A/N: This chapter and the next are both their Valentine's Day celebration, but it was so, so, so long that I broke it into two chapters. It might be taken apart to three, who knows. Anyway, hope you enjoy, please review!

Sherlock gets up early the next morning out of excitement for the evening planned. He's very eager to play laser tag with their friends, which is odd because he's never been one to want to hang out with people. He decides to waste his time before school bothering Mycroft, so he goes into Mycroft's bedroom to wake him up. However, Mycroft is nowhere to be found, and Sherlock realizes Mycroft didn't even make it home last night.

Sherlock and Declan leave without waking Clement, and when Sherlock throws the door open, Mycroft's standing on the other side about to ring the doorbell.

"I forgot that I don't have a house key," Mycroft says, pushing past the boys.

Declan chuckles and leaves, walking down the driveway without Sherlock.

Sherlock crosses his arms and grins. "Late night?"

"Shut up."

"Lestrade's is nice?"

Mycroft walks over to the stairs. "Shut up."

"Are you seeing him tonight?"

"Yes."

Sherlock smiles wider.

"Shut up!" Mycroft says, walking up stairs. "I'm going back to bed. Leave me alone."

"Be nice to me or else I'll tell Dad that you just got home!"

"I'm an adult!" Mycroft yells down the stairs, and then Sherlock hears his bedroom door slam shut.

Sherlock laughs and leaves the house.

When Sherlock gets to school, John's already there waiting for him at his locker. He smiles widely as Sherlock approaches, and Sherlock smiles back.

"Hey baby," John says. "I've got something for you."

"For me?" Sherlock asks, reaching to open his locker.

"Duh," John says. "One perk of Valentine's Day is all the bloody candy everywhere, so…" John reveals a gift bag from behind his back.

Sherlock curiously takes the heavy paper bag and opens it, finding it filled to the brim with candy. Chocolate candy, gummy candy, lollipops, it's all there. His eyes grow wide and he smiles as if un-wrapping a dozen packs of cigarettes and two dozen murders.

"Like it?"

Sherlock finally looks up at John, then lunges at him, wrapping his arm around John's neck. He hugs John tight and kisses his head over and over. "Thank you, John."

"You're welcome, Sherlock."

Sherlock pulls away and places the bag in his locker, taking a handful of candy and stuffing it in his coat pocket.

"I've got something else for you," John says. "Your dad said not to give you a case at school anymore, but since it's Valentine's Day and I love you, well…"

John takes a paper out of his backpack and hands it to Sherlock.

Sherlock looks even more excited at the paper as he rips the plastic off a lollipop and shoves the candy in his mouth. The email is from a boy named Wyatt Das, who thinks his girlfriend is cheating on him.

"Unfortunate case considering the day," Sherlock says, folding up the piece of paper. "Should be easy, though. One look at the girlfriend and I can tell him if it's true or not."

"See? A case, but not too much distraction."

Sherlock smiles. "You do treat me well, John."

John stands on his toes to kiss Sherlock's lips. "Because I love you."

"I love you, too," Sherlock smiles.

The entire day is filled with love and all things pink and sweet. A few teachers, even though the school is full of older kids, like to have treats for classes, so some classes smell like sugar. Sherlock loves it, because if he can't have cigarettes, sugar is the next best substitute.

Sherlock texts Wyatt right before lunch, hoping to talk to him at lunch.

From Wyatt Das: I'll be with my gf during lunch. So right after lunch, find us to check her out.

Sherlock texts his agreement, then unwraps another lollipop.

Brady takes Jenna a gigantic bouquet of flowers. She carries them around all day, even to lunch.

"It's too bad you two can't play laser tag with us," John says over lunch.

Jenna smiles widely. "Brady's taking me on our first fancy date. Of course we've been to movies and had pizza, but we're dressing up and everything!"

"Well, that's great," John tells them.

John looks over at Sherlock and catches him staring at Jenna's flowers. He wishes to know what Sherlock is thinking, he wonders if Sherlock would want something grand like that, but he'd probably say flowers are stupid and a waste of money.

