A/Note: Thanks Thilbo4Ever for favoriting my story during a buzzkill of a chapter! And thanks for the reviews and follows.

So now enjoy some brotherly jealousy... Maybe the root of Sherlock's problem with Mycroft is not just sibling rivalry? Pure speculation (rubs chin).

.

18. Mycroft

'Yes, may I help you?'

'Em, I'm here to see Sherlock. You must be his brother Mycroft? I'm John Watson,' he extended his hand.

Mycroft gave him a once over, his chin tilted up a bit, then he smiled politely, shaking his hand. 'Yes, I've heard of you. Sherlock's friend.'

'And boyfriend too,' said Sherlock from behind Mycroft. 'No need to pretend you haven't seen it. We're telling mummy and father today.'

'Ah, please forgive my little brother's crassness. Do come in, John.'

John was astounded and speechless. He hadn't expected Sherlock being so direct.

'Please do come in, John,' Mycroft gestured again.

'Right,' he cleared his throat, walking in and feeling very small and positively red. It didn't help that Mycroft was so tall.

'Any questions?' Sherlock asked his brother.

'Many. But right at this moment, I think John needs a little time to recover from your bluntness, Sherlock. Maybe I could offer you some tea, John?'

'Em, yes, that would be great. Thanks.'

'Manners, Sherlock. Why don't you show John to the sitting room? I'll be there in a moment.'

Sherlock huffed, grabbed John's hand and pulled him away.

'Sherlock,' John hissed.

'What? He had understood it already.'

'How?'

'How many friends do you think I have? And coming over "to see me"?'

John pinched the bridge of his nose. 'Can you please not do it this way when your parents come home?'

'All right. Can I kiss you now?'

'Not with your brother about to come in any time.'

'He's making tea, we have at least a few minutes until the water boils.'

'Just hug me, will you? I've been feeling so lonely this week.'

Sherlock took a step forward and they met in an embrace.

'Why?' Sherlock said quietly into John's hair. 'You know you asked me to be discreet.'

'It's been harder than I thought, to see you and not be able to touch you, or even talk to you properly.'

'I know. That's why I think it might be best if we don't see each other every day at school. Think. In one week you went from wanting to be secretive to coming out to our families. This only shows your idea is not sustainable.'

'I felt like you were breaking up with me when you talked about changing schools. Like you didn't want to see me at all.'

'Don't be daft. Breaking up is not an option to me.'

'Why do you say that?'

'John, what are the chances of another relationship ever happening to me? Me liking someone? And someone like you liking me? This has been a fluke already.'

John snorted. 'You're pretty good looking. There'd be no shortage of offers for you.'

'For you, more likely. As your Saturday date can attest to.'

John pulled away. 'It's not a date!'

Sherlock's lips curled up briefly. 'I know.'

John stared, 'You prat!'

'I know.'

'You knew and were still giving me a hard time?'

'Intellectually, I knew it wasn't. But I can't say I was happy about it. I'm still not happy about it.'

John frowned. 'You are jealous?'

'No, I'm not.'

He smirked, 'Yes you are.'

'Am not!'

'Yes you are,' John messed Sherlock's hair.

'Stop it, John!' he batted the teasing hand away.

John held him by the waist, 'Sherlock, how can I make you understand? I-'

'Ahem,' Mycroft walked in with a loaded tray, so they pulled apart, Sherlock huffing and rolling his eyes as they sat down. John felt like a tomato.

'So John. How did this happen, if you don't mind me asking?' Mycroft started pouring tea in a fine bone china cup, with rose patterns and gold rims.

'Eh, if you mean Sherlock and I, it just did. I liked how quirky and smart he was. This year we struck a friendship. I saw him fighting against five bullies and tried to help, but he had it under control.' Mycroft gestured towards the milk. 'I - yes, please - I asked him to teach me self defence. With time, we realised we liked each other. That's... about it,' he turned his head to Sherlock.

'I see. And you're telling our parents today? Sugar?'

'No, thank you. To the sugar, I mean. Yes, we're telling your parents today,' he swallowed.

'Why?' He handed John his cup.

'Thank you. We don't want to lie and have to keep it a secret. It's hard enough at school.'

'So you are also coming out at school then? Cucumber sandwich?'

'Ah, yes. The sandwich, I mean. No, we think that's more- complicated. To come out at school, that is.'

'How so? Tea, Sherlock?'

'Do I have any choice?' Sherlock huffed.

'There are boys that already pick on Sherlock. I don't think it would be safe for him.'

'Ah. I see.' Mycroft paused and looked at him tilting his head back, furrowing his brow, as if he had just thought of something. 'You play sports, don't you John?' His eyes travelled down, 'Rugby, of course.' He poured some milk into Sherlock's cup.

'Ah yes, Sherlock told you?'

'No,' both Sherlock and Mycroft said at the same time.

John stared at Mycroft, 'You can do that too?'

Sherlock added (trying to stop his brother and not sound like he was bragging) 'John is-'

'-The team captain,' both brothers spoke simultaneously again.

'Obviously,' Mycroft said with amusement, stirring sugar into the cup. 'My, Sherlock. I never took you for someone who would be impressed by sports. You've even started watching rugby games.' He placed Sherlock's cup in front of him, knowing it would be futile to hand it to him. Especially now that Sherlock was staring daggers at him and colouring a bit. 'I find your relationship highly - informative.' Before Sherlock could reply, he turned back to John and quickly continued. 'Ah, but there is more, isn't there, John? Not just sports for you. You've been saving so you can go to Uni, you want-'

'-To become a doctor, yes, yes, very clever, Mycroft.'

