#rodeolock

[dulcimergecko]

Sunday Six(ish)!

“What the Hell?  How did you get past–?”

“Irrelevant,” Sherlock replied, waving a dismissive hand.

“Not irrelevant!  We’re talking about a potentially serious breach of department security!”

“Oh, please, Sherlock sneered.  “If you were that concerned about security, somebody would have locked the door labeled ‘employees only.’  As it was, all I had to do was look like I knew where I was going.”

Donovan reached up and pinched the bridge of her nose between a thumb and forefinger and muttered something under breath that sounded like “Grandmother give me strength,” before raising her eyes to nail Sherlock.  “Right.  So why shouldn’t I just lock up you for trespassing?”

–Excerpt from the upcoming chapter 29 of ‘The Devil’s Blaze’ 

#six sentence sunday #sunday six #the devil's blaze #rodeolock #rodeo!lock

[lapuslazulli]

Chapters: 26/? Fandom: Sherlock (TV) Rating: Explicit Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Relationships: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson Characters: Sherlock Holmes, John Watson, Lestrade (Sherlock Holmes), Molly Hooper, Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Sally Donovan, Mike Stamford Additional Tags: Horses, Rodeos, Cowboys & Cowgirls, rodeo!lock, vet!John, Vet John, Case Fic, WIP, ACD Canon References, Texas, AU, Alternate Universe, Slow Build, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Slow Burn, Alternate Universe - Different First Meeting, Awesome Sally Donovan, Sally Donovan Appreciation, Sherlock Is A Bit Not Good, Sherlock Being A Manipulative Bastard, Sherlock Being Sherlock, Eventual Happy Ending, But shit will hit the fan several times first!, Masturbation, Bad Puns, Puns & Word Play, broncos, It's For a Case, Animal Death, Developing Relationship, Developing Sherlock Holmes/John Watson, Rodeo Clowns, Cowboy!Sherlock, Cowboy!John, Sexy Butts in Jeans, Awesome Molly Hooper, Cowboylock, Cowboy!lock, line dancing, Drunk Sherlock, Continental Drift Slow Burn, Coitus Interruptus, Mystery, Alternate Universe - Farm/Ranch, Safer Sex, Condoms, Blow Jobs, John is a Horndog, Cowboy Sherlock, Cowboy John, Chaps Series: Part 1 of The Devil's Blaze Summary:

Sherlock Holmes, the world’s only Consulting Equestrian Expert, is the individual called when horse owners are out of their depth. At the behest of his elder brother, Sherlock travels to Amarillo, Texas, to investigate why a valuable bucking stallion has seemingly gone berserk for no reason and killed his trainer. The local authorities suspect the owner of fraud and possible animal abuse, but Mycroft sees parallels to an unsolved case from the 1980s wherein a racehorse killed a groom. Complicating the situation is John Watson: bronco rider, rodeo veterinarian, sexy flirt, and one of case’s primary suspects…

Or, to put it another way: Rodeolock AU! Sherlock Holmes and John Watson running around Texas, USA in cowboy boots, Wranglers blue jeans and cowboy hats. 'Nuff said.

#Fanfic #AO3 Link

[shelleysprometheus]

Chapters: 24/? Fandom: Sherlock (TV) Rating: Explicit Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Relationships: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson Characters: Sherlock Holmes, John Watson, Lestrade (Sherlock Holmes), Molly Hooper, Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Sally Donovan, Mike Stamford Additional Tags: Horses, Rodeos, Cowboys & Cowgirls, rodeo!lock, vet!John, Vet John, Case Fic, WIP, ACD Canon References, Texas, AU, Alternate Universe, Slow Build, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Slow Burn, Alternate Universe - Different First Meeting, Awesome Sally Donovan, Sally Donovan Appreciation, Sherlock Is A Bit Not Good, Sherlock Being A Manipulative Bastard, Sherlock Being Sherlock, Eventual Happy Ending, But shit will hit the fan several times first!, Masturbation, Bad Puns, Puns & Word Play, Lies, broncos, Rodeolock, very slow burn, Like…glacially slow burn, It’s For a Case, Animal Death, Developing Relationship, Developing Sherlock Holmes/John Watson, Rodeo Clowns, Cowboy!Sherlock, Cowboy!John, Sexy Butts in Jeans, Awesome Molly Hooper, Cowboylock, Cowboy!lock, line dancing, Dancing Lessons, Dancing, Drunk Sherlock, Continental Drift Slow Burn, Coitus Interruptus, Mystery, Alternate Universe - Farm/Ranch, Safer Sex, Condoms, Blow Jobs, Pool & Billiards, John is a Horndog, Cowboy Sherlock, Cowboy John, Chaps Series: Part 1 of The Devil’s Blaze Summary:

