For John Watson

[howdull]

[Sherlock is still finding pieces of the melted laptop in the carpet.

It had actually been quite an ingenious booby trap to be devised by a fourteen year old boy with only household chemicals to work with but, as Sherlock surmised, rather overkill to keep his mother from finding his extensive porn collection. Not one of their more illustrious cases, but it had been quite entertaining to watch both the boy and mother's faces as he revealed that he did know the how and why. He lost interest after the mother started shouting and John started shouting and the whole thing turned tedious.

He rather thinks John won't actually be doing a full write-up of this one on his blog.

It's been two days since their last case and he's beginning to get more than a little antsy. Lestrade has sent him nothing, just a boring hit and run that he refused to even leave the flat for, and nobody interesting has appeared through the blog. Said blog he is currently scrolling through on John's laptop, having borrowed it again.

He did ask, it's not his fault John hadn't been in the room at the time.]

Bored, John.

[He doesn't even know if his flatmate is even in, but that's hardly a necessity for him to actually speak to John. Frustrated, he throws the laptop across the room to hit the wall, where it summarily breaks. Which is where he can be found whenever John appears, sulking amidst pieces of laptop, both from the melted one of their last case and John's poor broken one.]

Comments

[jumpthegun]

[John looks back with confusion, then there's affront on his behalf as he's grabbed and pulled away.]

He invited me. John Watson.

[But he'll go along with the man, frowning in irritation. If he gets thrown out of this damn club, he's walking back to Sherlock's flat if he has to.]

[howdull]

Yes, sir.

[The staff member doesn't reply until they're well outside that room and walking up the stairs.]

Mr. Holmes is waiting for you in the Cherry Suite, the main reception room is Silence At All Times, sir.

[jumpthegun]

[John sighs in irritation. He already doesn't want to be here.]

You might put a sign out for that. Where's the Cherry Suite, then?

[howdull]

Second door on your left, first floor, sir.

[The man's voice is always perfectly polite and he gestures in the right direction, before letting the irritated miniature army doctor stride off alone.

Mycroft is relaxing in a wing-backed armchair with a glass of fine scotch and a newspaper, he glances up when John enters and folds the paper neatly.]

Dr. Watson, do sit down, have a scotch.

[jumpthegun]

[It's not exactly striding so much as making his best go of not limping. But John does head off. When he steps into the room, John stops next to the chair, but he doesn't sit down.]

I'm not thirsty, thank you. What can I do for you that I couldn't have done over the phone, Mr. Holmes?

[howdull]

[He smiles thinly, his brother's new pet is rather fierce sometimes. He places two electronic key-cards on the table and slides them across.]

Your rooms. I expect them to be used.

[jumpthegun]

[John glances down at the key cards and doesn't take them. He rolls his shoulders back, even though that's minor agony, and straighten up fully.]

We have accommodations, Mr. Holmes. I appreciate your generosity, but it's not needed.

[He knows it's not generosity, either.]

[howdull]

[Interesting, what has Sherlock done to earn such fierce loyalty from a man with trust issues?]

You are aware, I'm sure, of my brother's past issues with illicit substances.

[He knew about the drug raid on the flat, but he doesn't know how much more Dr. Watson knows than that. Still, it's enough that he knows.]

Would it surprise you to learn that your current 'accommodations' are at the centre of the local dealing community?

[jumpthegun]

[There's a flicker of confusion across John's face before it smooths out. Sherlock had told him he wasn't a junkie. They're in the middle of a case, and the man doesn't even smoke now. It seems unlikely Sherlock took them there just to get high.]

Considering that flat doesn't look like anyone's stepped foot in it in months, I reckon the local dealing community's moved on to darker and seedier accommodations.

[howdull]

The role of a fool doesn't suit you, Doctor Watson.

[Mycroft's brows draw together, mild annoyance the only thing showing despite his underlying concern for Sherlock.]

Even had your late sister been sober for months, would you allow her to return to accommodations above the local pub?

[jumpthegun]

[Bringing up Harry is a very poor tactic indeed. John almost visibly bristles.]

