This Is Me Pretending This Is All I Need

by Ricechex

Sequel to, "Give It All Away To Have Someone To Come Home To " - Nearly three years after Reichenbach, Sherlock is almost done with his mission. This is a series of texts between Sherlock and Mycroft shortly after the events of, "Give It All Away." There's at least one more part planned in this series. So don't worry, I'm not leaving it like this forever!

10:37 [John is suspicious and you are a fool, Sherlock. He came to me the next day, you know. -MH]

10:37 [John will be fine. I'm busy. -SH]

10:38 [He knows that letter was not there before, Sherlock. You slipped up. -MH]

10:40 [You did it on purpose, didn't you? -MH]

10:41 [Sherlock, how could you be so stupid? -MH]

10:49 [I had to make sure he knew, Mycroft. Leave me alone. -SH]

10:49 [Sentiment. -MH]

10:50 [Shut-up. -SH]

10:51 [And what will you tell him when you do return, Sherlock? What will you say when you walk back into that flat? -MH]

10:51 [Nothing that concerns you. -SH]

10:54 [You should know that he suspects. -MH]

10:55 [That is because John is far more intelligent than you ever believed him to be. -SH]

10:59 [You should also know, Sherlock, that he's now even more invested in clearing your name than before. How will he feel when he finds out? -MH]

11:03 [John will understand. He will know I did what I had to do. -SH]

11:04 [Are you so certain, little brother? -MH]

11:04[Of John? Yes. -SH]

11:13 [How much longer must we all keep your secrets, then? -MH]

11:15 [Another week at most. I have only one more loose end. -SH]

11:16 [Very well. But be warned, Sherlock. John will be most unhappy when you return. -MH]

11:20 [I know. But there is no other way. -SH]

11:21 [So certain, and yet not once did you ever try to explain things to him. Who underestimates his mental capacities now? -MH]

11:22 [Go away, Mycroft. -SH]

11:23 [Good luck, Sherlock. I feel you shall be in need of it very soon. -MH]

11:26 [Just... tell me he's well. Please. -SH]

11:27 [And what shall I get out of this, if I tell you the truth, Sherlock? -MH]

11:27 [Is my gratitude insufficient? -SH]

11:28 [Your gratitude sounds awfully much like disdain, Sherlock. -MH]

11:30 [Thank you, Mycroft. For watching him. For... helping me. -SH]

11:31 [That was almost convincing, Sherlock. And for what it's worth, you are welcome. John is... important to me, now. -MH]

11:32 [...what precisely do you mean by that? -SH]

11:33 [Calm yourself, Sherlock. Nothing untoward; nothing so pedantic as your assumptions. -MH]

11:33 [Then tell me what you meant. -SH]

11:34 [John may well be the key to luring out your, 'loose end,' as you put it. And I, for one, would like to see that end snipped. -MH]

11:35 [...what are you planning to do, use him as bait? -SH]

11:36 [Crude, albeit fitting. More specifically, I was going to ask you to use him. After all, you got him into this. -MH]

11:38 [That sort of action would hardly help me regain his trust, Mycroft. Not interested. -SH]

11:38 [Very well. I'm sure if I were to tell John I could help clear your name, in return for his cooperation... -MH]

11:39 [ABSOLUTELY NOT. If you so much as go near my flat, Mycroft, I will shoot you myself. -SH]

11:41 [How quaint you are, Sherlock. Like a lioness protecting her cub. -MH]

11:42 [You don't understand, Mycroft. You never have, and you never will. Leave John alone. -SH]

11:45 [Very well, Sherlock. Hurry up and come home, I have grown weary of this burden. -MH]

11:50 [...I'm sorry. And thank you, Mycroft. -SH]

11:58 [...you're welcome, Sherlock. -MH]