The Rickrolling disaster, as Sherlock kindly called it, was like a black, rainy cloud that followed Mycroft constantly. At home, at meetings, during phone calls, he would suddenly remember his gross misjudgment which led him to send an army of heavily armed agents in order to protect DI Lestrade. The shame he felt was simply unbearable. He was the British government, for goodness sake! How could have he been fooled by such a mundane silly joke?!
It was not that he spent budget sources on an action that was not actually needed (he explained it to the concerned ministries as an "unannounced drill, created by him in order to test the readiness of the troops") what ate him away. What bothered him is that Lestrade kept out of touch since the Rickrolling disaster. Obviously, Mycroft concluded, Gregory now thinks that I am an utter and hopeless posh snob, completely out of touch with the world, unable to understand even a joke.
The thing is, he really was out of touch with the world. Yes, Mycroft knew about politics, economy, crime, leaders – but he didn't know about summer hits, he didn't care about new movies, Facebook, and all of the little things that fill up your everyday life. He didn't think it was important. Now he saw that he was maybe wrong.
Two months have passed since the Rickrolling disaster and Mycroft decided enough was enough. He would man up and show Gregory that he too could be a relaxed and funny person. Funny as in humorous, not funny as in "slight weirdo". This is why he decided to take expert advice from the only person he knew, and somewhat trusted, who would have any working knowledge in..well, silly things.
…
- Yes, Dr Watson, you understand correctly. I have shown ignorance in the field of online pranks, and I would like to better myself.
- By sending Greg a funny mail? – John leaned forward in his couch and wondered how to feel about the odd request. God knows living with the younger Holmes has made him be very familiar with unusual situations, but if nothing else, the elder Holmes has proved, until now that is, to be almost normal. Ok, if you forget about the kidnappings. And the spying. And the weird (but hot) PA.
- I would like to demonstrate to the good DI that I am able to joke just as any other person. – Mycroft replied, serious as ever.
- Ok, so why don't you just send him something funny?
- I do not know how - Mycroft was dangerously close to blush – I mean, I am not sure what counts as funny nowadays. Uhhhm, no, that actually came out wrong. I meant to say that it seems, judging by the fact that Lestrade found the Rickrolling phenomenon funny, that his tastes are somewhat bizarre when it comes to what is and is not funny.
- Mycroft, Rickrolling is not as bizarre as you think, it's actually very common, everybody forwards this kind of stuff – John sighed – you can send him literally anything. Just browse the popular memes and find something.
- Mehs? – a brow arched in question.
- Memes. It's like a photo with funny caption…oh what am I wasting my time for. Just surf the net, Mycroft. I'm sure you'll find something that even you might find funny. And then just send it to Greg. And for that matter, why don't you go completely crazy and ask Greg finally out, like any other bloke would do?
- Like you did with Sherlock? – Mycroft mocked.
- I am not gay! For the millionth time! What is it with you people?! – John's face got purple and he stomped in the kitchen.
- As the young folks say: yeah right. Well, I will not take any more of your time. Thank you for your kind advice and please do forward my greetings to Sherlock. – Mycroft got up with a smirk. Without waiting for a (angry) reply, he made his way home. He had research to do. Online research.
…..
This was even harder that he expected. Mycroft was at a loss when it came what people found funny. A picture of a gentleman, saying "I don't always drink – but when I do, there's always a dead hooker in the trunk". Cats that can haz cheezburger. A young gentleman, sadly without any taste in clothes whatsoever, asking if he could borrow everything. Keanu Reeves being sad on a park bench. A bear that apparently is also a pedophile.
Mycroft sighed. After surfing for more than three hours, not only had he not found anything appropriate, but he was farther than ever from understanding what was funny. Desperately, he scanned his conversation with John for any helping information. John said that these things are actually not as bizarre and that they were common. He said that everybody was forwarding those kind of jokes. He said Mycroft could send literally anything.
He clicked further on for a minute or two when he came across a really weird video. It was more than 10 minutes long and included a variety of odd people in the craziest settings. Well, John said those things were funny, and that he could send LITERALLY ANYTHING. So why not send this video? And, since he wanted to get rid of his stiff image, and impress the DI with his new easy-going style, he would even write any explanation in the mail. He would send just the link and write: THIS MADE ME THINK OF YOU. A bit of flirting, for good measure.
So, after hours of somewhat disturbing research, at 2 AM, in the middle of the night, Mycroft Holmes, very satisfied with himself, sent the mail containing the link to the TOO MANY COOKS video to the unsuspecting DI.
….
The next morning, Sherlock's mobile rang. Since the caller was Lestrade, Sherlock picked up immediately; he hoped for a new case. John was right beside him, listening in so he could be ready for a move.
- What the fuck is wrong with your brother? – Lestrade didn't bother with any kind of greeting.
- Define the focus of your interest. Mycroft is bonkers on so many levels. – he said, already disappointed. No corpses, then. Just a chance to gossip about his annoying elder brother. Oh well. Beggars can't be choosers.
- He sent me the most perverted video ever – Greg started.
- 2 girls 1 cup? That's a truly nasty one. – Sherlock interjected.
- No, and I don't know and don't wanna know what that even is! – Greg shouted – he sent me a video called Too many cooks. It's like the intro song of an 80ties sit-com, but it gets weirder and weirder and wont stop..here, I forwarded it to you.
Sherlock and John went to the laptop and Sherlock clicked on the link. They watched for a minute and Sherlock started fast-forwarding. John was looking at the mess of this video and things started slowly dawning.
- This is truly weird – Sherlock stated.
- Tell me about it – Greg winced – listen, what does it mean? Why is he sending me this stuff. I'm honestly a bit afraid. It freaked me out.
- I think I know – John said – Gimme the phone…yeah Greg hi…I think I know what's going on…it might be even my fault…listen, Mycroft came the other day to talk to me..he felt a bit embarrassed about the whole Rickrolling thing..he thinks that now you think that he is some kind of an old fart who doesn't get a joke. So he thought he would send you something funny so you both could, you know, kind of take the Rickrolling disaster more light-heartedly. So I told him that he could send you any of those meme things or popular videos..yeah I know this is too much…I agree, it is scary and bat-shit crazy..but he really doesn't know his way about these things..maybe you two should meet and talk. I'm sure he meant this in the best possible way…what don't you understand?..he tried to make a joke….yeah, I think that was Mycroft Holmes trying to be funny. All right. Talk to you later, mate.
- Too-many-cooks catastrophe? - Sherlock blinked.
- I'd say – John chuckled – Greg was really a bit scared. But I think that he was also a bit relieved. I think he was ashamed that he caused so much trouble for Mycroft two months ago, so he avoided him all this time. And now Mycroft drops this bomb..
- I don't see why they both waste all this time. Instead they should just finally get on with it. This tension between them is tedious. Why can't they just admit they are in love with each other? – Sherlock said, with slight disgust on his face.
- You can't push those things, Sherlock. It takes time.
- Oh, does it now..? – Sherlock smiled diabolically.