John reaches over and grabs his hand. "You ok?"

Sherlock blinks his gaze over to John. "Hmm? Fine. Just thinking."

John leans over and kisses his cheek, which makes Sherlock smile.

"You want a really good kiss?" Sherlock asks.

John grins and looks around at all the people around them. "What, here?"

Sherlock smiles and reaches into his pocket, then gives John a Hershey's Kiss candy.

John laughs and takes it. "Thanks, love!"

Sherlock watches him admiringly, then steals a kiss when their friends aren't watching.

Right after lunch, Sherlock rushes into the hall outside the cafeteria to find Wyatt. He spots Wyatt quickly, and walks up to him.

He uses the same excuse to talk to them that he uses with everyone.

"Hey, Wyatt, can I borrow your math notes?"

Wyatt nods. "Eh, yeah, sure." Wyatt gives Sherlock a nod, then kneels to steady himself to get into his backpack.

"I don't know you," Sherlock says to the girl. "Sherlock Holmes."

"I know you," she says. "Valerie Foster."

Sherlock gets a chance to look at her. He notices slight discoloration on her neck from a fading hickey. It could be from Wyatt, so he focuses on other things.

Valerie wears a lot of makeup; her clothes are tight and her blouse is low cut, but Sherlock knows that the way she's dressed doesn't reflect her actions or character. Most people think it would, but Sherlock knows better.

Sherlock looks down at her hands and notices she's got a very pretty ring on. "That's a gorgeous ring," he says.

Valerie smiles. "Thanks! Wyatt gave it to me for our anniversary. It's a promise ring!"

Sherlock pretends to be interested in it, knowing it could be an important clue in whether or not she's cheating on Wyatt. "Oh, can I get a closer look?"

She easily wiggles it off her finger and hands it to Sherlock.

Just as he suspected, it's cleaner on the inside than out. He hands it back with a kind smiles. "Very pretty. Do you wear it all the time?"

"Well, yeah," she says. "Except to bed. I'm always afraid I'm going to lose it in my sleep."

Sherlock frowns, knowing that's probably why it's cleaner on the inside. Valerie slips it on again and Sherlock tries to find something else.

And it comes. The final clue is that her phone starts vibrating in her tight jeans. She blushes and excuses herself to check the text, biting her lip and looking guilty the whole time.

Right then, Wyatt stands again. "Here you go."

Sherlock takes the notes. His voice drops and he sounds sorry without meaning to. "Thanks. Meet me at my locker after school and I'll give them back."

Wyatt frowns. "Ok. I will."

Sherlock gives a fake smile, and then leaves the couple alone.

Even Declan gets Ellery roses. He takes them out of his locker to give to her before school ends, knowing she'd be embarrassed walking around with them all day. He takes a deep breath and looks nervous as he makes sure the flowers are perfect.

"You ok?" Sherlock asks, standing next to him and peeling the wrapper off of three miniature squares of chocolate.

"Yeah," Declan says. "Nervous. What if she doesn't like my flowers?"

Sherlock stacks the chocolates together and takes a peek of Declan's flowers. "Pink?"

"Yeah, pink."

"Appreciation, admiration, bliss, some would say."

Declan groans and slams his forehead against Sherlock's locker. "These are stupid, I know it."

"I didn't say that," Sherlock says, taking a bite out of the triple stack of chocolate. "Actually, it was quite wise to go with pink. Red means love and white means purity or innocence. Not quite fit for Valentine's Day. A wedding, maybe. Unless you do love her, in which case—"

"No!" Declan cries.

"I mean, not yet. I…yeah, the pink are good."

Sherlock eats the rest of the chocolate as Wyatt arrives.

Before Wyatt can say anything, Sherlock says, "Yes. She's cheating on you. I'm sorry, and I do mean that because my mother is having an affair and that hurts. So, I know how you feel. Except that's my mum and she's your girlfriend, I guess that's—"

Declan elbows him to get his attention. "Too much, mate."

"Oh," Sherlock mutters. "Sorry."

