The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone: The Brain and the Appendix (PG)

[vaysh]

Canon Story: The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone
Title: The Brain and the Appendix
Author: vaysh
Pairing: Billy/Sherlock (Billy is well over the age of 18)
Words: 60
Rating: PG-13 for sexual innuendo
Warning: age disparity


After Doctor Watson left, I stoke the fire. Sherlock may still want to skim yesterday's Telegraph.

"Billy..."

I glance over my shoulder; our eyes meet. I feel myself blush. No reading tonight, after all.

"I was wondering," long fingers move over the pipe rack, "whether you care to join me tonight."

I smile into the fire. I never say no.

Comments

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

It's not the age gap I object to - Holmes/Hopkins has an age gap. Or even the class difference. It's firstly a question of power - this wouldn't be an equal relationship. It's possible to read your last line as being an ironic smile, because he is never in a position to be able to refuse. There is the modern concept of 'consent' which has grown from age old lack of consent.

My second objection is that Holmes is an intelligent man. That sort of relationship would leave him wide open to blackmail, which would be particularly risky in his line of work.

[vaysh]

I do think this is a consensual relationship. Of course Billy could say no. Even when there is a power hierarchy, there can be consent. Otherwise there would never be a consensual relationship possible between people from different classes or ages. This is not romantic love, but in the canon story Holmes clearly cares for Billy's well-being (he rushes into the room when he sees Billy threatened), and Billy obviously knows Holmes well and enjoys taking care of him. There is no reason for Billy to blackmail Holmes. And yes, Holmes is an intelligent man, but in this incarnation he has physical needs, too. And like for many gay men of his age, this kind of arrangement would work well. My two cents only, of course.