Author's Note: I am so happy with how that little arc went and how well you all took it. I think those few chapters are some of the best in the fic and the fact that you all loved it despite the pain means the world to me. It kind of invigorates me, you know? So thank you! Today's chapter is a little on the short side compared to what we've had recently but I'm happy with it. Hopefully you view it as quality over quantity. Please read, review, and enjoy!

Disclaimer: Clearly I don't own Sherlock. The show is the baby of Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, while Sherlock Holmes itself is the creation of Arthur Conan Doyle.

The First Time They Cuddled

Never being one to want to restore a broken relationship so soon after breaking up with someone, Anthea wasn't aware of how hard this was going to be. It felt like they'd taken ten steps backwards when it had taken them an eternity to take those ten steps in the first place. Gentle touches were gone and back was Mycroft's almost phobia level of avoiding touch his girlfriend. Anthea was way too careful, not wanting to overstep her place. The dinner dates were a little awkward, and gone were the times of casually visiting one another without a phone call. Unless a formal date was organise the pair didn't see each other. It was more like the beginning of the understanding than it was like their dating life. It made Anthea feel a little sick to think that she'd let this happen to them thanks to that leggy blonde.

On the bright side Mycroft and Anthea's work relationship was entirely back to normal. That's where their strength was, wasn't it? And that's where it all started. The office. They were comfortable at the office. They could make fun of each other and of others. Mycroft could buy flowers, and Anthea could buy coffee. Their hands could meet as she passed him a file and neither of them would flinch. That, at least, felt amazing. It was like the team was back, as if nothing had ever happened. Like it was just supposed to be Mycroft and Anthea. If that could be achieved so easily then surely they could eventually get back to where they'd been. They were just so comfortable around each other.

Work was always a little unpredictable. The development of a small emergency lead to Anthea and Mycroft having to work late on Wednesday night. It was nothing too serious which meant not too much stress. Mycroft, confidant that they would get it done in a few hours flat, offered that they work in his home office. That way, when business was concluded, he could cook them a quick late dinner. Something about how an impromptu date following a work atmosphere may help them. Anthea chose to totally ignore the word date, certain the word might jinx them, but she accepted happily. It sounded great, and she did love spending time in his big empty house.

It would surprise absolutely no one to know that Mycroft was absolutely right. The work was done with ease within a few hours and Anthea promise to mail off the physical copy of all paperwork in the morning. A light dinner was prepared, nothing special given the state of Mycroft's pantry, and eaten.

The conversation managed to remain light, friendly, and less awkward than any of their officially scheduled dates had been as of late. If Anthea were honest, she was just glad to see Mycroft looking comfortable and relaxed for the first time in ages. He still looked tired, but certainly healthier, and her heart melted whenever a natural smile found its way onto his face. She automatically had to smile back.

After dinner Anthea helped Mycroft clean up the few plates and pans that were used in the cooking process. It was easy when she knew this kitchen just as well as she knew her own. She was pleased to see that her toaster was still there. That's right, apparently it was her toaster. Mycroft refused to take ownership over the 'unnecessary' upgrade. She'd laughed at that and he'd smiled, and it was nice.

When the kitchen was clean and there was no more procrastination to do, Anthea awkwardly twister the red and white tea towel in her hands. She bit the inside of her lip as the weird feeling that had stained their relationship came back. It shouldn't return, not for a simple questions she was thinking of asking. It hadn't even felt this awkward the first time.

"Um… Mycroft," Anthea tried not to wince as she looked up at the genius. Mycroft closed the cabinet about the kettle and turned to Anthea, eyebrows raised. "Am I staying?" She did wince this time. "The night, I mean." Mycroft mouthed an 'oh' as he folded his arms across his chest.

"It's a natural assumption," He half shrugged. "Given our prior agreement that you do on evenings that we work late." Anthea looked down as she sniffed a laugh, her mouth pulling into a small smile. She really did love how he talked. Always sounding so confident even when his words were unsure.

