Some thoughts on Sherlock & John’s characterization 

(Sherlock meta by sherlockandjohninlove)

It always seems OOC to me when people characterize John as this well adjusted, put together man. Where he is always confident and has not a single insecurity or inhibition, where he dates men like its second nature.

Like what? John is so fucked up. Emotionally that man is an absolute mess. Yeah he’s stoic, but thats not necessarily and indication of emotional strength.

I mean John represses shit on such an unhealthy level. He doesn’t let himself feel anything. Not only do I think that the realization that Sherlock loves him romantically is going to open up some gates for John, I also don’t think he’d be super confident in his relationship at first. Because being in a relationship with Sherlock is going to require him to be vulnerable. Its going to require him feeling all those things he’s been repressing for years. And thats not going to be easy for him.

So when people characterize him as this pimp-esque sort of man when he’s with Sherlock, thats like ignoring all of John’s problems, his emotional difficulties, and his insecurities that he still has. Its not all just going to go away with a kiss and a shag. He’ll be on pretty new turf, regardless of Sholto as that was a long time ago. He’s going to need to learn potentially a lot.

And then there is Sherlock. Oh my precious Sherlock.

He’s pretty much the exact opposite of John. Sherlock doesn’t repress emotion. He elects not to acknowledge them. But knows he has them, and doesn’t like them.

But there are times we’ve seen now, where Sherlock DOES allow himself to feel those things. This is actually an area where he is further progressed that John is. Its not healthy to ignore your emotions true. But Sherlock knows he has them, but doesn’t like what they feel like. And they really showed in Series 3.

Which is understandable because he is in a very emotionally compromising situation. His best friend, and the man he realizes he’s in love with, seems utterly lost to him.

Idk about you, but that would fuck anyone up emotionally. Honestly I’m more concerned for John in Series 3 than Sherlock. At least Sherlock was actually allowing himself to feel, even though he probably hated it. John just seemed cold, distant and further repressing everything into an already full bottle.

[...]

But anyway! Sherlock has behaved immature at times. That is so totally true. People with emotional difficulties often do have immature moments.

But lets compare him to Gregory House. Now that man I would call a baby because well, he acts like a child fucking constantly. Literally, he does things a five year old would do.

Sherlock only has his moments of immaturity. And they are all ones that pretty much all adults do plenty. Because he has immature moments though, doesn’t make him any less of an adult man. No one acts mature (or their age) 100% of the time.

Now as far as being in a relationship. I think Sherlock is on equal ground with John here. Sherlock doesn’t have the experience, and he has a lot to learn. But he has the emotional capability that John currently does not.

Sherlock would most likely be the more supportive one at first. Because being with a man would be a huge change and a transition for John no doubt. And Sherlock has already shown that he knows how to be romantic. He understands what relationships are about. He just needs to learn how to execute those things in healthy ways.

So I really don’t think either one of them is going to be an confident expert right off the bat. But they do have things each other needs. John has the experience, Sherlock has the emotional capability. Mixed together, they would definitely help teach other.