Hi everyone, this is part II to my series "Paths We Walk Together." Part I is "Unavoidable" ( fanfiction s/12587776/1/Unavoidable). I hope you all enjoy! I recommend reading the previous story first, as it deals with the lead up to Greg's suicide attempt and why Mycroft is brought closer to him.

Greg nervously held onto his bag. He was leaving the hospital today, and he wasn't sure how he felt about it. He initially was very anxious to leave, but after spending some time there, he'd gotten used to people always being around. And now he was headed back home, where it was just dark and empty. Mycroft had assured him that he'd have someone around at all times, but it wasn't quite the same. The idea felt more like he was under guard than having company. He still wasn't sure what would happen once he'd arrived home… he couldn't look at his bedroom the same way again.

Briefly he wondered if he should just get a new bed. He'd definitely need new sheets, having bled all over the ones he had; and since the blood had likely seeped through into the mattress, it would be more hygienic to just get a new one. Greg didn't want to admit that he felt uncomfortable sleeping or resting somewhere that still bore evidence of his suicide attempt. He couldn't really put a reason on it exactly, and so had kept it quiet since Mycroft had said he could go home.

Greg took a deep breath. He was seated on the edge of his bed, waiting for Mycroft to come and pick him up. He reminisced over the past three weeks, and how Mycroft had surprisingly been there for most of it. He knew that the man practically ran the British Government, and so had thought that when Mycroft said 'as much as possible', he'd meant just a five minute visit once a week. Sure, Mycroft had spend lots of time on his phone, and off on calls, but ultimately he'd strived to be around for Greg. It made the detective feel warm inside to think about it.

If he was being honest with himself, he'd found himself growing fond of the elder Holmes. He missed it when Mycroft was away, and couldn't help but smile every time that ginger head would pop in his doorway. And he knew that part of why he was sad to leave the hospital was knowing that once he was back in his dreary flat, Mycroft wouldn't come by as much.

"Are you ready Gregory?"

Greg looked up at the doorway to see the man himself standing there.

"Yeah, got my stuff right here." Greg responded, lifting the bag with his good arm.

Since the … incident… Greg hadn't been able to do a whole lot with his left arm. He was right handed, which was lucky, but he still felt hindered at the restriction. It was getting better slowly with physical therapy, but the pain was still there if he used those muscles too much. Typing and general hand movements were fine, thankfully, but using it to carry much weight was still an issue. John had told him that he was lucky, with a playful smile hinting at his bullet wound in his shoulder, and Greg had chuckled.

"What is it?" Mycroft asked him.

"Oh… nothing." Greg said and carried his belongings with him as he left the room. He hadn't realised he'd been sitting there in silence thinking.

Mycroft made a move to carry Greg's bag, but Greg shooed him away playfully. He rather enjoyed Mycroft's kindness, or 'chivalry' as Greg had said once, but he still wanted to do things himself.

"How do you feel about leaving?"

Greg looked over at Mycroft. They were both sitting in the back of his car being driven back to Greg's place. Greg frowned a little.

"Honestly I'm a bit sad."
"Why?" Mycroft asked, a hint of concern lacing his voice.

"Oh, just… it wasn't lonely, there. I didn't like some things, sure, but it was nice to have people around. Visitors who actually wanted to see me and cared enough to come around."

Mycroft sat there silently. He'd been trying hard to give Gregory room to talk openly, but it was still difficult to continue asking questions. He was always afraid of asking something inappropriate or pushing something too far. He wondered which thought he should say and direct the conversation, a problem he often had - he'd think of three or four directions he could take from Greg's statement, but wasn't sure which was more important.

"Are you afraid of being alone?"
Greg looked at him and raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, right, I am aware of your general…er… aversion to being alone, but I was referring to more specifically today in going back to your home."

"Yes." Greg uttered.

There was a small silence.

"You… you don't have to, you know." Mycroft said awkwardly.

Greg had gotten used to seeing a completely different side to Mycroft than most people saw, but he still noticed certain things. The unsteady tone the man used when trying to express his own feelings, for example. Or saying something that would hint at his feelings. Which was why Greg knew that Mycroft was wanting to say something he considered embarrassing because of his feelings in the matter.

"I have to leave the hospital eventually, Mycroft."

"No… I mean, you … you don't have to go back to your flat if you don't want to."

Greg smiled at his friend and chuckled while responding.

"You asking me to move in with you?"

Mycroft suddenly went wide-eyed and panicky.

"No, I mean, yes, but only for company's sake, and not permanently, because I don't assume…"
"Hey it's ok, I was joking. I can be depressed and still make jokes, you know."

"Yes, of course. I'm sorry, Gregory. I just want to do what I can to make things easier for you, and if you would prefer staying at my place…"
"Oh. Well… yeah, I guess I'd feel less like I was being guarded if the people you have 'watch' me are supposed to be around your house anyway…"

"Yes, indeed, but I had hoped that I would be able to be in your company more often…" Mycroft said quietly. He still had issues with being open about his true intentions and feelings when they were of a personal nature. But he was trying.

Mycroft had felt a more-than-professional attraction to the DI quite some time ago, however shoved those ideas out of his mind as much as possible. It was inappropriate to attempt to get involved with, or even daydream about, his brother's friend. And it would have opened him up to difficulty relating to where his 'loyalties lie' in Sherlock's eyes. The last thing he wanted was for his little brother to turn away from Lestrade's offer of cases and head back down the road of drugs to pass the time. And, of course, it would provide leverage against him… and he'd never forgive himself if something had happened to Gregory as a means for his enemies to gain advantages over him.

All of those thoughts, however, had changed. He couldn't suppress his feelings anymore, no matter how he tried, and found his mind wandering into thoughts regarding the DI in casual setting instead of a workplace environment. Realising that he'd almost lost Gregory had hit him hard, and something inside himself had snapped and wanted to take every opportunity there was. He'd almost lost his chance to have Gregory in his life, and now that he had a second chance, it seemed like his mind wasn't letting him have any other option. He didn't know exactly what he even wanted; he'd scolded himself regarding his thoughts, but he knew he just wanted to be … closer, somehow.

"You alright?"

Mycroft's attention snapped back to the car and the other occupant.

"Yes, sorry, I was just considering…"
"Considering?" Greg asked, a little nervous. Was Mycroft wanting to retract his offer?

"Just considering how I would very much enjoy your presence in my house."

Greg blushed slightly and smiled. Mycroft had been acting rather affectionate over the past few weeks in hospital, and Greg couldn't help but love it. John had been a whole lot nicer too, but it wasn't quite the same. There was friendship there with the both of them, but Greg kept picking up on little hints dropped his way that there might be another layer to Mycroft's caring. He would tell himself that he was being silly, that no one would suddenly turn around after a suicide attempt and want to date said person. But then there'd be that sparkle in Mycroft's eye, the warmth of his smile, an innocent enough sounding offer… and Greg would sit there thinking… maybe.