Mycroft has just returned home on break from Harrow as the top student in every subject. The reward for his achievement was a sound beating from one of the larger boys in his class. Ashamed of his wounds, Mycroft skulks in via the rear entrance of Holmes Manor and sneaks up to the bathroom. Mummy would make a fuss and Father would scold him; he's in no mood for either.

As he bandages his hand, he hears muffled voices in the next room, which is Sherlock's. (Sherlock is in trouble, but why?) Mycroft silently places a plastic cup onto the wall and listens in.

Father says, "Sherlock, you're a bright boy but you aren't living up to your potential! Why can't you be more like Mycroft?"

Mummy tells Sherlock he's not allowed to watch telly or play pirate for a week, and if his grades don't improve, no more violin. Then she and Father depart.

Sherlock hits the wall just at the spot where Mycroft is listening, which gives the older boy an earache in addition to his other pains. Then he shouts, "I hate Mycroft!"

His brother's words make the beating feel like a love tap. (Et tu, baby brother?) Mycroft's greatest fear is that people will always resent his brain.


A/N: Harrow is a prestigious boarding school in London and Benedict Cumberbatch's alma mater. Thanks for all the kind reviews and follows!