"What's the matter with Mycroft?" Sherlock stood in front of his Uncle with a mildly confused expression. His big brother had been acting rather strangely. "Is it because of Gregory?"

"Yes. Yes it is." Aloysius sipped his tea.

"Doesn't he like him anymore?"

"No. Quite the opposite in fact."

"He lets Greg lay on top of him and do things. Like you do with Uncle Teddy." Sherlock had an unfortunate habit of walking in at the most awkward moments. "With no clothes on." He clearly felt more detail was needed.

"Yes. I'm sure he does."

"So if he likes him, why is he being weird?" Sherlock's definition of weird was somewhat different to everyone else's.

"Sherlock, Mycroft is at a difficult age. He's still not quite sure of himself and sometimes he gets confused. He really likes Gregory."

"Gregory likes him. What's confusing about that?"

"I think that somehow Mycroft does not believe he is good enough for Gregory. And that Gregory will discover this shortly and wish to end their relationship. So Mycroft is reluctant to commit himself to getting his heart broken."

"That's just silly. Mycroft's brilliant. Why wouldn't Gregory want to be with him forever?"

"Sherlock I know it ought to be as simple as that. But sadly it isn't. Now where is your excellent young friend John?"

"He's helping Mrs Hudson. He's peeling potatoes."

"Really?"

"Yes. He's terribly good at it. He can get the peel really thin. His father said that if he wants to be a surgeon he has to practice his knife control."

"Very sensible. I've never had surgically peeled potatoes before." Sherlock giggled at the thought.

"I know there's all this stuff going on, but you haven't forgotten it's my birthday tomorrow?" Sherlock had never been bothered about his birthday before. In fact he had always seemed to regard it as a matter of utmost insignificance. Aloysius suspected it may have something to do with the presence of the small blond haired cherub currently spud-bashing in his kitchen.

"When have we ever forgotten your birthday Sherlock?"

"I suppose. I'm going to help John and Mrs Hudson. "And Sherlock raced from the room in the direction of the kitchens. A clattering in the corridor and the sound of human colliding with larger human. There were mumbled apologies and then a knock at the door.

"Come in." Aloysius put down his book and looked up. Gregory Lestrade stood in the door way. There was no denying the boy was handsome with those brooding dark looks. Not the type Aloysius would have chosen, but he could still appreciate the aesthetics.

"Sorry. To interrupt. I was wondering if I could ask your advice?"

"Of course dear boy. Was Teddy no help?" Aloysius had sent his lover out into the garden earlier. He didn't approve of his smoking but had decided that desperate times required desperate measures.

"No. I mean yes. I mean he told me what was going on with Mycroft. About how he's still screwed up over his parents and everything. And how he's only sixteen. I get that. I just ... How do I make him happy?" The chocolaty eyes were red and watery. Gregory had perched himself in the seat opposite Aloysius, looking out from under long lashes at the big man. And blushing slightly. Aloysius had noted with amusement Gregory's reaction to him the first time they had met.

"Making Mycroft happy is a not an easy thing to do. Did you enjoy having sex with him? You did have sex last night?"

"Yes." Bright red. "How did you know?"

"Well your bed wasn't slept in and Mrs Hudson did ask why Mycroft's bed linen was in the washing machine? I assume you found it pleasurable?"

"Yes." Greg was trying to imagine having a conversation this candid with his father.

"Excellent! First times are always so difficult. Trying to work out what goes where and what you like and what you don't and who sleeps on which side of the bed. It's a wonder anyone ever tries it twice. Anyway: How to make Mycroft happy. At the moment he's confused. You need to make him feel safe. And then worry about making him happy. Making him feel safe, you'll be pleased to know, is a whole lot easier. Don't tell him you love him. Not yet. Actually don't say anything. He's in his room at the moment. Just go up and sit with him. And see what happens. Run along now, there's a good chap." Aloysius smiled as he watched Gregory leave the room. He was about to pick up his book when the door was opened once more.

"Gin and Tonic love?" Teddy leant against the door frame holding two clinking fizzing glasses. Aloysius stood, giving up his book as a lost cause.

"How about something a little more energetic? " He stood inches away from the smaller man, a slightly dangerous expression on his face.

"By all means. What's got into you all of a sudden?" Pre dinner sex was something that happened only rarely these days.

"I think it must be the teenagers. "

"Do you think they might be contagious?" Teddy pulled the bigger man against him.

"Yes I rather think they are." Aloysius pulled Teddy towards the sofa and hoped there would be no further interruptions.

"Mycroft?" Greg said it quietly. The bigger boy was laying on his bed reading. Greg sat on the edge of the bed.

"Hello." Mycroft blushed pink and shut his book.

"Shall we start again?" Greg placed his hand on the small of Mycroft's back. Gently. Hoping he wouldn't pull away.

"Okay. What did you have in mind? Or what did Uncle Teddy and Uncle Ali tell you to do?"

"Well nothing specific really. But I think we have to trust one another. And we have to be friends. I really liked all the stuff we did last night but I like you more than that."

"You do? You weren't just saying it?"

"Just for the record all of those boys you've been with before? I will kill all of them."

"None of them meant anything to me."

"Yes. And that's the problem. They should have done. For better or worse. You went out of your way to make my first time special. And no one did that for you. I bet they just saw you as a handsome stud with a big dick that was there solely for their pleasure."

"Handsome stud?"

"Yes." Greg moved his hands to Mycroft's shoulders. "Handsome stud with very tense shoulders. Take your shirt off." Mycroft obliged. Greg looked down at the broad body and felt a spark of lust in his groin. He pulled his own t-shirt over his head and straddled Mycroft's back.

"That's nice." Mycroft murmured

"Yep. Are you sure you don't go to the gym? In secret?" Greg could feel the well developed muscles under his fingers, the kind of muscle that was built with lifting weights.

"Only very occasionally." Mycroft sounded relaxed and sleepy. Greg rubbed his thumbs into the knotted shoulder muscles and worked his way down Mycroft's back. He could feel Mycroft relaxing under him, until his breathing slowed and Greg realised Mycroft was asleep. Greg rolled off and snuggled into Mycroft's warm body, pulling a blanket over them both. In his sleep Mycroft smiled and turned, placing a heavy arm over Greg. He looked happy.