A four year old Sherlock Holmes was sitting on his eleven year old brother Mycroft's lap, in the shade of a tree. The little boy smiled contentedly, as his brother read to him. Sherlock knew how to read already, but still enjoyed having Mycroft read his favorite book to him, Peter Pan.
When Mycroft finished the story again, Sherlock sighed happily. He turned around suddenly, and wrapped his arms around Mycroft in a tight hug. Mycroft flipped the book shut with one hand, and returned the gesture. He buried his face in Sherlock's mess of curly black hair.
"Thank you, Mycwoff," Sherlock murmured. The younger boy pulled away suddenly. Laughing, he looked around conspiratorially. Lowering his voice to a whisper, he asked, "Want to hear a secret?"
Mycroft smiled, as he whispered back, "Yes?"
Mycroft lowered his head, so Sherlock could whisper in his ear. "When I grow up… I wanna be a pirate!" Sherlock giggled, as Mycroft began to laugh. Suddenly, Sherlock went all serious. Mycroft thought his serious face was adorable. "Mycwoff, you can't tell ANYONE. Kay?"
"Not a word," Mycroft promised. The older Holmes brother planned to keep his little brother's 'secret.' At least for now. "So, what kind of pirate do you want to be? Like Captain Hook, or the Dread Pirate Roberts?"
Sherlock sat up straighter. "I wanna be the good kind! Can we play pirates? Please Mycwoff?
Mycroft quickly gave in to his brother's request. Grinning, Mycroft nodded, and Sherlock squealed happily. The younger Holmes scrambled off of Mycroft's lap, to allow him to stand.
"Okay, Captain Sherlock. Do you have any orders for me?"
The Holmes boys played pirates the rest of the afternoon, until their mother called them inside for dinner.
Mycroft Holmes kept his brother's 'secret,' for thirty-one years.