Sherlock Holmes, the world’s only Consulting Equestrian Expert, is the individual called when horse owners are out of their depth. At the behest of his elder brother, Sherlock travels to Amarillo, Texas, to investigate why a valuable bucking stallion has seemingly gone berserk for no reason and killed his trainer. The local authorities suspect the owner of fraud and possible animal abuse, but Mycroft sees parallels to an unsolved case from the 1980s wherein a racehorse killed a groom. Complicating the situation is John Watson: bronco rider, rodeo veterinarian and one of case’s primary suspects…

Or, to put it another way: Rodeolock AU! Sherlock Holmes and John Watson running around Texas, USA in cowboy boots, Wranglers blue jeans and cowboy hats. ‘Nuff said.

OK. so yeah, um .. brain still caught up in this image from the first chapter:

 "And call me John, please,“ he added with a wink and a friendly grin. He removed his hat and ruffled a hand through his short, blond hair before redonning it and tucking his thumbs into the loops of his jeans. The movement drew subtle attention to the championship belt buckle he wore as he leaned back against the stall door. Tilting his head, John raised an eyebrow, his dark blue eyes intent on hers. "What can I do for you?”

This fic has it all. Goddam gorgeous cowboy vet, John Watson, consulting equestrian expert (getting himself into a pair of chaps), Sherlock Holmes, kick-ass Sally Donovan, a case-fic to rival all case fics, and horses! My only word of caution would be to not attempt to read the entire 279K words all in one day (by 1am I was feeling a little queasy) but damn it, if it wasn’t one of the best reading days I have had.

@dulcimergecko

#sherlock #johnlock #a sp fic rec

[dulcimergecko]

Sunday Six!(ish)

So personal update: my dad (finally!) got his lung transplant and I'm taking shifts like the rest of the immediate family. Sitting around on hospital floors is terrible for my hips (believe me, trying to sit in the chairs they provide is worse!) but it does give me hours of quiet time for writing!

~*~

Later, back in his cabin, Sherlock gave into the urge to pace.  “It makes no sense!” he growled to the room’s other occupant, only to receive a sleepy doggy yawn in reply.  “There is a pattern here; there must be, but what is it?”

Spinning around Sherlock let his gaze fall on the mostly-unadorned walls.  The cabin was made up of split logs–hardly the best surface to adhere items to, but beggars, choosers and all that.  Sherlock sighed again.  There was nothing else for it.  He’d hoped to keep his evidence wall locked in his mind palace in the interest of preserving his cover–his cabin was cleaned weekly, after all–but the concussion was making it impossible for him to do so...

–Excerpt from the upcoming chapter 29 of ‘The Devil’s Blaze’  

#six sentence sunday #sunday six #the devil's blaze #rodeolock #rodeo!lock

[dulcimergecko]

Sunday Six(ish)

“The law of parsimony dictates that the strange smell and the traces of ash I recovered are due to the mysterious cigarette I found.  That ties in with the traces of ash particles I found in Scotty’s nasal mucus, Straker’s autopsy, Melba Toastya’s necropsy, and the video evidence of Cream Soda.  Why a strange smell, though?  Tobacco is prevalent enough in this society that it is readily identifiable.  Tobacco also hasn’t been reported to have an adverse effect on livestock.  Something else, then, but what?  Molly’s claim that marijuana smoke resembles nothing so much as a dead and decomposing skunk aside, what could the ash be comprised of?"

–Excerpt from the upcoming chapter 29 of ‘The Devil’s Blaze’ 

#the devil's blaze #six sentence sunday #sunday six #rodeo!lock #rodeolock

[dulcimergecko]

Sunday Six!

Frowning now, Sherlock turned back and traced his eyes over the lengths of different, colour-coded string and post-it notes branching off of each horse’s image.  Ross, being Blaze’s owner, was the most obvious place to start.  He’d tacked a copy of one of the warning letters Candii Ross had received to the wall, with a thread leading back to Blaze’s picture.  Despite what Kitty Riley claimed, he’d found no evidence to indicate that Ross had anything to do with Blaze’s hitherto unknown murderous intent.  No scarring on the stallion’s head or genitals indicating abuse with a shock stick.  His quarters–both temporary and permanent were top-notch, as were the accommodations for the rest of the horses on the ranch... 

–Excerpt from the upcoming chapter 29 of ‘The Devil’s Blaze’ 

#six sentence sunday #sunday six #the devil's blaze #rodeo!lock #rodeolock

[dulcimergecko]

Sunday Six!

