As they approached the loading dock, Mycroft saw John Watson standing on the deck, shoulders hunched and collar turned up to protect against the ocean spray.
"I should've known you'd bring your pet." He raised an eyebrow. "Why did he not accompany you in?"
"Eurus makes him uncomfortable." Sherlock explained. "She did toss him in a well and try to drown him."
"Yes, that is understandable."
They boarded the boat, and Mycroft was reminded to find a place in Sherrinford's budget for a new vessel. They were huddled below deck to escape the harsh wind, and he was uncomfortably close to his brother and Dr. Watson in the small space.
"So, how've you been, Mycroft?" The shorter man asked, trying to make conversation.
"Fine. Busy as ever."
"Are you alright? You look a bit pale. And have you lost weight?"
Mycroft shifted anxiously, feeling rather trapped. "I'm fine." He repeated.
"Brother mine, you know it's bad when even John notices."
Watson glared at Sherlock, but turned his attention back to Mycroft. "Are you sure? You should probably get in to see a doctor-"
"I said I was fine!" He snapped, much to the surprise of Watson, who had only ever seen him calm and collected.
"Interesting..." Sherlock mused, staring at Mycroft with intense suspicion in his eyes. He looked more intrigued than concerned. Like his brother was a new puzzle to solve. "Is it Cancer?"
"No," Mycroft sighed in exasperation, willing the boat to go faster.
"How would you know? you haven't been to a doctor."
"Then why would you ask if you know I haven't been to the doctor?"
Watson interrupted. "How did you kn-"
"It's Mycroft, he doesn't go to the doctor unless he's dying."
"Runs in the family then, does it?"
Sherlock rolled his eyes. "John, check his pulse."
Watson glared at Sherlock and threw a sideways glance at Mycroft, as if afraid to touch him. "Why don't you take his pulse? You're his brother."
"And you're a doctor."
"And I'm fine." Mycroft reiterated, folding his arms across his chest to prevent either one of them from taking his pulse. He could feel his brother's eyes on him; gathering mental evidence, assessing the visible symptoms...
Ah, he recognized that look in Sherlock's eyes...he'd figured something out. But instead of the usual smugness that accompanied a deduction, there was something else...Fear? Concern? No, Mycroft must be mistaken. It wasn't like his brother to worry about anyone but himself. And John Watson, of course.
"Would you like to go to breakfast with us?"
"Thank you, but I'm not hungry."
"Oh, I insist. John's treat."
Apart from a slightly annoyed huff, Watson did not protest. Either his manners were impeccable, or he trusted Sherlock's methods completely. Why anyone would do such a thing escaped Mycroft's understanding. His younger brother was not the most responsible person.
"I'm afraid I have a very tight schedule. Besides, I had a large breakfast. I'm really not hungry." He lied.
"What did you have for breakfast?"
It was a simple enough question, one that Mycroft should've been able to answer easily. But he hesitated, and immediately knew that Sherlock had deduced his secret.
Luckily for him, the boat reached the shore before his brother could make an accusation. "As lovely as this conversation has been, I must get to a meeting. Goodbye Sherlock, Dr. Watson." He brushed past them and quickly climbed above deck. There was a car waiting for him, and he briskly walked to it, keenly aware of the younger Holmes' eyes drilling holes into his back.
Once he was safely behind tinted windows, Mycroft rubbed his temples. He didn't actually have meeting for the rest of the day, but he needed something to take his mind off things. Maybe he would go for a hike. Run a few miles.
I'm really sorry about the short chapters but my laptop keeps dying! I really need to get a new one, but I can't afford it. Ugh. Thanks for reading, I'll update soon! Please leave a review if you liked it :)
