Day 6--Advent Prompt 2: Commercialism
Title: Commercialism and Mistletoe
Author: aislingdoheanta
Fandom: Sherlock
Characters/Pairing: Mystrade, Anthea
Summary: Mycroft doesn't quite understand why Christmas is so important to Greg since it's just a lot of people buying things. Greg explains to Mycroft why it's important. Flat decorating, Christmas lights, and mistletoe.
Rating: PG
Word Count: 1504
Notes: Written in response to adventchallenge prompts. Every day for the first 25 days of December I will be posting a fic here.
Warnings: None.
Disclaimer: Obviously Not Mine
"Which suit do you think Gregory would prefer?" Mycroft asked his assistant, Anthea, as he pointed to the screen that held both a navy blue, double-breasted suit with wide silver pin-stripes on it and a simple, black suit with a two button jacket.
Anthea glanced over at the screen Mycroft was pointing at. "I think the navy blue fabric would look wonderful, but I prefer the simple style of the black one. Is it for anything in particular?"
"No. I'm just trying to find presents for Christmas, as that is what this holiday is all about. And Gregory does love the Christmas season." Mycroft responded as he clicked some buttons on the computer.
"That's not what Christmas is only about, sir," Anthea informed him, looking at him cautiously. "Didn't you have any traditions or things you looked forward to growing up?"
Mycroft thought about that for a moment, his face set in a mask of indifference. Although, Anthea knew better. She knew her boss better than even he would admit. She knew that both him and his brother didn't have the greatest childhood. They were loved and given the best of everything, but their brilliance caused them to lack in the social, childish areas of growing up.
She knew they had both been forced to grow up much to quickly.
"Hmm...I suppose," Mycroft started, his voice a little softer than it had been. "Father lighting the candles would qualify." He seemed lost in his own memories for a few seconds before he remembered himself. "Anyways, what do you think of this one? It has the simple elegance of the black suit with the fabric from the navy one."
Anthea nodded, "That looks lovely. And I'm sure Gregory will look wonderful in it." She looked back down at her phone, sending a text that might just help her boss understand this holiday more than he did. Especially if this meant as much to Gregory as Mycroft said.
***
Mycroft made it back to his--their flat, he still had to get used to that, to find Gregory standing in the kitchen. His jacket was still on and he was surrounded by bags.
"Mycroft! You have perfect timing, as always," Gregory said as he took of his jacket, placing it on a chair.
"For what?" Mycroft's eyes hadn't left the sheer amount of stuff Gregory had apparently bought.
"To help me decorate the flat," Gregory said, matter-of-factly as he started going through some of the bags.
"Excuse me?" Mycroft had been reduced to two words or less. He hadn't even taken his coat off yet.
"We need to decorate the flat, Mycroft, for Christmas!" Gregory's eyes were bright and shining as he searched through the other bags, looking for something.
Mycroft shook his head and started peeling off his coat. "No, I don't do that. It's...just more things I have to purchase."
Gregory looked up at him, smiling. "I thought you liked buying things, especially for me."
Mycroft flushed, "Well, y-yes. But not at this time of year." He set his coat carefully on his chair and saw Gregory's questioning look. "I do like to purchase things, as you're well aware. However, this time of year is all about buying this and making sure you have that simply because it's Christmas. I am not very...fond of it."
Gregory looked at him as though he had grown another pair of eyes. "Commercialism is a huge part of it, but that's not the only thing Christmas is about."
"Isn't it?" Mycroft said, raising an eyebrow and sweeping his eyes across all the bags Gregory had brought home with him.
"No, not for me, anyways. Christmas is about making memories, traditions, and spending time with loved ones." He went over to Mycroft, running his hands down his arms to hold his hands. "When I was younger, every Christmas morning, my mum would make us hot chocolate. It just...became a tradition in our family. And every Christmas Eve, we would go for a walk around our neighborhood, especially when it was snowing. Didn't you have anything like that?" Gregory squeezed Mycroft's hands.
"Well," he cleared his throat, suddenly feeling awkward. "We always opened presents on Christmas night with a fire. Father would light the main candle. I suppose that was a family tradition."
