Mycroft watched as John disappeared down the street. John didn't notice as he let himself into the house climbing the stairs to the flat in which his brother lived. Sherlock was sitting in his chair by the window plucking on the strings of his violin staring at the door. He held out his hand for the file that Mycroft was carrying and Mycroft handed it to him without argument. Sherlock placed the violin aside for a moment as he flipped open the file scanning the contents.
"You couldn't wait to show this to him," Sherlock hissed silently as he looked over his past medical information. It wasn't all of it but was enough to make John doubt his decision to move in even more. He could already see John second-guessing how quickly he had chosen to become his roommate and feared it was only a matter of days before John decided to leave him for good.
"Yet the good Doctor refused to even look at it. Tell me Sherlock has he proposed yet, or are you still waiting for him to ask daddy's permission first," Mycroft wondered. Sherlock looked right at him as he threw the file in the fireplace watching it catch as he picked up his violin once more.
"Was there something you wanted Mycroft?" he spat.
"Just to see my little brother," Mycroft responded picking up the chessboard before taking his seat. Chess was one of the few games that they could actually play against each other without it dissolving into name-calling or other childish behavior. They had tried other games but Mycroft lacked the coordination for Operation and Sherlock always grew bored with Risk. Neither one understood the rules to the game Cluedo and the last time they tried to play Monopoly it had started a feud between them so fierce that Sherlock didn't see his brother for almost three months. It had been a peaceful three months and Sherlock was tempted to offer to play again for the relief the game brought him.
"Well, you've accomplished it. Twice in one week too. Mummy would be so proud that you are suddenly taking an interest again," Sherlock taunted.
Mycroft rolled his eyes as he finished positing the pieces on the board and waited for Sherlock to make the first move. Sherlock rolled his eyes then proceeded to move his pawn while waiting for Mycroft to explain the real reason behind his arrival. For though the brothers had once been close, they had drifted apart over the years. Neither one could pinpoint the exact reason but it was only after getting clean that they once more began to work on the relationship they had as children. A relationship where Sherlock had looked up to his older brother and not resented his presence.
Sherlock had adored Mycroft as a child. Mycroft was his first friend and had taught him how to hone his deduction skills and didn't mind that he was different when others thought of him as a freak. Most people even thought that Sherlock didn't learn to speak until he was almost five but Mycroft knew that wasn't the case. Sherlock was able to speak both French and English fluently even as a child and over the years added on many languages that he spoke conversationally or almost fluently. He may have been a quiet child but that was only because he didn't like the noise. He would become overwhelmed quite easily and choose to hide in the quiet of the library or in his room away from the outside world and alone with his books. It was Mycroft who first taught him how to sign allowing him to speak even when his mind demanded silence.
Then the fire of Muskgrave hall happened. Sherlock had been asleep in his bed when the flames ripped through the home destroying it. It had been Mycroft who found his little brother and carried him out of the burning building into the fresh night air. Both had suffered burns and smoke inhalation due to that night but it was Sherlock who suffered the most. He still had a small scar on his leg near his knee where his leg was burned but plastic surgery had taken care of the worst of the scars. It couldn't help the fact that his throat had also swelled and he lost the ability to speak for a short time. It was Mycroft who was able to communicate with him through signing and tell the doctors just how Sherlock was fairing during the long hospital stay. Sherlock cried and was unmanageable when Mycroft left so he stayed by his brother's side as much as possible. Even after Sherlock came home, he refused to sleep anywhere but Mycroft's room for many months after. They tried to get him to sleep in his room but he would appear in the middle of the night curled on the floor in his blanket. Mycroft never sent him back to bed telling Sherlock stories of pirates until Sherlock drifted off to sleep.
But eventually, they grew older. Mycroft went off to boarding school while Sherlock went to local private schools that could help him with his learning problems. While Mycroft made connections in the government with the help of their uncle, Sherlock started smoking and in later years would be introduced to the harder drugs that would almost take his life. Yet, sitting in the chairs in front of the fireplace, Mycroft could almost see the curly-haired little boy who ran around all day with an eyepatch and wooden sword.
"Check," Mycroft announced after several moves. Sherlock rolled his eyes as he easily moved out of it and right into Mycroft's plan. Within four moves Sherlock was in checkmate and Mycroft had won like normal.
"Well that was thrilling," Sherlock drawled as he leaned back in his chair. He picked up his violin once more plucking at the strings. "Are you going to tell me why you are really here now or shall we play another game."
"The Jaria Diamond has gone missing," Mycroft informed him as he settled back into his chair. Sherlock rolled his eyes.
