A Study In Secrecy

by TheSignsOfDeduction

"Are you serious?" He questioned. Walking closer to Sherlock, he saw the Principles of Drug Design textbook in Sherlock's lap and looked strangely at Sherlock. "You're studying," John deduced slowly, "Before Orientation Day." John's mouth was slightly open in disbelief, but the corners of his mouth suggested that there was some amusement in it as well.

1. Chapter 1

"Mother, you'd be delighted to hear that Sherlock's love life has taken quite a development," Mycroft contributed to the ongoing conversation about Sherlock's admission into Yorkshire University.

Sherlock's head snapped up swiftly to look at Mycroft, his eyebrows creased and his food half chewed in his mouth. Mycroft delighted in it, and his apparent enthusiasm continued as he smiled triumphantly throughout their mother's next words: "Is that so, Sherlock? Tell us more."

Sherlock stared questioningly at his mother, who had a mixture of surprise and amusement in her expression. His father chuckled at the exchange.

"Don't be so gullible, mother. He's my roommate. I don't even know his name." Sherlock retaliated.

"John Hamish Watson, age 19, studying in the Faculty of Math and Science – just like you – training to be a doctor. I sent you his file, Sherlock. Did you not get it?" Mycroft offered a practiced and official kindness in his tone. Sherlock scowled.

"Did you not request for your own room?" their father observed.

Sherlock looked pointedly at Mycroft, who shot him a false look of surprise and innocence. "I tried all I could, Sherlock. There's only so much influence you have over a Faculty in an Alma Mater you didn't study in."

"I'm sure Mycroft tried his best, Sherlly. But you," She said, turning to face Mycroft, "Don't pick on your young brother."

"I promise," Mycroft paused for dramatic effect, "Sherlly."

Sherlock's eyes darted from his mother to his brother and back to his mother. He wasn't sure who he was angrier at – Mycroft for having poked fun at him all night and most probably intentionally sabotaged his chances of having a room to himself in university, or his mother who had called him 'Sherlly'. He gave up trying to decide and wiped his mouth quickly. "I'm going to pack." He announced as he stepped away from the table and headed to his room. He could only hear indistinct sounds of disapproval from his mother directed at Mycroft as he reached his room.

As he spun around his room not noticing anything in particular about the room he was not going to be living in anymore for the most part of the next 3 years starting tomorrow, he couldn't help being excited at the prospect of going back to university.