Chapter Two: Skeletons

1979

For the past year, Mycroft Holmes had found himself a new best friend, it wasn't until he'd met Gregory Lestrade that he realized friendship was even an option. He'd never truly had a friend as a little boy, not like Sherlock had had Victor..well until a few months ago. Mycroft being nearly seven years older tended not to relate well to his younger siblings, he knew Sherlock loved him, and the boy who was now seven was full of love and affection for only his big brother, but aside from Sherlock's loving touch, Gregory was the only other person in the world who seemed to truly like spending time with Mycroft.

They'd spent nearly every weekend together since they'd first met a year ago, but for some reason, lately, it seemed like Gregory had been pulling away from him. At first, when it had begun nearly two months ago, he'd worried it was Gregory's way of telling him he didn't want to be friends anymore, but Gregory continued to assure him that was not the case. Then, for the last two weekends, Mycroft hadn't seen his friend at all.

So when Monday rolled around, he was more worried than anything about his Gregory, and as he neared the taller, older boy that morning, he realized it was with good reason. The boy in question, who was now sixteen and seemed to have tapered off around 180 cm or so, he was now tall and had filled out quite a bit as well. However, instead of his usual uniform, he wasn't wearing his blazer, it had been removed and he had a button down shirt, with his sleeves rolled up, and his left arm was sporting a bulky cast that went from his hand to his elbow.

Mycroft drew closer, walking around the boy, who's demeanor was usually much more upbeat and pleasant, to see sagged shoulders, and to Mycroft's horror, a deep black and blue bruises marring his handsome features, covering his left temple, and leaving a black eye as well.

"Gregory," Mycroft gasped as he drew near. Much like Gregory had suggested the previous year, he'd shot up nearly overnight between his thirteenth and fourteenth year, and was now about as tall as Gregory. He'd lost much of his fat as well, and was lean and lanky, which was mostly thanks to Gregory helping him train and eat better.

"Please don't," Greg whispered, his voice a mere shadow of it's usual self.

"But, what on earth happened?" Mycroft questioned.

"Nothing," the other boy replied as he shut his locker, he looked up, meeting Mycroft's beautiful pale blue eyes, and for the first time ever, all Mycroft saw was sadness. "Just got in the way."

Mycroft hesitated to ask if it was someone's fist, but he kept the question to himself, Gregory had always respected his privacy when it came to Eurus, so Gregory deserved the same respect. So, he just nodded and together the duo headed to class.

TBC