[John clenches his fist a little tighter. A part of him knows Bucky is right, but the sense of obligation, of failing to live up to the expectations he's placed on himself (less so the ones Mycroft's placed on him), is difficult to shake.]
He's a grown man, Mycroft. I love him, but I can't be his babysitter. That's not how friendship's meant to work. And it's not how brothers are meant to work, either. We can't change the past and I'll do what I can now, but I'm not going to hurt Stephen to help Sherlock. The Sherlock both of us knows wouldn't want that, however he's acting right now.
[Bucky is proud of John for standing up for himself, reaching out to rest his hand briefly on the other man's shoulder to show as much, though his attention remains on the tablet and the voice on the other end.]
John is right, and if you were so worried about his bad choices then you can be there yourself to watch him. I don't know your brother or what he would or wouldn't want, but you don't try and hurt someone else here deliberately in this way, or I'll make sure that you understand why that's a bad idea.
It's a warning that actions have consequences, Mycroft. [John puts in for Bucky.]
I care about Sherlock. What you're talking about isn't love. It's obsession. It's not healthy. Not for you and not for him. God knows it's nothing healthy for Stephen. I will do anything within my power and reason to save him. But I won't hurt other people. That's not right.
[Mycroft's wrestled with variations of the question for some time. How far would he go to save Sherlock? Beyond power and reason? To the point where he'd destroy other people to ensure his safety? Not that what he wanted to do with Stephen was actual destruction, but there was a chance he wouldn't come back. Plus it'd be painful. And technically immoral.
How far would he go? As far as Eurus?
Was this obsession? He hasn't had a chance to step back throughout all of this. To look at anything objectively. But right now, he really didn't want to.
Mycroft's voice comes through, clipped.]
Then I see where you stand on the matter.
[And he hangs up. He'd worry later about John. He'd try to get to Sherlock as soon as possible now.]
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cw: suicide, drug use
He's a grown man, Mycroft. I love him, but I can't be his babysitter. That's not how friendship's meant to work. And it's not how brothers are meant to work, either. We can't change the past and I'll do what I can now, but I'm not going to hurt Stephen to help Sherlock. The Sherlock both of us knows wouldn't want that, however he's acting right now.
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John is right, and if you were so worried about his bad choices then you can be there yourself to watch him. I don't know your brother or what he would or wouldn't want, but you don't try and hurt someone else here deliberately in this way, or I'll make sure that you understand why that's a bad idea.
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[Even if it meant doing things that most people wouldn't do. Couldn't do. Wouldn't let themselves do.]
Is that a threat? [He's being threatened now!? By strange people with John?]
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I care about Sherlock. What you're talking about isn't love. It's obsession. It's not healthy. Not for you and not for him. God knows it's nothing healthy for Stephen. I will do anything within my power and reason to save him. But I won't hurt other people. That's not right.
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He just nods at John, a signal that he'll bow out here, John has it handled.]
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How far would he go? As far as Eurus?
Was this obsession? He hasn't had a chance to step back throughout all of this. To look at anything objectively. But right now, he really didn't want to.
Mycroft's voice comes through, clipped.]
Then I see where you stand on the matter.
[And he hangs up. He'd worry later about John. He'd try to get to Sherlock as soon as possible now.]
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Bloody hell. I need to warn Stephen.
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[If there's one thing he's good at, it's being hired muscle.]
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