Thicker than Water 9/9

[prettybirdy979]

Title: Thicker than Water,
Fandom: Cabin Pressure, Sherlock
Gene: Crossover, Drama, Hurt/Comfort, Kid-fic, Fluff
Character/s: Martin, Sherlock, John,  Douglas, Carolyn, Arthur
Rating: PG-13 
Summary: Sherlock's favourite brother hasn't always been there, but he's been there when it counts. For that matter, so has Sherlock.
Warnings: Mentions of Drug abuse in earlier chapters...
Notes: For a prompt on the kinkmeme. 

Last chapter... I hope you all like it!

I am probably going to end up writing out takes, and extra scenes so if there's anthing you want to read let me know. There was also a great prompt in the Cabin Pressure Meme I might write in this verse... Moriarty v Martin, if anyone is interested. =)

Thanks for reading everyone! You guys are awesome! =D

Thanks to elvendork_lee for betaing, though this chapter isn't betaed (due again to holidays and time zones)!

 

“I do believe I owe you an apology, Martin.” Martin looked up to see Douglas standing in the door to the flight deck. Martin had been ridiculously early in arriving at Gerti, beating the rest of the crew by at least an hour. They must have slept in, or something Martin had grumbled while waiting.

It took a second for the memory to come to him, but once it did, he nodded. “You do. Thank you.”

Douglas took his seat. “You’re early Captain. I would have thought you would be with your brother.”

“Hmm? Oh, no. Sherlock had a case; he wants to get it solved by tonight so we can go out.”

Sherlock had texted Martin his plans just before Martin had to leave, to John’s amazement.” He never texts me his plans” John had complained before looking Martin over. “So, what’s your secret?” Blushing, Martin had fled.

“Oh. So your brother’s in the police then.” Douglas’ voice brought Martin back into the conversation and out of his thoughts.

Martin gave Douglas an odd look. “No…”

When he didn’t continue Douglas prompted him further. “So… was kind of case did he have then?”

“Oh, just a murder. Quite boring really. But he owes Mycroft a case, so…what? Why are you looking at me like that Douglas?”

Douglas tried to remove the odd look from his face. “No reason. Do we get to meet this brother of yours?”

Martin suddenly had his “captain in headlights” look on his face. “Umm… well, maybe. Possibly, I’ll have to ask Sherlock but he probably just wants… maybe not.”

 “I see. Don’t want your brother to meet us then. Scared Arthur’s going to embarrass you?” try as he might, Douglas can’t keep the small note of hurt out of his voice.

“What?! No… it’s just… Sherlock’s well… I adore him but… he’s a little, intense. I don’t want you to hate him too.”

There’s a story behind that last statement, Douglas thinks. “Perhaps-“

It’s then Arthur walks into the cabin, shouting excitedly about the London Eye and begging to go. It distracts both pilots and Douglas notices how carefully Martin avoids being left alone with him the rest of the day.

********

It’s a complete surprise then, when Douglas receives a text from Martin. He is in the taxi with Carolyn and Arthur on the way to their hotel when it comes.

I’m sorry about earlier. Want to have dinner with us? Bring Arthur and Carolyn. MC

Of course. Where?

Anglos. Northumberland Street. Half an hour? MC

Your treat?

Anglos’. MC

…What?

Half an hour. Ask for Sherlock Holmes. MC

********

Completely confused, the crew of MJN arrive at Anglos half an hour after Martin’s mysterious texts. Holding his head high, Douglas enters the restaurant.

“Ah, can I help you?” the server asks.

“Yes. I was told to ask for Sherlock Holmes?”

It is like Douglas has said the magic words. The man’s face changes, lighting up with delight. “Ah, yes! Mr Holmes said he was excepting you. They’re sitting back there.”

He gestures to the back of the restaurant, where Martin is sitting with a slightly older blonde man. Douglas dismisses the thought this is Martin’s brother- there is no resemblance between them. Martin looks up and meets Douglas’ eyes, and his mouth drops open in shock.

“Douglas! Arthur, Carolyn! What are you guys doing here?” he half rises out of his seat as they approach his table.

