Home Truths

I know your type

He's mommy's little boy, but it isn't obvious 'cause Sherlock Holmes is dependant on none, or is he?

John can quite clearly see that a fatherless child has latched securely onto the only source of un-ending love he has probably ever got, everything Sherlock does here is with grudgingly amused respect for 'Mummy'

After dinner they had moved into the old drawing room, fully kitted as a rustic but modern sitting room. Sherlock takes the sofa and stretches his limbs to cover most all its surface area. Mycroft, who had wanted that seat as well growls into his tea.

John, finally relaxed into the warm, eccentric house takes a armchair next to the Sherlock/Sofa monster and Violet takes a seat by the window where snow is falling thick.

"Sherlock, must you have the entire sofa, didn't we teach you to share?"

He can't be sure but he thinks he sees Sherlock grin uncharacteristically, this isn't a smirk this is a mischievous smile as he props himself up on his elbows and laughs at his mother. "There is a difference between you teaching and me computing, and I am only making sure Mycroft is uncomfortable."

Viloet smiles and shakes her head at her son, "And how would you feel if Mycroft did the same to you?"

"He does so when he shows off his marvelous powers of intrusion, which is always." Sherlock replies without missing a beat and John finds his eyes flicking between Mother and youngest son, skipping out an annoyed looking Mycroft all together.

With a small sigh Violet relaxes back into the cushions and her beady eyes, green unlike Sherlock's, latch unto John.

The feeling that he is being watched is unnerving and he is just about to say something when Sherlock's smooth baritone beats him to it.

"Mother, do stop staring at John. It is making him uncomfortable."

"This is payback for Mycroft's discomfort." Violet says while John mutters "Never bothered you before."

Sherlock first adresses his flatmate and in a tone that brooks no argument states the "I'm allowed," clause in every friendship. He then turns to his mother and frowns "Why are you initiating payback for my deed on someone who is not me. Why would I care?"

Violet and Mycroft share a look. "Why do you care?"

The detective turns away so as to hide the fleeting look of confusion and John begins to feel guilty that he is letting them intimidate his friend.

He gives up. "Let him have the sofa, you can stare all you like."

"Loyal. See?" Mycroft purrs condescendingly from the flimsy chair he'd found.

Violet smiles and nodds. "You are lucky, Sherlock. Treat him with the same loyalty and self-sacrifice he has you."

"What do you mean self sacrifice?"

"Did he, or did he not, save your life from a lunatic cabbie?"

"We will never know if my life was indeed in jeopardy."

"But he was willing to save you, and go to court for you. Have you anything to add?" It is an open question and the most unlikely of persons answers.

"Crazed fool also jumped in front of a bullet for me."

John blinks, he's had idiot and fool but never 'Crazed fool.' Especially in that bitter and cutting tone that jars through the smoothness of the voice behind it.

Sherlock rises, his eyes narrowed in what most would say cruelty but John knows that Sherlock isn't unhappy, he's upset. "I think that is quite enough chat for today, and for ever, so if you don't mind I am going home."

Ignoring the use of the singular again in the rare 'I' rather than 'we' John gazes at Violet to gauge her reaction.

"Come come now, it was just a bit of fun." She chides.

"Yeas, Sherlock, it was all in good humour."

Sherlock round on his brother who suddenly looks very small in that flimsy chair. "Was it, Mycroft?"

Violet has got up and placed her hands on her youngests shoulders, the woman is tiny. Her eyes hold a little hurt, and her mouth is reproachful, disappointed. "Calm down, love."

Sherlock backs down and bites out, "He only does it to bait me."

Violet drags Sherlock down to her height, "Then you should not let yourself be so easily baited, and anyway dear the snow has fallen thick and the roads out of here will be closed."

"Please do not say what you are about to say…"

"You'll have to stay here for the night."

…

You saw it coming when I mentioned the snow didn't you? Yes I know it's cliché, yes I know it's late but… I don't actually have an excuse so sorry?

S

The whole 'I know your type' was just my mind singing to itself, Why it chose cobra starship I do not know but it was as good a starter as any.