"Boring," Sherlock answered.
"I need you to find the Diamond and assist in the retrieval of it. You will, of course, be paid handsomely for your trouble," Mycroft continued.
"Which you will hold on to me for out of the kindness of your heart," Sherlock mocked.
"I am only doing what is best for you or do I have to remind you what happened the last time you had full control of your money. Tell me, have you taken your pills today, or do you normally wait until later?" Mycroft questioned. Sherlock glared at him as he motioned towards the door.
"As always it has been lovely to see you please don't hesitate to not stop by again," Sherlock answered. Mycroft took the dismissal for what it was and made his way to the door leaving Sherlock alone in the flat. Sherlock could have ignored his request to find the diamond but he was between cases and bored. It would at least give him something to occupy his mind while he waited for a better case to come along. It was either that or continue to study John. He was still fascinated by the army doctor and wasn't surprised when John returned with a full stock of medical supplies to replace the ones that Sherlock had used. He made tea for them as he promised and while Sherlock wasn't thrilled about the meal it did have peas in it, which he happened to like. He also didn't ask Sherlock any questions about his medical history which he found a welcome relief.
As a week passed, followed by another, the two of them became comfortable in their living arrangements. Sherlock had found the Diamond and fought off a man who tried to kill him over it while John had a row with a chip and pin machine due to lack of funds. As John talked about having to get a job to financially support himself, Sherlock looked for other means to keep John near. An old friend from college had been emailing him about a problem inside his bank and Sherlock was tempted to just ignore him. Seeing John fret, though, made up his mind and he took John with him to the bank. Sebastian Wilkes had once laughed at Sherlock claiming to hate his guts. He took great pride in telling this story to John and John could see the pain in Sherlock's eyes briefly at the statement. He instantly regretted that he had corrected Sherlock when introduced to Wilkes and vowed never to do so in the future.
"I'll take that for him," John offers later when Sherlock refuses Sebastian's money. He looks at the check a soft whistle escaping. It was more than he had seen in a while and would help with the financial problems he was experiencing while looking for a job. He quickly reminded himself to discuss the money with Sherlock later as he slipped the check into his wallet.
"So just his colleague," Sebastian smirked. "Not his friend or flatmate?"
"I do live with him," John answered not quite sure where Sebastian was going with it as his reply just made the man smile wider.
"Right, just living with him," Sebastian winked. John turned his posture military as he looked at the man. Sebastian held up his hands in defense. "I'm not judging but Sherlock never had friends or colleagues when I knew him at university."
"Times change," John told him.
"Not that much," Sebastian answered then dropped his voice as he leaned closer. "You can be honest with me. If you two are together that's fine. I don't see how you could live with him otherwise as he was always much more agreeable when there was something preventing him from talking." John thought about his actions the consequences of his actions as he clenched and unclenched his fist. Sebastian didn't seem to notice as he looked towards Sherlock who was flitting strangely around the office. He was looking around poles, glancing over low walls, and leaning over items. It made no sense to John but he knew that Sherlock was processing information and would explain his actions later. Thankfully, he seemed completely oblivious to the conversation and John planned on keeping it that way.
"We aren't together," John told Sebastian firmly. He was disliking the man more and more. He wondered silently if he could get Sherlock to drop the case even if he did desperately need the money.
"Right," Sebastian winked again. "Then if you aren't together, you wouldn't mind if I called him after the case was over."
"Not at all," John hissed through his teeth making it perfectly clear that he did in fact mind.
"Good," Sebastian smiled as he straightened up. John noticed Sebastian's eyes focus on Sherlock and saw the predatory glaze in them. It was clear that Sherlock meant nothing to Sebastian except for someone to solve his case and apparently a quick lay. John vowed to do everything in his power to stop Sherlock from making that mistake again.
"I've changed my mind. You need to stay the hell away from Sherlock," John swore his voice soft.
"I think we should let Sherlock decide that," Sebastian responded. John was very tempted to punch the man but getting arrested did protect Sherlock from him.
"John," Sherlock called out as he headed towards the door. John went after him ignoring Sebastian as he stared after them with a knowing smirk. They joked about Sherlock purposely irritating Sebastian then discussed the case as they got into a taxi. Things were normal between them and if he suspected that John had wanted to punch Sebastian he said nothing about it. Instead, he babbled non-stop about possible leads and people they needed to talk to in order to solve the case. John just hoped that Sherlock would be able to solve it quickly so that they could once more have Sebastian Wilkes out of their lives.