“No,” Sherlock said slowly, trying not to sound overly condescending, “I think Straker was murdered.  Furthermore, his killer is not only experimenting with whatever drug Straker was using, his killer figured that John was on to him, or her, or them, somehow.”

Donovan tilted her head to one side.  “How many cups of coffee have you drunk?  Actually, scrap that, when was the last time you slept?  Because you’re pulling a Mulder here...”

–Excerpt from the upcoming chapter 29 of ‘The Devil’s Blaze’ 

#sunday six #six sentence sunday #the devil's blaze #rodeo!lock #rodeolock

[dulcimergecko]

Sunday Six!

Sherlock whirled around to see Molly standing behind him in the hallway.

“You...absolute…<i>sheath sponge</i>,” Molly spat, glaring up at Sherlock, both small hands clenching into fists.

Sherlock reared back in insulted outrage.  He’d been called many derogatory names over the years in his line of work, including ‘freak,’ ‘ketsumedo yarou,’ ‘Ya Kalb,’ and the ubiquitous ‘you bastard.’  But comparing him unfavorably to a tool used to clean the accumulated, foul-smelling smegma from a male horse’s penis felt beyond the pale.

John, meanwhile, bit back a snort of laughter.  

–Excerpt from an upcoming chapter of ‘The Devil’s Blaze’ 

#sunday six #six sentence sunday #the devil's blaze #rodeolock #rodeo!lock

[dulcimergecko]

Sunday Six(ish)!

*glares at Chapter 29.* It's been months. I've literally written thousands of words for you, approached you from different angles, drafted segments of you in my head at bedtime, kept you as an open document I can easily access, and arranged writing nights with friends. Why won't you GEL ALREADY?!?!?!?!

Ahem.

What I mean is 'enjoy your Sunday Six!' Have some extra words since it's been a while due to my crazy summer weekend work schedule. :)

~*~

“Shhhshh,” Sherlock murmured soothingly, his voice a deep baritone rumble.  He swept the curry comb across the mare’s shoulders in broad, circular sweeps, loosening dirt and dandruff from her ebony-coloured coat.  There wasn’t much.  Ms. Ross’s horses were obviously groomed regularly, but the routine ranch chores were soothing, allowing him to concentrate on something other than his own inner turmoil. 

It’d been three weeks since the wreck and his disastrous break up with John.  And, unfortunately, no matter how many times he tried to frame and contextualize his actions and choices, one thing remained the same: he was an idiot.

Sherlock squeezed his eyes shut momentarily, attempting to force the sense of crippling guilt back.  He kept currying the mare as he did so only to pause when the mare snorted and shifted.  Opening his eyes, Sherlock paused in his brushing to scan the mare’s withers, seeking the sore spot that had made her react.  The mare’s ears flicked back in agitation as Sherlock ghosted gentle fingers over her skin until he encountered two separate swellings, both likely caused by a member of <i>Tabanidae</i> or horse fly family.  

With an apologetic hum, Sherlock moved the curry comb further down, making a mental note to reapply insect repellent when he was done.  The mare’s eyes quickly hooded in contentment as Sherlock continued his methodical grooming, being careful to avoid the small wounds.  He finished the mare’s left side and moved around to begin grooming her right.

“You’re no more than fifteen years old,” Sherlock mused aloud in a desperate attempt to allay the returning sense of guilt.  “At least one foal, maybe two.  You were likely used for barrel racing, considering you’re a bit shorter than an average racing steed, and have a lower center of gravity, enabling you to make tighter turns without overbalancing.  Important for a barrel racer.”

The horse chuffed, almost as if she were agreeing with his observations.  

Sherlock’s lips quirked in a crooked half-smile.  Most horses responded positively to the tone of a calm human’s voice, regardless of what was being said.  Much like dogs.  Outside the stall, The tags on Bonnie’s collar clinked softly as she settled deeper into her doggie dreams.  Sherlock smiled again.  For whatever reason, the collie had become his constant companion ever since he’d first arrived at the ranch, even going so far as to sleep at the foot of his bed the way Redbeard had when he was a small child... 

–Excerpt from the upcoming chapter 29 of ‘The Devil’s Blaze’ 

#sunday six #six sentence sunday #the devil's blaze #rodeolock #rodeo!lock

[dulcimergecko]

Sunday Six!

After two hours of research, Sherlock leaned back against the headboard of his bed and exhaled slowly.  If Straker had experienced such a streak of luck in a casino, he’d be swiftly investigated by the staff for cheating.  There were wins there.  Far too many to be a mere coincidence.  Not every match was a win, but Straker averaged five to six wins for every seven bets he placed.  Frowning, Sherlock picked up his notepad and began looking over the breeder names for the bulls that Straker had placed bets on...