“What do you mean, what are we doing here?” Carolyn snaps. “You invited us. By texting Douglas! And I do hope you’re paying for this.” She ignores Arthur, who has started to tug on her shirt with small “Mum”s. Douglas pulls his phone out to double check it was Martin who texted him.

Martin sits down, still completely confused. Suddenly, he starts patting himself down, checking his pockets. He slumps once it’s done. “Sherlock.”

Carolyn and Douglas share a bemused look. “Your brother?” Douglas asks.

“I want it back.” Martin’s eyes aren’t on them anymore, but on a point behind them. They turn and freeze. Martin is standing behind them.

But he’s not. This Martin is too tall to be their captain, and has far darker hair. He is examining them, with a glance that seems to be x-raying them; spying all their secrets and dismissing them in a millisecond.

Martin stands. “Oh, umm… Guys this is my brother Sherlock Holmes. Sherlock, these are-“

“Douglas Richardson and Carolyn and Arthur Knapp-Shappey.” Sherlock finished, nodding to each in turn. He pulls out a phone, that Douglas recognises as Martin’s and tosses it to his brother.

Arthur’s face lit up. “Wow Skip! You didn’t tell us your brother was magic!”

Sherlock frowned. “It’s not magic, it’s common sense. Logic.”

Martin smirked. “Sorry Arthur, but Sherlock’s not magic.” He stopped to consider something, and then with a mischievous smile added “He is a mind reader though-“

“What really?!” Arthur cried happily at the same time Sherlock growled “Martin!” clearly realising from Martin’s stories what would happen.

The blonde man, having witnessed everything and been forgotten by the MJN crew, begins to laugh. Sherlock gives him a dirty look, but takes his seat by him.

Martin smiles at the man and then seems to realise he has forgotten him. “Oh and this is Dr John Watson, Sherlock’s partner.”

“Flatmate.” John corrects with a slight glare at Martin. Martin just raises his eyebrows and gives his brother a confused look. Sherlock pointedly didn’t meet his brother’s eyes.

John shook his head and spoke to the bemused MJN crew. “Well since Sherlock obviously invited you guys, would you like to join us for dinner? It’s on the house, Anglo owes Sherlock a favour.”

“We would love to.” Carolyn said regally, as she took a seat. Douglas sat beside her and Arthur bounced into the seat beside Sherlock.

“Are you Skips’ twin? Like an evil twin? But not, because Skip’s not evil and anyone who looks like him can’t be evil either. Or is that just clones…”

Sherlock just looked bemused. He gave Martin a look, before answering. “Martin and I are not twins. I am four years older.”

“What did Martin mean earlier when he called you a ‘mind reader’?” Douglas asked. Martin looked half amused, half terrified and half apprehensive (Douglas could never figure out how Martin managed three halves) at the question.

Sherlock met Douglas’ eyes. “He meant that I can tell you that you have been married three times, with only one child- a daughter most likely. You’re a recovering alcoholic, been sober for a long time. You’re a smooth talker, used to getting your way the majority of the time. You don’t have a lot of money, but you like the finer things in life so-“

“Sherlock.” John suddenly said in a warning tone. Sherlock grimaced but shut up.

Douglas looked livid. “And did Martin tell you all those things?!” he said as he glared at his co-worker.

Martin looked hurt. “I didn’t say a word! I didn’t need to; it’s Sherlock he knows everything.”

“Your longing glance at Martin’s wine told me you’re a recovering alcoholic, your wedding ring the number of marriages.” Sherlock explained, pointing to each item in turn. “I got the existence of your daughter from the brief glance of your phone I got- your wallpaper is of her. I’ll admit, Martin’s stories gave you away as a smooth talker, but that was obvious the moment you started talking. Shall I go on?”

Douglas frowns. “I see what you meant earlier Martin. No, I don’t wish you to go on, Mr Holmes.”

“Sherlock please.” Sherlock turns his attention to Arthur, who has been staring at him in shock the entire time he spoke. “You’re having the nuggets and chips. Really?”

Arthur jumps in surprise. “How did you know?!”

“I traced where your sight line was, calculated the probability of you picking each meal compared to another and then-“

Martin interrupts. “He guessed.”

“Never guess.”

