Work Text:
Even as a boy, I had disliked the touch of others, finding it uncomfortable at best and actively painful at worst. This affliction, which I shared with my brother Mycroft, had the effect of making me skittish when in the company of others. One could never tell when a sudden touch would come.
In a dangerous line of work, this occasionally caused some little complication. I never noticed the discomfort of touch when fighting, for my thoughts bent towards victory, but the aftermath could be more difficult. Particularly in instances like this, when I had been injured, and could not tend to myself easily.
In the early years when Watson and I traveled together, fighting against the monsters which ruled our world, I had not permitted him to help me even in such times. In my stubbornness, I had tended my own wounds and managed my own care no matter the difficulty.
Watson would say it was not wholly stubbornness, and that such resistance was reasonable in the face of the pain touch caused me. But then, Watson has always been the kindest of men, a most gentle soul who would forgive me any weakness.
A gentle soul indeed, yet a master of the knife, and equally a master of persuading me to be a little more reasonable. Long ago, when I was so injured that I could not move at all, he had coaxed me to permit his care. I could not say no to his earnest, hopeful entreaties.
I could not say no to them now, either. I had dislocated one shoulder in a fight, and had a bayonet driven into the other. As a result, even with my dislocated shoulder back in place, caring for myself had become difficult at best, impossible at worst.
But I need not care for myself, for Watson was by my side, and eager to help as always.
Over our time together, it had become a little easier for me to bear his touch. It could still be painful when unexpected, and prolonged contact hurt. Thus, Watson never touched me unexpectedly except in emergency, and limited the duration of such touch.
Presently, he was brushing my hair. He warned me of any change in position, giving me time to prepare myself. When I tensed, he paused, and only resumed once I calmed.
Thus, I relaxed, and trusted in my friend’s gentle care.