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holmesticeTitle: And Things Will Change
Author: Ragna (![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
scandalbaby)
Recipient:mildred_bobbin
Fandom: Sherlock
Rating: PG
Word Count: 6,158
Characters/Pairings: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson
Warnings: None
Summary: Sherlock upsets the wrong woman and wakes up one morning a female. It’s quite the learning experience, especially when John starts acting strangely. What exactly is his friend hiding?
Notes:swissmarg is a godsend of a beta. One of the things my recipient wanted was a genderswap story, and I had never written that before. I still think my beta deserves a co-writing credit for all the work but swissmarg says no, so I offer up my heartiest thanks instead and the opinion that the story is a million times better with the help. mildred_bobbin, enjoy!
Part 1
Part 2
It was hell. It was pure, unadulterated hell, the excursion out into public. When he walked through the more proper parts of London, the places he frequented most in his own state, it was not so bad, other than the fact his feet were killing him. But he did not think he was getting the full experience, so he went to the seedier as the sun began to set. Even considering he was not wearing a dress or a skirt he still got catcalls and whistles, and when he rebuffed them the names he got called were derogatory and rude. He honestly had no idea how women could put up with it without getting violent. He was used to being disliked, but this was a whole new level of vitriol spewed at him. He hated every moment of it.
As it began to get dark he felt he’d had enough. He texted John to join him and made his way to the nearest pub to home. He didn't drink very often. He preferred to keep his mind sharp and focused, and alcohol didn't allow for that. But there were times a drink or two was just what he needed. Usually when he was somewhat out of sorts, but right now he was angry and he felt a stiff drink was just what he needed. When John joined him he already had a shot in front of him.
“It's abominable,” Sherlock said. “The way men treat women. It's rude and it shouldn't be that way.”
“You're in this mess because you said a man could fix a problem that a woman couldn’t,” John replied, taking a sip of his whiskey and cola. “Or at least what Mrs. McManus took from that conversation.”
“You should have come with me,” Sherlock muttered. If John had been there, very likely this whole thing would not have happened. He tipped his head back and downed his shot. He didn't plan on getting knackered, but he at least wanted to dull the rage slightly. He wanted to not be so sharp and focused, because thinking about it just made him angrier. And right now he knew anger would get him nowhere. He signaled for another shot. “I suppose this won’t be enough, this one excursion. What other torture do women go through?”
“There's their monthlies,” John replied frankly. “That's never pleasant for them. And if you're as female on the inside as you are on the outside, it might happen. And there's childbirth, but I honest to God hope you aren't a woman for that long. I don't think I could bear it.”
“Why not?” Sherlock asked. The look on John’s face surprised him when he asked that question, but it was not completely telling. Could he not bear any changes that might come with pregnancy, or was it more? They were veering back into the conversation they had started that morning, and Sherlock wanted answers this time. He wasn’t going to let John evade him this time. “What is so wrong with me being a woman?”
“I don't want to get into it,” John said tersely. “Can we just drop the subject?”
“John, I want to know,” Sherlock said.
“If you keep pressing I'm going to leave,” John said, taking another sip.
“I want an answer. You owe me one.”
“I owe you one?” John asked incredulously. “Sherlock, I don't owe you anything. I don't want to talk about it and you keep pushing. I'm done with this conversation.” He slammed back the last of his drink. “Whenever you feel like talking to me about other things, come back home. I'll be there.”
“John...” Sherlock said, turning to watch his friend leave. John kept walking, ignoring Sherlock completely. As John stepped through the door and left the pub Sherlock turned back to the bartender and signaled for a third shot as soon as he finished the second. He knew it would do no good to get drunk he wanted answers and it didn’t look like he was going to get them any time soon. He didn't want this barrier between them. John was his best friend, the one person in the world he trusted the most. He didn't want him angry at him, and now he was.
