Sherlock, Subtext, and My Ultra-Conservative Baby-Boomer Dad
My Dad will be 64 this autumn. My Dad is a die-hard Republican. My Dad was a Southern Baptist pastor for nearly 30 years. And my Dad is a Sherlock fan.
He’s always had TV shows he enjoyed (I grew up on Star Trek.. it was kind of Our Thing), but he’s mostly a passive fan. The kind who is willing to wait patiently until the next season of something airs and suddenly remembers, two hours prior, that today’s the day.
So when my Dad called me a couple weeks ago, voice a little tremulous, begging me to send him a link whereby he could stream Sherlock series 3 and bypass the PBS waiting period, I happily sent him the best one I’d found. He didn’t want to wait, he wanted to watch it NOW, and I could respect him for that. It was a pleasant surprise, him loving the show so much he had to watch it NOW.
Today, I finally got the chance to ask him about it.
I was bouncing on my toes, excited to be fangirling about my fave show with my own father. “What did you think, Dad?”
I didn’t expect him to get a little choked up. His next words blew my mind.
He said, “Sweetie, I’m old. Set in my ways. I was taught, and adhered to, a certain way that people should be with each other. I preached it, and I voted in light of it, and I taught it to you and your sister. But I watched this show. And I watched these two men fall in love with each other. And the only thing I could think was, ‘These two souls are meant to be together’. Sherlock Holmes and John Watson are… soulmates. Over my years as a pastor, I’ve seen couples get married.. And couples get divorced.. It happens. But I’ve never seen two people who were more perfectly designed to fit together, and it broke my heart to see it not happen for them. I’m sorry I’ve been such an ass.”
Given that it was a brave moment, I blurted out, “Dad, I’m bisexual.”
And he turned to me and smiled, tears in his eyes, and said, “Just… be happy.”
Don’t fret that the press “has yet to discover” the “subtext” inherent in Sherlock. Don’t fret that the creators and the actors still deny it. Because if my Dad can see it, then it’s crystal clear. My almost-64-yr-old-Dad ships Johnlock. My SOUTHERN BAPTIST PASTOR Dad ships Johnlock.
To the point that he internalized change in his thinking about same-sex relationships, and happily accepted my (rather abrupt) coming out.
Keep the faith.
This ship has sailed; and my Dad, of ALL people, is right on fucking board.
Ended up writing bunnylock for the ao3 1 million celebration. Just smut.
A Bun in the Hand – John comes home from work and finds Sherlock ready for him.
teaser below the cut
John came home from a long day at work, looking forward to dinner, tea and maybe some telly, assuming Sherlock didn’t have him running across half of London tonight. As he pushed open the door however, he was surprised to find the detective sound asleep on the couch. Snoring softly, his long ears hanging off the end of the couch, and his tail peeking out from under his shirt.
Smiling, John went to turn the kettle on. He heard Sherlock kick at the sound of it clicking on. Yawning, the taller man wandered into the kitchen, giving John a kiss and stroking one of his floppy ears.
“Have a nice nap?” asked John, bracing himself as he opened the fridge.
Sherlock shrugged and reached past him for a carrot lying next to what was possibly a heart. John didn’t feel like looking too close. “Guess I’ll order takeaway.”
“Mrs. Hudson said she had some extra,” said Sherlock, offering him the other half of the carrot.
John took a bite and handed it back, knowing Sherlock probably hadn’t bothered to eat today. “I’ll go down and get it in a minute.”
“Aren’t you warm in that jumper?” Sherlock tugged at the hem.
John closed the fridge and gave him a knowing look. “Sherlock.”
One of Sherlock’s ears twitched as he leaned down. “I’m not wearing any pants.”
‘just you and me against the world’ more like ‘just you and me against a wall’ am i right
Definitely
This is possibly the geekiest fic I’ve written. I’m also tempted to make this a longer fic about Sherlock and John exploring each other’s geeky sides:
The Doctor and Mister Spock – Sherlock spots John’s secret tattoo, and John learns his lover has one just as geeky
teaser below the cut
John stepped out of the shower with a yawn. He pulled on pants and a white t-shirt , following it with a robe. There was a dire need for tea this morning. Last night had been busy and late. He smiled as he peeked into the bedroom.
Sherlock lay sprawled out, still snoring softly, face turned against John’s pillow. They’d been sleeping together about a week now, still getting used to one another’s presence in their bed and their hearts.
Closing the door gently, John went into the kitchen, turning on the kettle and starting breakfast. Sherlock shuffled out as he finished and rested his head on John’s shoulder. “Finish the tea, would you?” asked John.
Grumbling, Sherlock obeyed before coming back and wrapping his arms around John’s waist, hands landing on an exposed bit of tummy.
John jumped. “Christ, how are your hands so cold after making tea? Go on, breakfast is ready.”
Instead Sherlock kissed his neck, sliding his hands down to bracket his hips. John’s cock stirred with interest. “The eggs will get cold.” He half-heartedly tried to shrug him off.
“Damn the eggs,” grumbled Sherlock, squeezing his hips and pushing him against the counter.
