Chapter Text
“I need a favour,” Mycroft stated uncomfortably, not looking Greg in the eye.
“It’s nothing … dangerous is it?” Lestrade questioned worryingly as he set his coffee on the desk.
Mycroft’s eyes met Greg’s as a slight smile passed his lips.
“Nothing of the sort,” he assured humorously, “I simply require your presence for an evening or two, depending of the success of the effect.”
“You’re going to have to elaborate,” Greg added, visibly confused but clearly not disinterested in the matter.
Mycroft sighed as he thought of the best way to explain the situation, deciding on a blunt answer to be most beneficial.
“I need you to pretend that we’re dating. There’s a woman I need to deter and she’s not taking the hint no matter how frank.”
Greg was more baffled than anything. “And you’re asking me because…?”
“You’re the only man I know of with an interest in men that I can tolerate for more than five minutes,” Mycroft replied immediately, straightening his already perfect tie.
“So all I have do is spend the evening with you, I’m assuming in that girls presence?”
“Precisely.”
Mycroft was internally relieved. Greg hadn’t made a big deal about it like he had feared.
“Everything will be paid for of course and I shall have my car pick you up.”
“Sounds like a win-win situation for me,” Greg laughed.
“How so?” Mycroft queried, taken aback by Greg’s lack of concern.
“Well, not only do I get a free meal, I get chauffeured to what I presume will be a very classy and posh restaurant, not to mention getting to spend time with none other than the great Mycroft Holmes.” Greg’s smile couldn’t get any wider as he stared up at the man who’d obviously not predicted this situation to occur so smoothly.
Mycroft cleared his throat before speaking. “If that’s the case, I presume I will be seeing you tomorrow evening at six,” his voice was calm and matter of fact.
“You presumed correctly,” Lestrade grinned.
With that confirmation, Mycroft swiftly turned and exited Greg’s office, leaving the inspector questioning whether all that had just happened and that he wasn’t just hallucinating. His doubt was disproved when Sergeant Donovan stuck her head through the door.
“What on earth have you done this time Greg?”
It wasn’t even four when Lestrade began to get nervous. Usually it’d only take him 20 minutes at most to get ready, and yet here he was two hours before he was to meet Mycroft staring into his wardrobe with disdain at his cheap suits. He flicked through them in frustration. Why hadn’t he thought about this earlier? Surely Mycroft knew that his fashion wasn’t up to scratch with the likes of his bespoke Saint Laurent three-piece suits.
Greg really shouldn’t have been surprised to see the brand new and expensive suit hung carefully at the end of his wardrobe, but alas. Carefully plucking it from the rail, he lay it on his bed and merely stared at it in awe. It was a simple black suit, white shirt with a steel grey tie. He gingerly stroked the soft fabric as if it were a delicate creature, he really was being spoiled.
Realising that half an hour had already passed, Lestrade quickly took a shower and attempted to comb back his hair. He couldn't remember the last time his hair and comb had been acquainted, which would explain why the two weren’t cooperating. With a groan Greg ruffled his unruly hair and changed into his suit.
No more than ten minutes after Greg had finally gotten ready and was somewhat satisfied with his appearance did a knock resound from his door. Swallowing his nerves he grabbed his phone, wallet and keys before opening the door.
There, in all his glory, stood Mycroft Holmes. The man looked more dashing than ever, with his pristine suit and soft hair combed perfectly into place.
“Hi,” Greg uttered awkwardly, not expecting Mycroft to have personally escorted him from his doorstep.
“Good evening, Inspector.”
Mycroft lead him to his car, opening the door for his companion before getting in himself.
“If we’re supposed to be, ya know, together, shouldn’t we at least be on a first name basis?” Greg inquired, beginning to wonder if the two could actually pull this act off.
“Of course, Gregory. That is definitely a minimum, for any good relationship really.”
So Mycroft didn’t even see him as a friend, great.
“I’m assuming you expect more too? Even a Holmes would be somewhat intimate around someone they love, right?”
Mycroft shifted in his seat slightly. “Of course, although this situation may require more obvious affection considering young Katherine is rather dense when it comes to the subject of romantic interest.”
“So,” Greg grinned eagerly as his turned in his seat to face Mycroft more clearly, ”She’s young then? What a catch you dirty old man.” Greg nudged him with his elbow jokingly.
“Very funny Greg, hilarious in fact,” Mycroft commented, clearly not amused, ”She’s 27. Can you believe it! My mother is seriously out of her mind, I tell you.”
“And here you are turning up with an even older grouch with not a whole lot other than his fancy new suit going for him.”
Mycroft’s gaze ran over Greg before it rested on the man’s face.
“I’ve always been quite the gold digger," he commented with a playful smirk.
With that, Greg knew he was in for a night he’d never forget.