Much to the surprise of everyone within the school, Vic and Sherlock stayed fast friends throughout the next few months, each day Sherlock would wait behind the tree where they originally met and Vic would arrive with an almost goofy smile and an aloof expression. They were almost inseparable during the day apart from their chemistry class where they were forced to work with different partners, even then they communicated with almost uninterruptable glances.
Often other kids would waltz over to Vic in some of the other classes he had without his best friend: they demanded to know why he felt compelled to hang out with the strange child that was Sherlock. Always he answered with the same fact. "He's about the only interesting person here." When the others beckoned Vic over to sit at their lunch table, it gave Sherlock much joy to watch Vic simply wave their request away with a lazy smile and head over to himself with a bright and cheery expression on his face.
Always the same routine was employed, however each day conversation varied greatly, Vic was always astounded at the vast knowledge of crime that Sherlock had applied at such a young age. Sherlock for his part tried to teach Vic the way of his mind palace, but it was clear that Vic wasn't completely invested in storing all the data he accumulated, he lived in the moment, spurred on by Sherlock's urging he enjoyed trying new things and then relating them back to his friend. Once or twice Sherlock tried to explain the science of deduction, but Vic was much more interested in experiencing the fantastical portrayals and deductions when they spewed forth from his friend's mouth.
The most common deductions that came from Sherlock were those about the bullies within the school, those who seek to inflict pain to the people around them. Victor at first believed that this was some kind of closure or revenge for Sherlock's years of torment at these people's hands. However the boy explained that he simply wanted to understand their compulsion to hurt those around them, whatever their actions there had to be a cause.
No one was more surprised by Sherlock and Vic's continued friendship than Mycroft Holmes. He took this opportune meeting to be fate, as much as he liked Vic and approved of his choice to befriend Sherlock he often felt that at some point one of them was going to end up with a somewhat trampled heart. He watched the two boy's interactions with interest, always in the background: somewhat like surveillance.
Sherlock had not noticed his brother's almost constant supervision of his life but he had become aware that his brother was taking more interest in his somewhat uneventful life. This display of protectiveness somewhat irked him, but also served to inspire some pleasant feelings toward his stately sibling.
One day, soon after Mycroft had been installed in his new position within the British government, Vic came round to visit Sherlock at the Holmes manor. He arrived at the appointed time ringing the expensive doorbell and waiting for Sherlock to answer. Instead he was greeted by the somewhat intimidating elder version.
"Ah, Victor. Come to visit brother dear have we?" Mycroft asked his voice cold and clipped.
"Um…Yeah, I mean I suppose…" Victor felt immediately intimidated in this mans presence and began to understand Sherlock's renitence to talk of him fondly.
"Well, I hardly think you are here to visit me, are you?" Mycroft almost smirked at his own wit.
"Um…No, I am here to see Sherlock…"
Taking in Victor's shaky appearance and the fear darting in his eyes Mycroft knew he had him where he wanted him.
"Victor, do you mind if we have a little chat before you see my dear brother?" He flashed a rather predatory smile in the direction of the now petrified Victor.
"I-I-I suppose so…" Victor hated to think what this terrifying person wanted from him.
Stepping aside Mycroft let the younger boy pass the doorway, closing the large wooden door behind him. He watched Victor's stance shift minutely as he entered the house, once again overcome by the opulence of Sherlock's home.
"Now, Victor, I understand you and my brother have become what you people would call "friends" I just want to warn you, as a person concerned about his brothers future, that if you dare to harm my brother, physically or emotionally; that I will have little choice but to take matters into my own hands. And let me tell you Victor, that would not be a pleasant experience for myself, and even less so for yourself."
Watching the now pale boy's reaction was priceless to Mycroft's already inflated ego. He watched as all the boisterous rebellion within the young man slowly sunk out from his body with each word the politician said.
"I don't intend to hurt Sherlock, we're friends, we'll stick together no matter what…"
Victor trailed off, watching the displeased look grace the stately brother's features. "You had better hope that you live up to your own promises, because I assure you, if you do not, you will regret it."
Sensing that he was allowed to leave the grand room, Victor rushed through the doorway. "Sherlock, I'm here!" He bellowed in his loudest voice.
Sherlock appeared at the top of the grad staircase, it was clear he had been experimenting from his filthy shirt and the acid stains gracing his expensive shoes. "You're rather late, are you not?"
"Nah, was just talking to Mycroft, seriously how do you put up with him?"
"Mycroft? What the hell did that fat git want?"
Thinking it better to simply avoid the question Vic distracted the conversation away from intimidating earlier events. "So what have you been experimenting on now?"
Sensing the lie Sherlock narrowed his eyes but complied to the conversation change nonetheless, "Oh just testing iodine effects on the eyesight of small squid, want to see?"
"Sure!" Victor replied enthusiastically, all the time completely aware of the foreboding presence at the bottom of the staircase watching him, waiting for some kind of mistake.