'But you surprised yourself when it came to Sherlock, didn't you? You had only dated girls up until he came along. Many girls,' he raised his eyebrow, smirking.

John felt really sweaty but couldn't decide whether his face had gone deeply red or deathly pale.

'Oh. No, no, no, I see.' He poured some tea for himself. 'There was someone before Sherlock. Another boy. A teammate?' He looked up, still smirking.

'Oh, please Mycroft, you're just doing cold reading. Stop embarrassing yourself, would you please?'

'How-'

'Don't encourage him, John. All he's doing is reading your facial expressions - which by the way are opposite to micro-sized - so there's no need to be astonished. He's just trying to impress and intimidate you.'

Mycroft chuckled, stirring his cup. 'The clues are all in you, John. Not only on your face, as my brother says. One only has-'

'-To observe,' both spoke at the same time again, Sherlock rolling his eyes.

'Yes, yes, Mycroft. You've showed off. He's amazed. There are no secrets between us, so you didn't need to embarrass him by bringing up-. Now leave him alone,' Sherlock added.

'But how did you know I want to be a doctor?'

Mycroft smirked and looked at his brother. Sherlock was momentarily at a loss for words. Then, looking away at the floor, he replied quietly. 'Right before Christmas he came into my room and looked over my shoulder as I was browsing on my laptop. I didn't hear him come in and he saw I was looking at stethoscopes.'

John's jaw dropped and he stared wide eyed at Sherlock. 'You were going to give me a stethoscope for Christmas?'

'I just didn't because I thought it would look strange, as it was befo-'

Mycroft made an amused face and sipped his tea, never taking his eyes off his brother. Sherlock couldn't stand it and faced John, only to see the alarmed look still on his face.

'Oh please, John. Honestly, they are not that expensive. In fact, they cost less than a jump-' he caught himself.

'You said it wasn't an expensive one!'

Mycroft chuckled at his brother's clumsiness with words, bringing Sherlock's attention back to him. Both brothers stared at each other. Sherlock gave Mycroft a warning look, but his brother merely smirked as usual, as if he knew more than he was willing to share.

John cleared his throat. 'Erm, Mycroft, are you going to be here when your parents get home?'

'Why?' Both brothers asked simultaneously, Sherlock a bit more alarmed.

'Moral support?' He said quietly, forehead all wrinkled.

'John, that's absurd, we don't need him!' Sherlock spoke quickly.

'I'm flattered John. Of course I would stay, but you heard my little brother.'

Sherlock hated that condescending smile just as much as being called "little".

'Today is probably not the most auspicious day, as father is usually in a dreadful mood on Fridays. He has some difficult students on Fridays that really challenge his patience. They leave him unusually irritated and little things set him off. I'm surprised Sherlock hasn't warned you,' he briefly turned towards Sherlock, smiling. 'But never fear, John. They spoke fondly of you after the New Year's holiday. I'm sure you will do fine. I'm delighted to finally meet you and I venture to say our parents were right about you. I usually don't put much faith in sentiment, it's a handicap that usually only clouds one's mind.'

Mycroft turned to Sherlock and this time, John thought his smile wasn't a teasing one, but one of fondness.

'But I can tell that in my brother's case, you might yet be the making of him.' He raised his teacup as if toasting, 'Well done, Sherlock.'

'I don't need your approval, Mycroft.'

Sherlock stood up, grabbed John's arm and pulled him up and away. John barely had time to put his cup down and quickly smile and nod to Mycroft.

Mycroft called out, 'Not your bedroom, Sherlock. I don't think our parents would approve once they learn about your relationship.'

John halted at the stairs stopping Sherlock. 'He's got a point you know, I don't want to give them a wrong impression right before I-'

Mycroft came towards them. 'I need to get ready anyway, I have to attend a charity event and assist with identifying who is who. Our dear MP has trouble remembering names. So why don't the two of you remain in the sitting room? John, it was a pleasure to meet you.' They shook hands, 'Please do finish enjoying your tea. And Sherlock, behave. You know it's almost time for mummy and father to come home.'

...

John chuckled and shook his head. He dropped his voice, 'Now I understand what you meant when you said "my brother is home". He's incredible.'

Sherlock looked like he had just smelled something spoiled.

'Not as much as you, though,' John added quickly.

That brought a small smile on Sherlock's face. 'Notice there were only cucumber sandwiches on the tray? Just this morning there were scones, but he broke his diet and already ate them all, I'm sure of it.'

'He's not fat, though.' John smiled at Sherlock's disgusted face and leaned forward again, this time planting a soft kiss on his neck, 'But you're still the good looking brother.'

Sherlock smiled and leaned forward to kiss him. John pulled away. 'Sherlock, not with your brother upstairs and your parents about to come in.'

Sherlock rolled his eyes.

'That reminds me, why didn't you tell me your father is in a bad mood on Fridays?'

'Oh, John. Stop fretting, they already like you.'

John's forehead wrinkled as his stomach did some internal sky diving. 'Yeah, but it's only the second time I'm seeing them and I'm already telling them I'm dating their son.'