Prompting Part XXXII
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GUIDELINES
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The picture he'd taken revealed two men. Ordinary. Dull. Altogether remarkable.
The one reclined in the bed was grey-faced and silver-haired and attached to an alarming number of tubes and wires, but he was breathing on his own, finally in recovery after the last of a marathon of surgeries. The other man curled in a chair by his side, head tilted back and mouth hanging open in exhausted sleep.
The photo offered proof of life.
Vulnerable life, currently in Mycroft's charge.
The mobile vibrated in Mycroft's hand. The text read, "The room is secure?"
Mycroft typed, "My own handpicked guards stand watch. Only MH, MrsH & a few of my staff know who is here. When he can be moved safely, they'll both be taken to one of my secure locations."
Lestrade made a soft sound of complaint and frowned in what was obviously less-than-comfortable slumber, shifted a heavily-bandaged hand, and then sighed as he descended back into drugged oblivion.
Another text followed: "I will send the Carlsons a message."
"I was under the impression I already had," Mycroft replied.
"It's worth repeating," came the response.
John's head rocked slightly and found another position. The fingers on his left hand flexed open and then closed into a fist. His snores became snuffles.
"The more names you add to your list, the longer you delay your return," Mycroft noted in his next text. "I will handle this." He couldn't resist adding, "It's not always about you."
The reply was abrupt: "Yes it is."
Attached to this text was a grainy picture obviously taken from a distance as daylight surrendered to dusk. Mycroft narrowed his eyes. The older of the two men on the hotel balcony, stocky and florid-faced and cradling a bottle between meaty hands, was Jay Carlson, the patriarch of the Carlson clan.
The slim man who leaned against the railing at his side was at least a generation younger, with a mild, boyish face that easily could have shifted from bland to quite fetching, given the right context. His slight smile in the photo, however, was as unsettling as his dark eyes were cold. Sebastian Moran.
"I see," Mycroft typed, after a moment's pause at the revelation. "Do as you will. You always do. But be careful."
"You should worry about L & J. I'm holding you responsible for their safety."
Mycroft glanced up at the two men. They held rare distinctions, these empty-handed refugees from the natural disaster known as Jim Moriarty, whether they knew it or not. They had Sherlock's concern, and they had Mycroft's trust.
Of course, they had paid for both. Dearly and repeatedly.
Mycroft's word, in this case at least, was his bond. He texted, "I will."
And he would. Constantly.
They were, after all, his allies.
THE END
Tremendous thanks to all of you who've read this!
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This is all I could've hoped for and more. Here at the end, I especially love the contrast between the awkward and understated alliance in the scene between Mycroft and John and the cool, practical "I'll send them a message" interaction between Mycroft and Sherlock (I mean, these are the good guys, and they're talking about eliminating people, and it's perfectly IC). Protective!Mycroft is as awesome as cold-blooded!Mycroft, and the balance here is just right. His concern and John's for the awesome Lestrade, who's so alone, is the best. I love this! THANK YOU.
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This was so much fun to write. I'm grateful for the awesome prompt. :D
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I totally did not expect it to end with Sherlock. That was an awesome twist.
I kind of hanker to see their household set up after this. :)
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I kind of hanker to see their household set up after this. :)
Oh gosh: stubbornrecovery!Lestrade, medicalBAMF!John, and scaryprotective!Mycroft. I can only imagine. That's quite a potent combination! :)
I'm really grateful for your kind words. Thanks again for reading!
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And fussyworriedfrustrated!Sherlock, trying to caretake and scold from afar.
That would be a great story. *thinks about it*
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(Honestly, I've reread this section three times, and still can't manage a coherent response. I've enjoyed this story so much! Like the other anon, I'd love to see more, if you ever feel like writing it.)
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I'm really tickled that you liked Mycroft, in particular, as well as the facts that Sherlock was watching and Moran was involved.
It's fantastic to hear there's interest in more. I'm most grateful for your encouragement!
Thanks again for reading and for your lovely comments. :D
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Part 1; Part 2; Part 3; Part 4 + Epilogue
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I adore BAMF!doctor John (and stoic!patient Lestrade, for that matter). It put a huge grin on my face to hear you liked that part in particular and wanted more.
If you read any of my other stories on my LJ, I do hope you enjoy them. Thanks again for your encouragement and kindness.
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