Well, have a seat, brother. What's been going on at Diogenes?" Sherlock asks to try to delay the conversation they're really there to have.
"You didn't ask me to come over here to talk about life at the Diogenes did you? Spill the beans Sherlock. What's going on?" Mycroft asks sinking into a chair.
"I need a drink." Sherlock says getting up off the sofa and pouring himself a brandy.
"This must be serious. You never drink early in the day." Mycroft says teasing his little brother.
"You have no idea." Sherlock mumbles low so only John can hear him.
Mrs Hudson enters the room carrying a tea tray loaded down with food. "Here you are gentlemen. Enjoy your afternoon. I'll be downstairs if you need anything else."
Sherlock takes a deep breath. Now that Mrs Hudson has come and gone he has no excuse for not discussing the issue at hand.
"Now, Sherlock, what's really going on? You've been antsy since I came in." Mycroft says after he pours himself a cup of tea.
"Well, I do have something serious to discuss with you and I need you to be open-minded when I tell you what's going on. I've asked John to be here because he's part of this discussion." Sherlock says slowly trying to remain calm.
"John's always been involved in discussions. I didn't expect anything less." Mycroft says understandingly.
John looks at Sherlock reassuringly before Sherlock begins to speak. "Mycroft I know you've been wondering for a long time about my personal relationships and why I haven't been in a long-term relationship with a woman ever. I now have an explanation and I'm surprised I didn't realize it before. Now, before I reveal this fact and secret you must promise not to let this leave this room." Sherlock says firmly.
"Sherlock, I know your secret. You don't have to say anything if it incriminates you. Just let me know who you're in a relationship with and you don't have to reveal a thing." Mycroft says sympathetically.
"I have to say this. I have to get this off my chest. I am a gay man living in Victorian England." Sherlock says as he sighs deeply.
"That's okay though. You're not the only one in the family. Who are you in a relationship with?" Mycroft asks again.
"There's a reason John is here and it's not because he doesn't know about what I am." Sherlock says calmly having finally told someone his secret. He picks up a strawberry tart from the tray and eats the strawberries off the top.
"You and John? Well, I can't say I didn't consider that the two of you would be a good couple because I did, but I never thought my little brother would actually admit that he has feelings for his best friend. Normally he doesn't admit he has any feelings at all. I'm proud of you, Sherlock. I just hope that you're as happy as I am." Mycroft says sincerely.
"That's why you never leave the Diogenes? You've found a lover who's a member. Why didn't you tell me?" Sherlock asks incredulously.
"Even though I suspected what you were I couldn't be sure that you weren't going to tell your friends at Scotland Yard. I couldn't take the risk. I can't believe that you still eat your strawberry tarts that way." Mycroft says relaxing into the conversation and the situation.
"I never would have turned you in, Mycroft. You are my brother and we're meant to protect each other. Will you go to dinner and the theatre with us tonight to celebrate?" Sherlock asks happily enjoying this time with his brother and his lover.
"What are we celebrating if I'm coming out with you tonight?" Mycroft asks as he pours himself a brandy at the sideboard.
"We can celebrate anything you want: love, a new future, a birthday perhaps?" Sherlock asks cheekily. He's the only person in the world who knows when his older brother's birthday is and his real age.
"How did you remember it's my birthday? I'll have to tell John when your birthday really is then." Mycroft says mischievously.
"You wouldn't dare! That's traitorous!"Sherlock cries indignantly. He's never revealed his birthday or age to John.
"I would and I will if you disclose my age to John or anyone else." Mycroft threatens.
"You'll disclose his birthday to me because I'll need to know eventually. Besides, he'll do something eventually that will make you want to tell me things about Holmes. I can be very persuasive when I want to know something." John says finally inserting himself into the conversation with the two brothers. He feels confident enough to talk to Mycroft in a normal way, now at least.