Some time later he’d lost count of how many shots he’d had. He was definitely feeling their effects, though. He never should have started drinking on an empty stomach. It was also possible the female body had a lower alcohol tolerance than he was used to. He finished off what was left in his glass and stood. He was slightly wobbly and was immensely glad he’d opted for low heels. He made his way to the door and went outside. It was dark, and quite late now. Given his earlier experience, it probably wouldn’t be a good idea for him to attempt to walk home in this condition. He hailed a cab and gave the driver his address. The first thing he saw when he entered the sitting room was a bottle of whiskey on the desk with a half full glass next to it. The level of alcohol in the bottle indicated it was not John’s first glass. John was standing by the window, looking out at the street below.
“I am back,” Sherlock announced, grabbing at the door frame as the room swayed slightly.
“Good. I shouldn't have left you, not when you're like this,” John said, turning. “I'm sorry.”
“I should be the one apologising,” Sherlock said, waving his hand magnanimously. “If you don't want to talk about it I won't make you.”
“Maybe I should,” John said. He picked up his glass and took a drink, as if to bolster himself, then set it back firmly on the table and met Sherlock’s eyes squarely. “I'm attracted to you.” He paused and licked his lips, waiting for some reaction. When Sherlock didn’t respond, John repeated, more firmly, “I find you attractive. And it's worse now that you're a woman. I think if I were to make a move now it would be more...socially acceptable. It would be easier.”
Sherlock was stunned. “Excuse me?” he said. Even as he said it, though, things began to fall into place. They were little things he had brushed off before, but John’s actions recently started to make more sense. He was surprised, certainly, but he wasn’t upset. He wasn’t quite sure how he felt at the moment, but affronted was definitely not on the list.
“You. I bloody well fancy you. I've wondered what it would be like to kiss you. To have a shag. And I felt all this before you became a woman.” He finished off the drink. “You aren’t attracted to women, and I have no idea how you feel about men. I’ve certainly never seen you show interest in anyone, of either sex, so I don't even know if you can be attracted to someone. This might be new territory for both of us. I'm used to being rebuffed. But I don't think I can be rebuffed by you. I don't think our friendship could handle it. And yet here I am, spilling it all.” He poured himself another drink, but didn’t pick it up. “So go ahead. Tell me there's no attraction. Tell me you feel nothing for me other than a deep abiding friendship, if you even feel that for me anymore.”
“John,” Sherlock said quietly. This was a lot. It was almost too much, if he wanted to be truthful. He wasn't sure what he was feeling right now. John was John. John was his stability, his safe place. John was the one he trusted more than anyone else in the world. He didn't want to lose him. He wasn't sure if he felt the same way. He wasn't sure how he felt about anything right now. “I don't know what to say.”
“I know,” John said, lifting his glass to his lips. “I threw it all out at once and now you've got to think it through. I'm fairly sure I'll end up alone and miserable at the end of it, so I suppose I should steel myself for that.”
“Do you find it easier to be attracted to me as I am now?” Sherlock asked.
“I don't know if it's easier. I might not fight it as much if you stayed a woman.”
Sherlock took a step closer, reaching for the back of his chair for balance. “What do you want from me? Right now, I mean.”
John set his drink back down and lifted his eyes to Sherlock’s. “There's a lot I would like. An answer would be lovely, but I don't think I'm going to get it.” He ran his tongue over his bottom lip. “A kiss probably wouldn't hurt.”
“If I give you a kiss, will you give me time to think?” Sherlock asked.
John nodded. “I'll give you time, either way.”
He thought about it a moment. John was right; he did not show his attraction to anyone to the world at large. But he was curious. And it would make John happy if he did this. Both of those factors were influencing what he was thinking. Finally, he spoke. “Very well. I will give you a kiss. Just...be warned I've never kissed anyone before.”
“Never?” John asked, surprised.
“Never.” He paused. “I have felt attraction before. I just never acted on it.”
“Then I'm honoured,” John said quietly. He moved closer to Sherlock. “I won't do anything you're not comfortable with. It will be a light kiss. Easy and simple.”