"Yeah." She smiled at him. "But am I staying with you?" Mycroft's eyes shifted up to the roof briefly as he pursed his lips.

"Once again, given prior history and our current difficulties I presume resuming normal behaviour would perhaps do us well." In other words he wanted her to. She hadn't forgotten how he'd said something about not being able to sleep while they were broken up, and no doubt that Mycroft Holmes would have changed his sheets by now. Anthea's smile grew wider.

"Why yes, sir." Anthea nodded sarcastically. "Since you're such an expert in these situations I have no doubt your hypothesis will work." She scrunched her nose up as he scowled.

"Ah, the return of that lovely sense of humour." He sighed. "How I missed thee." He walked passed her out of the kitchen and began heading towards the stairs. "Are you coming or are you too busy amusing only yourself?" Anthea laughed as she began trailing behind him.

"I'm coming, I'm coming."

Anthea would be lying if she said Mycroft had the most comfortable bed, she much preferred her own. While they seemed to have the same taste in pillows, his mattress was far more firm than hers and it took a little getting used to. Similarly he'd often complain of a pain in his back if he'd spent too many nights at hers. With that being said, on the particular night Anthea almost fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. She wasn't a hundred percent sure why, but she suspected it was a multitude of things. It was the comfort of being welcomed back up here, it was feeling as if they'd taken one of those steps forward again, and it had to do with that smell thing Mycroft had been talking about. The smell of Mycroft's bedroom had always been so intoxicating to Anthea, and tonight it had just felt like home.

Unfortunately it was impossible to stay asleep, and that was to not fault of her own. Every so often she found herself woken up. Mycroft was apparently finding it extremely difficult to get comfortable. He'd change positions, readjust his pillows. He'd disappear for a few minutes – probably to try a warm drink or even just a glass of water – and return. Not to mention there was the annoying blue light of his phone that came on occasionally as he either check the time or actually spent an extended amount of time doing something on it. Anthea couldn't be mad, she was well aware that he'd been having a lot of trouble lately. She couldn't be mad… but she did what sleep.

"Mycroft…" Anthea spoke, her eyes shut, the side of her face against her pillow.

"Mmm?" It came from ear level. So apparently he was lying down attempting to get sleep right now instead of annoyingly sitting up.

"You know how you and Sherlock always complain about people thinking too loudly and no one has any idea what you mean by that?"

"Yes." Anthea opened her eyes and rolled them.

"Well I finally get what you mean."

"Oh." Mycroft cleared his throat. "Sorry my dear."

"It's fine." Anthea sighed. "Try to sleep, okay? You're stopping me sleeping."

"Yes, but…" He trailed off.

Silence.

Anthea felt a shift in the mattress.

"Mycroft."

"I know. But…" A pause again as he cut himself. Anthea frowned. She swapped sides to glance at her weird genius. Mycroft had his jaw clenched, a pained expression in his eyes.

"What?" Anthea asked, sitting up in concern. Mycroft's expression became further tortured. He waved his hand towards him in a motion as if fanning himself.

"Come here." He choked out. Anthea was taken aback.

"What?" She spoke with a soft laughed. Mycroft's lip twitched upwards.

"Please." He winced. "Come here." It was now, as Anthea looked at the space in-between them that she noticed Mycroft was far closer to the middle of the bed than usual. Sure, it was common for them to wake up close together, but they always went to sleep on their respective sides.

"Myc?" Anthea tilted her head. "I don't want to invade your personal space." The man held his hand in a stop signal.

"Don't worry about that, I…" He glanced away and sighed. "You want to us both to get some sleep don't you?" He sounded slightly annoyed as he turned back. But annoyed at who? Anthea sniffed.

"Yeah." She laughed.

"Then come here." Anthea took a deep breath and looked at the gap between them.

"Okay." She hummed. Mycroft outstretched his arms into the empty space. Anthea lay in her original direction – facing away from him – as she slid closer into the middle of the bed. "Let me know if I get too close, okay?"

