Ice Man
So simple, and yet so brilliant. Mycroft silently applauded himself.
Moriarty seemed to be under the impression that the Holmes brothers were completely and irrevocably devoid of emotion.
That was a fallacy if Mycroft had ever heard one.
Mycroft looked up at Irene impassively. She seemed so…smug.
Mycroft couldn't help but feel the tinniest urge to chortle at her expectant expression, clearly waiting for a reaction. No that she'd get one. He thought longingly about how she'd react if he started laughing.
But no, that would ruin the image and in case Irene ever spoke to Moriarty again, the image needed to be fully intact. He had to remain the ice man through and through.
What Moriarty brilliantly did not understand was that being an 'Ice Man' was a form of protection.
Not the type of protection from emotional turmoil that ordinary people (or 'stupid people' as Sherlock had taken to calling them at the tender age of three) continually suffered with.
It was quite literally protection. For his brother.
There were many dangers that came with being the second most powerful person in the United Kingdom, and one of them was the possibility of family members and or close friends being targeted.
As such, when Mycroft entered the British government he had resolved to never speak of Sherlock. To anyone.
Of course his superiors, underlings and co-workers would be expecting a mention at one time or other about a mother and father. However, if he could continue successfully avoid answering any questions about siblings, he would never have to tell a lie, and Sherlock's security would be secured (at least from danger related to being the younger brother of Mycroft Holmes).
Thankfully, this simple move meant that Mycroft's respectable reputation was also secured.
At least until someone learned of their relation.
Mycroft had known it wouldn't be too long until that eventuality took place.
So far, only his personal surveillance team had learned of the connection.
Mycroft was still holding his breath as to the day when the government would officially become aware that there were two Holmes genius'.
After all, Sherlock was brilliant, irritable and volatile at best. At some point in time he undoubtedly would appear on MI5's radar.
And if Mycroft was very, very lucky, it would not be as a terrorist or potential threat to National Security.
And also, preferably after he retired.