“All right,” Sherlock said with a slight nod. He had to admit, he was slightly nervous. John had been right again that this was new territory for him. Still, he found himself slightly eager as well as very curious.
John reached over and put a hand on Sherlock's waist. He slid his hand around slightly and pulled Sherlock closer to him. Sherlock was unsure of where to put his hand, but after a moment John leaned in and pressed his lips against Sherlock's. It was an unusual sensation, this kiss, but John wasn't pushy about it and Sherlock relaxed slightly. He was fairly sure he wasn't doing it right, but it wasn't totally awful. And he had to admit, he didn’t feel disgusted or unsure. He felt comfortable. It was as though it was something he had wanted but didn’t know he wanted until it was actually happening. That emboldened him slightly, and he increased the pressure of the kiss.
After a moment John pulled away. “For a first kiss that wasn't so bad,” he said quietly.
“I'm surprised,” Sherlock replied, slightly breathless. “I thought I was rubbish.”
“I had to stop, or else I'd take that further,” he replied.
“I do not think I would be ready for that,” Sherlock said. “But I would not mind another kiss. For comparison’s sake.”
“Is that my answer?” John asked. “That you don't want to push me away?”
“No, John. I don't want to push you away.” He stared intently into John’s eyes. “Do you want me like this?”
“I want you period,” he said quietly. “I want you however I can get you, male or female.”
“Then you can have me,” Sherlock said. “No matter what happens, whether I return to my original state or I stay a woman, I will not push you away. I promise.”
“Do you know what you're offering?” John asked, pulling Sherlock closer.
“I'm fairly sure,” Sherlock replied with a nod. “I'll give it to you freely.”
“Then I'll take it,” John said, kissing Sherlock again, a bit harder this time. And as Sherlock kissed him back he realized that regardless of what happened next, regardless of whether he ever got back to normal, this new turn in his relationship with John was only a good thing. He felt something in him open up and fill and he only hoped that the feeling lasted for a very long time.
PART 4
Author: Ragna (
scandalbaby)Recipient:
mildred_bobbinFandom: Sherlock
Rating: PG
Word Count: 6,158
Characters/Pairings: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson
Warnings: None
Summary: Sherlock upsets the wrong woman and wakes up one morning a female. It’s quite the learning experience, especially when John starts acting strangely. What exactly is his friend hiding?
Notes:
swissmarg is a godsend of a beta. One of the things my recipient wanted was a genderswap story, and I had never written that before. I still think my beta deserves a co-writing credit for all the work but swissmarg says no, so I offer up my heartiest thanks instead and the opinion that the story is a million times better with the help. mildred_bobbin, enjoy!Part 1
Part 2
It was hell. It was pure, unadulterated hell, the excursion out into public. When he walked through the more proper parts of London, the places he frequented most in his own state, it was not so bad, other than the fact his feet were killing him. But he did not think he was getting the full experience, so he went to the seedier as the sun began to set. Even considering he was not wearing a dress or a skirt he still got catcalls and whistles, and when he rebuffed them the names he got called were derogatory and rude. He honestly had no idea how women could put up with it without getting violent. He was used to being disliked, but this was a whole new level of vitriol spewed at him. He hated every moment of it.
As it began to get dark he felt he’d had enough. He texted John to join him and made his way to the nearest pub to home. He didn't drink very often. He preferred to keep his mind sharp and focused, and alcohol didn't allow for that. But there were times a drink or two was just what he needed. Usually when he was somewhat out of sorts, but right now he was angry and he felt a stiff drink was just what he needed. When John joined him he already had a shot in front of him.
“It's abominable,” Sherlock said. “The way men treat women. It's rude and it shouldn't be that way.”
“You're in this mess because you said a man could fix a problem that a woman couldn’t,” John replied, taking a sip of his whiskey and cola. “Or at least what Mrs. McManus took from that conversation.”
