Sustain (or Concerto for the Famished in D Minor). by maybe_amanda and OneMillionandNine (Mature)

[unovis.livejournal.com]

Fandom: SHERLOCK BBC
Pairing: Sherlock/Molly Hooper
Length: Novel-length, 6 parts
Authors: maybe_amanda and OneMillionandNine
Author Website: unknown
Why this must be read:
This has been widely recced and the links passed from reader to reader for very good reason.
It's a story about Sherlock, a bit at loose ends after John marries and goes off on a ridiculously long honeymoon; and about Molly Hooper, pathologist at Barts, the first human being we see interacting with Sherlock, in a rut after her boyfriend showed his unattractive side and then her cat and her father die. Molly decides she wants a child and a more tucked-away life. Sherlock is irritated at the idea of Molly leaving Barts and his having to break in a replacement. So, he volunteers, from expediency and boredom and possibly curiosity (why did Moriarty choose her?), to father her child.

You are here in excellent hands. The authors do not disapppoint. This damp paper towel holds the bowling ball just dandy, thank you, without dropping it on anyone's foot. Sherlock remains Sherlock, careless, insulting, prickly, talented, and here carnal in his desires. Molly is Molly, recognizable but gratifyingly sane and strong, even when she's bewildered or tired or wary of this horrible, attractive, destructive man.

Of the possible m/f pairings in the fandom, this is the one I like best. If you're at all fond of Molly, give it a try.

***

Molly had come to work exactly on time, fixed herself a cup of horrid decaf tea, and was about to check on some cultures she had going in the lab, when she saw him. He was hunched over a microscope, in his usual place, the place he'd been conspicuously absent from for almost seven weeks. His eyes flicked over her like a pass from an airport scanner wand.

"Oh," she said. She suppressed the urge to apologize - what did she have to apologize for, after all? - turned on her heel, and headed back to the relative safety of the mortuary. She could check on those cultures anoth-

"That was inconsiderate of you, not to mention ungrateful," his voice, lightly hoarse, boomed behind her. "Why didn't you let me know I'd been successful?"

Despite her best intentions, she spun around. "Excuse me?"

"I help you get what you wanted and now you treat me like yesterday's news," he said, primly clearing his throat.

"Ah. You're right. I'm sorry. I'm pregnant," she said. "Thank you for your, um, help."

He folded his arms across his chest and made that noise in his throat again, but said nothing. His eyes, however, spoke volumes. Many volumes, a whole encyclopedia's worth. If looks could kill, she'd be really impressively dead.

***


Sustain (or Concerto for the Famished in D Minor) on AO3

Comments

[hurry-sundown.livejournal.com]

I'd recommend this story even if you're not at all fond of Molly. To me, Sherlock het is an oxymoron if ever there was one. But maybe_amanda sells this premise like ... like something you didn't know you desperately needed until you had it. It's that good. Go, enjoy.

[maybe-amanda.livejournal.com]

I just want to point out that, while I'd love to take all the credit, I cannot!! OneMillionandNine and I wrote this fic together. Having said that, let me assure you that we'd both like to thank you very much for the wonderful rec!

[unovis.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I've made corrections, and I'm indebted to you both for a wonderful read.

[fuzzyboo03.livejournal.com]

Agreed. This is one of those fics where I glanced at the summary, thought to myself, never in a million years, then read when I saw all the recs. It's fabulous.

Sustain (or Concerto for the Famished in D Minor)

[kittygoslingp.livejournal.com]

Not the sort of thing that would normally appeal to me but I do respect your judgement so decided to dip my toe in and hours later am so glad I did. Really enjoyed it, very well written and so that a pairing I would never normally have considered is very credible too. Great rec, thank you.