July 13th, 2005
John's POV
For the last two weeks he has seen Sherlock close to daily. Most of the time is spent with them just quietly spending time together. He works on paperwork or reads while Sherlock reads, works on projects, or sits in quiet contemplation. Sometimes they meet at the office, sometimes they meet at Sherlock's flat, sometimes they meet elsewhere. Meals are spent together wherever they happen to be, either take out or from the cook, except for the first Sunday when he ended up leaving early because of a patient emergency.
Sherlock and Jasper go with him on his rounds the first Saturday Mycroft is gone, while Sherlock, Jim and Jasper go with him the second Saturday. He makes sure to add more breaks, which means it takes a bit longer but keeps his young friend from getting overloaded. Jasper even makes parts of it a game, giving Sherlock challenges to do in order to keep his mind occupied.
He's rather surprised when he gets a text message at six am asking for an appointment for the elder Holmes as soon as possible. He immediately agrees to seven am if that will work, or two pm if it will not. It feels like he has barely pressed send when he gets an agreement to seven am.
Stretching, he gets out of bed in order to get a quick breakfast and clean up. Once that is done, he heads downstairs to make tea and put it in his office, finishing getting ready with just a few minutes to spare. Considering Mycroft has a tendency to be early, that's probably a good thing.
Turning the monitor on his computer on and flipping to the outside cameras, he smiles as he sees the black car pull up.
He makes his way to the door even as Mycroft gets out of the car, meeting the politician at the front door and letting the older man in.
-Hello Mycroft,- the doctor greets him warmly.
-Doctor Watson,- he replies with a nod.
Closing the door behind the taller man, he leads Mycroft to his office and the waiting pot of hot tea.
-Did you have a good trip?- he inquires, he is pretty sure that this meeting is about the questions, but he will let Mycroft bring them up, rather than bring them up himself.
-It was productive but longer than planned for due to unforeseen circumstances.- Mycroft answers, hand reaching in his pocket to pull what appears to be a folded piece of paper out. -I wish to discuss these.-
He nods, having already expected that. -What would you like to discuss?-
Several long minutes pass as the politician tries to figure out how to put what he is thinking into words. -I am having a difficult time comprehending how he feels.- Mycroft eventually states. -How is it even possible that Sherlock thinks that I hate him?- There is confusion in the older man's expression, if not in his motions.
He nods slowly, that is a very understandable question. The brothers have a very hard time communicating, and that leads to misconceptions on both ends. However he knows he cannot just tell them that, it wouldn't do any good, he has to let them work it out for himself. So how to approach this situation? Normally he would send them to a counselor, however he knows that both of them would not do well with one. Perhaps he should speak to the one on staff about ways to help them.
-I could probably explain, but I think you already know the answer, Mycroft.- he responds slowly, watching how the politician reacts.
Mycroft flinches, eyes closing as he takes a deep breath as if calming himself. When he opens his eyes again, the older man answers, -You are correct. I do, I just have a very hard time believing.-
He nods, not saying anything because he knows that Mycroft still has more to work through.
-How do I fix this?- the politician asks, -I am already following the advice given as much as possible, as work allows. Is there something more? I am considering taking a small vacation but I would need to have a set amount of time and I am unsure how much would be best.-
Smiling encouragingly at the older man, he nods once, -If you did, I would suggest at least fourteen days.-
Mycroft glances away, eyes losing focus as if he is lost in thought. -All right,- the politician agrees.
-You may wish to continue the discussion started before your trip.- he suggests, knowing that was already on the planner but thinking it might be a bit more important than Mycroft originally thought. -I would also suggest spending time just being with your brother. Right now every quiet between you makes him think he is doing something wrong. You need to be able to spend time with him in silence without it being judgmental.-
He meets the older man's gaze, trying to convey exactly how serious that suggestion is.
Again the politician agrees with a slow nod, -All right.-
-Do you have any other concerns about the questions?- he asks after they spend a few minutes in quiet, letting the older man process the information provided.
-No, the rest will need to be discussed with Sherlock.- Mycroft responds, -When will you be available for another mediator session?-
-Saturday afternoon or anytime Sunday,- he answers calmly, he could probably do it Friday but he wants to not be concerned about time.
-Sunday,- Mycroft immediately selects, -That will give me time to get all my work wrapped up so only extreme emergencies will require my attention.-
He nods in agreement, that is a good plan.
Hesitantly, the older man asks, -How has Sherlock been while I have been away?-
His smile turns to reassuring as he replies, -He's doing good, progress is slow but that is to be expected.-
Mycroft nods, relaxing ever so slightly as if that news makes him feel better.
They spend the rest of the visit in silent companionship. He is sure that Mycroft is reorganizing what he knows about his brother and their relationship. It's probably long overdue. Those two have worse communication skills than he has with his sister, and that's saying something since Harry never learned sign language.
Eventually, Mycroft is the one to call it to an end, standing and stating, -Thank you for your time, and the information for me to consider.-
He nods, -Of course, it's not going to be easy, but I am sure that you two can come to an understanding, maybe even develop a friendship in time.-
-I,- the politician begins, pausing with an uncertain expression, -I would like that.-
He sees the older man out, leaving the door unlocked as his staff starts coming in just minutes after.
There's a bit of an update to my updating schedule, it won't affect this story, but it affects the rest of them. Since reviews have dropped since I went on a regular schedule, I am going to switch back to updating as I get things done and have focus instead. However I also plan to try and complete each story, or as complete as I possibly can without feedback before I begin posting. Once I get the story ready, when it would have originally be updated on the schedule is when I will update it. I still won't be doing more than two stories any given day, disregarding tumblr prompts.
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