Even though this isn't quite cannon anymore, I had to let you know how beautiful and real this story was. I don't know if I've ever read something that captured Mycroft and Sherlock as excellently as this story did, with the emotional turmoil, and the closet palace.

This is one of the best fanfics I've ever read. I was crying at the end. You wrote the relationship between Mycroft and Sherlock fantastically!

This story, oh my gosh! But first this chapter: I appreciate Mummy's love, that no matter what can be said about her, she does truly love and want the best for her sons. Her comment about fire and ice-so poetically true. It was sad Mycroft's realization that grief is for the good men like John whereas he was saddled with regret. Gosh, that was a sucker punch. Also, it figures that Molly is once again the key to it all. And that Sherlock expected Mycroft to figure it out! That alone says a lot about their bond. Again, I loved the way you deal with emotions and important sentiments not through dialogue between the brothers, but through their actions and secret language. It feels so in-character while still fulfilling that cathartic resolution. There were few typos, especially around this part, "Sherlock [starred] up at the ceiling." and it felt a little out of character that Sherlock did not reply at the end to Mycroft, as John had said in the episode that Sherlock would outlive God just to have the last word. Besides the minor ditties, this was a perfect, beautiful resolution! Sherlock was properly pissed and Mycroft properly guilty, but to see that Sherlock grew up and cared about others, and for Mycroft to finally be awarded with the sign...so awesome. Also, this is so late in coming, but I forgot to say that I loved that heartbreaking line where Mycroft said that he would rather take a healthy, happy brother that hated him rather than a dead one that loved him-what every good parent would likely say. AWESOME, BEAUTIFUL, EMOTIONAL, IN-CHARACTER, CREATIVE, THOUGHTFUL STORY! THANK YOU FOR WRITING IT!

Wow, I got the biggest chills in reading this chapter, because you wrote Moriarity SO WELL. So CREEPILY well I could hear the spoon screeching on glass. I loved how Mycroft knew that his brother and Moriarity were intertwined as, to borrow another writer's phrase, like Harry and Voldemort. The only way they can be destroyed is through each other. A few typos, but nothing major. Here I thought it was sweet that Sherlock had called Mycroft "My," especially in that line "my My" only to realize that it was because he was lazy. Oh, well, I'll hold on to the sentiment, as Mycroft has.

Figures that Mycroft's only "boss" is his Mummy... except when it comes to Sherlock, not even then. To be honest, I felt that the timeskip in the story felt forced and a bit awkward, as the last chapter Sherlock had just begun to recuperate, and it would have been nice to see the immediate change of Sherlock with John through Mycroft's eyes. Then again, I have to wonder if it was really required to see the in-between stage. It also felt slightly out of character that Mycroft was texting in this chapter, as Sherlock had said himself in the episodes that he never texts when he can talk, but that is a minor thing. I loved the surprise of the Mind Palace. Oh, the emotions that are swimming through Mycroft's mind. The sentiment was great, as was John's immediate understanding who Sherlock's parent figure was. This story feels so...whole and poignant, to see Sherlock and Mycroft from the very beginning to now.

It is so amazing how you take canon and weave it seamlessly into your story so everything is believable. I think this story is one, if not the best, examples of it. I love Mrs. Hudson, and how she knows he's a drug addict without it ever being said. Must be her "pressure point" -ha. She was brilliant in the way she bossed around everybody so endearingly yet remained in character, no cheesiness. I also like your depiction of how Sherlock seems not to care, but he still stops to answer Lestrade's questions and repeats himself for Mrs. Hudson. The way he starts to get into "detective" mode is brilliant, as you see him transform right along with Mycroft. Oh, Mycroft. The silent communications at the end between him and Sherlock, how everything important is said not through words but through a language only the people closest to you can understand. It says everything that needs to be said between these stony, stubborn brothers without taking the characters out of character. Again, oh Mycroft. The bite of bitterness when the caretaker realizes that his care is no longer required and the sweetness that it is NOT required because the person they love has grown into a whole person. Both brothers are very sympathetic, as you see both viewpoints. Thank goodness that Sherlock has Lestrade and Mrs. Hudson. The oneshot Chamomile emphasized the beauty and importance of Sherlock's growth in this chapter...and of course Mrs. Hudson's awesomeness.

Heh, perfect introduction: "Expect to feel like an idiot on a daily basis," but his examples were good proof. I loved how you made Sherlock's quirks arise not only from boredom, but the need to block out the sensory overload. It was also a believable way to meet Lestrade. I had thought they would have met on a case, but then again, he would likely be just as resentful of Sherlock's genius as Anderson and Donovan if he hadn't seen Sherlock at his weakest first and seen the damaged genius in him. The father-relationship was beautiful, and the start of a new beginning. Gosh, I fear what the next couple of weeks will be like as he adjusts to Sherlock's living...habits. Also, have I mentioned how PERFECTLY you write Mycroft? I love that this story is from his perspective, and you can feel the warring in him between showing care and remaining the "Ice Man."

