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They had just left London behind when it was happening. It was their first trip since they’d gotten back together. It made Greg feel a little bit on the edge – he’d tried several weekend trips with his now ex-wife to save their marriage, only for her to keep betraying him (one time even while they were on one of these trips). He hoped it would be different with Mycroft. No, not just hoped. He was confident. Mycroft had been more earnest in his apology than Linda had been their entire marriage. They could do this.
They were on their way to Brighton. Greg was driving, Mycroft by his side and the car radio filled their comfortable silence. Until that moment. The station was playing a German pop song that Greg couldn’t understand the lyrics of. He wouldn’t have paid it any attention but Mycroft’s gaze became transfixed on the radio and half-way through he started tearing up despite the rather cheerfull tune.
„My?“ Despite his worried tone, the man next to him didn’t react. Greg pulled the car over. „My, are you okay? What’s wrong?“ Mycroft shook his head. „Don’t be kind. I can’t bear it.“ Greg ignored his words, switched off the radio and took him in his arms as best as he could. Mycroft started sobbing harder into his shoulder. „I really don’t deserve your kindness.“
Greg carefully caressed his back. „Was it the song? What was it about?“ Mycroft lifted his head, but didn’t meet Greg’s gaze. „It’s stupid of me to react so… dramatically, but it’s… it reminded me of us. Or to be more precise, of my wrong-doings. That part that the young man was singing… it was about how his flaws caused the relationship to break and how he wished any minute of the day to get his beloved back.“ Greg thought about it for a moment. „What about her? What was she singing?“
„Well…“ Mycroft redrew even further. „She sung about how sorry she was for starting the fight that broke them up and that she regretted what she said that day more than anything in her life“ he explained in a small voice. It was silent for a moment.
„Can I tell you something?“ Greg sounded sad now as well. Mycroft finally looked up at him, his interest piqued. „Anything. As long as you are comfortable sharing it with me“ he added with a rueful smile. „When we were seperated… there were days when I felt the same. I wondered whether I’d overreacted and if it was really worth it to be without you.“
Mycroft needed a moment to process that. „I’m sorry I made you feel that way.“ His eyes were sincere and his voice sounded more confident now. „But you were right. You didn’t overreact. I underreacted. I guess I just couldn’t see what I had until it was too late.“ He looked at him, fresh tears blurring his view yet again. Greg carefully leaned in closer and kissed him sweetly. „It’s not too late. I promised you. We will work through this.“ Mycroft gazed at his partners hopeful face and friendly chocolate-eyes in awe. „I really don’t deserve you.“