Second chances
Chapter 1
Greg was on his way home, the night still early but his plans over. He had a date, it was supposed to be fun and friendly, and he met the woman when he did his grocery shopping. Cliché yes, but he didn't mind. To him it was a bonus that he didn't pick her up in a bar (one bad experience and a self-made promise to never do it again.)
Truth was, there wasn't anything wrong with her, the problem was, and he just didn't get that feeling that it was going to go anywhere. The potential for an amazing night of sex was there and honestly he could do with a night of that, it was the connection that was missing.
He sighed as he walked home; he sure picked his moments for a soul connection.
He should just be honest with himself and stop making excuses. The problem was that there was only one person he wanted, but can't have.
Mycroft.
So he keeps himself busy with his work and every now and then he would go on a date. He would tell himself it's about a chance to get out and have someone to hold, some companionship. The truth was however he was trying to get over Mycroft.
They had a brief relationship but that all ended some months ago. They had a huge fight which to this day he can't pinpoint the exact cause.
Their incompatibility, work, security levels all played a part, even Sherlock who said a few things that in all fairness could've been left unsaid.
In the end Greg left Mycroft's office with a bruised ego, drowning eyes and a broken heart.
It's been nearly a year and he has moved on, or tried to. One thing Greg wasn't able to really come to terms with, was how against Sherlock was against their relationship, and now he and John were in one. All happy together and definitely not lonely like he was, or Mycroft. Greg just smiled and congratulated them, before leaving Baker Street, John could see there was something bothering him but didn't elaborate.
Just as well, Greg didn't feel like explaining. He didn't feel like doing a lot of things.
For some reason even a night of plain unattached sex was too much for him to do, she was eager, but he wanted more. Maybe it was the phase in his life, or his age, the thing is, and he was done with the shallowness, the feelings on surface alone.
He finally reached his place and went inside, the lights were off, but it was so small and he was so used to it that by now, he could go in, lock the door, put his stuff down and made his way to the kitchen or bedroom all in the dark.
He made it all the way to his bedroom, undressing in the dark and climbed in bed, the sheets feeling extra cold in the oversized bed.
Greg groaned before his eyes were even open, the shrill sound of his phone invading his peaceful sleep. Another day in paradise.
He was called to Baker Street around the afternoon and made his way over, his leather soft case loaded with copies of the case and reports he had so far. How Sherlock found out about the case he wouldn't know, the fact that he is offering to help is a pleasant surprise in itself already.
To his surprise Mycroft was there as well and from the looks of it engaged in another 'I'm smarter than you' match. He made a conscious decision not to physically roll his eyes, sigh deeply or snorted; they would see it immediately and comment on it. The trick he has learned is to play it cool.
"Lestrade, did you bring it?" Sherlock asked, smiling sarcastically at his brother before he turned around to Greg.
"Hello Greg, oh hi Sherlock, how are you? Oh fine, just talking to Mycroft. Yeah? Great, oh I brought the case like you asked. Oh you did, well thank you." Sherlock and Mycroft stared at him confounded at his little monologue with himself.
Sherlock stepped closer, his eyes not leaving Greg's.
"Are you high?"
"No, I was demonstrating how a normal conversation usually goes."
"What makes you think anything in this room is normal?" Sherlock retorted. Greg did take a deep breath and shook his head, because really how do you respond to that. Sherlock seeing the Greg's reaction smiled in victory, Greg in an attempt to keep some dignity pulled a face and gave Sherlock the file. Mycroft in the meantime had stood up and watched their interaction with interest. Greg turned to him.
"Hello Mycroft." Mycroft may have been a well-used name by now, but to Greg he will always call him My in his heart.
"Hello Gregory, how have you been?" Mycroft asked politely. Greg opened his mouth to answer was interrupted by Sherlock.
"You know very well how he is doing, so save the 'normal interaction ' we have a case."
Mycroft closed his eyes briefly, a feeble attempt to control his emotions and retort. Greg pretended it never happened and started filling Sherlock in on the case. Sherlock looked through everything before turning to Greg.
"Leave this with me, I'll have the case solved by tomorrow then you can go back and go on with your failing attempt to move on, which is a shame that last night's date was a disaster, she was willing yet you weren't. How telling." The room became quiet Greg didn't dare to look at Mycroft, although he could feel his eyes burning into him. Instead he took a breath, straightens his back and replied.
"Tomorrow you say? Thank you, I'll start making plans for a more successful venture this time. Good day." With that he turned around and walked out, it took Sherlock ten seconds to get with the programme. He rushed to the stairs.
"Sarcasm doesn't suit you Inspector." Greg looked up the stairs.
"And cruelty you, yet you don't let it hold you back, why should I?" Greg didn't stay to see or hear Sherlock's reaction, his anger overruling his common sense.
That was it, his day was spoiled.