Wow. You really understand the depth and complexities of the Holmes brothers' relationship. You set up the bond like a grand domino design, only to tip one over in a theatrical crash-the Mind "Lab" the sign on the door, every thing between them that makes it so sweet and then so bitter as you watch the rift grow between them. Speaking of theatrical, not it also makes sense why Mycroft has a habit of kidnapping, seeing as how he has to get more creative each time he tracks Sherlock, why would kidnapping be any different? Especially when they keep one-upping each other and enjoying it, nonetheless. The final bonding at the dock-wow. Sherlock caught on quickly, as always, and it was impressive Mycroft's show of hands of their father...if only it wasn't held against him. That father, ugh! I'm glad he's gone, and it was impressive how Mycroft had planned it out.

Ah, so that's how they fix the fits-should've figured that out. I did figure out the closet being the first mind palace though, but did not guess Sherlock's argument that it was "bo-ring". So cute and so Sherlock all at once! And the fact he deleted the teacher's name-ha! I ADORED your inferences of the Mind Palace. Not only are your conclusions sound, but you incorporated them beautifully into a story! It is both sad and cool how both brothers can see past all the ruses of society, for better and worse. Mycroft's guidance about not caring has just created the "demon" part of Sherlock. All at once it explains his attachment and his contradictory coldness to Mycroft.

Besides a typo here and there I have NO constructive criticism AT ALL because this was so BRILLIANTLY CONSTRUCTED. Okay, so the mom has some saving graces. She is still a snob, but she is smart to handle situations with social grscd and perceive all of Mycroft's habits even if she doesn't understand them (although any brains are dulled in comparison to the Holmes brothers), as her speech and future actions really did indicate love, and to be fair, it must be trying to care so much and able to do so little. That line was so poignant: "...how and when Mycroft's love had become more unconditional than Mummy's). I appreciate that unlike the father, she isn't a flat or static character but more a "tragic" one you could see (but not necessarily like) in real life. Also, it was a brilliant example of Sherlock's deductation skills and how it would affect a child through Where's Waldo. It explains why the two are so different, as Mycroft learned the quiet trick earlier though unconsciously. The fact that such a busy man as later says that Sherlock can come to him at anytime just emphasises their relationship, of Sherlock's trust. I was thinking of writing my own story of the Holmes' childhood, but after reading this, I'm not sure what to say, it's so good. Also, a leap of faith, but is the first Mind Palace the closet? Oh. forgot to say, this is Vivat Musa, too lazy to log in.

You break my heart, then you heal it. You break my heart, then you heal it. Break it. Heal it. Break, heal break heal break ugh! THIS IS SO GOOD! I caught several typos this time around, but the quality is still out-of-this-world high. What adults never seem to get is that children KNOW when they are not wanted, either consciously or unconsciously. and in this case it's the former. Gosh, I hate the Holmes parents. Hate. Them. Those poor boys. Mycroft is what, eleven, and he has to raise his little brother by himself practically, and is learning the loneliness and fear AND loneliness is too different things. How strong he is, though. Poor Sherlock, too. Any child would cry at that sensory overload, esp. knowing it's all a lie. His conversation with Mycroft in the flowerbeds...heartbreaking. I am constantly amazed at how thought-out and vividly detailed this story is without over being verbose. It would've been a true shame if you never shared your writing with us, so thank you for sharing your gift!

Oh...my...gosh...Completely captivating from the very first sentence of the "book crackling with newness" and Mycroft not being so alone anymore to all in between. I loved how you see Mycroft develop in this chapter, to living off his mom's approval to then making elaborate schemes to ward off loneliness and boredom to the brick-on-the-head love he instantly feels. I always wondered how Mycroft could be so different from Sherlock when regarding his approach to people, especially that Sherlock isn't as smart and can barely tolerate others, but you explained it beautifully. It breaks my heart to see him slowly grow callous and cold, while still brilliant, but that makes Sherlock's arrival so emotional. The way he knows "the game" of how to play with people reminds me of the villain in the very last episode of Sherlock-can't remember his name. Also beautiful, is how you are telling this story through flashbacks as Mycrofy looks through a scrapbook. That exposition gives the story an elegant, bittersweet feel. Your writing style is beautiful, as well, and complements Mycroft's perspective perfectly. Your writing is succinct, grammatically flawless (from what I've noticed), flows wonderfully, captivates and varies, and has an elegant and nostalgic tone. I know they're not canon, but wow, Sherlock's parents are useless, vain snobs.

Oh, this was fantastic!

This story just about killed me an the end made me cry and oh my gosh this is brilliant thank your for this addition to my favorites list! :D

the best mycroft story i have ever read. THE BEST.