Work Text:
The King of Media, Charles Augustus Milverton woke up on that morning with a sore throat. He immediately knew what this meant and he accepted it with some heavy annoyance.
He ended up catching the cold.
Well, to admit, he suspected something like this after he got caught in the rain back from a blackmail negotiation. His carriage was not parking far away, but he still got soaking wet by the time he got there. His recently hired secretary, Ruskin offered his own coat to hold above his head, but Milverton refused it. What would he even look like with a coat above his head? Besides, he didn't want the young man to get sick either. After all, it was not set in stone that Milverton will fall sick, but Ruskin definitely would have if he runs around without a coat.
Milverton started coughing. This was the moment when his secretary stepped in the room to wake him up.
"Mr. Milverton! Is everything alright?" Ruskin's expression immediately became worried. He rushed to Milverton and grabbed his hand, clinging up to him like he was about to die. "Did you get sick?"
"Only a little. There is no need for you to worry." Milverton tried to calm his overprotective secretary down, attempting to take his hand back but Ruskin held him strongly and didn't seem like he wanted to let him go, so Milverton let it be. Especially that what he said, resulted in the opposite effect of what he wanted. Ruskin's worry grew even more.
"You are sick, sir!" Ruskin cried out and shamefully lowered his head. "It is my fault. I needed to give you my coat in the end!"
Milverton had no idea why Ruskin blamed himself when it was him who ordered him to not take down his coat. But Ruskin was always a strange one, the most unusual - and at the same time, the most hardworking and most trustable secretary Milberton ever had. Ruskin always acted around him like Milverton was not just his employer, but they were also family. Milverton couldn't understand him, but he also didn't mind his behaviour... even if it was sometimes hard to bear.
"It is fine, Ruskin." He told his secretary who watched him with fearful, wide eyes. "You merely obeyed an order. That's why you are on my side - to fulfill what I ask from you." Milverton reminded him, hoping that it would make Ruskin feel better. But the young man shook his head.
"I am not only on your side to assist you, sir." He pointed out. "I also need to protect you and take care of you if you happen to fall ill."
The serious way Ruskin stated this to him made Milverton chuckle.
"I don't remember hiring you as my bodyguard or nurse." He noted, but Ruskin didn't pay attention to his remark. He looked through Milverton to inspect his state. Milverton was sure that he also wanted to touch his forehead to check his temperature - and he was right.
"I am sorry, sir." Ruskin said slowly and he turned red even before he continued. "May I... may I touch your forehead? I need to see if you have a fever." He rambled and Milverton didn't doubt that he would have loved to touch his face even if he was not sick. This amused him. He smiled at Ruskin and just nodded.
"Suit yourself."
He watched as Ruskin slowly reached out. His fingers were trembling when he touched Milverton's forehead and he kept his hand there longer than it was necessary. Milverton saw that he blushed. It was not surprising - Ruskin treated him like he was his god or the love of his life. Milverton was actually not against either of those until the young man didn't betray him. He needed to admit as well that Ruskin's touch was not particularly unlikeable. But Milverton chased this thought away. He didn't want to grow fond of his secretary, that could only give his enemies a weak point and Milverton couldn't allow that.
"So?" He glanced at his secretary, reminding Ruskin that he was still holding him. "What is your verdict, doctor?" He joked.
To that, Ruskin removed his hand and cleared his throat. He was still flustered when he looked at Milverton.
"Luckily, you don't have a fever, sir." He announced and added in a serious tone. "But it is better if we still call the doctor."
"Ruskin, this is just a cold." Milverton rolled his eyes. He expected Ruskin to say that - but he didn't want a doctor around himself. Milverton was not afraid of doctors, oh no, but they still made him feel uneasy.
"Yes, sir, but it can develop to something more severe." Ruskin noted and he seemed to have decided on the doctor already. Milverton let out a sigh. He could see that his secretary got into one of his stubborn moods. It was easier to give in and get over the doctor quickly than getting into an endless argument with the young man.
"Fine. Call him here." He gestured and tilted his head. "But only if after he sees me, you will calm down and stop acting like I am on my deathbed." He stated clearly. Ruskin kept the eye contact and he looked like he wanted to grab Milverton's hand again, but in the end, he didn't do anything.
"Your health is really important for me, sir. This is the only reason I act like that." He replied quietly. Then his attitude became professional. "I will arrange the doctor immediately and after that, I will make you a tea." He said and he was about to leave the room when Milverton stopped him.
"I would love a tea." He admitted and let what he was thinking slip out of his mouth. "Thank you."
He didn't know what got into him all of a sudden, but after Ruskin's little confession, his care was not so bothersome anymore. Ruskin looked back and smiled.
"It is natural, sir."
He is really a strange young man, Milverton thought and he shrugged his shoulders.
But there was no problem with that.