A Lot Has Changed

Song: Sine U Been Gone by Kelly Clarkson

Pairing: Mycroft/John

Sherlock's disappearance had hit John hard, harder then Sherlock himself had planned on. He sat in his brother's flat listening to Mycroft talk about the doctor, about the pills he was on and the drinking that had started. Sherlock felt his heart twist painfully.

He cared about John, that much was obvious to him and to Mycroft too. He didn't love John, at least not romantically, but he loved him like a best mate, like a brother... and it was killing him to see John so lonely.

'Mycroft?' he whispered and the elder Holmes stopped.

'Yes?'

'Please spend more time with John.'

Mycroft blinked. Sherlock had seen it all those months ago; the very small flicker of attraction between his brother and friend. As much as it disgusted him to think of Mycroft doing anything sex wise (sex was a mystery to Sherlock, it was just... yuck!), Sherlock wanted them both to be happy.

And maybe, just maybe, Mycroft could save John like he'd saved Sherlock.

'You... what?' Mycroft asked, for once in his life confused.

'Spend more time with John,' Sherlock said and stood. He took the wad of money Mycroft had placed on the table earlier. 'Whatever that means I'm completely fine with.'

And then he walked out.

{oOo}

Sherlock watched in unfold; he watched from bushes and from busy restaurants, from surveillance footage and from Mycroft's own words. He watched John hesitantly accept Mycroft's friendship and, amazingly, watched Mycroft accept John's.

He watched them spend days and nights together, at first just watching television or reading together, having dinner and talking. He watched John slowly begin to heal and Mycroft smile more.

And he watched John lean in one day and kiss Mycroft right on the lips. His brother was frozen, eyes wide, before he smiled and thanked John. Sherlock chuckled; Mycroft was so old fashioned when it came to love.

Slowly Moriarty's empire crumbled and Sherlock was able to come back. John and Mycroft were properly together, both acknowledging the other as their partner.

John had a mini breakdown when Sherlock appeared, alive and well. Sherlock had expected the tears, and even the fist throwing. He hadn't expected John to hit Mycroft and call him a liar, a conman, a fucking bastard.

He hadn't expected Mycroft to cry in his flat hours later because John had broken up with him.

John seemed to forgive Sherlock immediately and welcome him back with open arms. He refused to talk about Mycroft until Sherlock sat him down.

'John, my brother loves you.'

'No he doesn't.'

'He does, he told me.' And he had. He'd looked Sherlock right in the eye and admitted to loving Doctor John Watson. 'You're the first person, man or woman, that he has loved in a romantic fashion.'

'He lied to me.'

'He had to.'

'He could have trusted me!' John shouted.

'That would have meant putting you in danger, John,' Sherlock sighed. 'My brother has trust issues, surely you can understand why; with me as a brother and with the work he does... John, neither of us wanted to lie to you but we had to.'

John looked at Sherlock carefully, mug of tea shaking in his hands.

'He honestly loves you.'

'Really?' John asked after a minute of silence.

'Yes.'

'It wasn't just a way for him to keep tabs on me?'

'Of course not, John; he was keeping tabs on you long before you began a romantic affair.'

John smiled slightly.

'I'll admit that I suggested he watch out for you after he told me you had started drinking heavily. I knew he had feelings for you, even if he didn't, and you felt the same.' He held up a hand when John tried to protest. 'Don't deny it, John. For all your, 'I'm not gay', speeches, you were attracted to my brother from the moment you met.'

John sighed. 'Yeah, alright.'

'Don't let my disappearance and our deception ruin the best relationship you've ever had.'

John stared at him long and hard then. 'You... you're actually okay with us being together?'

'Of course I am,' Sherlock said. 'I know Mycroft won't take you away from me and he is smart, has a good job, and can take care of you like you deserve.'

'And you're not... jealous?'

Sherlock scowled. 'I don't do sex, John.'

'Right.'

'I'm asexual.'

'So... really, sex doesn't interest you?'

'Not in the least.'

'So you've never...?'

'Why on earth would I?'

'No, right, 'course...' John nodded slowly. 'Sherlock?'

'Yes, John?'

'He really loves me?'

'Yes.'

'Okay.'

'Do you love him?'

'Yes,' John said.

'He's waiting outside.'

John smiled and stood, placing his mug on the coffee table. Suddenly he pulled Sherlock in for a hug. 'I was so lost when you left, Sherlock.'

'I know, John.'

'But... in some ways I guess it actually helped,' John said and drew back. 'I mean, I felt like I couldn't breathe without you; everything was just messed up. And then...'

'And then Mycroft helped you?' John smiled and nodded. 'Good. Now run along and be disgusting with my brother.'

John chuckled and hugged Sherlock again before grabbing his coat. He opened the door to find Mycroft waiting.

'John?'

John threw his arms around the elder Holmes and kissed him softly. 'I love you.'

Mycroft grinned. 'Really?'

'Yup.'

'Excellent; I love you too.'

'Good, now take me out for a nice dinner and then fuck me.'

'John!' Sherlock shouted.

John grinned and shut the door, Mycroft circling an arm around his waist.

Sherlock settled back onto the couch and steepled his fingers. His disappearance had hit John hard, yes. But Sherlock had a feeling it was his brother that had hit John the hardest.

And it made him smile.

Author's Note: Again I cheated and continued when the song was over. Honestly, I don't know why I have this song in my iTunes and I'm pretty sure the story I wrote doesn't exactly follow the lyrics but it's what I came up with.

Again, thanks for any reviews and cheers for reading!