PSL - To Boldly Go To One's Own Future

[brotherthine]

Mycroft had woken up at his usual hour to go through his morning exercise routine - five miles running, some free weights, and then a shower and a choice of suits. He wasn't entirely sure why he felt the need to dress as if today was going to need a particularly good blending sort of armor - but there he was. Dressing in his favorite tan tweed, with the blue silk tie and handkerchief. Dressed as if to fade in, make himself seem like he was just a ghost in the background.

The spectre at the feast, hah.

He rapped on Jim's door, but hearing nothing, made his way downstairs.

Where he found the man, curled up on the sofa with the oddest contraption he'd ever seen in his life. Both eyebrows raising, he pitched his voice, just so.

"Good morning. Coffee?"

Comments

[brotherthine]

"Oh dear ... " Mycroft's eyebrows rose together. "Then I am not sure how much this is going to improve my relationship with Sherlock, but at least it will keep him occupied."

For quite a long time.

[james_kirk]

"If he's as smart as he's supposed to be, then he'll figure out his issue in... I'm gonna say 90 minutes. Then I'm predicting another angry message. You gotta remember that Vulcans are a race that prize puzzles that take years to solve. I could have brought him something a lot more difficult." He still seems insufferably smug about the whole thing.

[brotherthine]

"Well, I look forward to that particular call." He glanced at his watch, then looking over to him thoughtfully, "What are you up to for the rest of the afternoon?"

[james_kirk]

"Thought I'd take a little tour of London while you were working." Jim actually just wants to plan escape routs and good places to beam the hell out of there when the police come to chase him down. "Did you have something else in mind?"

[brotherthine]

"Well, I was wondering if you wanted to distract a group of ministers ... but your afternoon seems relaxing and I do not wish to take you from your vacation entirely." He smiled, as he waved for the check. "Please, do keep to your plans."

[james_kirk]

"Wait, wait. Distract a group of ministers?" Okay, Jim definitely has to know more about this, so he leans forward, clearly interested. "Why?"

[brotherthine]

"Oh yes - I need them to be thinking about why you are there, and not what lies they are telling." Mycroft's lips twitched. "And it appears you seem to be interested?"

[james_kirk]

"I'm always happy to serve as a distraction. What is it you want me to do?" Jim really is good at that particular task. Nobody has ever been successfully able to ignore Jim Kirk for long.

[brotherthine]

"Well, mostly I want you to sit there and be charming as possible. Listen to what they have to say, and occasionally smirk sexily. Take notes - or not, draw sketches of hippos for all I care. Just ... look like you're there for Questioning Purposes."

[james_kirk]

Jim laughs at this idea because it sounds ridiculously fun. "John taught me a great way to draw squiggly line giraffes. Maybe I'll practice that while I'm flirting with strangers."

[brotherthine]

"That sounds like an excellent plan," Mycroft all but purred with smug glee. "Thank you, Jim. I shall owe you one."

[james_kirk]

"Though, I gotta wonder, what are you trying to get out of these guys?" Yeah, that's part of the payment: Jim's going to ask endless questions.

[brotherthine]

Mycroft's smile became, if possible, even more devious. "Let us just say it is what they are trying to get out of me. This will allow me to access true motivations."

[james_kirk]

Jim chuckles at that. Of course. He should have known. Not that he minds helping out with that, either, so it doesn't make any difference to his previous agreement. "You can pay me in pastries. I love pastries. Cinnamon buns especially."

[brotherthine]

"Pastries it is -- and it will give me the chance to pick up some lunch." Mycroft decides, as he pulls out a twenty pound note to pay for all of their food. "Whenever you are ready, Jim?"

[james_kirk]

He downs the last of his drink and then makes sure all of his chips are gone, too, before he wipes his mouth (on his napkin!) and stands up. "Whew. Okay. Good to go. I refuse to leave a fry behind," he says, feigning serious tones.

[brotherthine]

"...so I can see." Mycroft's eyebrows rose together in surprise. "Just how did you manage to eat all of that without joking, I will never know."

[james_kirk]

"Tactical eating," Jim replies, looking impressed with himself. "I had opportunity to learn it and it's like riding a bike: you never forget."

[brotherthine]

"Tactical ... eating." Mycroft snorted as he hooked his umbrella on his arm, leading the way to the door. "That is not an actual Thing, Jim. You just made that up."

[james_kirk]

"It totally is a thing. You just witnessed it," the blond counters, managing to keep his shit-eating grin to himself as he follows after the other man. "It has to be a thing."

[brotherthine]

"All I witnessed was you literally stuffing the entire plate into your face. I am fairly certain that does not count." Mycroft answered dryly.

[james_kirk]

"Even I can't fit a whole plate in my mouth, even if I can fit a lot of other things." Jim hops into the car and buckles himself in, still thankful that he didn't have to fill up on weird greens or have an allergic reaction. "Thanks for the meal."

[brotherthine]

Mycroft stopped, dead in his tracks, to stare at Jim for a moment. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to shake that image out of his head, but alas, that one would stay.

Sigh.

"...You are quite welcome."