"See, that's what this season's all about." He quickly kissed Mycroft's cheek before pulling away and going back to his bags. "As this is our first Christmas living together, I think we should make our own traditions. Now, let's decorate the flat."
Mycroft only nodded and followed Gregory into the living room.
***
A few hours later, and a few tiffs, the flat was decorated.
After an almost row, the Christmas tree Greg had wanted had been reduced to a smaller one that now sat on an old table that used to belong in Greg's apartment. There were only lights and a tiny star on the top, but both parties were happy with this arrangement.
Since Mycroft nixed any idea of mass lighting on the outside--which Greg had only suggested to get Mycroft to allow his actual desire, they settled on wrapping garland and lights around the balcony railing.
It was Greg's idea to have candles around the room, for he wanted to keep the only tradition Mycroft had had as a child. He placed them, all of them slightly holiday themed, strategically around the room to create the most light. Greg had been surprised when Mycroft hung up the stockings on their mantle. He had even flushed a little, looking paler than normal when he turned around and said that he liked that idea.
Greg wrapped an arm around Mycroft. It wasn't an all-out holiday nightmare, but it was enough. And it was them, which really was the most important thing.
"Grab your coat. Let's go for a walk, see if we forgot anything." Greg told him.
So the two of them departed, and started wandering around. Greg grabbed Mycroft's hand, pulling him closer. "See, isn't this nice?"
Mycroft smiled at him, knowing he was sharing one of his favorite things about the holidays. "Yes. It is rather nice."
He was about to continue when they passed a small trinket shop and something caught Mycroft's eye. It was a small, somewhat gaudy snow globe. It held the Tower Bridge inside in front of the blue back drop. The bottom was white with "LONDON" written in bright red letters.
Ten minutes later, Mycroft placed the newly acquired snow globe on their mantle, amongst the strange, sparkly white fluff Gregory had placed there. He still wasn't sure what had made him want to get the snow globe, but Gregory hadn't minded.
"I think you've found a new tradition for us. Something we can do every year together," Gregory said from behind him.
***
The next afternoon Mycroft found himself once again walking after work--that fresh air really was pleasant, despite the cold. Anthea had offered to come with him, but he was on a mission. He had spent all morning researching different holiday traditions and found something he rather liked.
He went to the store that had numerous holiday decorations outside. He looked around for the item, happily grabbing it and walking to the check-out.
Mycroft smiled the whole way back to their flat. And he continued to smile as he placed the item. He felt like a child again. Maybe that's what Gregory meant.
A few hours later, later than normal, Gregory came home. Mycroft had been reading on the sofa. He placed a bookmark and went to greet him. He leaned against the door frame between the kitchen and living room. "Rough day?"
Gregory nodded. "Yeah. Everyone would have an easier time if people would just confess. It's clear we have you, why not confess and potentially get a lesser sentence?" He sighed, setting his coat down and walked over to Mycroft, grabbing his hands. "How about yours?"
"Good." Gregory smiled and meant to move away, when Mycroft tightened his hold. "I believe you owe me something."
Gregory looked at him. "What?"
Mycroft looked up, smirking slighlty. "I know I"m not incredibly well-versed in Christmas traditions and things, but I believe if caught under mistletoe, you are required to kiss the person there with you." Mycroft said softly, his face flushing.
Greg laughed his eyes still on the little sprig--Is that what it was even called?. "I suppose you're correct." He gently cupped Mycroft's face, pulling him in. He let his lips linger over Mycroft's before smiling. "Look at you, getting into the Christmas spirit."
Mycroft looked down. "I suppose, when with the right person, it's not too terrible." He pulled away from Gregory. "Would you like some tea?"
Greg nodded. "I would love some." He watched Mycroft until Mycroft's back was turned before pulling down the mistletoe. He would find a new spot for it so he could surprise Mycroft with it later.
Perhaps, they found their own Christmas traditions after all.
