Greg hadn't said a word about Mycroft's means of 'making it up to him' regarding missing the wedding. By the time he'd gotten home that evening, Mycroft had already been asleep. In the morning, strangely enough, Mycroft had already left. Greg really hoped that Mycroft hadn't just forgotten about it all, since he was still feeling a bit left out, but decided it wasn't a big enough deal to bother potentially starting an argument.

He didn't want to lay in bed alone for any length of time, and so promptly got up and showered. He didn't know why Mycroft wasn't around, he thought that they'd organised the day off together.
Probably some big important thing somewhere.

Since he was alone, and not really that it mattered either way, Greg walked back out into the bedroom naked. He wasn't sure what he wanted to wear: he could wear his normal work attire, but felt like wearing something more relaxed. He admitted it was tempting to don his torn jeans, punk shirt and leather jacket. He considered them his 'angsty' clothes, worn when he was upset about something and wanted to kick back to his somewhat bad-boy youth. Mycroft never really understood why he'd wear things like torn clothing, but Greg had just told him to deal with it. He liked them. And he was just a little peeved at Mycroft for disappearing without a word.

Screw it. Angsty day it is.
Greg rifled to the back of his cupboard to drag out his ripped jeans and black faded shirt. He could always just go get a new shirt, but he liked that one. He then grabbed out his leather jacket from the back of the hanging clothes. He frowned when he found a small note attached to it. He pulled it off to read it.

Gregory,

I understand you will be feeling upset with me this morning for leaving without explanation. I hope you can trust me to prove my good intentions to you. I am awaiting you for breakfast at your favourite café.

Please do not wear your shredded attire.

Mycroft.

Greg smiled warmly to himself. Trust Mycroft to know what he was going to wear. At least the day was starting to look up. He noticed that there wasn't a time listed on the note, so wasn't sure if Mycroft also knew exactly what time he'd rock up, or if he'd be sitting there waiting for him for hours. It was indeed tempting to just make him wait for the fun of it, but his stomach rumbling reminded him that food was more important. Choosing instead to wear some (not torn) jeans and a casual buttoned shirt, he dressed quickly and left the house.

Greg walked into the café he hoped was the one that Mycroft meant. He was glad to discover his partner sitting at a table with a cup of coffee and the newspaper. Mycroft looked up as he approached, and smiled a warm loving smile that made Greg's previous annoyance melt away. Surprisingly, Mycroft stood up as Greg reached the table and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Greg blushed, suppressing a child like giggle.
"We're in public… I thought you hated public displays of affection." Greg stated as he seated himself opposite Mycroft.
"I did, yes, before you." Mycroft stated plainly, continuing to give him that warm smile.
"Well, this is all very nice, Myc, but you could have just told me and we'd left together after you know… some morning fun or something." Greg said while playing with his fork.

Mycroft chuckled.
"My dear, this is not the entirety of my plans for today. You requested I make it up to you, and it was no small feat to go to that wedding without me. You requested food, pampering, and … myself, and I am going to provide. So just enjoy what comes your way… I believe I have crafted quite the enjoyable day for you."

Greg beamed in response. The waitress came and took their breakfast orders, Mycroft ordering a croissant and Greg a panini, and then not long after returned with their drinks and food. They chatted casually about all sorts of things, including some gossip about their friends. Greg was shocked that Mycroft was actually willing to participate in gossip. He seemed a lot more relaxed and, frankly, 'normal', than he usually was. Greg enjoyed the warm everyday side of Mycroft, but didn't want to make it out that the man had to pretend to be someone he wasn't around him.

"Myc, you don't have to try be just an average bloke around me, if you don't want to."
"What do you mean?"
"This… chatting in a coffee house about John and Sherlock, talking about the weather and the traffic, of ordinary things that every man on the block talks about."
"You don't like it?"
"No, no, I do… I just don't want you to feel like you have to pretend." Greg stated honestly, drinking the last of his coffee.
"I… I am actually enjoying being so relaxed with you. I do not get much opportunity to be so casual in my work, and before I met you, I had quite the disdain for small talk. However since our association, simply being in your company is enjoyable. Even the mindless chatter about other's lives is an enjoyable activity since I get to hear your voice and bond with you over it."

If he could, Greg would have leapt over the table and kissed him right there. Reaching over and placing his hand over Mycroft's had to suffice.
"I love you, you know?"
"Yes, Gregory, I know. And I love you too."
"So, you mentioned this was an all day event? Where to next?"
"Back home." Mycroft said, smiling. Greg's heart pounded in anticipation.

Greg was all but ready to strip naked when they arrived home. He managed to contain himself from grabbing his man and pressing him up against the door and kissing him thoroughly, as Mycroft seemed not to notice the excitement running through Greg's veins. Or, he chose to ignore them and enjoyed watching the detective squirm in an effort to keep himself together.

What Greg encountered next was the complete opposite of what he'd expected. Mycroft had entered the spare room, instead of their bedroom, and so Greg followed curiously. He instantly froze in the doorway.
"Gregory dear, do close the door behind you… you don't want any of them escaping." Mycroft stated casually.

Greg couldn't believe it. He'd walked into a room filled with puppies.
"What… what? How?" Greg managed to say as a parade of little paws rushed to him.
"I know you like dogs, especially the infant ones, and so I arranged to borrow these for the morning."