I'd like to go back to Shepherd's Bush Green now, Mr. Holmes. Again, thank you for your offer of accommodations. You're welcome to ask your brother if he'd like to move to the Hilton. I'm comfortable in his current flat.

[howdull]

[He detests that flat. He's been there more than once to personally ease Sherlock through an overdose or bad trip, sweating and a shadow of what he should be, it's not a position he wishes to be in again.

For a moment he looks as dangerous as he's sometimes made out to be, before it smooths into his usual polite nonchalance.]

I would strongly advise you to reconsider your position. There are certain protections that can be employed for your coworkers and Dr. Sawyer.

[He's fairly sure that Sherlock hasn't told Dr. Watson that he's already negotiated for these things.]

[jumpthegun]

[That offer does draw John up short. But his expression stays as it has been. He pulls out his phone.]

If you'll give me a moment to talk to Sherlock before I make decisions on his behalf that he hasn't agreed to.

[Unlike Sherlock who will make decisions for the both of them as he sees fit. John starts typing out a text even before Mycroft has given him leave to do so.]

TO: Sherlock Holmes: Mycroft's offering protection for Sarah and the others if we stay at the Hilton. H is for hotel? Think it's even worth risking it?

[howdull]

[Sometimes normal people really are annoying. But he waits, fairly confident that Sherlock will be too busy thinking in order to respond. Which is why his expression falls slightly when John's phone does indeed beep a few seconds later.]

FROM: Sherlock Holmes: C is for Consulting Detective.

[jumpthegun]

[John's eyes widen, and already pale complexion blanches.]

I need to go.

[He turns and starts to walk out. He'll find a way to get back, himself, if Mycroft won't send his car to drive him.]

[howdull]

We are not finished here, Dr. Watson.

[Mycroft calls out, but he doesn't do anything as undignified as actually try and chase after him, so John can make it out of the club if he wants. There won't be a car there, however, Mycroft isn't about to aid in his rude escape.]

[jumpthegun]

[John stops at the door, and turns to glare daggers at Mycroft.]

Someone's going to kill your brother because he's my friend. Wherever the hell he's sleeping tonight just fell down the priorities list, Mycroft.

[howdull]

All the more reason for you to stay somewhere secure, don't you think?

[He doesn't sound at all concerned for someone just told their brother might be killed. But then, he doesn't believe that will happen. Nobody has eyes on them quite like Mycroft has on Sherlock.]

[jumpthegun]

Right. Because you can secure an entire hotel building. Nice job at Baker Street, keeping an eye out there.

[howdull]

Yes, I can.

[Simple fact. He isn't going to rise to the other bait, even if it does annoy him.]

[jumpthegun]

[John scoffs.]

Convince Sherlock yourself that you can keep him safer, mate. I'm not your errand boy and I sure as hell don't trust you.

[That said, the doctor does leave, not bothering to close the door to the Cherry Suite as he heads out.]

TO: Sherlock Holmes: I'm at the Diogenes Club and I just told your brother to go to hell. Don't think I'm getting a ride back. Can come meet me somewhere nearby?

[howdull]

[At least the evening air is quite pleasant and balmy, there's no rain about to pour down on John as he's stranded outside the Diogenes Club. It doesn't take long for a text to return.]

FROM: Sherlock Holmes: Sorry, Captain, that's not how this works. I told you, the main event starts in three days. Prepare yourself.

[jumpthegun]

[John stops walking. Oh, god, no. No, no, no.]

TO: Sherlock Holmes: Whoever you are, please, this is between us. He hasn't got anything to do with it. None of the people you've hurt have anything to do with Afghanistan.

[howdull]

FROM: Sherlock Holmes: They're all to do with you, that's the point. You cost me everything, you're going to know what that feels like.

[jumpthegun]

TO: Mycroft Holmes: The Alphabet Woman has Sherlock. Find him. Now.

TO: Sherlock Holmes: I don't know who you are. I don't know what any of this is about. Please, can we just talk? I don't know how I hurt you, what I did, specifically, but I'm sorry. All of this? It's not going to fix anything.