Warnings: For emetophobes, this features drunk!hungover!Sherlock, so you know what that means. Being an emetophobe myself, I did not go into detail as far as that goes (there isn't even a mention of THE word). If you have no clue what emetophobia is, you probably won't be bothered by it! Enjoy!

When Sherlock had come stumbling home at three in the morning, reeking of beer, Mycroft had been aghast. Sherlock and drinking did not go together, especially during winter break, when Mycroft had just returned home from university.

His father and mum had not even noticed Sherlock's little disappearance, probably because they had been working tirelessly up to the holiday.

Pursing his lips and whispering to his brother to shut up, Mycroft led Sherlock through the dark house and into his bedroom. The mass of curly hair giggled and collapsed into the bed.

"Get underneath the quilt!" Mycroft ordered through clenched teeth.

"M'crof?" Sherlock slurred. "Wha're you doing herr? Ar'n you at school?"

"No, Sherlock, I returned from uni four days ago. Not that you'd remember, I suppose."

"I've been t'a social gather'n."

Mycroft stared at his brother. Sherlock, invited to a party? No…

"Who invited you?"

"I did." Sherlock laughed.

Mycroft smacked a hand over the younger boy's mouth. "Quiet, fool! Do you want Father to discover you intoxicated?"

"Um, no?" Sherlock smacked his lips accidently, then cracked a grin at the sound of it. He smacked his lips again.

"Quit it."

The following morning was not as pleasant for Sherlock.

While Mycroft was asleep in a velvet armchair next to his little brother's bed, Mrs. Holmes opened the door.

"Sherlock?" she called gently. "Wake up, breakfast is ready. Oh, Mycroft!" She gasped in surprise, her hand over her heart. "Good gracious, you scared me!"

Mycroft's eyes flashed open. "Sorry, Mummy. I, um, Sherlock was feeling well last night so I stayed with him."

A plausible story, for sure.

"Oh, the poor dear." She entered the room. "Sherlock?"

At the mention of his name, although a rather late reaction, Sherlock opened one eye and groaned. Smelling the sizzling bacon and eggs coming from the kitchen, the younger brother turned a pale shade of green and quickly leaned over the opposing side of his bed.

Mycroft was on his feet in an instant. "Mother, do we have any Pepto Bismol?"

"I think so! Sherlock sweetie, I'll be right back!" she told him, hurrying out of the room.

"Sherlock," Mycroft said, resting his hands on the end of the bed, "do you remember what you did last night?"

Sherlock sat upright, coughing a little. Mycroft watched Sherlock make the appropriate deductions. He was still dressed in his clothes from last night. He grabbed a fistful of his shirt and nearly immediately recoiled, it stinking of alcohol. Sherlock's eyes widened and he paled.

Mycroft raised an eyebrow. "Shall I help you to the restroom?"

"Mycroft, did I..." He trailed off and closed his eyes, clearly fighting nausea. "Did I go out last night?"

"Some party." Mycroft scoffed. "Quite a mess you've made of things, hm?"

Sherlock made a face. "Party? I don't attend parties. Do Mummy and Father know?"

"No, I've made sure of that. An influenza strand has been going around the university, so you may have picked it up from me." Mycroft leaned close to his younger brother's ear. "Although, if you should pull another stunt like this, even while I'm away at school, I shall come back home and beat some sense into you."

Sherlock would've chuckled had he not felt so sick. Mycroft threatening him? That was laughable. Another wave of nausea hit him and his stomach lurched. Like a tiger after its prey, Mycroft lunged for the wastebasket in the corner of the room and practically threw it into Sherlock's hands.

Mrs. Holmes returned, pink bottle in hand. "Oh, sweetheart," she cooed with a hand on her son's back, "must be the flu."

"Oh, yes, Mother. Some of the students at uni have had similar symptoms." Mycroft winked at his pale brother before exiting the bedroom. Sherlock moaned and pulled the blankets up to his chin, vowing to never drink again. For awhile.

AN - Hello, once again! Next chapter should be up either much later tonight (think wee hours of the morning) or later tomorrow evening. DarylDixon'sgirl1985, Prothoe, VioletErin.26 and GloriousMuser, thanks for your reviews! Much appreciated and they made me smile :) I hope everyone has a good rest of the night! Lots of love,

~VW