Greg rolled his eyes at 'infant dogs', but couldn't take the smile off his face. He loved puppies. He loved dogs, in general, especially big fluffy ones. He'd never been able to own one as he'd always been in an apartment and he'd not had the space to have one. And he was away all the time for his job. He knelt down and ran his fingers through the soft coat of the one that was desperately trying to be picked up.

There were at least five little Bernese Mountain dog pups, a couple of labradors, and one husky pup. And they all wanted to lick Greg's face. He was in heaven. He laughed and giggled as he cuddled the puppies that came up to him, snuggling his face into their soft fur despite the licks he got. He didn't care. Mycroft stood tall in the corner of the room looking down at his partner with the most loving smile he'd ever given. The pure joy that radiated out of Greg at that moment was contagious, and he felt his chest flood with warmth just looking at that smile on his face.

The man grabbed the pups and ruffled their heads and bellies. He rolled onto his back and allowed them to crawl over him. While Mycroft didn't like the idea of the germs being spread over the detective's face, he could see his lover didn't mind the slightest. Greg looked up at Mycroft with such a gleeful stare, his brown eyes glistening. Mycroft knew he couldn't be called the Iceman anymore when just one look from that wonderful man could melt him entirely.

Greg spent the next couple of hours playing with the pups. There were toys littered about the (covered) floor, and some treats to be given out at Greg's discretion. Occasionally one or two of the pups would try and get Mycroft to play, but he ignored them each time. One of the Bernese pups was particularly insistent, however.
"Aw, he just wants to play with you Myc." Greg laughed as he saw the pup sit before Mycroft and bark at him frustratedly.
"Yes, well, he can continue his attempts but I will not yield." Mycroft stated firmly. The puppy began to pout, and as Mycroft stared into its eyes, he was beginning to understand where the phrase 'puppy eyes' came from. He looked at it uncomfortably.
"Just give him a cuddle." Greg said, currently with a pup in each arm.
"This suit is too expensive to be covered in dog hair."
"I think that ship has sailed." Greg chuckled, and Mycroft noticed the furry coating on his pants. He groaned, and knelt down to pat the little dog.

It barked happily and rolled over for a belly rub, and Mycroft hesitantly obliged. He couldn't help but warm to the animal… it was incredibly cute and soft. He'd always considered himself more of a cat person, but moreover a 'no pets' person. But seeing the delight on Gregory's face from the presence of a dog (or in this case, many dogs), he suddenly found himself not so opposed to the idea of having one. It was completely impractical, of course, still… at least, maybe one day, they could retire and own a dog.

Mycroft cleared his throat, realising he'd started envisioning a life with Gregory. He wasn't sure if his partner even wanted that… they'd not really talked about the status of their relationship or their intentions for the future. Mycroft knew Gregory was a man that would have loved children, and he wasn't sure he was a man to be able to provide that kind of life. But the thought of any life without Gregory in it were so terrible that he had to forcefully shove them away to avoid the pain involved.
Gregory might not want children this late in life… maybe a quiet life with a dog would suffice? Or would I end up not being opposed to the idea of children as well as dogs?

"You alright, Myc?"
Mycroft snapped out of his thoughts and noticed that he was still knelt on the floor, staring into the plastic coated hardwood, with no puppy in sight.
"Yeah… just… thinking."
"About what?"
"Um… just the future."

Greg tilted his head.
"A future about us?"
"Yes."
"I… I can keep one?!" Greg suddenly asked, very excited. Mycroft jumped slightly.
"No! Lord, no."
"Aw, please Myc…"
"It's not open for discussion, Gregory. All of these puppies are destined for homes."

Greg pouted, and sighed. Then he gave a hopeful look Mycroft's way.
"But you were thinking we could get a dog one day?"
"Yes. Perhaps."

Greg didn't push the issue any further. He was glad that his partner was considering a long term life with him, because the thoughts of proposing were still flashing across his mind at an alarming frequency. Up until now he'd not thought Mycroft considered such things. But if Mycroft was considering getting a dog sometime in the future with him, then he must be as serious about them as Greg himself was. It was seeming like not such a rash decision after all… at least not as rash as it was before Sherlock returned.

Mycroft said the puppies needed to be returned to the owners, and the room needed cleaning. Greg knew that meant to 'get out', and so he left the room fairly reluctantly. He so wanted to keep that little Bernese that had gotten attached to Mycroft. Once Mycroft had successfully closed the door, and called for assistance to remove the dogs and clean the room, he guided Greg into their bedroom.

"Our next appointment is approaching: I have booked us in to a spa for a few hours. You requested pampering, and I do believe you enjoy massages. However I have scheduled a thorough soak and exfoliation first; I believe you are in desperate need of a cleanse." Mycroft stated, beginning to change out of his furry suit. Greg laughed, sat on the bed, and watched him.

"You're not going to get changed?"
"Nope."
"And so you're just going to watch me do so?"
"Yep."
"Why?"
"I can watch my own personal strip show if I want to." Greg said teasingly, and Mycroft sighed while rolling his eyes. He did, however, begin to make his moves slightly more exaggerated. This was not lost on Greg.