Fortunately he didn't hear back from Sherlock for the rest of the day, however he was just settled in at home when his phone notification light went on
"I apologise for my brother today. MH."
Greg eyed the text, uncertain how to respond, what do you say to something like that?
"It's fine. GL."
The ultimate, universal lie, polite enough to answer, forward enough to dispel any further questions.
"It's not; I noticed how it affected you. I'm sorry your attempts for future companionship are proving to be difficult. MH."
Greg clenched his hands, the knuckles white against the black phone.
"Yeah you looked all torn up with my attempt to get over you. GL."
Greg replied so fast it was only after he pressed send that he realised what he actually said.
"Bollocks" he exclaimed loudly. His closed fist hit the armrest with a thud. The reply came five minutes later.
"I'm sorry. MH."
Personally he was tired of hearing sorry, it didn't help and it most certainly didn't give him the closure he needed.
"Exactly why did we break up? I have two theories so to speak. Both not making me feel better. GL"
"You know why, it was a mutual decision. MH."
"What's your theories? MH."
"Mutual my arse.
1. I wasn't good enough for you or
2. Because Sherlock threw a tantrum, because if that's the case it sucked big time. GL"
Greg had no idea where he got the courage to be so direct to Mycroft about their past relationship, it wasn't mutual, and he just wasn't given much choice in the matter. When Mycroft is on a roll, there was no stopping him. One part of him was wondering what Mycroft was going to say back, the other part hoped he didn't.
He did.
"What do you mean it wasn't mutual? MH"
"You were always more than I could ever hope for. MH"
Oh please. Greg was seriously starting to lose the little patience he had, how can one man be so dense?
"You're memory is better than mine, so why don't you replay it? Especially the part where I tried to change your mind, and you became a cold bastard and told me to stop being so childish. GL"
Greg didn't receive reply for some time, instead he plugged his phone in the charger, took out a microwave meal, pierced it maybe a little more than what was strictly necessary and took a shower.
Walking into his kitchen he glanced at the phone, no response. Shrugging it off he pulled out his meal and ate.
Finally a beeping sound alerted him to a text, either work or Mycroft. It was Mycroft.
"Can you perhaps meet me for dinner; I'd like to discuss something with you? MH."
"What is it Mycroft? I'm tired. GL."
"I don't want to discuss our relationship over the phone. MH."
"What relationship? GL."
His phone rang. He should've known Mycroft would call instead of texting.
"Mycroft."
"I want to apologise for the way I treated you and to clear up any misunderstandings between us."
His voice was tense but Greg didn't care for it at the moment.
"There's no misunderstanding Mycroft, we broke up, Sherlock was unhappy with us, you were... I don't want to talk about it anymore, we're alone, I know I am and Sherlock is in a happy relationship, tell me, if you showed your unhappiness with that, do you think he would break it off with John?"
Where Mycroft was tense, Greg was tired and frustrated and had no problem letting it out. He still harboured some anger and resentment towards Sherlock.
"Sherlock wasn't the main reason we parted. There were other factors involved as well."
Greg took a deep breath, Mycroft would always take his brother's side, he didn't even respond to Greg's question about Sherlock's relationship with John
"You said, I remember something along the lines of too busy, and just too different. Another thing, tell me why now all of a sudden are you interested in talking about it? Wait a minute you heard Sherlock talking about my date?"
Greg eyes widen in a typical light bulb moment, it all makes sense now.
"She was very eager in sleeping with you."
And the award for the jealous idiot goes to...
"So you're jealous? Want to tell me about your attempts on moving on?" Greg asked, and to his dismay notice his voice sounded just as envious as Mycroft's.
"Gregory this is getting us nowhere. Can we please meet up to talk?"
"What difference is it going to make Mycroft? It's not as though we can reconcile." Greg was tired, his heart was very keen to talk to Mycroft or get back together, but his head have been protecting his sanity and heart for so long, it didn't want to let go.
"Why not?" That took him by surprise, does Mycroft really want to reconcile? After all this time? What about the excuses for them not being together and all that?
"Because nothing has changed, we still have the same jobs, meaning the same excuses still exist, Sherlock is in a relationship with John, but that is not connected to us. So tell me what has changed?"
"I did." Mycroft said it so softly that Greg was doubtful on whether he actually heard it. Something happened and he wanted to what that was. Can he actually believe Mycroft and allow himself to hope?
"Mycroft..."
"Meet me for dinner, please?" Greg sighed, this was turning out to be one hell of a day, and he ran his hand through his hair, his curiosity winning.
"Where?" The answer was swift and direct.
"My place."
"I'll be there in half an hour."
"Thank you." Mycroft replied and there was a moment where he wanted to say something else but thought against it and hangs up. Greg stared at his phone for a while before he stood up. Since it was just them, he wasn't going to bother with a new pair of clothes, his jeans and shirt was good enough. Pulling on shoes and grabbing his jacket he left his place.