“Yes you do.” Martin and John stated in unison. They shot each other confused looks, and then John smiled. Martin answered it after a second.

“Wow, Skip… your brother really is magic! Is that why he has a different last name to you?” Arthur had asked the question that both Carolyn and Douglas had wanted to ask, but without the tact they were going to use.

To Douglas’ surprise, Martin smiles. “No, Sherlock and I have different names because we’re only half-brothers. Not that that matters. Half is better than none, and-“

“We get the picture Martin.” Carolyn interrupts before her pilot builds up a rhythm. “So, Sherlock, what is it you do for a living?”

And with that, Sherlock is off, talking on and on about his cases while John interjects occasionally to add drama or criticise Sherlock’s complete devotion to only telling the facts.

Martin watches as one part of his family interacts with the other and feels content.

Mycroft watches the dinner party through the security cameras of the restaurant, and wonders where he went wrong. When Sherlock flips the camera off from under the table he takes the hint, and turns the camera off.




THE END (For now...)

AND THERE'S A SEQUEL

Comments

[madrona-8.livejournal.com]

Just read this all and I'm floored. That just worked so well. I think the reason Sherlock likes Martin is because not only does Martin seem to admire him, he doesn't treat him like he's odd.
Aww, I just want to hug them both.

[prettybirdy979.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I'm glad you liked it.

It worked far better than I ever thought it could.

Yeah, that is a huge part of why Sherlock likes Martin- he doesn't judge, he cares and he admires him.

So do I. =)

Thanks for the comment!

[shezan.livejournal.com]

This was WONDERFUL and I found myself tearing up more than once. LOVE how you wove all the CP canon into this, Martin's attic and the van!

[prettybirdy979.livejournal.com]

Oh... I didn't mean to make anyone cry.

Glad to hear you enjoyed it! =D

I tried to add as much canon as I possibly could from both series.

Thanks for your comment!

[hinotori.livejournal.com]

I just read all of this in one go, and now I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy. It's got all the best bits from both worlds. :) I love how your Martin and John team up on Sherlock (in a good way), and the dynamics between all the different characters... they're all very recognisably themselves, something that isn't always a given with crossovers.

[prettybirdy979.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow! I'm glad you liked it.

I tried my best to include as much of each world as I could and I'm glad I picked right. =)

*blushes* Thank you! I'm glad you think so! Thanks for commenting.

[johanirae.livejournal.com]

This is SUCH a classic. I LOVE IT SO MUCH I WANT TO HUG IT seriously, it just makes me happier for both SHerlock and Martin, that they can find brotherly love in each other. HEARTS.

PS: Is it okay if I drew some fanart inspired from it?

[prettybirdy979.livejournal.com]

A classic! Really? *blushes* Thank you! I'm glad you like it.

It's sweet, isn't it. =)

Fanart? Inspired by this... I would be flattered beyond belief. I'm flattered you even asked! Thank you!

And thank you for your kind words. =D

[faustaufsaug.livejournal.com]

I have no idea why I haven't read this story before because it is fantastic! I can't tell you how much I love it. Sherlock and Martin's relationship is beautiful and I love that in the end Sherlock got all of them together for dinner.
I also found it very interesting how Mycroft didn't/doesn't seem to understand why Sherlock and Martin interact the way they do, that they care about each other. For all that he supposedly understands social interaction better than Sherlock, he seems to lack the ability to connect in the same way...
Sorry, didn't mean to start interpreting here XD Anyway, I'm off to read the sequel :D

[prettybirdy979.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It seemed like the right place to end. =)

It's more he doesn't understand Martin and Sherlock's relationship...

Haha, feel free! Though, I'm going to try to clear it up in the sequel. =)

Thanks for commenting!

[ryukoishida.livejournal.com]

Just letting you know that I've read this fic in one sitting and totally ADORE this! I just got into Cabin Pressure (listening to it on Youtube XD)and am slowly growing to love the series. Your Martin, especially at the beginning, is so adorable. I can so see how the brothers interact when they were kids and it's so heart-warming to see how they're so protective of each other and how their relationship developed into adult years. It's just... Ah, my heart <3

Off to read the sequel! Yay! ^-^

[prettybirdy979.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it! =D

Thanks for your comment!