and the diver doesn't fall into the tub.

A fifth, and the tub doesn't dislodge the cage.

The child pounds on the table in frustration and it collapses. He rebuilds it. Checks every alignment, every detail. Every point of potential failure checked and rechecked. Sherlock looks at it over the boys shoulder and nods. There are no errors. The boy launches the marble.

The cage gets stuck on the barbed pole part of the way down.

The child wants to cry, but he doesn't. He looks at Sherlock, and two sets of cerulean eyes lock. Sherlock has nothing to say, as the boy begins construction again. As he turns to leave the room, the boy calls out after him, "Someone is calling you. You better hurry. You don't want to be late for supper."