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It was the holidays. Mycroft and Sherlock had arrived at their childhood home for the required day before Christmas Eve until the day after Boxing Day visit. Per the usual Mummy was bluntly inquiring on her sons’ still nonexistent love lives. Mycroft walked in near the end of Sherlock’s interrogation about his new flatmate.
“Mummy please, while Dr. Watson is proving to be an interesting influence in Sherlock’s life, it is hardly indicative of such interest. Mycroft walked over to the tea set. “You are aware neither of your sons are prone to romance. You’ve tortured him enough - leave him be.”
“Yes, Mycroft – your turn.” Sherlock gave him a silent nod of gratitude for the interruption and quickly escaped.
“Mycroft, you cannot be so completely against love?” Mummy smirked at Sherlock’s hasty departure. “I know you’ve been.”
“It happened once, Mummy. The experience proved an unworthy endeavor. It is nor for me, moreover, I know who I am and I am not for it. Never again.” Mycroft poured his tea and sat. “Caring is not an advantage and I shan’t make such a mistake again.”
“Mycroft David Alexander Holmes, how could you say such a thing?”
“With surprising ease, Mummy.” Mycroft sipped his tea.
“Surely you do not believe such a thing?” Mummy implored. “You’ll fall in love again.”
“Never.” Mycroft snorted derisively. “I’d cross dress in fishnets and a miniskirt first.”
“Myc!” Mummy giggled hard at the imagery, “Promise?”
“Promise.” Mycroft smiled secure in the knowledge of it never coming to pass.
>> Some Years Later <<
“OH. MY. GOD!”
“You alright?” Mr. Holmes ran into the room at his wife’s scream.
Mummy showed him a photo of a very leggy redhead in fishnets and a miniskirt.
“Nice gams...” Mr. Holmes smiled, then jaw-dropped in disbelief, “Wait, is that?”
“YES!” Mummy whooped with delight, then tossed it to the flames, “Don’t want to burn this, but worth it!”
They reread the attached note:
“A promise is a promise, Mummy. Like me, you don’t forget -so please,
BURN THIS!
I will be bringing someone home for Christmas. He is the handsome DI with whom Sherlock sometimes works.
His name is Gregory.
Mycroft.”
