Title: Making the Connection
Story Summary: A non-chronological collection of short chapters based on one word prompts, includes (pre-)slash for Johnlock & Mystrade
Chapter Summary: They're having a night out when John confronts Greg about his involvement with Mycroft. Mystrade. Prompt: Temper.
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Moffat, Gatiss & SACD.
A/N: I just wanted to let you know that you blew me away. After my comment on how much I liked it when people added me to their favourites or story alert lists I got a bunch of new adds. Thank you so much, you made my day! Also: I know that it's been a while since we had a romantic Johnlock chapter, but the prompts just didn't give me the right inspiration and I don't want to force it. As most of the time this prompt came from oneword(dot)com, if you'd like to prompt me you can do so in a review or a PM.
Today they had their weekly night out, or at least that's what they liked calling it. As a matter of fact they had no set weekday and they only made it out every other week or so, but both men liked to think that they could manage to make a weekly meeting. It was nothing elaborate, most of the times they just went to a pub, talking, drinking beer, watching football or playing darts.
After Greg had set down his third pint in front of him John raised his beer and they clinked glasses.
"So, tell me, what is Mycroft like when he's 'off duty'?", John asked bluntly.
Greg almost choked on his beer. "What? How would I know?" Was his hasty reply when he had his throat back under control.
"Sherlock observed and deduced and you know how much he likes to show off his brilliance, so I know about you two." He bumped his knee against Greg's under the table. "Don't worry, I'm not going to tell anyone. I can't vouch for Sherlock but I think that he enjoys teasing you both about it too much to just make it public."
"Should've known he would figure it out sooner or later." The older man took another mouthful of his beer before he continued. "Well, Mycroft is hardly ever really 'off duty', if there was a way he'd probably already have his phone implanted. I mean, I get it, I'm a copper, it can be the same with me. He really tries though, to make time for me in his schedule."
John smiled at the almost shy expression on his friend's face. "To be honest I never would've thought that you would even consider..." He hesitated a bit, considering how to call it. "...seeing Mycroft Holmes the way that Sherlock drives you up the wall sometimes."
"Same here. But Mycroft's different from Sherlock. He doesn't have the same temper. Where Sherlock would start moping or throw a fit Mycroft's a lot more... contained. He's great at bottling up his emotions, all of them." A wistful smile found its way on his lips and he answered the unasked question that hang between them. "That makes it difficult between us. It's getting easier now, bit by bit, the most difficult part was getting in. It might be hard for you to understand, because you seem to be some special case, but earning the trust of a Holmes is a long and rocky road."
The doctor scrutinised the DI. His posture had changed when he started to talk about the man in his life, it was obvious to John that his friend had found someone for whom he would go to great lengths to make it work. The Holmes brothers, however, were not known to be aware of the sacrifices others made for them.
He sat up a bit straighter and looked at his friend intently. "Okay, just tell me one thing and then I won't bring it up again unless you want to talk about it. Is he worth it?"
Greg took a moment, thinking of the most mysterious man he knew. It made him smile. "Absolutely."