I plan on just doing a note at the beginning of each chapter to let you know what'll be going on in that chapter, anything that could be particularly bad or triggering. I don't write sex, because I don't like it, so that's a heads-up, I probably won't be doing any. I'll let you know at the beginning of each chapter at what point in their lives they're at, because I'll move around a lot. They could be in their thirties one day, their teens the next, and their fifties the next. I'll try to update as much as I can. Enjoy!
Also, Sherlock is seven years younger than Mycroft.
As per usual, none of this is mine yet. And I am my own editor.
'So, without further gilding the lily and with no more ado, I give to you,' the story!
"He looks all odd." Mycroft commented, peering into the cot at the tiny sleeping baby. "What's his name?"
"Sherlock." his mother told him softly, kneeling beside him and watching her eldest son. "It means fair-haired."
Mycroft silently watched his little brother sleep for a moment. "He has fair hair."
"I know, sweetie." his mother kissed her son's temple and looked down at her newborn. "He's got red hair."
"It looks light orange. And fair. And curly." Mycroft reached in and touched his brother's curls of hair. His mother smiled.
"It's very curly, and it'll only get longer, dear, he's only two days old." Violet looked up at the clock. "Oh, dear, I have to go start preparing supper." She looked down at her dark-haired son. "How would you like to watch Sherlock while I make us something to eat, hm?"
Mycroft looked down at Sherlock. "I would like that, yes."
His mother stood up and ruffled Mycroft's hair. "Be careful with him. Don't take him out of his cot unless it's completely necessary."
"Yes, Mummy." Mycroft said obediently. He turned to watch his mother leave, and automatically took Sherlock out of the cot the moment she was out of earshot. "It's necessary that I talk to you, Sherlock, so I'm taking you out. You'll hear better, honestly."
Sherlock stirred and stared at his brother with wide blue eyes. Mycroft held his breath, hoping that he wouldn't cry; Sherlock somehow seemed to know that he shouldn't cry, and didn't. Mycroft smiled at him.
"Thank you, Sherlock." he said quietly, pushing himself into the armchair in the corner of Sherlock's nursery. "Now that you're here, I have a whole new set of responsibilities. I have to take care of you." He paused for Sherlock's imaginary reply. "No, Father doesn't seem all too pleased that you're here. I can take care of you better, though. Father doesn't really pay all that much attention to me in the first place. But we have Mummy. She takes care of me, and both of us will take care of you."
Sherlock continued staring at his older brother. Mycroft smiled. "I'll always take care of you, okay, Sherlock?" He paused, listening to the words he imagined Sherlock saying. "Of course I promise, what kind of brother would I be if I didn't promise?"
Distant footsteps starting approaching the room, and Mycroft quickly hopped out of the chair and tucked his baby brother back into his cot.
"Don't tell Mummy." he whispered into the cot. He thought for a moment. "Or Father. Definitely not Father."
The footsteps grew clearer, so Mycroft sat back down in the armchair and pretend-busied himself with the cuff of his shirt. Violet entered the room with a tray, holding two cups of tea and a plate containing a couple of sandwiches. She shut the door softly and sat on the floor, motioning for Mycroft to sit with her.
"I made you a peanut butter sandwich like you like, and some decaffeinated tea with lemon." She handed Mycroft his plate and cup on the floor, and Mycroft smiled, leaning over to kiss her cheek before sitting down in front of his sandwich.
"Thank you, Mummy." he said before starting to eat. Violet ruffled his hair and crossed her legs "pretzel-style". She peered into Sherlock's cot.
"Your brother's asleep. That's a good thing." Violet smiled. "He must feel safe with you."
Mycroft paused and smiled slightly before continuing to eat his sandwich. Violet continued talking.
"Did you two have a nice chat while I was gone?" his mother asked, and Mycroft nodded.
"Yes, Mummy, we did." Mycroft put his sandwich down. "I like Sherlock."
"He likes you, too, sweetheart." Violet smiled and motioned to his sandwich. "Now, eat. You haven't been eating enough lately, you're going to set a bad example for your brother."