July 13th, 2005
Sherlock's POV
He's sprawled in his bed, relaxing, mediating some would even call it when he gets a text message from his brother.
Mycroft is coming home. Today. After he speaks with John. A part of him wonders why Mycroft felt he had to speak with John first. He's been enjoying the time his brother has been away. Jim, Jasper, and John have kept him company and busy.
In the last fourteen days he has done more experiments and used his instruments more than he had in the previous year. For the first time in years he feels like someone wants him around. For the first time in memory he feels like someone actually cares what's happening in his life. He feels like someone cares about him. For the first time in his life he has a friend, a real friend, one who doesn't act like he's an obligation or bother.
He's confused about what he thinks of his brother. A part of him wants his brother to care about him. He wants his brother to want to be around him. Another part of him doesn't want anything to do with his brother, after for years his brother didn't want anything to do with him. He also wants answers. Mycroft, like Jim and Jasper, is nearly impossible to read. With his brother he has such a hard time understanding his motives. For years he thought he was slow because his brother had told him he was the stupid one. Now he wonders how much of that was his brother thinking of him as a burden. It's one of those questions he wants answers to. There is also a tiny part of him who wants his brother's acceptance and love. He doubts he will ever have it, but he still wants it.
A small part of him is excited his brother is coming home. Maybe he will get those answers. If he does it will probably be indirect. His brother will tell John or write them out for his doctor to give him. Another part is terrified for the exact same reason. He wants, no, needs those answers but it doesn't make them easy.
Hopping to his feet, he glances around the room, heads spinning almost like it's on a swivel.
He can feel the emotions and the fear building up. It's hard to stop when his mind starts whirling, and whirling it is doing right now. All those questions he asked on the paper, all the things he thinks in his head about his relationship with Mycroft. Everything going circle in his mind. A never ending loop of doubts and fear, worry and anger, anxiety building up and making his head pound.
Spotting his violin, he quickly grabs it, fitting it to his shoulder and playing, hoping it will calm him down. It works most the time. Here's to hoping it works this time.
He doesn't know how long he plays before his door silently swings open, but the agent opening it doesn't actually step in. -Good morning Sherlock,- Jasper tells him. -The cook wants to know if you want breakfast.-
Slowly he stops playing to set the bow down in order to answer in ALS, -No.-
Nodding once, his cousin remarks, -I'll tell her.- Tipping his head to the side, the agent comments, -You play a lot better than anyone I ever heard before. I almost envy your ability with instruments. I can't play. I figure you got that and science, I have computers and engineering.-
Jasper envy's his gift with the violin? His cousin has never acted like most the people who envy his talent. Is this a lie to make him feel better? He doesn't think so.
The agent tips his head to the side in the same manner that Jim does, and a soft huff of laughter escapes him as he thinks that Jasper must have learned that from Jim or vice versa. Immediately, he's startled because he doesn't laugh normally. He almost thinks he has to justify himself but doesn't because of the look on the agent's face. It's like the cat who caught the bird for lunch. That's a different sort of expression for the other genius.
-Would you like to learn some interesting self defense tricks?- Jasper asks him after a minute.
-Why?- he queries, he knows the basics of self defense, why would he need more? Biting his lip, he studies the hacker to determine motivation. Not for protection, as a way to blow off steam. Stress relief, some would call it. The protection aspects are just extras. -Okay.- he agrees after a few minutes thinking about it.
-Great, find Jim and I whenever you're ready,- his cousin tells him with a warm smile. -I'll make Jim play the villain. He has fun with that role.-
Another huff of laughter escapes him. It's very easy to believe that his minder would enjoy playing the villain. It goes well with the fact Jim's a psychopath, even if he's on the high functioning side because of his friendship with Jasper. Slowly he nods in agreement, reaching for the bow as he does so.
Jasper leaves the room, shutting the door behind him.
Closing his eyes he goes back to playing, thinking about the offer as he does so. He's quite sure there are a lot of things those two could teach him. It's really nice to have someone offering to spend time with him, rather than seeing it as a chore. It does give him pause about John though, they are friends right? It's not just a work relationship? He'll ask, he's sure John will answer.
He doesn't pay attention to how much time passes between when he starts playing and when there is a firm knock at his door. Slowly lowering the bow, he stares at the door, ninety-three percent certain Mycroft is the one standing on the other side of it.
Setting the violin down, he slowly crosses the room to open the door, confirming that it is his brother standing on the other side.
-Good morning Sherlock,- his brother greets him, -Starting Saturday I am taking the next two weeks off, and it is my hope we will be able to spend time together and resolve some of our difficulties.-
He blinks, processing the words and feeling a sense of dread. This isn't going to go well. He's sure that he's going to be blamed in some way.
-I am going to go to bed for a little bit, it's been nearly forty hours since I last slept,- Mycroft comments, -After I wake up I hope we can share a meal.-
Hesitantly, he nods once, not sure if he is agreeing with the meal or the plan. If his brother's vacation starts Saturday, then what's going on today? He wonders, a small frown curving his lips.
Mycroft smiles at him, but it's that lukewarm politician's smile that does nothing for his nerves before his older brother turns and walks away.
He returns to playing for a little bit. When that does not bring him comfort, and the itch under his skin, in his mind starts to get to be a bit much, he goes to find the two agents. Only to discover Jim striding towards his room, eyes unreadable while the rest of his expression mimics annoyance. Despite his difficulties reading the psychopath in the past, he instinctively knows the annoyance is not about or for him. He just can't tell if it's for Mycroft or some other reason.
-Come join us for a bit,- Wildcard suggests, eyes lighting up as his expression smooths out.
-Doing?- he queries, wondering if Jim will give the same answer as Jasper.
-I know Jasper has invited you to learn some of our favorite tricks, but we can do something else if you'd prefer.- the agent answers with a lazy shrug.
-Fine,- he agrees, lips twitching because he had been going to speak with them anyways.
-Perfect,- Jim comments, pivoting and waiting for him to reach the psychopath before the two of them go to join Jasper.
He's curious to watch them more than anything. They have a very interesting dynamic, one that doesn't make sense with what he knows about people like Jim. Maybe it will be the perfect distraction from the thoughts running circles in his mind and the itch just beneath his skin.
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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