Give Me A Label (I'll Make Confetti)

Chapter 45: When I Come Around

Greg woke with a groan and peeled his eyes open. It was still a bit dark outside, the sun only just beginning to rise, and Greg shivered as he groped for the blankets, which had fallen down to his waist. Looking around his bedroom, Greg just caught sight of the alarm clock.

'Five?' he groaned.

'Sorry,' came Mycroft's voice from his right. Greg sat up slowly and saw Mycroft pulling on the jeans, shirt, and jacket he'd worn the night before. 'I was just leaving,' Mycroft said.

'Why so early?' Greg asked.

'My mother will be up at six-thirty,' Mycroft explained.

He sat on Greg's bed to pull his socks and shoes on. 'Yeah, but that's over an hour away,' Greg said. 'You don't have time for breakfast?' The younger boy looked up at him. 'Come on, Myc; I'm not gonna see you in school, remember?'

'Yes, I remember,' Mycroft nodded. He finished tying his laces and said, 'Very well, you can make me breakfast.'

'Oh I'm making it, am I?' Greg asked.

'Yes,' Mycroft smiled.

'M'kay,' Greg said and leaned over to kiss him softly. 'I'll make pancakes, we got some pre-made batter. Just let me throw somethin' warm on.'

Mycroft waited in silence while Greg tugged on a pair of tracksuit bottoms and a baggy jumper. After a quick trip to the bathroom he joined Mycroft in the kitchen, the red-head sitting as his boyfriend grabbed the various things he'd need to make breakfast.

'There's juice and stuff in the fridge,' Greg said over his shoulder.

'Do you have coffee?' Mycroft asked.

'Yeah, just gotta turn the machine on,' Greg said and jerked his elbow to his right. Mycroft spotted the small red coffee machine and set about making coffee. 'I'll have one, thanks,' Greg smiled.

'Yes, my dear.'

Greg chuckled and asked, 'Did you sleep well?'

Mycroft nodded. 'Though your bed is a lot smaller than mine, and there are two of us sharing it, I find I sleep better with you.'

Greg smiled brightly. 'Yeah, me too,' he admitted. 'I like having you in my bed.'

'Of course you do.'

Both boys jumped at Maggie's words and Greg nearly sent the frying pan flying. He grabbed onto it and set it back on the stove, blushing brightly when Maggie moved past him to reach the coffee machine.

'Mum, what are you doing up?' he asked quickly.

'I slept enough,' Maggie shrugged. 'I'm going to read my new Matthew Reilly book, maybe watch some TV, and have a nap around midday.'

She paused and glanced over at Greg, who was staring pointedly at the pancakes he was making. Mycroft was hovering at the other end of the kitchen, looking ready to run.

'I might even ground my son for once again sneaking his boyfriend in,' she concluded.

'Um...' Greg murmured, 'I... I d-didn't...'

'What?' Maggie asked. 'You didn't sneak your boyfriend in?'

'Uh... n-not exactly,' Greg said. 'Mycroft's the one who climbed through my window!'

He turned and pointed at his boyfriend, who blushed vividly when Maggie smiled at him.

'You didn't exactly kick me out,' Mycroft huffed.

'I totally tried!' Greg argued. 'I said, "No, Mycroft, stop; my mum said no, so please put your clothes back on!"'

'You liar!' Mycroft growled even while he turned pink.