Chapter Summary: When Mycroft is not wearing his ring again Greg just can't help asking him about it. Prompt: Entice
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Moffat, Gatiss & SACD.
A/N: I know I haven't been updating regularly the past week, but now my life's back to normal and so should be my schedule. Although this prompt came from oneword(dot)com I'd like to remind you all that you're welcome to prompt me yourself in a review or PM.
Yes, he had dated other men before he married his wife, but Mycroft Holmes was a completely different story. Nothing about him was the least bit conventional, not the way he had entered his life, not the way he kept in touch and certainly not his personality. The one thing he knew for sure was that Mycroft was unique in every way and he had to admit that he found it quite enticing.
Nevertheless it took him some time to realize he was actually interested in a Holmes. It took even more time to stop denying it.
There was more than one reason that spoke against this: his recently failed marriage, Mycroft being as approachable as the Queen herself, the fact that hardly anyone who was part of his life at present knew that he liked men as well, hell, he didn't even know for sure that Mycroft liked men. It was all really complicated but he just couldn't get Mycroft out of his mind at times. Somehow that man had wiggled his way into his life.
So the next time that he visited his flat with take out in his hand Greg invited him in and offered him a glass of red wine. There was no pressing reason for Mycroft to be here and they both knew it. It just seemed to have become a habit. Non-urgent matters that could be discussed over the phone were pushed back until after both of them were off work and then they'd enjoy dinner together at Greg's flat.
"You haven't been wearing your ring the last three times that you've been here." It was a statement.
"Indeed." Mycroft affirmed and took another fork of salad as though this was their normal dinner conversation.
"But when you came to 'give me a lift' from the crime scene to the Yard the other day you wore it." Another statement. He was going about this as logically as possible, because over the years it had turned out to be the safest way to handle a Holmes.
"Very well observed, Detective Inspector." The other man nodded in approval but his tone was neutral, with absolutely no clue in it as to how he felt about his line of reasoning.
Greg had to admit he was more than just a bit nervous, but there was no way back now. He had to get this out of his system - one way or the other. "So the question is: do you take it off when you're done working for the day or just when you come to see me in private?"
"I'm never done working", was all Mycroft replied.
The realisation that dawned on Greg washed away his nervousness and he just couldn't stop a smile from spreading on his face. "Then I think it's about time you call me Greg."
Mycroft returned the smile with something that almost resembled shyness and all Greg thought was how much he enjoyed the sight of it.