Johnlock

[4] This adaption is one of Sherlock showrunner Mark Gatiss' favorite movies, and he has said that he believe the Holmes in the film to be in love with Watson.

[7] Peek at a few fiction websites for Sherlock and you’ll find tales of a mantel-bound skull that talks; an army doctor who’s also a werewolf, or vampire, or teacher; a consulting detective with wings, or grease and gears instead of flesh and bone; and again and again you’ll find two men who give their hearts—and bodies—to their one and only friend.

[8] The same year, it was the 72nd pairing in terms of new works added, reflecting a significant decrease in fandom activity from when the show was airing.

[12] Cassandra Collier analyzes Johnlock fanfiction as "subverting social norms of desire and sexuality" and avoiding the homonormativity that other slash ships often fall into.

[7] Some Johnlock shippers lashed out against Amanda Abbington, who played John's love interest and then wife in the third season.

[3][15] Some fans believed that the romantic reading was intended by the show's creators Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, a theory known as The Johnlock Conspiracy (TJLC).

[13][7] The showrunners had been known to lie to prevent spoilers, which contributed to some fan's dismissal of their denials of a romantic relationship between John and Sherlock.

[12] Some fans of Sherlock, including ones that themselves ship Johnlock, strongly dislike TJLC, referring to it as "cult-like" and "crazy".

[12] Characters in the show repeatedly mistake Sherlock and John's relationship as romantic,[20] which Watson denies with increased frustration or anger.