Wyatt just looks shocked and hurt. "Damn it. I should have known. I—"

"Don't blame yourself," Sherlock says. "It's not your fault."

Wyatt nods. "Thanks, Sherlock. How could I repay you?"

Sherlock shrugs. "You don't have to. This was fun."

Wyatt looks at him in horror.

"Dude," Declan whispers as warning.

"Oh. Sorry."

Wyatt nods again. "What the hell am I going to do now? She and I have been together for…for over two years. And all of a sudden…" he sighs. "Damn it."

Declan speaks up. "Say, uh, a few of us are playing laser tag tonight. You can come, if you want. I know I'd be too hurt to stay alone tonight of all nights. After…this."

Wyatt looks at Declan and appears as though he's about to cry.

"Too much, mate," Sherlock repeats to Declan.

"Sorry."

"No," Wyatt says, wiping his eyes. "It's ok. Uhm, thanks for the offer. Maybe I'll go. If I get too lonely."

Declan nods.

Ellery joins them at their lockers and kisses Declan in greeting. Declan glances at Wyatt, who watches them with a deep frown.

Wyatt sighs. "Ok, bye," he says, turning to leave.

Sherlock stops him. He hands Wyatt a lollipop in the shape of a heart.

Wyatt frowns and takes it. "Gee, thanks, man."

Sherlock smiles and Wyatt leaves.

Declan and Ellery continue like nobody is there, but Sherlock watches them as he takes a bag of gummy candy and opens it.

"Uh, here," Declan says. "I got you something."

"Oh? For?"

"For Valentine's Day," Declan tells her. He takes the roses from his locker and gives them to her.

"Oh," she mutters, surprised. "Well, these are lovely."

She doesn't sound excited.

Declan frowns. "Uh…oh. Oh crap. You don't like flowers. You're allergic."

Ellery bites her lip.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have…" he runs a hand over his face. "I'm such an idiot. I'm sorry."

She grabs his arm and pulls his hand away from his face. "Declan, it's ok. I appreciate the gesture, I do."

"Really?"

Sherlock watches as he finishes the gummy candy and begins to un-wrap three more mini chocolates.

"Yes!" Ellery cries. "Of course. I've never gotten a Valentine's Day gift before."

"Well," Declan says, "You're my Valentine."

Ellery looks at him in awe. She smiles and Declan sweeps a hair behind her ear. They lean forward at the same time and their lips touch delicately.

"Disgusting," Sherlock mutters, turning towards the entrance to the school. "See you guys later."

Declan and Ellery laugh, then Sherlock walks out the doors.

Since John had to leave right after school to help his mother pick out a birthday gift for his grandmother, Sherlock begins to walk home alone. He obviously doesn't mind walking, it gives him a chance to think alone and eat some more candy.

When the black car pulls up next to him, he doesn't pause to get in. The car follows him and finally Mycroft rolls the window down.

"Get in the car," Mycroft demands.

"Why?"

"Dad wants me to take you elsewhere."

This makes Sherlock pause. "Why?"

"He has…someone at the house."

Sherlock eyes him. "Someone, who?"

"Someone who he needs to see in private."

Sherlock sighs in realization. "A lawyer?"

Mycroft doesn't say anything and sits back in the car. He opens the door and slides over, so Sherlock gets in after him.

"Where are we going?" Sherlock asks.

"Well, since I don't have my own flat here anymore, we can go wherever you want."

Sherlock thinks about where to go while handing Mycroft a lollipop. "How about the—"

"For god's sake, Sherlock," Mycroft stops him. "Not another museum, please."

Sherlock frowns.

"Are you hungry?"

Sherlock shakes his head.

"What have you eaten today?"

Sherlock glances down at the two-thirds full bag of candy on his lap.

"That was full when you got it, wasn't it?" Mycroft questions.

Sherlock nods.

Mycroft sighs, a clearly unhappy sound. "Sherlock, you've got to eat better."

"So I've heard."

Mycroft doesn't say anything, he only takes out his phone.

"Where are we going?" Sherlock asks again.

"That's up to you."

"Well, I don't know."