–Excerpt from the upcoming chapter 29 of ‘The Devil’s Blaze’ 

#sunday six #six sentence sunday #the devil's blaze #rodeolock #rodeo!lock

[dulcimergecko]

Sunday Six!

“Look at this,” Sherlock insisted, beginning to lay papers on top of Donovan’s already-cluttered desk.  “This is a copy of the exceptionally aggressive bulls list that John Watson was compiling.”  He pointed at three highlighted names.  “Note those; they’re important.  This,” he continued, opening a manila folder and pulling out the document inside, “is a list of betting matches placed at various rodeos and the winners thereof.  Do you see the pattern?”

–Excerpt from the upcoming chapter 29 of ‘The Devil’s Blaze’ 

#six sentence sunday #sunday six #the devil's blaze #rodeo!lock #rodeolock

[dulcimergecko]

Sunday Six!

Sherlock narrowed his eyes as he studied the bits and pieces of evidence before him.  The crisscrossing strings resembled nothing so much as a web spun by a spider that had overdosed on caffeine–all irregular cells, oddly-patterned lines and no logical parameters.  Reaching up, Sherlock tugged at his curls in frustration.  The solution was there; he only had to spot it somehow in the morass of information he was staring at it.

“I need my skull,” Sherlock muttered to himself as he started to pace the confines of the small room, gesticulating in frustration.  Bonny, meanwhile, sensibly took up position on the currently-unoccupied sofa...   

–Excerpt from the upcoming chapter 29 of ‘The Devil’s Blaze’ 

#rodeo!lock #the devil's blaze #rodeolock #six sentence sunday #sunday six

[dulcimergecko]

Sunday Six(ish)!

“Yeller!  Sit!  No speak!” Old Wayne barked. The yellow lab dropped to his butt, forefeet prancing slightly in place. He whined, throwing his head up in the air, but obeyed Wayne’s command and remained seated.  

“Good boy,” Wayne praised him.  He looked up and met Ross’s narrowed gaze.  “What’s wrong, boss?”

“Where’s Bonnie?”

#sunday six #six sentence sunday #the devil's blaze #rodeolock #rodeo!lock

[dulcimergecko]

Sunday Six!

A glint of light from a piece of monogrammed stationery on Ross’s desk caught Sherlock’s eye and he reached for it without asking.  “What’s this?” Sherlock demanded, holding up the letter.

“Probate stuff for Joe,” Ross said sourly.  “He didn’t have a will and the lawyers are having a woollybugger of a time figuring out who stands to inherit his stuff.  It’s a pain in my ass, because it means I have to keep his trailer locked up and stored in one of my barns until a determination is made.”

Sherlock nodded slowly to himself as he recalled what Donovan had said about Straker being an orphan...

–Excerpt from the upcoming chapter 29 of ‘The Devil’s Blaze’ 

#six sentence sunday #sunday six #the devil's blaze #rodeo!lock #rodeolock

[dulcimergecko]

Sunday Six!

Sherlock saw Moran’s fist clench and begin to pull back.  John must have too, because Sherlock heard him take a half-step backwards, but Sherlock lunged forward, pushing into Moran’s space and negating the force of Moran’s thrown punch.  He felt Moran’s fist thump harmlessly against his upper back, even as he took advantage of Moran’s forward momentum to ram his right knee into Moran’s gut.  

Moran folded over with a shocked grunt, but he was far from out.  He grabbed Sherlock’s right thigh in a punishing grip and yanked hard, while simultaneously stepping forward, sending Sherlock crashing backwards to the floor.  Snarling, Sherlock scythed his left leg sideways, catching Moran at the ankles and sending him staggering...

–Excerpt from an upcoming chapter of ‘The Devil’s Blaze’ 

#sunday six #six sentence sunday #the devil's blaze #rodeolock #rodeo!lock

[dulcimergecko]

Sunday Six!

<i>He never should have let his deception of John go on so long</i>, Sherlock thought morosely to himself as he slowly worked his way down the mare’s barrel moving the curry comb in slow, circular sweeps to loosen dirt and debris.  Unfortunately, he couldn’t identify a good time to have revealed his true identity either.  Whether John liked it or not, he’d been a legitimate suspect and The Work took precedence over any romantic or carnal distractions. 

The mare snorted again and shook her head, recalling Sherlock’s attention back to his current location.

“Sorry,” he said dryly, running the curry comb over the mare’s shoulder.  “Was I ignoring you?”

–Excerpt from the upcoming chapter 29 of ‘The Devil’s Blaze’ 

#six sentence sunday #sunday six #the devil's blaze #rodeolock #rodeo!lock