[AN: If you are curious as to the suits, I found these online:
http://www.esquire.com/cm/esquire/images/gs/black-suit-calvin-klein-0508-lg.jpg
http://www.suitgiant.com/image/cache/data/product/NAVY-Wide-Pinstripe-Double-Breasted-Suit-800x800.jpg
They were the inspiration to ones Mycroft was looking at]
Author: aislingdoheanta
Fandom: Sherlock
Characters/Pairing: Mystrade, Anthea
Summary: Mycroft doesn't quite understand why Christmas is so important to Greg since it's just a lot of people buying things. Greg explains to Mycroft why it's important. Flat decorating, Christmas lights, and mistletoe.
Rating: PG
Word Count: 1504
Notes: Written in response to adventchallenge prompts. Every day for the first 25 days of December I will be posting a fic here.
Warnings: None.
Disclaimer: Obviously Not Mine
"Which suit do you think Gregory would prefer?" Mycroft asked his assistant, Anthea, as he pointed to the screen that held both a navy blue, double-breasted suit with wide silver pin-stripes on it and a simple, black suit with a two button jacket.
Anthea glanced over at the screen Mycroft was pointing at. "I think the navy blue fabric would look wonderful, but I prefer the simple style of the black one. Is it for anything in particular?"
"No. I'm just trying to find presents for Christmas, as that is what this holiday is all about. And Gregory does love the Christmas season." Mycroft responded as he clicked some buttons on the computer.
"That's not what Christmas is only about, sir," Anthea informed him, looking at him cautiously. "Didn't you have any traditions or things you looked forward to growing up?"
Mycroft thought about that for a moment, his face set in a mask of indifference. Although, Anthea knew better. She knew her boss better than even he would admit. She knew that both him and his brother didn't have the greatest childhood. They were loved and given the best of everything, but their brilliance caused them to lack in the social, childish areas of growing up.
She knew they had both been forced to grow up much to quickly.
"Hmm...I suppose," Mycroft started, his voice a little softer than it had been. "Father lighting the candles would qualify." He seemed lost in his own memories for a few seconds before he remembered himself. "Anyways, what do you think of this one? It has the simple elegance of the black suit with the fabric from the navy one."
Anthea nodded, "That looks lovely. And I'm sure Gregory will look wonderful in it." She looked back down at her phone, sending a text that might just help her boss understand this holiday more than he did. Especially if this meant as much to Gregory as Mycroft said.
***
Mycroft made it back to his--their flat, he still had to get used to that, to find Gregory standing in the kitchen. His jacket was still on and he was surrounded by bags.
"Mycroft! You have perfect timing, as always," Gregory said as he took of his jacket, placing it on a chair.
"For what?" Mycroft's eyes hadn't left the sheer amount of stuff Gregory had apparently bought.
"To help me decorate the flat," Gregory said, matter-of-factly as he started going through some of the bags.
"Excuse me?" Mycroft had been reduced to two words or less. He hadn't even taken his coat off yet.
"We need to decorate the flat, Mycroft, for Christmas!" Gregory's eyes were bright and shining as he searched through the other bags, looking for something.
Mycroft shook his head and started peeling off his coat. "No, I don't do that. It's...just more things I have to purchase."
Gregory looked up at him, smiling. "I thought you liked buying things, especially for me."
Mycroft flushed, "Well, y-yes. But not at this time of year." He set his coat carefully on his chair and saw Gregory's questioning look. "I do like to purchase things, as you're well aware. However, this time of year is all about buying this and making sure you have that simply because it's Christmas. I am not very...fond of it."
Gregory looked at him as though he had grown another pair of eyes. "Commercialism is a huge part of it, but that's not the only thing Christmas is about."
"Isn't it?" Mycroft said, raising an eyebrow and sweeping his eyes across all the bags Gregory had brought home with him.
"No, not for me, anyways. Christmas is about making memories, traditions, and spending time with loved ones." He went over to Mycroft, running his hands down his arms to hold his hands. "When I was younger, every Christmas morning, my mum would make us hot chocolate. It just...became a tradition in our family. And every Christmas Eve, we would go for a walk around our neighborhood, especially when it was snowing. Didn't you have anything like that?" Gregory squeezed Mycroft's hands.
"Well," he cleared his throat, suddenly feeling awkward. "We always opened presents on Christmas night with a fire. Father would light the main candle. I suppose that was a family tradition."
