Title: The White Moss Rose and the Dog-rose
Fandom: BBC Sherlock
Rating: Teen
Length: 221B
Content Notes: Sherlock/John, hurt/comfort; implied self-bondage & masturbation; reference to Wilkie Collins The Moonstone.
Summary: John discovers Sherlock's secret and confesses his own.
Author's Note: Greenaway's Language of Flowers gives the meaning 'confession of love' for the moss rosebud and 'pleasure and pain' for the dog-rose. Tribute to the classic An Unexpected Encounter by sommersprosen.

John stumbled up the hallway.

“Terrorist attack in Athens. Flights cancelled. Rescheduled for tomorrow. So sorry.” He forced himself to look at Sherlock. “Tea?”

Sherlock nodded and tied the dressing gown sash.


“When relationships are not one’s area, one learns to take care of one’s own needs.”

“It’s all fine, Sherlock.”

“It’s aberrant. Pathetic. Repulsive. Who needs to truss themselves up like a Christmas goose to get off?”

“I know your secret, well, here’s mine—no doubt you’ve already deduced it—I love you. Want you. The whole lot.”

“I did not know,” whispered Sherlock.

“Good. We’re even.”


Finally, Sherlock said, “The Moonstone. Wilkie Collins.”

“We’ve got a copy.”

“Sergeant Cuff and the gardener argue about whether the white moss rose should be budded on the dog-rose. Victorian language of flowers. Dog-rose means ‘pleasure and pain.’ The moss rosebud means ‘confession of love.’”

John retrieved the book from the bookcase. “Five days apart is time enough to figure out what we want. But hear me, Sherlock.” Sherlock looked up. “Even knowing what I know, even knowing what you know, I don’t want to leave 221B or you, and if you ever require an assistant with,” he waved towards the hallway, “I’m your man.”

Sherlock’s gaze fell. “Relationships aren’t my area.”


As John exited, he spotted Sherlock, waiting, with a two-rose bouquet.