Work Text:
She was surprised to find she was nervous about the dinner Mycroft had asked her to have with him the week before Christmas. She didn’t know what his schedule for the rest of the month would be like so she asked if she should bring him his gift. He almost sounded surprised she had gotten him something, but they were friends, and when she had found the sword umbrella in an antique shop it had seemed perfect for him. But now she wasn’t so sure.
She smoothed down the front of her black dress before entering the restaurant. The Fat Duck was supposedly a three-star Michelin restaurant, but she’d never heard of it before. All she knew was a car had picked her up and the driver had said they would be traveling to the village of Bray. But if Mycroft had picked it, it had to be good.
She had the umbrella specially wrapped in silver and gold paper, and it gleamed in the lights of the restaurant. She was taken to a table where Mycroft was waiting. He stood when she approached, and he waited for her to sit before he sat back down again. “I took the liberty of choosing Volume Five: Christmas Edition for us to dine from,” he said. “All things considered with the season and all.”
“I will be happy with whatever we get tonight,” Molly said with a wide smile. “I trust your judgment.”
Mycroft flushed at that but remained composed. “Very well. Some wine, perhaps?”
“Please,” she said. He signaled for a waiter and placed an order for wine from what she assumed was a wine list, and then they made small talk over the wine as the food arrived. It was unexpected but delicious, and she was quite sated with good food and good wine by the time dessert was brought to them.
“I thought I could give you your gift now,” he said once he had finished his food. It was a large parcel, expertly wrapped in red and green wrapping paper. She took it and noted it was heavy, and she opened it to see a cookbook. She was surprised to open it and see that it said “Property of Julia Child” on the inside. “I know you like to cook and bake, and I thought--”
“It’s perfect!” Molly said, moving back her chair to give him a hug. She was still holding the book and went back to her chair to set it down and give him a proper hug. He embraced her back and then waited as she got him his gift. He unwrapped it carefully and saw what it was. “I already have an umbrella, but this is one I will cherish.”
“It’s more than an umbrella. Twist the handle.” He twisted the handle and the sword slid out a bit. The smile on his face told her she had gotten him a good gift. “I figured you could stay safe while you were carrying it.”
“I will treasure it beyond measure,” he said. “Perhaps I can accompany you back to London? Your car should still be waiting.”
“That would be lovely,” she said. They got up and left the restaurant after Mycroft arranged for payment of their bill. They got into the sedan and sat in comfortable silence for a moment before she spoke. “Mycroft, you didn’t have to get me this. It’s...such a gift.”
“But I think quite highly of you,” he said.
“And I you!” She reached over and gently cupped his cheek, forcing him to look at her. “I find I think of you quite often.”
“You do?” he asked, looking surprised.
“I do.” She paused for a moment. “May I...may I kiss you, Mycroft?”
“You may,” he said quietly, leaning in towards her. She leaned in as well and their lips met in a soft, sweet kiss. She sighed into it and he took that as a sign to increase the pressure a bit. She met him with an eagerness she hadn’t felt in a long time, but soon enough they had to pull apart. She was holding onto the lapels of his suit jacket while he had a hand on her hip. “This...changes things.”
“Good,” she said before he leaned in to kiss her again. Yes, it did change things, but it seemed like it was going to change them for the better, and she was glad for that.