He was 16 when Mycroft first mentioned his idea. Horrible idea, thought Sherlock. Mycroft's idea was that his little brother should start dating and get to know people. He said that it was a good way to learn how to socialize. It was a bit hypocritical for him to say since Mycroft hardly ever went on dates himself.

Sherlock was an adult now and he still had yet to go on his first date. He answered the door when it rang and immediately wished he hadn't.

Mycroft smiled at him.

"Hello, Sherlock. May I come in?"

Sherlock shut the door in his face.

"Don't make me get someone to break down the door again," Mycroft called through the door.

Sherlock frowned. That was one situation he didn't want to go through again. He let Mycroft in. The elder Holmes came in with a few long strides.

"Thank you. How have you been?" asked Mycroft.

"Let's not pretend you're here just to see me. You want something," Sherlock accused.

Mycroft pulled out his cell phone and showed Sherlock a picture of a woman.

"What do you think of her?" he asked.

Sherlock scowled.

"Fake highlights. Does her nails once a week. Cleans her hair with moisturizing shampoo every night at around 9 o' clock. Has a well-paying job at a real estate company..."

"Yes but what do you think of her?" Mycroft repeated.

This caused Sherlock to stop short and look at his older brother. Mycroft sighed.

"Do you think she's attractive?" he pressed.

Sherlock frowned. Not this again.

"I'm not interested in going out on a date with her," he told his brother firmly.

Mycroft changed the picture to a beautiful Asian woman.

"Is this your type then?" he asked.

"No."

Mycroft changed the picture again. This time it was a man.

"Then is this your type-"

"Mycroft! For God's sakes. No!" Sherlock shouted.

"Temper temper," Mycroft placed the phone back in his pocket and smirked.

"Are you done now?" Sherlock asked.

The elder Holmes sighed. Mycroft looked to be debating over what to say next. Nothing he could say would change Sherlock's mind about dating, Sherlock was sure of that.

"If you ever decided to actually date someone, you may enjoy it."

Sherlock walked away and plopped down on his favorite chair. He didn't offer Mycroft a seat. Mycroft frowned.

"Don't be so stubborn, Sherlock."

"You may have interfered with my smoking and sleeping habits but you can't force me to go out on a date. And there's nothing you can do to make me go out on one willingly," Sherlock was smug.

"Is that a challenge?" Mycroft asked slyly.

The two men stared each other down. Sherlock saw that Mycroft was getting both annoyed and excited. Excited because this was all starting to become a game to them. But Mycroft wouldn't win the game this time. Sherlock was sure of it.

The detective casually crossed his legs and leaned back in his seat.

"If you want it to be. Yes. It's a challenge. How in the world do you think you can get me to date?"

"There are ways," Mycroft replied coolly.

"And why are you so determined to make me date, anyway?" Sherlock asked, looking up at him.

Mycroft suddenly looked serious.

"Is it so hard to believe I'm worried? I don't want you being lonely for the rest of your life."

"So you want me to care for someone else? What happened to caring's not an advantage?" Sherlock wondered.

"May not be an advantage. But it's still necessary."