17th July 2005
Mycroft's POV
As soon as the four enter the room, his eyes scan over each. He gets nothing from Gray and Moriarty, that's not surprising. Doctor Watson is interesting, apparently the blonde had been processing information for their meeting today when Gray had called last night. The four of them had spent the evening at the doctor's flat. His eyes fall on his brother last, mostly because his brother is the last one to enter the room. Sherlock's shoulders are rolled inwards, head down, skin a combination of worried pale and embarrassed pink, definitely not dressed for being outside. His brother didn't manage to find drugs, at the same time his brother was knocked out by something.
His eyes flicker between the two agents, easily determining that it had to be the Wildcard who drugged his brother.
—I made sort of a lunch-dinner, — he comments as he motions to the buffet.
He's not going to comment on the fact his brother left the house to do drugs. That will probably get covered through the course of their conversation to follow. First they need to get to that part.
—You made it?— John asks curiously, looking at the variety he has laid out, and the dishes set beside the buffet to make it a bit easier.
He nods once, eyes not leaving his brother, thankfully his peripheral vision is excellent which lets him see what's being said.
—It looks good. — The doctor states before turning towards Moriarty, —There will be zero drugs used for the rest of today.—
The agent simply smirks.
—I would like for all five of us discuss where we are currently at and where we are trying to go. I would still like to also have our private meeting between Sherlock, myself, and Doctor Watson. — He remarks with a questioning glance between John and Sherlock to make sure they are alright with that.
His brother just shrugs, their doctor nods in agreement, the agents do nothing.
—Shall we begin lunch? — he suggest, glancing between them again, although Sherlock is the one he really cares about in this situation.
—I guess,— his brother answers, wandering over to the buffet.
-o-O-o-
Jasper's POV
He watches the way the brother's interact, noting how tense the two of them are. Have these two ever managed to communicate? He wonders curiously, sharing a quick with his best friend. He can see the mischief in those dark eyes but knows that the other two geniuses in the room probably can't.
He has to bite back a laugh when John looks at Jim and orders no drugs.
Turning towards the buffet, he whistles softly. Mycroft can cook more than he expected. Some reason he thought that his cousin didn't have a clue when it comes to cooking. That's an interesting tidbit of information. His senses tells him that it's all cooked almost as well as a professional, which makes him think that his cousin has taken classes in the past.
So Mycroft wants all of them on the same page. That is probably a wise decision considering everything. At the same time he doesn't trust his cousin's motivation. Of course, his lips curve up into the hints of a smirk, he's sure his cousin doesn't trust him or Jim. However, if there will be success, then it is a necessary plan of action.
Mycroft might just surprise him yet and actually care about Sherlock. That would be a welcome unexpected factor. He's often wondered since the first time he met his cousin after his parents died why Mycroft didn't erase himself from his family and the records. After all, if the politician didn't want to be bothered by them or have ties to them, then it would have made sense but Mycroft never did.
Perhaps Jim's right and Mycroft is only playing at being a sociopath because that's what the politician feels he must. What a peculiar idea, he thinks, family can be like networks, powerful together and weak when splintered. Perhaps he should explain that concept to the older man sometime.
-o-O-o-
John's POV
Well this is definitely unexpected but a pleasant surprise. He hopes that Sherlock sees it for what it is: Mycroft trying. Nearly everything on the buffet are things that he has seen Sherlock eat in the past. The entire house smells wonderful. He can pick up a wide variety of scents from the different spices and foods prepared.
He's the second last one to get a plate, letting the others go first, and he would have let Mycroft go too, except the older man motions for him to go. Once he has a plate of food, he takes a seat so he is opposite Sherlock, but easily able to see everyone at the table. He finds it rather amusing that Jim is seated beside him and Jasper is across from them by Sherlock.
—You're going to behave, — he states, not a question but a direction.
The psychopath's lips twitch in the hints of a smile as the dark-haired genius' head inclines slightly.
—Good.— he declares before turning his attention to Mycroft and Sherlock. —You've done a wonderful job on this lunch. I see you have set it up so we can take our time. Should I gather that you'd like to talk while we take our time eating?—
—Yes,— Mycroft agrees with a nod, —It is my hope that maybe we can relax a bit, eat, and attempt visiting like,— the politician pauses for a moment, eyes narrowing thoughtfully, —friends. —
He smiles encouragingly at their host. —That would be good.—
Jasper nods in agreement.
Sherlock stares at his brother as if he's confused or disbelieving. Of course, from what he knows of the brother's relationship that's probably fairly close to accurate.
Jim's lips twitch upwards in the hints of a smirk. That expression barely changes as he discreetly elbows the psychopath, which earns him an amused grin from the agents.
—Why did you chose to cook?— he asks Mycroft, deciding to start the conversation somewhere neutral.
—It was a good way to give myself time to think.— the politician answers after finishing the bite he's on.
—Why Italian?— Jasper queries curiously, head tipping to the side as the calmer agent waits for an answer.
