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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

[bigbrotheriswatching]

They're phoning the same person, in that case. Jim's phone will start to ring.

[napoleonofcrime]

"Hiiiii."

Is the first answer.

"I see you've met Sebby."

[bigbrotheriswatching]

"Yes. He's charmingly devoted."

He observes, looking him up and down.

"Why he's invested in you I have no idea, Moriarty."

Deliberately saying the name, since Sebastian will probably need it spelled out for him.

[napoleonofcrime]

"Don't be daft, dear. I'm his tiger."

He hums a little, and Sebastian turns to watch Mycroft with narrowed eyes. Meanwhile, Jim continues.

"And he's better than any and every man in your service."

[bigbrotheriswatching]

"Than most, I'll give you that."

He agrees, hand resting on his brother's shoulder without realizing it.

"What happened?"

[napoleonofcrime]

"You'll see soon enough."

And then, quietly-

"He showed up a few minutes before it was supposed to blow, wouldn't listen when I told him to leave. I sacrificed three men getting him out to that."

[bigbrotheriswatching]

"He always was obstinate to a fault."

Sighing, looking away from Sebastian for a moment, to focus on his brother.

"Very well." Jim isn't going to end up skinned.

[napoleonofcrime]

"Anyone comes near him, Sebby will feed them their fingers."

Lightly.

"Except for you now, of course."

[bigbrotheriswatching]

"Give him a better cover story next time." Mycroft suggests, glancing Sebastian up and down. "You only need to be of average intellect to see through this one."

Never mind the people they usually tangle with.

"I'm considering the advantages and disadvantages of moving him to a private facility."

[napoleonofcrime]

"He's not very good at hiding what he is, I'm afraid."

Jim tuts quietly.

"You can smell the blood on him from a mile away. Still, it serves a purpose. Tell me his new location when he's moved."

[bigbrotheriswatching]

"-I think he's waking up."

Mycroft murmurs, in surprise.

"Get here. Now, James."

And he clicks the phone shut.

[fearfulhand]

Sebastian looks up, sharply.

"He's not going to follow your orders, Holmes."

[lostwithoutmyblogger]

"Perhaps not."

He agrees, glancing up at him.

"But he generally isn't cruel to Sherlock."

[fearfulhand]

That makes him pause, and Sebastian looks over to the detective with a deep sigh.

"I'm not gonna pretend that I understand this batshit game they're playing- and I've made it clear that I don't like it. But tell me- the two of them, they're- ?"

[bigbrotheriswatching]

"They met in their last year of school. I thought it a dreadful idea then, but they've been inseparable ever since."

Mycroft admits. Sherlock has slipped back under, but into a more natural sleep.

"It's my understanding that they did even live together at one point, but started playing- ah, what was it- 'property destruction chicken'?"

[fearfulhand]

"Something like that."

He snorts, glancing over to the consulting detective.

"He wasted three good men trying to drag Holmes out."

[bigbrotheriswatching]

"This is James Moriarty. He would 'waste' three good men on the merest whim, respect for human life isn't a strong point."

Mycroft points out, watching Sebastian closely.

"But in this case, it may have be justified. I do not think one could live without the other."

[fearfulhand]

If he's bothered by that, he doesn't show it.

"It's that extreme, huh? I guess I don't doubt you though. Years of cat and mouse and he's got the bastard dead to rights- and then saves his life and puts me to guard him."

[bigbrotheriswatching]

"James Moriarty doesn't want to end Sherlock any more than Sherlock would ever seriously compromise Moriarty's power in a way that would put him in personal danger. He's had the opportunity, you know, early on, before Jim was quite so well connected. That business with the Lithuanians, eight years ago- that might have been before your time."

He settles down in the chair by the bed.

"They enable each other."

[fearfulhand]

"Before me."

He rests his elbows on his knees, folds his fingers together.

"Trust me, I know more about M than anyone else in this world- except for Holmes, it seems. I still don't get why he does what he does. I just point and shoot where he tells me."

[bigbrotheriswatching]

"With a single minded focus that is impressively intense."

Mycroft observes.

"Of course, he provides you a great deal in return, that much is clear."

[fearfulhand]

"I'd sure as hell say so."

Sebastian laughs for a moment, before being interrupted- the door flies open and there's Jim- clearly having rushed over since the moment Mycroft hung up the phone. Seb shook his head.

"Well, color me surprised."

Jim barely glanced at him before entering the room. "Something that is not difficult to do, Sebastian.. I see you've met the elusive Mycroft, hm?"

[lostwithoutmyblogger]

"Jim!"

Sherlock proves Mycroft's general point by lifting his head dizzily the moment he hears his voice. He's high as a kite.

[napoleonofcrime]

"Morning, sweetums!"

Cheerily, as he prances closer to the bed.

"Seb, outside. Holmes, would you care to accompany him?"

[bigbrotheriswatching]

"Jim, Jim, Jim-"

Sherlock is babbling, as Mycroft moves towards the door. He won't go far, but he can give his brother his privacy for the moment, while his mind warps and he babbles and touches.