It had been an accident, just a single slip in security that on any other day would have had no impact at all.
The burning pain as the teeth of the detained man sank into his arm was a shock, but he held still and allowed his bodyguards to wrestle the man away from him. He immediately left the interrogation room and walked rapidly back to his office, ignoring the stinging pain as best he could.
"Mr Holmes." Anthea called after him, jogging a little to keep up with the tall man's strides, "Mr Holmes, stop. You're bleeding."
Mycroft ignored her worried words until they were safely hidden away inside his office.
Anthea got the first aid kit out from one of the filing cabinets and began to unpack it on the desk. She had basic medical training and was more than capable of dealing with a bleeding bite mark.
Mycroft gasped a little, his hand forming a fist as he tried to breathe through the burning pain that seemed to be working its way up his arm.
"Are you alright?" Anthea asked gently, carefully dabbing alcohol disinfectant against the bleeding wound on his arm.
"I don't know. My arm feels strange. Like it's burning." Mycroft admitted, tensing his muscles again as the burning seared through him.
"Maybe it's an infection?" Anthea suggested.
"If so then it's a fast-moving infection." Mycroft murmured, watching her clean the wound.
"I'll give you a shot to stop anything from taking hold." Anthea replied, "This bite is nasty, he really sank his teeth in."
"I'm going to call it a day, I think. I'm already late and Gregory will be waiting for me." Mycroft said, holding still so she could wrap a bandage around his arm.
"I'll finish off the paperwork from today." Anthea assured, stepping back and letting go of him once she was done with his arm.
"What would I do without you?" Mycroft asked with a smile as he pulled on his suit jacket and then his coat.
"You wouldn't be able to move for paperwork, that's for sure." Anthea replied with a teasing wink, "Have a good night, boss. I'll see you in the morning."
"Goodnight, Anthea." Mycroft said with a nod, collecting up his umbrella and briefcase before he made his way out of the office.
"What time do you call this?" came Gregory's voice from the kitchen as Mycroft shut and locked the front door behind him.
"Sorry, I'm late." Mycroft called back, taking a moment to hang up his umbrella and coat in the hall before he made his way through to the kitchen.
"I made dinner. It's just about done, which is very lucky for you." Gregory replied, turning to face with his partner.
"Would you have saved me any?" Mycroft asked, pecking his partner's lips as he moved past him.
"Definitely not. You would have been forced to make your own dinner." Gregory replied with a smile.
"A fitting punishment." Mycroft agreed as he poured himself a glass of wine.
"How was work?" Gregory asked, leaning against the counter.
"Tedious." Mycroft admitted with a sigh, "If only I could have had my wonderful partner bring me lunch."
"I do have a career as well, you know." Gregory laughed softly, "Sit down, Mr British Government, your dinner is ready."
Mycroft sat down at the kitchen table, placing his wine down carefully. His arm was still burning, but he was determined to ignore it and focus on his partner's cooking.
"You look a little peaky. Did you hurt yourself at work?" Gregory asked, recognizing the signs of a hidden injury as brought the plates over and he sat down.
"It's nothing, just a scratch. Anthea dealt with it for me." Mycroft assured, picking up his cutlery and tucking into the meal.
"Ah! Close the curtains!" Mycroft gasped, the sun's rays burning his skin as Gregory threw open the curtains in the morning.
"What? Are you alright?" Gregory asked worriedly, watching his partner throw the duvet over himself to escape the sun's rays. He closed the curtains quickly and then climbed back onto the bed.
"I can't explain the feeling, Gregory. It was truly painful to have the sun beaming down on my skin like that." Mycroft admitted, moving out from under the duvet.
"Is this to do with your mystery injury?" Gregory asked, pointedly looking at Mycroft's bandaged arm, "You weren't injected with a test drug, were you?"
"As if I'd let myself get tested on in Baskerville." Mycroft scoffed, but couldn't resist the urge to glance down at the bandage too. He'd felt strange ever since he'd received the bite mark.
"Maybe you should take a day off? Stress can often cause hypersensitivity to light." Gregory suggested gently, "You have been working long hours."
"I've worked long hours since before we met, Gregory. Stress isn't new to me." Mycroft replied.
"I know, but stress building up over a long period of time can cause breakdowns." Gregory pointed out.
"Are you suggesting that I'm having a breakdown?" Mycroft asked with a frown.
"No, I'm suggesting that you need to spend a day in bed with your phone turned off." Gregory replied, leaning over and kissing Mycroft, "I have to go to work. Text Anthea and tell her you're having a sick day."
"Where's the fun in having a sick day if I'm on my own?" Mycroft pouted, pulling Gregory closer.
"No, I'm not playing that game. I need to go and babysit your brother." Gregory murmured, gently freeing himself from Mycroft's hold, "Stay in bed and sleep. You'll feel better afterwards."
"Have a good day, dear." Mycroft sighed, letting Gregory get off the bed.
"I expect dinner to be on the table when I return." Gregory teased, winking at Mycroft before he left the bedroom.