Prompt: Teach Me to Dance

From: Madam'zelleG

…..

I felt my face flush with heat as Watson paired up with a young lady who had clearly been eyeing him all evening.

"Watson!" I hissed frantically. I did not wish to reveal my… lack of knowledge to him, but I had no choice.

"Yes, Holmes?"

"I do not know how to dance!" I whispered frantically. Watson looked at me sympathetically, but he was stolen from me before I could elucidate further, or before he could offer me help or advice.

Curses!

I watched him whirl away from me in a waltz, which I vaguely recognized in my memories, but could not do the steps for… when I feel a hand on A familiar tread caught my attention, and a hand placed on my shoulder. "Not dancing, Sherlock?" Asked Mycroft, amused.

"I see you are not either, Mycroft," I retorted.

"No need for that, Sherlock." He said, patting my shoulder.

"You're one to talk, brother," I sneered… but he was grinning at me.

"I heard what you said to the good doctor… do you truly remember nothing, brother mine, of our dancing lessons?"

"No. I hardly found them relevant… now I feel like an odd duck, as it were," I replied. I cursed Watson for his flowery phrases, as I had slipped into the unfortunate habit of using several myself. My face grew hot at my older brother knowing that, after all these years, I still could not dance.

"Never mind, brother mine. I can teach you if you wish." He said kindly. I mulled over the suggestion. Mycroft had been not only my best friend and worst enemy in our youth, but he had also been my greatest teacher, helping me learn mathematics, and engaging me in his lessons in languages, and, most importantly, Not only had Mycroft been my worst enemy and best friend in our youth, but he had also been, dare I admit it, my greatest teacher. He has taught me how to box, tutored me in mathematics, engaged me in his language lessons, and, of course, guided me in the art of observation and deduction.

I will never surpass my brother's abilities, but, without him, I would never have enhanced my own.

I conceded to myself this would be inevitable.

"Very well, Mycroft," I said at last. "Teach me to dance."

He nodded and clasped one hand round my own, before placing his hand on my waist. At my raised eyebrow, he jested that he had heard of me disguising as a woman before and know the part better than he. Besides, he was teaching me to dance, so he had the upper hand, as much as I hate to admit it.

As he did so, he leaned close to whisper, "In truth, little brother, I think we are just using each other to act as a deterrent against the eligible ladies in this room."

I burst out laughing at the remark, causing Watson to raise an eyebrow at me. "Indeed, My, indeed," I murmured once I had calmed down again. "Thank Providence for that." He squeezed my hand affectionately… then winced as I accidentally trod on his toes.

I did not need my singular gifts to deduce that Mycroft was regretting this already.