"Mmhhmm." Mycroft hummed in agreement as he slid one arm under Anthea, much to her shock. She was even more surprised to find the other come to rest over her abdomen as he pulled her closer. She heard him sigh in what she assumed was relief. Better yet, she felt him sigh as his face seemed to be buried into her hair.

Anthea's face broke into a smile. She thought over his words when they'd had their apology talk. He hadn't been able to sleep without her, but he couldn't bear to get rid of her scent. These were clean sheets. He'd missed her scent. He needed her to sleep. That adorable, awkward, awkward man. Mycroft Holmes may be frozen, but surely his frozen heart is one of the biggest that ever was. A sentimental fool who hated sentiment.

Anthea placed her hand on top of his, a big grin still on her face as she was finally allowed to drift into a deep sleep.

Anthea woke up to find the warm arms still wrapped around her. So it wasn't a dream. It wasn't some farfetched scenario her subconscious had whipped up in the middle of the night. This was something that really happened. That seemed utterly absurd and just couldn't be true. Just to be sure…

Anthea carefully flipped over so she was facing the owner of the arms around her. Sure enough, there he was. Mycroft Holmes fast asleep holding her like a teddy bear. His face was so soft and so gentle when he was asleep. He looked so cute, so darling, and just as warm as she suspected he might be. The poor genius. What a wreck he was. Hiding from emotions and gaining a reputation as the Ice Man by acting tough and cool his entire life. As soon as someone breaks his heart he becomes a wreck. He despises sentiment and makes fun of people for it. But him? His brother disappears and he doesn't know what to do with his free time. He hates the idea of someone in his space but as soon as he gets used to someone there and to certain smells, he can't live without it. He was ridiculously sentimental.

Suddenly Mycroft's brow furrowed, his eyes staying shut.

"Now who's thinking too loudly, hmm?" He opened one steely eye, meeting Anthea's gaze. The brunette woman broke out in that silly grin from the prior evening.

"Good morning." She spoke quietly as she pushed some of his hair out of his face. Mycroft licked his lips as he opened the other eye and looked Anthea's face over.

"Yes…" He hummed. "I trust you managed to sleep?"

"Did I fidget?" Anthea crinkled her nose.

"No…"

"Well, there's your answer."

Silence.

Anthea couldn't stop looking at Mycroft like he was someone else. She felt so incredibly warm for the first time in her life. She'd felt needed before, but not in such a wonderful way, and not from someone who was so independent. But was he really? She could only imagine how sweet he could have been if he wasn't so smart, if his genius hadn't shown him the dark side of the world and shut him off from emotions forever. Though she liked it this way, getting to see these little tiny insights into the real workings of his mind.

She had to bite her lip to stop from smiling so much. Mycroft clicked his tongue.

"Okay, what is it?" He asked.

"Nothing." Anthea laughed as she adjusted herself to rest her head on her own hands. "I just…" How to say this? "Sometimes I just really love you." Mycroft's face seemed to soften greatly. He looked over her with such a gentle expression and kind eyes, but as soon as it was there it was gone. He scowled and rolled his eyes as he pulled his arms free and sat up.

"This is embarrassing enough for me as it is, Ali." He huffed as he stood up and began walking to his ensuite. "The last thing I need is for you to make this worse." Anthea had the curtesy to wait for the door to shut before she buried her head into the pillow and cracked up laughing. Such a Mycroftian response, so perfect, so back to normal. Why would she expect anything else?

The door reopened momentarily, and a towel was thrown at her. She yelped and continued to giggle as she pulled it off her head.

Anthea couldn't imagine a more perfect morning.

Author's Note: So, how do we feel about this chapter? I had another chapter planned that I'll probably do next time but then this came to mind and I HAD to do it. I really hope you all enjoy it. Let me know. Thanks to our lovely guest reviewers; Mars, Anna, Maia, Guests x3, Nana, Louise Pond, and Guess Who. Thanks to everyone reading this. See you next chapter!