"The Big Switch-a-roo."
Chapter 2
"The Holmes boys discuss playgrounds."
"You can't be serious."
Was the first thing that came out of Mycroft's mouth as he, rather predictably, walked through the door of their Baker Steer flat not ten minutes later, making John thank the Lord above that the elder Holmes is actually the 'Smart One' of the two and will now promptly put a stop to this ridiculous idea of his, before it has the chance to put the entire Free World in danger.
"Oh but I've never been more serious in my life, brother-mine." Sherlock says, glaring daggers at his blogger from his favorite seat, silently reminding him whose idea it was in the first place.
"Really?" John can't blame the politician for sounding as doubtful as he does, when he takes a seat in the doctor's armchair, he'd be hard-pressed to believe the Consulting Detective could be serious about something that isn't a case too. "How so?" He added while also nodding his head in agreement to the army-medic's question if he'd like some tea.
"You can say it's a matter of pride." Sherlock's steely eyes never stopped tracking John's movement as he watched the smaller man disappear in the kitchen again, following him even after the wall obscured his vision.
"Indeed?" Mycroft inquired, playing absent-mindly with his umbrella. "Do tell."
"John thinks I wouldn't last a month as the embodiment of the British Government." The younger Holmes whines to his older brother, as if he was a child tattling on a bully who told him he couldn't do something he obviously could, while pouting at John who was handling Mycroft his tea and rolling his eyes at his flat-mate's antics.
Perhaps Sherlock was expecting Mycroft to disagree with that statement and scold the innocent blogger for even thinking such a though, because he did look rather shocked when all the elder man did was raise an eyebrow and say:
"And the untruthfulness of that statement comes where exactly?"
"Mycroft!" The little brother screeched, looking at his sibling with a betrayed look in his eyes.
"I am truly sorry, brother-dear, but I have to side with Doctor Watson on this one." The politician shrugged. "Considering your violent, and rather childish, character traits and constant disregard of rules and general authority, I can safely say that my playground is a place you'd wholeheartedly struggle to survive in for a week, let alone an entire month. Also, what is quite beside the point," He then paused and fixed his brother with the coldest stare he could muster, without seeming downright murderous.
"What makes you think I'd let you anywhere near anything as powerful and influential, as my minor position in the British Government?"
The younger Holmes reacted by simply putting on his ugliest scowl and turned away to Skully, in order to sulk for the rest of the day.
Feeling that the battle of wits was won, Mycroft allowed himself to simply rest his back against the armchair and admire the, lukewarm but still delicious, Earl Grey. John simply breathed a sigh of relief knowing that another crisis, one which was nearly caused by himself, was avoided and the world was left safe for another day.
It could have ended here and it probably should have but, as luck would have it, Sherlock's luck was just as random as he himself is as, at that very moment, he was gifted with a great idea.
In a move that missed only his iconic coat, he twirled around and placed his hands on the armrests of the armchair his brother was occupying in such speed that it startled both Mycroft and John.
"If I promise to spend the following month on quality time with our parents, will you agree to switch jobs with me, Mycroft?" It was but a whisper but both men heard the Detective as clearly as if he just screamed those lines from the top of the Baker Street building.
John's eyes widened and promptly turned to look at the elder Holmes, his stomach sinking ever so slightly when he was that Mycroft appeared to actually be considering it.
Oh god, no. The doctor cursed himself and his lack of precaution.
He should have known Sherlock was going to pull something like this, the idea was actually elementary: knowing that the elder sibling was constantly trying to make the Detective spend more time with their parents, using time he'd spend with them as a bargaining chip, Sherlock was sure to get anything he wanted in return.
Please don't say yes, Mycroft. John begged in his mind. You know this will end in a catastrophe, don't let the bribe get to you! It's not worth the dozens lives Sherlock is bound to destroy if you say 'yes'!
But the prayers were left unanswered.
"An entire month?" The elder Holmes asked, quietly as if in disbelief.
"Thirty days." The Detective nodded his head solemnly. "No more, no less."
"Plays? Movies? Dinners?"
"Whatever they want." Sherlock conceded, his voice desperate as he stepped back from his older brother's personal space. "Just give me this one month to prove myself, Mycroft." He practically begged.
After a minute of tense silence that followed, ignoring the terrified beat of John's heartbeat, the elder Holmes got up from his chair and walked up to his little brother.
"Granted." He spoke his voice steady, earning him the largest smile he ever saw on Sherlock's face.
John couldn't help but feel as if the faith of the entire world was being sealed along with the aforementioned deal, with the simple act of a handshake.
They were all doomed.
He was sure of it.
AN: Back again! :D Have fun reading! Be ready for more soon! ;)