"Look, Mycroft, I know that you were hoping it wouldn't come to this, but I know now that this is only going to end one way." Sherlock stopped, looking down and biting his lip in a rare display of emotion. "When I have died-"
"That is not going to happen."
"It is the only possible outcome of this game now. I'm not asking for your first-born child, Mycroft, I am asking you to get my will in order."
"Sherlock Holmes, you are thirty-two years old, and you are not going to die." Mycroft said this in a perfectly calm, reasonable voice, the politician voice that Sherlock loathed.
"Moriarty is playing to kill, and the kill he wants to make is me. Mycroft, I need you to get my affairs in order." He paused. "Please." Mycroft Holmes stood.
"If it would make you feel better, than I will agree." Sherlock's whole body relaxed.
"Thank you." Silently, Mycroft marveled at the change John had wrought on Sherlock in a little less than two years.
"What do you want in it?"
"Just leave everything to John. Simple."
"Nothing even for your brother," said Mycroft with a sly smile.
"Sod off. It's not like you need anything of mine anyway, being the most powerful man in the nation and all."
"True, but why would John want anything of yours?" Sherlock bristled. "I'm not questioning the man's loyalty, Sherlock. We both know him too well for that. I'm just saying that in doing this you may be bringing him… unnecessary pain."
"If nothing else he could use the money. Army pensions are, sad to say, slightly larger than his actual salary."
"He is not a child, Sherlock. He will be able to get a better job once he doesn't have to babysit you anymore. Besides, even if he can't, I will always be willing to offer him a place on my staff."
"You're just jealous."
"Perhaps I'm just keeping him safe for you."
"You do that. Even after I'm gone and Moriarty's gone, he'll be at risk. Constant risk. If anyone can keep an eye on him it's you."
"I will do my very best." Sherlock rose and made for the door. "Sherlock?" Sherlock paused.
"Yes?"
"You always were the worse chess player of the two of us. When you start caring too much, you are unwilling to take risks and make necessary sacrifices."
"If you're just going to lecture me-"
"We are up against a man who doesn't care how many pieces are removed so long as he gets what he wants. You're our queen, Sherlock. Don't throw yourself away to save some other, less valuable piece."
"You're forgetting that the point of the game, Mycroft. A queen's only duty is to protect the king."
"So you've chosen your king. Interesting, Sherlock. All the same, I will allow you to protect your king, while I protect the Queen and Country."