The Thrill of the Chase (Johnlock/Mystrade Teen!Lock)

Chapter Twenty Eight

Chapter 28

Mycroft's POV

The other teachers and I couldn't be bothered doing anything educational or something involving legwork, so we all spent the day on the beach.

Most of the girls lay upon the sand sunbathing, while the males swam around, using snorkel sets to inspect aquatic ecosystems.

Greg and I swam out to the boundary which we had to set due to health and safety regulations.

The other students were preoccupied with their own games and such, and Sherlock and John were content by themselves.

I was shirtless in the water, showing my muscular torso which glistened in the water. I wore my short, black trunks, the ones I knew drove Greg crazy, and on numerous occasions I caught my partner staring at me.

I ran a hand through my hair which stuck up messily, but Greg assured me it was stylish and sexy, and the attention from the female body confirmed that.

Greg and I chatted amongst ourselves, and began talking about the Christmas holidays since there was only days before they'd come around.

Greg explained to me that his parents would be going back over to New Zealand, so he would be alone for Christmas. I invited him to spend Christmas with me, and come to Christmas dinner with my family and I. Greg agreed to come, and I found myself looking forward to it. We had been dating for some time, but I had never introduced him to my parents. I wondered how things would turn out.

I wrapped my arm around Greg's waist and pulled him in close to me. "You know I love you, right?"

"Yes I do," Greg smiled up at me. "You tell me everyday. And I love you too."

With a good amount of self control, I prevented myself from kissing my gorgeous partner, and suggested we join in a game with the other boys.

It was all dull, being around other people. How can one so quickly adjust from being with a gorgeous, funny, kind, fascinating young man such as Greg, and go to the dullness of others? It was a power I had yet to learn.

I knew Greg liked watching me mingle with others --well, to an extent-- so I gritted my teeth and tried to act interested.

After a while, Sherlock and John came over. John joined in the game with Greg, while Sherlock stood beside me.

"If we act like we're conversing maybe we won't have to join in," Sherlock said, trying to look casual.

"Do you think that'll work?"

"I don't know. I really have limited knowledge regarding interaction with other... Humans," Sherlock shuddered.

"Hmm, yes, I suppose you're right. It's worth a shot. Do you remember a time when we tried to fit in with this sort?"

We cringed as we watched the brutes play fighting. "Yes, whatever were we thinking?"

"Who knows? Father and Mummy wanted us to fit in, I guess."

Sherlock snorted. "I don't see the point."

"I can't say I can, either," I replied, looking around.

My brother and I were regarded in a different way than everyone else, not that either of us cared. I was a twenty four year old man, who ran a school and had a minor role in the British Government and had no social life. People wanted me to be like all other men my age, but I wouldn't give them that, and neither would my brother.

Although neither of us wanted to admit it, Sherlock and I were very similar, and he knew it. Perhaps if our childhood had been different, then Sherlock and I could've had a somewhat civilised relationship.

I regretted the way I treated Sherlock when we were younger. I was always telling him stupid stories, but I didn't expect them to have the effect on him that they did.

Sherlock had cut himself off from the world and had began snorting cocaine and injecting heroin into his system. It was vile stuff, and no matter how much we tried, we couldn't stop him from spiralling out of control.

I'll never forget the way he had looked during that period of time. His face was far more hollow, and black circles hung in his eyes. Every bone in his body was visible, and he became far more distant than he already was.

I remember when I found he had overdosed. He was thirteen at the time, and I had to carry him into the hospital and watch as they removed the toxins from his system, and never in my life have I felt so much pain as I did watching him go through that.

"I'm sorry." The words had left my mouth before I knew it. Torn back to the present time, I looked at my brother, knowing he knew what I was meaning.

He nodded. "Don't tell John." With that, he swam away from me, leaving me upset and feeling guilty as ever.

I was a terrible big brother, and I knew it.