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[bigbrotheriswatching]

Sherlock is half blown up, lying in a hospital bed with machines attached.

Mycroft moves purposefully down the hallway and into the room as soon as he hears, as soon as he can make it there.

Comments

[fearfulhand]

He shakes his head.

"I can think of a few ways to send them on a permanent vacation- but you wouldn't like any of them, hm?"

[bigbrotheriswatching]

"Do entertain me."

He could happily envision killing both of them, in moments like these, and he still wants a better measure of Sebastian.

[fearfulhand]

"You want to know how many times I've had your brother's head in my sights?"

He chuckles, taking a deep drag.

"Hell, Jim falls asleep on me."

[bigbrotheriswatching]

"Jealous, Moran?"

Because he has more than enough to go on by now.

[fearfulhand]

He raises an eyebrow.

"No."

[bigbrotheriswatching]

"Very sensible of you. It would be a mistake to become further entangled. If I were a more moral man I would intervene to stop the body count from growing."

However, he has his brother's selective morality in spades.

[fearfulhand]

Sebastian shakes his head.

"Don't get me wrong, Holmes, I'm as entangled as can be. Someday I'm going to die because he tells me to. But we're not- he's just intense."

[bigbrotheriswatching]

"I see."

He takes another look at him, up and down, making a new assessment of his character.

[fearfulhand]

It makes him laugh.

"If you think you're going to get any of him from me, forget it."

[bigbrotheriswatching]

"I have everything I need to know about him."

He informs him, comfortably.

"I'm not looking for that."

[fearfulhand]

"Really?"

He shakes his head.

"Then you can stop giving me the 'I know everything about you' stare and just bloody ask. I haven't got any personal secrets I'm hiding from the world."

[bigbrotheriswatching]

"Ah. Forgive me. In my line of work, people generally won't answer questions."

He isn't even sure what he would ask.

[fearfulhand]

He shrugs nonchalantly.

"Colonel. Graduated from Eton, forcibly discharged from service for enjoying the work too much. Hunted wild game for six years, wrote two books, and then got roped in with a psychopath who giggles like a five year old girl and likes to tear the legs off of spiders."

[bigbrotheriswatching]

"You know, men like you are an interesting phenomenon. You're eminently useful as long as you aren't put under some idealistic superior who thinks killing is more ethical when it causes regret and eventual psychological trauma for our soldiers."

Smoking, quietly.

"Interesting, that we live in a culture which only accepts military officers so long as they end up appropriately broken."

[fearfulhand]

He laughs, exhaling a plume of smoke.

"What can I say? You make the psychos work for you, or they'll sure as hell find a way to work against you. Shame you couldn't rope Jim into that fancy government of yours."

[bigbrotheriswatching]

"Oh, believe me, Jim is a class of his own."

He shrugs.

"You, however, I could find a cabinet position for."

[fearfulhand]

"Not interested."

He laughs, shaking his head.

"You want to know how many people have tried to buy me since I met that bastard in there?"

[bigbrotheriswatching]

"I can make an educated guess."

He admits.

"If you're responsible for a fraction of the handiwork I believe can be ascribed to you."

[fearfulhand]

"There you have it. I'm done killing for the queen anyway."

[bigbrotheriswatching]

"Very well. I will not inquire again, but if you ever find yourself with a surplus of time on your hands, consider the offer open."

He promises, still unperturbed.

[fearfulhand]

"Good to know."

A sarcastic salute.

"I'm nothing if not patriotic."

[bigbrotheriswatching]

It surprises him into a wider smile.

"I have a few phone calls to place. Please excuse me."

He'll take a few steps down the hall for this one.

[fearfulhand]

Sebastian is just going to keep smoking. He won't leave the door for an instant, not with Jim in there.

[bigbrotheriswatching]

Mycroft makes a few calls. Work, for once, since he doesn't intend to return this evening and won't be available. A second hospital, one where he has a little more control over the staff. Private, unmarked transportation.

Dinner, for two, to be delivered to the hallway.

[fearfulhand]

He glances up when the delivery man brings it by, barely managing a grunt in acknowledgement. Sebastian is starving.