Work Text:
They didn't know it yet - it was their last minutes being alone…
First came the hurt…
"Mummy! What in heaven's name could possibly have given you thought of such a connection?" Mycroft Holmes scoffed at the very thought. "He and I? That's utterly preposterous!"
"Excuse me?" It was not so much the words spoken, but how they were delivered that caused Greg to lash out. "Oh yes, completely ludicrous. What a pauper can't look at a prince? I can help with that. Maman? Let's go!"
Greg, glad they had arrived at the booth but had yet to sit, grabbed his mother's hand.
"Gregory?" "Lestrade." "Greg, wait." Violet, Sherlock, and his mother called out. Greg ignored them to face a stricken-looking Mycroft, who was about to speak.
"Don't bother, Holmes."
Greg had hidden his feelings from the intimidating man for over a year because of this very fear.
I’m not good enough.
Hearing it confirmed in words stung. They stung deeply.
He’ll never be mine…
"Greg!" His mother tried again.
"Mère, no."
If he had not been upset and had already turned away, he would have noticed her surprised face at being addressed formally, something he only does when he is very upset, as he gently but decidedly pulled at her hand.
We’re leaving.
Followed by the embarrassment…
"Gregory Michael Lestrade, that is ENOUGH! Unhand me now, young man!"
Giselle Lestrade thundered once they were out of the restaurant and in the car park. He had parked near the divider wall between self-parking from one entrance and valet parking from the other side.
Whoa! Haven't heard THAT tone since… Academy?
He immediately released his hold on her. He had not realized how tight his grip was until she shook her hand.
Shite! What are you doing, Greg?
"Maman, I… I am so sorry!" He tried to reach for her hand, but she snatched it away.
"I don't want to hear it, Gregory. You are lucky we were in such a nice place, and I did not want there to be the cause of a bigger scene than what was already happening. What is going on in that thick gob of yours?"
Fuck it all! This weekend had gone so great, now it's ruined!
Head down in shame, Greg ran a rough hand through his silver hair, setting it awry. "I can't."
"The way you just manhandled me? Boy, you better try!"
Greg winced at her words and shook his head.
Giselle Lestrade raised her son to fear no one. Then again, his mother had not come against the likes of one Mycroft Holmes.
How could he explain someone like Mycroft Holmes? He was an uber-intelligent man who suffered no fools. Mycroft will claim he occupied a minor office in the British government and had the documentation to prove it, but after nearly a decade of knowing - Greg certainly knew better. There was nothing minor about Mycroft's true occupation as a global political player of such immense power the world is better at not knowing existed. Mycroft can bring monarchs and presidents to heel with a raised brow. Calculating and ruthless, Mycroft was a man willing to make the hard decisions no one else could and execute them for the sake of Crown and Country. He was also a man of droll yet cutting wit who loved his parents, who did not always seem to understand him. He adored his not-exactly-a-baby brother, who lived to give him grief at every turn, as only a little brother can.
The man who publicly scorned sentiment and romantic entangles with a motto of caring is not an advantage. The man whose plentiful condemnations were as cutting as his rare compliments Tall, posh with legs for eons in his three-piece bespoke, pocket watch wearing suit of a man he was madly, but secretly in love with.
The man who emphasized the preposterousness of that love ever being reciprocated moments ago.
The man I just walked away from.
"You wouldn't understand, Mère." Greg sighed as he leaned against his car.
"Would it have anything to do with how deeply paupers love princes?" she asked softly.
Greg knew by the question his mother had gleaned the answer.
Of course, she knows. She's the only person who can read me better than Mycroft. And she heard what he said…
She leaned beside him against the car. “When did my brave copper of a son become a coward of the heart, hmm?”
She was about to say more when voices were heard on the other side of the wall.
But then the surprise…
"Idiot boy! I'm not asking why you haven't told him. I'm sure you've concocted a hundred reasons why not. I'm asking how you, you who sees everyone and everything, have not seen it for yourself?!" Violet Holmes fussed.
"Believe me, Mummy. He has excelled at hiding his feelings - even from himself." Sherlock drawled.
Oh, HE’s one to talk!
"Oh, don't you dare! Pot/Kettle, little brother, Pot/Kettle."
"Oh, don't you dare try to change the focus, Mikey!" Violet chastised. "And Liam, hush! I'll get back to you your doctor fellow another time, don't speak out of hand again."
"Yes, Mummy." Sherlock demurred.
So, I'm not the only son to completely ruin Mother's Day brunch. It's nice to know the Holmes Boys get taken to task by their mum, too.
“This is about Mikey being intimidated by Greg.” Violet continued.
What?
Greg looked at his mother and knew by her look of surprise he had not misheard.
