Pessimistic
"I don't want tea! Do stop mothering me, Mycroft. I am not a baby… or an invalid." Sherlock snapped, glaring at his brother as he sat in the low green chair by the fire.
"My goodness," Mycroft sighed in annoyance, "What on earth is wrong with you?"
"John."
Mycroft took a deep breath and rolled his eyes. Oh, here we go. The moaning would begin any moment now. How John was treating Sherlock like a child, how John was trying too hard. It was inevitable.
"I've been having… thoughts recently on beginning a relationship with John. Other than as a friend." Sherlock said, matter-of-factly.
Nearly spitting out his tea, Mycroft managed to arrange his face in a neutral expression. That he definitely hadn't been expecting from his self proclaimed, heartless brother.
"I see. Do continue." he said smartly.
"I fear things would end badly for us. John is wonderful and he does pique my interest both physically and intellectually. But I fear of losing him. What if I push him away? What if he ends up hating me? What if-"
"Oh, Sherlock! Would you hear yourself? All these 'what if's'! Whatever happened with just sticking your neck out and doing something to please yourself?" Mycroft interrupted, his voice tinted with annoyance.
Sherlock had always been a little pessimistic at times. Especially when it was something personal to him. But Sherlock was growing, it had to be said. For a start he hadn't thrown his teacup in annoyance or violated Mycroft's ears with a salvo of dreadful screeching from his violin.
Blinking, the younger Holmes began to frown, then sighed as his shoulders dropped in defeat. He looked at his teacup sullenly as if it held all the answers he needed to sort out this mess.
"Oh, for goodness sake. Its time for you to fight your own battles, Sherlock. I am done mothering you, as you said. But I will give you one word of advice…" Mycroft got to his feet and hooked his umbrella over his arm, "Make sure he feels the same first."
Sherlock opened his mouth to say something, then huffed a breath and sipped his tea, ignoring his brother as he left.