"If you don't tell me, we'll just keep going."

"Fine," Sherlock says. "Gives us a chance to chat."

"About?"

"About Lestrade." "

What about him?"

"What happened last night?"

Mycroft glances at him. "What do you think happened last night?"

"So, it went well? You two are…okay?"

"No, Sherlock," Mycroft sarcastically says. "I spent the night with him but we hate each other."

Sherlock resists shoving his brother. "Shut up."

"Don't ask stupid questions."

"It was a valid question," Sherlock argues. "Are you two going to date long distance, then?"

"Well," Mycroft explains. "We're not officially dating, but we've agreed to not see other people."

"That's all I ask," Sherlock says.

Mycroft looks at him. "Why do you care so much?"

Sherlock looks out the window, away from Mycroft. "Because I do."

They finally agree to go The National Gallery. Well, Mycroft decides, and Sherlock pouts.

"You wanted to go to a museum."

Sherlock snorts. "Yeah, a fun museum. This one's full of art."

Mycroft chuckles and pulls Sherlock up the steps.

Since Sherlock's going out with his friends at six, they head for home around five. Both Holmes take showers and dress for their evenings out. Sherlock puts on jeans and a t-shirt, something comfortable for doing something fun, but Mycroft puts on a full suit.

"Where are you and Lestrade going?" Sherlock asks, taking out Mycroft's laptop to hack while Mycroft is finishing with his wardrobe in his closet.

"Just a new place that opened while I was gone," Mycroft calls. "I had reservations, but obviously I wasn't here."

"Mmm," Sherlock replies, finally figuring out Mycroft's password.

He silently opens up the internet browser and begins looking through his history. It's really boring, just like Sherlock expected. He doesn't hear Mycroft exit the closet.

"So you guys are—" Mycroft starts, then stops. "Sherlock!" he cries, pulling his laptop away from Sherlock and closing it quickly.

"You should make your password something more difficult than your birthday."

"I didn't think anyone would be trying to spy on me."

"It's not like you do anything interesting anyway."

Mycroft rolls his eyes as he places the laptop on his desk and grabs his watch. Sherlock takes Mycroft's phone off the bedside table.

"Sherlock!" Mycroft yells, so Sherlock drops it.

Sherlock tosses his phone away and picks up his pillow instead, slamming it against the bed over and over. Mycroft shakes his head and doesn't question him.

"Dad's still downstairs with his lawyer?" Sherlock asks.

"Yes," Mycroft says.

"What do you think they're talking about?"

"They're probably starting with the early stages of filing for divorce. Working out what Dad wants in the settlement."

"What do you think they'll do about me?"

"Well, you're seventeen now. You don't really need a custody agreement."

"But if I was, like, ten? What do you think they'd do?"

Mycroft shrugs. "Dad would get you full time, that much is obvious. Even though custody usually goes to the mother, our mother doesn't—"

"Doesn't care?"

Mycroft looks at him. "I didn't say that. I wasn't even going to say that."

"Then, what?"

"She doesn't have time, Sherlock. That's why she doesn't see you. She works all the time. She cares, of course she cares, Sherlock."

Sherlock just nods. "What about the house? The money?"

"Dad will keep the house. And half of the money, I'm assuming. I don't know, Sherlock. Why are you asking so many questions?"

"Because I'm here, Myc. You're not. I need to know these things."

"I am here, Sherlock. For you. You're pushing Lestrade and I into a long-distance relationship and you keep saying you're in this alone. You're not."

"But you and Lestrade belong—"

"Belong together, I know, you keep saying. But Sherlock…you and I—"

Sherlock looks at him. "What? You and I, what?"

"We're brothers. We are in everything together."

Sherlock pets the pillow on his lap and doesn't say anything.

After a minute of silence, Mycroft asks, "Understand?"

Sherlock nods.

Mycroft walks over to place his hand on Sherlock's head. He leans over and kisses his temple, then ruffles his hair. "Come on," Mycroft says. "Let's go downstairs to guess the ending of the shows on telly."

Sherlock cracks a smile, and then follows his brother out of the room.