—It's something I know Sherlock likes that I know how to make. — Mycroft answers smoothly.
—How? — Sherlock asks, just a single word, but it's a rather loaded question from the expression the teenager is giving his elder brother.
Setting the silverware down carefully, Mycroft's expression turns thoughtful before serious and earnest, —I wanted it to be something you'd enjoy eating. I learned to cook years ago, I just never saw any reason to cook.—
He watches the way each person at the table watches Mycroft's expression. All three geniuses are trying to determine how honest the politician is being. Sherlock is guarded, hopeful, confused, he wants his brother to have made lunch because Mycroft cares. At the same time, Sherlock doesn't trust that to be true and not just a manipulation. Jasper is watching the way the brothers are reacting to each other, reading the sincerity and more than that, the small signs of whether it is working or not. Jim on the other hand is paying more attention to Sherlock than Mycroft, watching how the youngest person in the room reacts and keeping an eye on how he will act.
It's going to be a long day if they are all going to be so suspicious and paranoid of each other, he thinks with dark humor. How to get them to stop that?
-o-O-o-
Jim's POV
He's mildly surprised that Mycroft made the lunch-dinner for them to share, willingly admitted that the five of them need to discuss things together, and is over all trying to reach out to his brother. The motivation for it doesn't make sense to him. Why would the politician do that?
He keeps his face a neutral mask except for the hints of a smirk as he considers the two of them.
This is definitely more of Pike's domain than his. At this moment, he's not sure he could easily manipulate either of them.
He keeps his mask in place when a sharp elbow smacks into his ribs, catching his attention because it definitely wasn't an accident. Glancing at the doctor, he's unsurprised by the nearly under the table order to behave in ASL.
Now that's interesting, at this point he wasn't actually planning mischief, just trying to understand. It's an area he doesn't do very well with because the emotions for it are beyond him. At least, they're nothing he can remember feeling in the past. It's what makes him so good at his job, the fact there is only one person he's got a good emotional connection to. Actually, he should take his cues from Jasper in how to respond tonight.
He agrees that the five of them should discuss what's going on. It would be the best course of action. He doesn't understand why he's not allowed to use calming drugs on either brother to make sure things go smoothly, however he has an unusual respect for the doctor and will respect that for today's conversation.
As he watches, there is a brief discussion on what Mycroft cooked and why, but he sees the undertones, the things not said but meant as they pass between the brothers. He's curious whether they are aware that they are having a second silent conversation in the subtext. He'll pay attention to that conversation instead of the one with words. It will give him a better understanding of their motivation and feelings, and tell him if he needs to be manipulative or not. Besides, also a perfect learning experience, the four at this table are far from boring, which surprises him since he finds most people so very dull.
-o-O-o-
Sherlock's POV
His brother made them lunch and is actually trying to connect with him? He doesn't understand. He was sure that everything was from guilt. This isn't guilt however, this is something else, he's just not sure what. Why isn't his brother angry at him or disappointed in him? That was the reaction he was expecting. Not this, whatever this is. Maybe he should use John as a guide as to how to react. He didn't miss the way his friend elbowed his minder, although he did miss what was said with ASL, it had to be ASL seeing how it was one handed and below the edge of the table.
That's interesting, he thinks, focusing on them for a moment, John's not scared of Jim even though his friend should be for all intents and purposes.
As he slowly eats lunch, he's mildly shocked at how much he enjoys it. His brother did a really good job. Maybe they can focus on the food and not talk about how he messed up, is a failure, and a constant disappointment. He's sure that he'll see that sooner than later if they start discussing what happened and why.
Why'd he have to go through that window? Why is so much overwhelming? Why does he crave the silence the cocaine can provide? Why's his brother trying? Is it real? Does he want it to be real? How will he know if it's real? What if he fails again? He's always been a bother so why would his brother care? Has his brother ever cared? How are they going to work things out if there is a wall of people between them? Unless that's the goal, not to work things out by having so many people around?
Of course, he trusts Jasper and John far more than Mycroft and Jim. Jasper and John seem to be decent sort, both don't hide what they are thinking from him, even if it seems like Jasper is hard for his brother to get a read on. Could Jasper be masking himself when looking at his brother? Is it even possible to hide things successful from Mycroft? Jim and Mycroft on the other hand, they're not as trustworthy, they hide themselves and what they think behind masks he can't see past. More than that, he doesn't understand their motivation.
Although, he glances between Jasper and Jim, his cousin is probably the only person who does understand Jim's motivation.
Does he want to try? Yes. Why? It's worth it, he'd like to not be so lonely, to stop being the unwanted freak. Maybe he shouldn't avoid the upcoming conversation. Maybe it'll help, at least a little.
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Authors Note: On the 28th of November I will be posting a complete 130 chapter fic over on AO3 called Different Paths that is a James Bond triad verse soulmate fic. The triad is James Bond/Alec Trevelyan/Q (Jon). If there is any interest, I'll also post it here for folks to read over the next few months.