D'you know one of the first things Greg ever told me? [There's a second before he clarifies.] Lestrade said you were a great man, but he didn't know if you were a good one. You have your failings. You're selfish, you're childish, you're an addict, you lie, and you're absolute rubbish at parties. But your mind is not the only worth you have, and you are a good man.
[It feels important to get this out, to say this even when he's angry, because Sherlock needs to understand that it's coming from a place of conviction, not just pity or sympathy.]
You have saved me, Sherlock, more times than I have ever asked for or wanted. You saved me putting a bullet in my own head when I got back from the war. You saved me from Moriarty's men--still angry about that, but I know why you did it. You saved me from Magnussen, from myself again and again. You can say it's selfish or it's only about the puzzle, but you've saved other people, as well, people you didn't have to. Who most people would have turned away.
You are a good man. Don't try to hide from it or use not being one as an excuse for this. Don't you dare dishonor Mary's memory like that. She knew what you were, Sherlock, and what you are. It's a slap in the face to Molly, as well. Mrs. Hudson, Lestrade, all of the people who love and care about you.
cw: drug addiction talk, reference to suicidal ideations
D'you know one of the first things Greg ever told me? [There's a second before he clarifies.] Lestrade said you were a great man, but he didn't know if you were a good one. You have your failings. You're selfish, you're childish, you're an addict, you lie, and you're absolute rubbish at parties. But your mind is not the only worth you have, and you are a good man.
[It feels important to get this out, to say this even when he's angry, because Sherlock needs to understand that it's coming from a place of conviction, not just pity or sympathy.]
You have saved me, Sherlock, more times than I have ever asked for or wanted. You saved me putting a bullet in my own head when I got back from the war. You saved me from Moriarty's men--still angry about that, but I know why you did it. You saved me from Magnussen, from myself again and again. You can say it's selfish or it's only about the puzzle, but you've saved other people, as well, people you didn't have to. Who most people would have turned away.
You are a good man. Don't try to hide from it or use not being one as an excuse for this. Don't you dare dishonor Mary's memory like that. She knew what you were, Sherlock, and what you are. It's a slap in the face to Molly, as well. Mrs. Hudson, Lestrade, all of the people who love and care about you.