"God, I could stay here forever," Greg sighed, stretching his legs out in front of his and his arms up behind his head. He closed his eyes and let his head fall back, enjoying the warmth from the sun up above, mixed with a calm wind that kept it from getting too hot. Mycroft hummed in agreement next to him, legs crossed and a book in his hand.

It was amazing how getting away from London could land them such beautiful weather. The two men were currently taking a mini vacation at a small Holmes family estate up in Sussex. Small for a Holmes standard, anyway. The place was still bloody huge in Greg's opinion. It really seemed to suit Mycroft though, in the way it was kept up and decorated. It was clear he used it much more than Sherlock (if the detective used it at all).

"We could, you know," Mycroft spoke after a moment. Enough time had gone by that Greg had to blink for a second, before he realized.

"Oh?" he asked, taking off his sunglasses so he could gaze at his partner better. Mycroft turned away from his book to return the gaze, smiling softly.

"Indeed. This is my estate, Gregory. In turn, that makes it yours. To come here whenever you wish."

Greg was silent, blinking. He broke their gaze so he could look out along the backyard again, where they were sitting. They'd been resting on the patio, which was complete with a full set of outdoor furniture and a hot tub. The trees in the backyard had to be so old, and gave off the perfect shadow. He could even see his girls climbing the huge branches, if they visited. The house was large, but not vast or empty feeling. There was an entertainment room, a workout room, a few bedrooms apart from the master, and plenty others that could be studies or libraries, or anything they wanted it to be. The kitchen was glorious, something that made the chef inside of him want to drool with glee. Sighing, Greg ran a hand through his hair and grinned.

"Don't tease me, Myc. Are you serious?"

"Naturally. Why would I jest about something like this?" Mycroft asked, arching his eyebrow in its trademark fashion.

Greg felt himself get a bit giddy. He had always been one to envision the two of them throughout their lives, over the course of their relationship, but it was never really something they talked about. To have this kind of conversation, even if it came across as seemingly meaningless, was a big deal to him. Suddenly needing some movement, he hopped up out of his chair and paced leisurely around the patio.

"We could retire here," he commented absently, his mind racing with the possibilities. They were endless. "Once I left the force, and your position becomes less office-based. We could retire up here. Get out of London. You could take up gardening, maybe…"

"It's always been something I've been curious to do in my spare time," Mycroft chimed in. Closing his book, the politician stood and joined the older man, wrapping his arms around his waist and resting his chin on Greg's shoulder.

"You do have that bonsai tree," Greg pointed out, turning to kiss Mycroft's temple. He smiled.

"Of course, and I still would. But the potential of this backyard is almost a bit staggering, Gregory."

He'd been so surprised of Mycroft's seemingly green thumb when he'd found out a few months prior, but Greg loved it. It suited him. Just as it would suit him to spend time out here in a truly developed garden. Greg grinned brightly, feeling much younger than he really was.

"It would be…" he started, pressing their heads together and closing his eyes. "It would be lovely."

"It will be," Mycroft corrected surely. "There's no use in talking figuratively over something that is so easily reality, darling. Now come, let's go in. I'd rather enjoy drawing up a bath for us."

Greg nodded, letting the younger man take his hand and lead him back toward the house. He threaded their fingers together, staring at Mycroft's back, before taking a final look at the backyard before they went inside. Yes… He truly did love this place.