"See, that's what this season's all about." He quickly kissed Mycroft's cheek before pulling away and going back to his bags. "As this is our first Christmas living together, I think we should make our own traditions. Now, let's decorate the flat."
Mycroft only nodded and followed Gregory into the living room.
***
A few hours later, and a few tiffs, the flat was decorated.
After an almost row, the Christmas tree Greg had wanted had been reduced to a smaller one that now sat on an old table that used to belong in Greg's apartment. There were only lights and a tiny star on the top, but both parties were happy with this arrangement.
Since Mycroft nixed any idea of mass lighting on the outside--which Greg had only suggested to get Mycroft to allow his actual desire, they settled on wrapping garland and lights around the balcony railing.
It was Greg's idea to have candles around the room, for he wanted to keep the only tradition Mycroft had had as a child. He placed them, all of them slightly holiday themed, strategically around the room to create the most light. Greg had been surprised when Mycroft hung up the stockings on their mantle. He had even flushed a little, looking paler than normal when he turned around and said that he liked that idea.
Greg wrapped an arm around Mycroft. It wasn't an all-out holiday nightmare, but it was enough. And it was them, which really was the most important thing.
"Grab your coat. Let's go for a walk, see if we forgot anything." Greg told him.
So the two of them departed, and started wandering around. Greg grabbed Mycroft's hand, pulling him closer. "See, isn't this nice?"
Mycroft smiled at him, knowing he was sharing one of his favorite things about the holidays. "Yes. It is rather nice."
He was about to continue when they passed a small trinket shop and something caught Mycroft's eye. It was a small, somewhat gaudy snow globe. It held the Tower Bridge inside in front of the blue back drop. The bottom was white with "LONDON" written in bright red letters.
Ten minutes later, Mycroft placed the newly acquired snow globe on their mantle, amongst the strange, sparkly white fluff Gregory had placed there. He still wasn't sure what had made him want to get the snow globe, but Gregory hadn't minded.
"I think you've found a new tradition for us. Something we can do every year together," Gregory said from behind him.
***
The next afternoon Mycroft found himself once again walking after work--that fresh air really was pleasant, despite the cold. Anthea had offered to come with him, but he was on a mission. He had spent all morning researching different holiday traditions and found something he rather liked.
He went to the store that had numerous holiday decorations outside. He looked around for the item, happily grabbing it and walking to the check-out.
Mycroft smiled the whole way back to their flat. And he continued to smile as he placed the item. He felt like a child again. Maybe that's what Gregory meant.
A few hours later, later than normal, Gregory came home. Mycroft had been reading on the sofa. He placed a bookmark and went to greet him. He leaned against the door frame between the kitchen and living room. "Rough day?"
Gregory nodded. "Yeah. Everyone would have an easier time if people would just confess. It's clear we have you, why not confess and potentially get a lesser sentence?" He sighed, setting his coat down and walked over to Mycroft, grabbing his hands. "How about yours?"
"Good." Gregory smiled and meant to move away, when Mycroft tightened his hold. "I believe you owe me something."
Gregory looked at him. "What?"
Mycroft looked up, smirking slighlty. "I know I"m not incredibly well-versed in Christmas traditions and things, but I believe if caught under mistletoe, you are required to kiss the person there with you." Mycroft said softly, his face flushing.
Greg laughed his eyes still on the little sprig--Is that what it was even called?. "I suppose you're correct." He gently cupped Mycroft's face, pulling him in. He let his lips linger over Mycroft's before smiling. "Look at you, getting into the Christmas spirit."
Mycroft looked down. "I suppose, when with the right person, it's not too terrible." He pulled away from Gregory. "Would you like some tea?"
Greg nodded. "I would love some." He watched Mycroft until Mycroft's back was turned before pulling down the mistletoe. He would find a new spot for it so he could surprise Mycroft with it later.
Perhaps, they found their own Christmas traditions after all.
[AN: If you are curious as to the suits, I found these online:
http://www.esquire.com/cm/esquire/images/gs/black-suit-calvin-klein-0508-lg.jpg
http://www.suitgiant.com/image/cache/data/product/NAVY-Wide-Pinstripe-Double-Breasted-Suit-800x800.jpg
They were the inspiration to ones Mycroft was looking at]