Mycroft intimidated by me? I am the one who is intimidated!
“Oh, I am sure my brother has unconsciously tried his best to intimidate Greg.” Sherlock scoffed. “Are you aware, Mummy, that Lestrade and John are the only people outside the immediate family not cowed by his Iceman glare? I’m sure he’s tried to ward him off with his trademark Caring Is Not an Advantage lark – Ow! You kicked me!”
It occurred to Greg only after he had to stop himself from laughing out loud; he was listening in on their conversation.
And I definitely should not be. Best to go before my feelings are hurt even more.
“I did say stop speaking out of turn.” Violet huffed, “Besides, Mikey is correct; caring is NOT an advantage…”
“Thank you, Mummy,” Mycroft said smugly.
“Don’t thank me. I raised you to be wary of the pitfalls of love, yes, but not to disdain it altogether. Since when are you such a coward?”
Without even looking at her, Greg saw the smug look on his mother’s face. He was not really cognizant of having moved until he had turned the corner.
Succeeded by the confession…
“Disadvantage or not - didn’t stop you from falling in love with me or I with you, did it?”
“Gregory!” Mycroft spun around at the sound of Greg’s voice behind him.
Greg will treasure the day he caused surprised looks on not one, not two, but all three of the Holmes geniuses.
“Maman was giving me the well-deserved what for too.” Hands in his trouser pockets and blushing profusely, Greg tilted his head towards Giselle, who joined him. “Sherlock, I know you can charm when you want to. Do it now, and please take our mothers back inside for brunch. Your brother and I will be in shortly.”
“I will…” Whatever nonsense was about to fall from Sherlock’s lips evaporated as four sets of eyes glared at him. “I will do my best.”
“You better.” Greg gave him no quarter, blithely ignoring the scowl from Sherlock and the raised eyebrows from the mothers as the three returned to the restaurant.
“Sorry for listening in… I…”.
“No, before you say another word, let me speak, please.” Mycroft approached Greg. You walked off before I could explain. The preposterousness of our being together was because I never imagined someone like you would ever have an interest in someone like me. It was NEVER that I had not sincerely wished for such between us. Mummy saw how much it devastated me to realize I had accidentally hurt you and why.”
“I thought someone like you would never be interested in someone like me. And your words, the way I took them, sealed it. Maman saw how much I was hurt by you and why.” Greg smiled shyly. “Nice to know you can’t hide from your Mum any more than I from mine.
“I’m beginning to see neither mother had raised cowards, just two blind idiots.” Mycroft looked at the women.
Greg's smile widened. “But I think we’re both seeing clearly now – yes?”
“Quite so.” Mycroft returned the smile.
Adding in the touch…
Eyes locked on each other; Greg realized it took Mycroft a moment for it to register his hand was being gently tugged. Mycroft looked down to see Greg’s strong fingers slowly grasping to hold his.
He and Mycroft have shaken hands countless times, but this was the first time they had ever touched each other.
“You…. You are the first person in YEARS, outside of family or physicians, to touch me…” Mycroft exhaled in wonder. “And to be blunt – you are… oh sod this!”
With the kiss…
Greg is not sure what surprised him more. Mycroft used such a phrase as Sod this(!) or the kiss suddenly planted on his lips.
Okay, he lied – the kiss absolutely was the bigger surprise.
Oh, but a much, MUCH more welcome one!
“Hello…” Mycroft was quite pink about the ears when they came up for air.
“Hey yourself…” Greg could not have wiped the smile from his face had his life depended on it.
“I feel behooved to inform you that was seen not only by the valet but at least two security cameras and…” Mycroft pulled out his buzzing phone without looking.
“Oh?” Greg's grin was plastered in place as he spied the nearest camera and waved. “Tell Anthea she can give me The Talk on Tuesday.”
“Why Tuesday?” Mycroft asked, surprised.
“Today IS Mothers’ Day, and I don’t know about you, but I’m damn sure not telling Maman to fend for herself until she heads back tomorrow.” Greg headed back towards the restaurant. ”So, Anthea will have to wait until Tuesday.”
“I do not say this often, Gregory, but I’m not following.”
Greg turned around in time to appreciate Mycroft’s sardonic eye roll, which acknowledged that he was, in fact, following Greg into the restaurant.
Concluding with the promise…
“You want to tell your mother you abandoned her on Mother’s Day to get railed by your VERY soon-to-be lover? Because once I get you in bed tomorrow, Mycroft Holmes, we’re not getting out of it before Tuesday.” Greg winked.
Greg grinned as Mycroft stumbled, nearly going offline again.
Whoa! Got Mycroft to short-circuit twice in one day!
“Follow me now, love?”
“Yes, I follow, love.”
…Before the rest of their lives together.