Prompt : Oh my, John wakes up one morning with a 'love bite' just under his ear and his collar doesn't hide it. He doesn't notice it but everyone else does.

Disclaimer: Downton Abbey and its characters belong to Julian Fellowes.

He couldn't help but smile at his own happiness and delight. Last night had been amazing, everything he had ever dreamed of and even more. John felt light and completely enamoured with life, something that was so new to him but that he couldn't wait to get used to it. Maybe he never would, maybe all his remaining nights with her would always be unbelievable and urgent, an intensity of passion that sometimes made him ache from the inside out, but if that would be their truth then he was very thankful. For one thing he knew; he would wake up every morning with a warm feeling in his belly as she slept besides him, and he would think himself the luckiest and happiest of men.

Their first night, after a month of waiting, had revealed to be a night of discoveries. Indeed, he never imagined that his Anna would be such an ardent creature, so much different from what she had been on their wedding night, but he wouldn't complain one bit. He relished in her demands and wishes, needs and eager touches and he couldn't help but feel his eyes tearing as he took her in his arms.

But the morning came and they had to break the spell for the rest of the day, until night would come and they would find themselves in their home once again.

John entered the servants hall with a very pleased look on his face and a paper in his hands. He sat alone, waiting for Anna and tea when Daisy asked him if he would want have it now or wait.

'I'll wait for Anna, Daisy. Thank you.'

'Alright…did you hurt yourself, Mr Bates?'

'Excuse me?' He looked up at her from his book and she was pointed to her neck.

'On your neck. Maybe you got bitten by some insect?'

He rubbed the area and felt nothing. 'Here?'

'Daisy! I told you to bring the tea not to make a trip to London!'

'Sorry, Mrs Patmore, I was just saying to Mr Bates that he has a very red spot under his ear, maybe something bit him…'

'What's this?' Mrs Hughes entered the room. 'Are you all admiring Mr Bates now?' the housekeeper smiled.

'Maybe I scratched myself somewhere…I'm alright.' John said, a bit uncomfortable.

'I think it was a very big mosquito.' Said Daisy.

Mrs Hughes and Mrs Patmore looked the red spot with attentive eyes. 'A very big one then…' remarked Mrs Patmore.

'Oh yes, he got bitten alright, but not by a mosquito, I reckon.' Thomas walked towards them with a teasing look on his face.

'I'm going to see if Anna's finished,' and with that John stood up and exited the room.

'By what then, Mr Barrow?' Daisy asked.

'By what? He just went to get bitten again.'

Mrs Hughes and Mrs Patmore both shared knowing looks and rushed Daisy to the kitchen, talking no further on the matter.

XXXXXX

'Oh! There you are!' he sighed, relieved.

'I thought you were going to wait for me downstairs.'

'I couldn't really, I was being assaulted.'

'What?' Anna was confused but his tender smile made her feel at ease.

'Nevermind, love,' he said in a whisper, leaning into her.

'What's that in your neck?'

'Well, I should ask you, Mrs Bates. And next time you decide to mark me do it in a place where no one but you can see, and spare me of the most horrendous of questionings.'

The understanding on her face made her cheeks turn red and he couldn't help but smile at her. Ever so lady-like during the day, if only they knew what she transformed herself into at night.