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Mycroft and Greg were headed to the Holmes residence.
Having learned that Mycroft had someone in his life, Mycroft's mother had insisted on a small family reunion, arguing that it was the perfect opportunity to get to know Greg. As they walked, Mycroft noticed Greg's pace slowing, he looked at him and caught his tense expression.
"Greg?"
Greg continued to walk and answered, still staring ahead.
"Hmm?"
Mycroft asked, concerned, "Are you okay?"
Greg turned his head toward him and replied, "I'm fine."
"Really?" insisted Mycroft.
"Yes." Greg replied rather curtly. But Mycroft didn't take offense - he knew Greg well and knew his tone was hiding something else. Turning his gaze to the house at the end of the road, he said softly, "She doesn't bite, you know."
Greg paused and turned to Mycroft as he replied, "I know, well no, actually I don't, but... She's your mother and considering the way you and Sherlock treated me at first, I think I'm entitled to be a little nervous right?"
Carefully, Mycroft took Greg's hand and rubbed the back of it with his thumb in a way that was meant to be reassuring.
"Greg, I'm pretty sure you have nothing to worry about."
Greg gave a small nod and a half-smile, but Mycroft saw that he hadn't convinced him.
He leaned over to look him straight in the eye and said in a determined voice, "I mean it, you know!"
"I know you mean it, but you can't speak for her."
"Are you really that nervous?" asked Mycroft.
Greg turned his head away, doing his best to hide his embarrassment.
"Are you serious? This is the second time in my life I've been introduced to the parents of someone I care about and the first time wasn't exactly stellar." He preferred not to think about his ex-in-laws.
"I understand, but I really want to ease your mind. I swear I have no doubt that my mother will love you. Besides, in my opinion, she already loves you without knowing you."
Greg chuckled softly, "That doesn't reassure me. She might as well be disappointed in getting to know me. I might not live up to her expectations."
Mycroft couldn't resist taking Greg in his arms and whispered against his hair, "No risk. In his eyes, you are already a saint because you ended his poor son's long life of loneliness. Thanks to you her son has finally found someone capable of loving him."
He felt Greg chuckle at him and mutter, "That's absurd. There's nothing easier than loving you."
Mycroft gasped. Count on Greg to make that kind of statement to him out of the blue.
Then Greg stepped back a little and put on a serious expression, "Seriously Mycroft, what if she doesn't love me?".
Mycroft refused to consider it and shook his head, "It's not possible.
"I'm serious," Greg said abruptly, "If she doesn't like me, what does that mean for us?"
Mycroft finally understood the real worry behind this, the visceral fear of losing him. He put his hands on Greg's shoulders and answered firmly, "It won't change anything for us. I'm not going to stop loving you, even if my mother doesn't, which is completely unlikely, I insist."
Mycroft leaned over and gave him a lingering kiss on the forehead, "I love you Greg, and nothing will change that. My mother never tried to change my mind about anything, because she knew I would react the opposite way. But you know, I'm sure she'll realize something right away when she sees me."
Greg looked up at Mycroft, puzzled.
"What?"
Mycroft looked at him fondly, "That you simply make me happy."
Greg said nothing for a long moment, then he took Mycroft's hand in his and brought it gently to his lips, "It's mutual."
"So, are you ready?" asked Mycroft.
Greg looked up at him again and, standing on his tiptoes, kissed him gently on the lips. Then, taking a deep breath, he grabbed Mycroft's hand and said in a firm tone, "Let's go."
He had Mycroft's love, he had nothing and no one to fear.