“You should have come with me,” Sherlock muttered. If John had been there, very likely this whole thing would not have happened. He tipped his head back and downed his shot. He didn't plan on getting knackered, but he at least wanted to dull the rage slightly. He wanted to not be so sharp and focused, because thinking about it just made him angrier. And right now he knew anger would get him nowhere. He signaled for another shot. “I suppose this won’t be enough, this one excursion. What other torture do women go through?”
“There's their monthlies,” John replied frankly. “That's never pleasant for them. And if you're as female on the inside as you are on the outside, it might happen. And there's childbirth, but I honest to God hope you aren't a woman for that long. I don't think I could bear it.”
“Why not?” Sherlock asked. The look on John’s face surprised him when he asked that question, but it was not completely telling. Could he not bear any changes that might come with pregnancy, or was it more? They were veering back into the conversation they had started that morning, and Sherlock wanted answers this time. He wasn’t going to let John evade him this time. “What is so wrong with me being a woman?”
“I don't want to get into it,” John said tersely. “Can we just drop the subject?”
“John, I want to know,” Sherlock said.
“If you keep pressing I'm going to leave,” John said, taking another sip.
“I want an answer. You owe me one.”
“I owe you one?” John asked incredulously. “Sherlock, I don't owe you anything. I don't want to talk about it and you keep pushing. I'm done with this conversation.” He slammed back the last of his drink. “Whenever you feel like talking to me about other things, come back home. I'll be there.”
“John...” Sherlock said, turning to watch his friend leave. John kept walking, ignoring Sherlock completely. As John stepped through the door and left the pub Sherlock turned back to the bartender and signaled for a third shot as soon as he finished the second. He knew it would do no good to get drunk he wanted answers and it didn’t look like he was going to get them any time soon. He didn't want this barrier between them. John was his best friend, the one person in the world he trusted the most. He didn't want him angry at him, and now he was.
Some time later he’d lost count of how many shots he’d had. He was definitely feeling their effects, though. He never should have started drinking on an empty stomach. It was also possible the female body had a lower alcohol tolerance than he was used to. He finished off what was left in his glass and stood. He was slightly wobbly and was immensely glad he’d opted for low heels. He made his way to the door and went outside. It was dark, and quite late now. Given his earlier experience, it probably wouldn’t be a good idea for him to attempt to walk home in this condition. He hailed a cab and gave the driver his address. The first thing he saw when he entered the sitting room was a bottle of whiskey on the desk with a half full glass next to it. The level of alcohol in the bottle indicated it was not John’s first glass. John was standing by the window, looking out at the street below.
“I am back,” Sherlock announced, grabbing at the door frame as the room swayed slightly.
“Good. I shouldn't have left you, not when you're like this,” John said, turning. “I'm sorry.”
“I should be the one apologising,” Sherlock said, waving his hand magnanimously. “If you don't want to talk about it I won't make you.”
“Maybe I should,” John said. He picked up his glass and took a drink, as if to bolster himself, then set it back firmly on the table and met Sherlock’s eyes squarely. “I'm attracted to you.” He paused and licked his lips, waiting for some reaction. When Sherlock didn’t respond, John repeated, more firmly, “I find you attractive. And it's worse now that you're a woman. I think if I were to make a move now it would be more...socially acceptable. It would be easier.”
Sherlock was stunned. “Excuse me?” he said. Even as he said it, though, things began to fall into place. They were little things he had brushed off before, but John’s actions recently started to make more sense. He was surprised, certainly, but he wasn’t upset. He wasn’t quite sure how he felt at the moment, but affronted was definitely not on the list.
“You. I bloody well fancy you. I've wondered what it would be like to kiss you. To have a shag. And I felt all this before you became a woman.” He finished off the drink. “You aren’t attracted to women, and I have no idea how you feel about men. I’ve certainly never seen you show interest in anyone, of either sex, so I don't even know if you can be attracted to someone. This might be new territory for both of us. I'm used to being rebuffed. But I don't think I can be rebuffed by you. I don't think our friendship could handle it. And yet here I am, spilling it all.” He poured himself another drink, but didn’t pick it up. “So go ahead. Tell me there's no attraction. Tell me you feel nothing for me other than a deep abiding friendship, if you even feel that for me anymore.”
