"Mycroft?" Greg opened the door slowly, walking into the darkened hallway. It was 12:37 pm. Mycroft had called him and he had sounded a bit tense. Greg rushed over.
"Mycroft?" Greg called again into the dimness. He walked into the den and found him. Mycroft was lying face down on his couch, ramrod straight, with a pillow over his head. His arms were at his sides, palms up and his knees were slightly bent, feet resting on the armrest. The whole thing was comical.
"What are you doing?" Greg asked the strange man.
Mycroft slowly pulled the pillow from his head, letting it and his hand thump to the floor. When he rolled over, Greg could see him better and was immediately concerned. It looked like Mycroft hadn't shaven in a few days, stubble lining his jaw. He wore a robe, t-shirt and sweats. His hair was uncombed and flopped lifelessly into his face as he sat up, eyes still closed. He put his elbows on his knees and his chin in his hands.
"Gregory," Mycroft mumbled, barely audible. "C'mere."
Greg went and sat next to Mycroft and Mycroft leaned into Greg.
"I seem to have lost my ability to see, Gregory."
At first Greg was alarmed but then Mycroft chuckled. "Temporarily," Mycroft said. Greg sighed.
Suddenly Mycroft got up and stumbled into the hallway, making his way to the toilet. Greg ran after him but Mycroft just shut the door and locked it. "Myc, are you okay?" Greg's words were panicked and tense.
"No," Mycroft gasped and then purged the contents of his stomach into the toilet bowl.
Greg could hear his retching from the other side of the door. "I-I'm going to go make you some tea, okay?" He walked into the kitchen, made sure the kettle had water, and then flipped it on. He scrabbled around, going through the cabinets to find the tea, sugar and honey. He opened the refrigerator and pulled out the milk.
After finally getting everything laid out in front of him, Greg heard the kettle tick, signaling that it was boiled. Greg, being predominately a coffee drinker, wasn't entirely sure how people liked their tea. Everyone was different. He found some teabags that were labeled 'Earl Grey blend' and figured that Mycroft would like it. He plopped a bag in the cup and poured the water over it. Adding the honey then the sugar and finally the milk, he stirred. I hope this is alright, thought the disgruntled DI.
Greg walked into the den and set the cup down on the small coffee table and waited for Mycroft, pacing the floor.
Mycroft calmly walked back in five or six minutes later, eyelids heavy and head pounding. "I can see, but it seems that you are a blur and not in colour." His brow furrowed as he spotted the teacup on the coffee table. "You made me tea?"
Greg glanced down at the cup and back up at Mycroft. "Oh! Yes. I, uh… I tried."
Mycroft plopped unceremoniously onto the couch, Greg sitting down next to him. As he lifted the cup to his mouth, slightly annoyed that Greg had forgotten a saucer, Mycroft's hands shook. He took a sip and cringed, but hid it from Greg, who was watching him intently.
"Very nice," Mycroft lied, setting the cup back down. He gave a reassuring smile to his companion, making a mental note to teach Greg how to properly brew tea when he was well again.
Greg's shoulders relaxed, relieved that Mycroft was okay.
Mycroft leaned into him and they both stretched out together on the couch. With his back propped up against the arm of the couch, Greg ran his fingers through Mycroft's hair, soothing the elder Holmes brother. Mycroft drifted into a doze, murmuring when Greg whispered to him.
Mycroft felt Greg lean forward a bit to readjust and turned over to pull him down into a lying position. They lay facing each other, closely snuggled together on the couch. Greg kissed Mycroft on the forehead and runs and hand behind the man's head, rubbing his neck. Mycroft tilted his head up and kissed Greg on the mouth, his breath tasting like milk and honey. Greg sighed and brought his hand up to caress Mycroft's rough cheek.
Mycroft fell asleep in Greg's arms, his headache fading. Greg smiled down at the snoozing man, happy that he was able to help.