So, remember this is set just after Sherlock comes back (in my story "Back to Baker Street, Sherlock Holmes") and isn't long or smutty (too much) but mostly fluffy. Enjoy!
The driver pulled into the grounds and Mycroft and Greg looked at each other awkwardly for a second. Greg widened his eyes and exhaled as they exited the vehicle knowing what was coming and that it would be a long night.
"Thank you, Parker." Greg directed to the driver as he leaned on his crutches. Parker smiled, tipped his hat just a little and then drove away to park the car in the garage. The men were met, as always, by Albert standing on the step outside the house.
"Welcome home, Sirs."
"Albert." Mycroft nodded.
"Thanks, Albert." Greg smiled and followed Mycroft into the house reception area.
Albert helped Greg off with his jacket as he spoke and Mycroft was dealing with his own which was a stark contrast to what usually occurred when they got home. "The staff were unsure what to do about dinner, sirs."
"Well, if we co-"
Greg cut him off. "I fancy a takeaway." The two men looked to him and he shrugged. "It's going to be a long night, Mycroft. We may as well accept that now and stand down on all ceremony because I don't have the energy to pretend otherwise. Thank you." He directed that to Albert as the man awkwardly took his coat and then stood unsure of what to do as Mycroft had not motioned that he was going to take off his suit jacket.
"I think we should have this discussion alone."
Alfred nodded and made to leave when Greg spoke. "No Albert, hold on. And while we're at it, that's no way to talk to someone – as if they're not there. Albert works for you, he is an employee and not a pet." Mycroft straightened up into a defensive position in response to having his authority challenged in front of his staff. "This is my house as well, or it's meant to be, is it not?"
Greg's demeanour changed when he saw Mycroft's reaction; he changed to less harsh and angry but still firm and a little put out.
"Of course." Mycroft stated sincerely.
"Right, then I would like for us to slum it for tonight. Get a takeaway and give everyone the night off. To mirror what you just said, I would feel much more comfortable if tonight was just us." He gestured between them.
Mycroft softened when he realised that Greg was completely right. He turned to Albert. "Quite right." And he said nothing more as he turned to Greg again.
Greg smiled a little at the gesture before he turned to Albert. "Albert, could you perhaps find the phone book for me and then tell the staff, including yourself that they can have tonight off?"
"Of course, sir." Alfred started.
"And tomorrow." Mycroft added knowing that no matter how tonight went he would be too raw emotionally to deal with ceremony tomorrow.
"Sir." Alfred nodded again and as Mycroft turned Greg and he shared a look. Greg's was worry and Alfred's was polite reassurance.
Greg followed Mycroft into the drawing room, with a little difficulty and they stood in silence for a few minutes until Alfred returned with the phonebook. They thanked him and he left. Greg put his crutches in the corner of the room when the door at the end of the hall that led to the staff's quarters closed and Mycroft's face changed. Greg didn't see it since, as he sat down, he flicked through the phone book which he then draped over his knees. "What do you fancy then?" Mycroft walked to the fireplace looking at the flame without answering and Greg looked up when he was met with silence. "Mycroft?"
"Tonight is going to be long and stressful so I want to say this now." He turned to look at Greg. "So that everything we speak about after will not be laced with words that have nothing to do with it."
Greg closed the book on his knee with a heavy pop. "Okay?"
"I appreciate that we have different backgrounds and I want and need you to tell me when I do or say things to people that may appear too cruel or rude. But, you need to understand that when you act like that, especially in front of staff, you demean me and, more importantly, make me feel small."
"Small?" Greg slid the book onto the couch beside him, put his left foot down cautiously and slowly walked over to Mycroft who watched him wince knowing that he would not listen to protests.
"Yes. Like I said, sometimes I don't realise when the way that I act is not appropriate or necessary and I want you to tell me. But I would much rather you told me when we are alone and, to be completely truthful, on occasion it has felt that you are so hung up on our differences and your desire not to be made to feel small by me that you overcompensate and make me feel that way instead. Even, perhaps, when it is not warranted."
Greg nodded thoughtfully. "You're right, I have done that and I'm sorry." Mycroft looked surprised. "I am still very self-conscious about our differences and I may have let that control me to the point of hurting you and for that I am genuinely sorry."
Mycroft's whole body language became softer. "Thank you. I wanted to get that off my chest so that when we spoke about everything I wouldn't be side-tracked."
Greg nodded and unbuttoned his suit jacket before letting it slide down his arms. He walked over to the couch, lay it over the back of it and picked the phone book back up. "Pizza?"