“John,” Sherlock said quietly. This was a lot. It was almost too much, if he wanted to be truthful. He wasn't sure what he was feeling right now. John was John. John was his stability, his safe place. John was the one he trusted more than anyone else in the world. He didn't want to lose him. He wasn't sure if he felt the same way. He wasn't sure how he felt about anything right now. “I don't know what to say.”
“I know,” John said, lifting his glass to his lips. “I threw it all out at once and now you've got to think it through. I'm fairly sure I'll end up alone and miserable at the end of it, so I suppose I should steel myself for that.”
“Do you find it easier to be attracted to me as I am now?” Sherlock asked.
“I don't know if it's easier. I might not fight it as much if you stayed a woman.”
Sherlock took a step closer, reaching for the back of his chair for balance. “What do you want from me? Right now, I mean.”
John set his drink back down and lifted his eyes to Sherlock’s. “There's a lot I would like. An answer would be lovely, but I don't think I'm going to get it.” He ran his tongue over his bottom lip. “A kiss probably wouldn't hurt.”
“If I give you a kiss, will you give me time to think?” Sherlock asked.
John nodded. “I'll give you time, either way.”
He thought about it a moment. John was right; he did not show his attraction to anyone to the world at large. But he was curious. And it would make John happy if he did this. Both of those factors were influencing what he was thinking. Finally, he spoke. “Very well. I will give you a kiss. Just...be warned I've never kissed anyone before.”
“Never?” John asked, surprised.
“Never.” He paused. “I have felt attraction before. I just never acted on it.”
“Then I'm honoured,” John said quietly. He moved closer to Sherlock. “I won't do anything you're not comfortable with. It will be a light kiss. Easy and simple.”
“All right,” Sherlock said with a slight nod. He had to admit, he was slightly nervous. John had been right again that this was new territory for him. Still, he found himself slightly eager as well as very curious.
John reached over and put a hand on Sherlock's waist. He slid his hand around slightly and pulled Sherlock closer to him. Sherlock was unsure of where to put his hand, but after a moment John leaned in and pressed his lips against Sherlock's. It was an unusual sensation, this kiss, but John wasn't pushy about it and Sherlock relaxed slightly. He was fairly sure he wasn't doing it right, but it wasn't totally awful. And he had to admit, he didn’t feel disgusted or unsure. He felt comfortable. It was as though it was something he had wanted but didn’t know he wanted until it was actually happening. That emboldened him slightly, and he increased the pressure of the kiss.
After a moment John pulled away. “For a first kiss that wasn't so bad,” he said quietly.
“I'm surprised,” Sherlock replied, slightly breathless. “I thought I was rubbish.”
“I had to stop, or else I'd take that further,” he replied.
“I do not think I would be ready for that,” Sherlock said. “But I would not mind another kiss. For comparison’s sake.”
“Is that my answer?” John asked. “That you don't want to push me away?”
“No, John. I don't want to push you away.” He stared intently into John’s eyes. “Do you want me like this?”
“I want you period,” he said quietly. “I want you however I can get you, male or female.”
“Then you can have me,” Sherlock said. “No matter what happens, whether I return to my original state or I stay a woman, I will not push you away. I promise.”
“Do you know what you're offering?” John asked, pulling Sherlock closer.
“I'm fairly sure,” Sherlock replied with a nod. “I'll give it to you freely.”
“Then I'll take it,” John said, kissing Sherlock again, a bit harder this time. And as Sherlock kissed him back he realized that regardless of what happened next, regardless of whether he ever got back to normal, this new turn in his relationship with John was only a good thing. He felt something in him open up and fill and he only hoped that the feeling lasted for a very long time.
PART 4
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Date: 2013-12-18 08:32 pm (UTC)