Work Text:
Charles Augustus Milverton put the pen back to its place and leaned back in the chair. He was finally done with the work he scheduled for himself for today. His secretary, Ruskin, was not in the study with him anymore. Ruskin asked Milverton's permission to leave sometime in the morning and he didn't come back ever since then. Milverton wondered what was so important. Ruskin usually stayed by his side even when Milverton was done with the tasks and he didn't need to assist in anything anymore. Ruskin's behaviour was unusual and it gave Milverton a slightly bad feeling. He needed to admit that he missed Ruskin's devoted expression.
Really, where could his secretary go?
Milherton didn't need to think about that for long. In the next moment, he heard a knock on the door and Ruskin stepped inside the room. Milverton noticed that he tried to hide his smile when he started to talk.
"I am back, sir. Is there anything I need to assist you with?" He asked.
Milverton shook his head.
"No. I finished everything already alone." He answered and the last word contained a little resentment. Of course, Ruskin picked up on it immediately and gave an apologizing bow.
"I am really sorry, Mr. Milverton. There was something I truly needed to do. But now, the preparations are finally finished. Would you come with me?"
Milverton raised his eyebrows. It seemed that Ruskin arranged something for him - but what? And why? He still didn't get the situation, but he gave in and stood up.
"I can." He said and he followed Ruskin out of the room.
Milverton was surprised to see that instead of the living room, the dining hall or the carriage, they went down to the basement, to the place where only Milverton, Ruskin and the bodyguards had a key for. When they stepped into the room, Ruskin locked the door behind themselves again and switched on the lamp. There was a nicely decorated table in the middle of it, on it, a delicious looking strawberry cake. Milverton's eyes widened - especially when he noticed a huge package at the corner of the basement. It was like an enormous present. What was all this about, Milverton wanted to ask, but before anything could come out of his mouth, Ruskin smiled at him.
"Happy Birthday, Mr. Milverton."
His birthday! Milverton realized that he completely forgot about it - but Ruskin clearly didn't and he prepared a little celebration for him. The resentment he felt for his secretary faded away, and instead, a sudden wave of joy filled his soul.
"Thank you, Ruskin." He smiled back and sat down at the table to inspect his cake from closer. "It is bigger than usual." He noted with excitement while Ruskin walked there and sliced up the cake. "And you put so many strawberries onto it!"
The complimenting words made Ruskin blush.
"Of course, sir. It is your favourite food. I want to see you happy, especially on your birthday."
Milverton took up a fork and started eating. The cake was not only tempting, but sweet, like Ruskin always made them. Milverton had a sweet tooth and he was fond of the desserts Ruskin made. And the fact that it was for his birthday made him pleased on top of that.
While he was still eating, he gestured at the huge package at the corner.
"And what is that?" He asked and his eyes sparkled up. "Is that my present?"
Ruskin cheerfully nodded.
"Yes, sir. I brought you something that I am sure will make this day special for you. What would you like to get the most in the world?"
Milverton saw that he could barely wait to show his present, so he quickly thought of an answer.
"All who ever opposed me to get defeated."
Ruskin let out a chuckle.
"Well, I contributed to that wish, Mr. Milverton. Here's your gift." He told him and stepping to the package, he uncovered what was under it.
"Ruskin!" This was the moment when an enthusiastic cry left Milverton's mouth. He just stared at his gift and he couldn't believe that his secretary truly managed to make one of his wishes come true. Under the cover, two men were sitting, strongly tied to each other; there were rags in their mouths and blindfolds on their eyes. Yet, Milverton could still recognize them perfectly. The black-haired one was the Consulting Detective Sherlock Holmes whom he humiliated before several times and whom he got bored of by now - and his blond-haired companion was the Lord of Crime, William James Moriarty who crossed Milverton's evil plans a few times. Milverton would have liked to see their demise and now, they were here captured by his secretary, who really wanted to make his birthday unforgettable.
Milverton watched the satisfying sight of his enemies defeated and his heart just couldn't fill with it. Ruskin stepped back to him with a shy smile on his face.
"I am glad that you like my present, sir."
Milverton glanced at Ruskin and his hand wandered to his red cheek. He gently patted it.
"I like it very much. Thank you."
Ruskin took his hand and gave a loving kiss to his skin.
"This is not all, sir." He noted and walked back to Holmes and Moriarty and unfolded their eyes. Milverton saw the hatred in their gazes when they spotted Milverton. Holmes wanted to jump up, but he couldn't. Ruskin did a good job with the ropes.
Ruskin pulled out a pistol from his suit and pointed the barrel at the two men.
"I will explain to you what will happen now." He started. "I will remove the rags from your mouths and you will sing the Happy Birthday song to Mr. Milverton. If Mr. Holmes is not keen to sing, I will shoot Mr. Moriarty in the head and vice versa. If you say anything bad about Mr. Milverton, both of you are dead and I will make sure to hunt down the rest of your loved ones as well. Understood?" He asked harshly and waited until both Holmes and Moriarty nodded.
"Choose wisely." Ruskin murmured and a second later, he removed the rags. Milverton was excited to see what the two men's decision would be - their pride or each other.
But he already had a guess.
"Happy birthday to you..." started the song. Milverton leaned back in the chair and listened to it with a victorious grin. Neither Holmes nor Moriarty could sing well, but it didn't matter. After all, his enemies were under his feet and they just humiliated themselves. He was happy with all the presents he got from Ruskin. It was the perfect birthday celebration.