1. Beginnings

Beginnings

25-year-old Mycroft Holmes was sitting in the living room of his parents' house in an armchair, trying not to fidget impatiently, for he felt it would be a very unbecoming behavior for a serious business man and politician like himself who was well on his way to become one of the most important persons in whole Great Britain. Still, he had better things to do than partake in that ridiculous, hastily convened family reunion.

He had been invited by Mommy to talk about a 'very important family-matter that cannot be postponed any longer, young man'. He already had a very good idea what it could be about: his 18-year-old little brother, Sherlock had just been expelled from the second collage in a time-span of two years. The younger Holmes brother, while indisputably being a genius just like Mycroft, sadly lacked all kind of ambition to find himself a purpose, pursue real career plans and work hard towards them.

Quite honestly, Mycroft couldn't even imagine how his brother had gone through the regular school stuff in the first place, matriculating at the age of 16. (Just a year later than Mycroft himself, who had finished high school material and gotten a certificate when he was 15.) Not that Sherlock didn't have the ability to learn very fast anything he set his mind to; the problem was: he just didn't show any inclination to do so.

Mycroft agreed with him whole heartedly most of the time: it was really frustrating trying to please authority persons, do what was expected of you all the time, while you knew very well they were all stupid and absolutely clueless... but this was what real life was like, you just had to do it to be able to climb higher and higher in position, until these people would only seem from his perspective like little ants running around on the floor. And besides, it was not as if any of them had had to go to actual school and socialize with unbearable people on a daily basis – thank God, they had both been spared of that horrible ordeal. They had both been homeschooled and only had to do examinations from time to time in front of real teachers. Maybe that's why Sherlock had somehow managed to do it, he was actually pretty good in manipulating others when he really put his mind to it.

But as soon as he had started with college studies, it had turned out his luck had totally run out. As it was, professors required more cooperation even from the correspondence students than whatever Sherlock was willing to offer for them by sacrificing his valuable free time, and it meant he hadn't even been allowed to start his exams when the time had come for him to take them.

So now, Mycroft had to sit here in the living room of his old childhood home and wait for his parents to ask him to try and do something about his little brother's future. Typical that it would fall on his shoulders to take care of every emerging problem in this family! Mycroft was well-aware of his influence in... well: everywhere, but this was ridiculous, really. He shouldn't have to use his power to ensure his little brother doesn't become homeless in the years to come.

The one in question, Sherlock, having also been summoned by their parents, was perched in front of the other armchair on the floor, looking rather bored or even half-asleep, not showing the slightest bit of interest in the coming conversation.

Q – Q – Q – Q – Q – Q – Q – Q – Q

The Holmes parents entered the room and sat down on the couch, right in front of their sons.

They took each other's hand and Mr. Holmes cleared his throat awkwardly.

"Boys, there is something we need to tell you."

"It's all right Father, I know. I'm going to think of something." – Promised Mycroft, trying to rush things. He really didn't have all day for pleasantries.

"What?" – Both their parents looked confused.

"Well, about Sherlock, of course. You want to talk to us about his failure again, don't you?"