Work Text:
Charles Augustus Milverton let out a sigh and put down the pen. He finally finished writing the letters that required his personal management and what he couldn't give to his secretary as a task. He hated nothing more than the dull paperwork and it tired him out - yet, he never skipped it because he was well aware that it was necessary to keep his power as a media mogul which was also needed for his evil influence and manipulation to thrive. Evil was like air for Milverton, he breathed it every day and he was ready to make a sacrifice for it if it was necessary. He did it today - which meant that he could finally take a break. He put the papers back in the safe, carefully locking them away as he always did - the safety of his papers was very important - and he stood up from the chair.
He walked to the sofa where his cat was lying and gave a curious look at her. It was one of Milverton's greatest secrets that he was deeply fond of cats and he kept several in the manor - not just for them to catch the mice but as pets as well. Milverton didn't like showing affection, he wanted to always come across serious to keep his image, so his relationship with the cats stayed hidden and he only played with them behind closed doors. He reached out and patted the cat who first yawned then she looked up at Milverton. Milverton was satisfied to hear that she started purring, it was a good breaktime activity to occupy himself with the cat. He sat down on the sofa and continued patting her. The cat's purring and the touch of the soft fur comforted him. Milverton soon forgot about his annoyance with the company document and only two things existed for him in the world.
He and the cat.
Long minutes passed in peaceful silence, then, as Milverton put his hand down on the cat's back, she playfully hit Milverton's fingers with her paw and let out a mew. Milverton let out a chuckle and tilted his head.
"Would you like to play?" He asked with a smile. The cat mewed again in agreement and looked at Milverton with wide eyes. She was clearly ready for some fun. Milverton was not against of a little playtime, so he stood up from the sofa and walked back to the desk to grab a toy. He kept some cat toys in one of the drawers of his table. He hesitated at first which one he should choose and he ended up fetching a feather. He went back to the cat and bowed down on the floor. Now he didn't care if he gets dirty from the carpet of not - not like it wasn’t cleaned every day by the servants of his household.
"Then let's play, shall we?" He said cheerfully and started to wave the feather in front of the cat who first just hit it with her paws then she became more active and tried to hunt it down, jumping on it as Milverton shook the feather. She bit onto the feather, but Milverton was ready to draw it back to play with it a little longer. After some time, he let the cat taste the feeling of victory. When she caught the feather, he didn't take it away, just let the cat bite and tear it. It was a fun thing to watch, cats were lively, mischievous and independent creatures who played with the prey exactly how Milverton played with his blackmail victims. That was one of the reasons why Milverton liked them that much. Cats reminded him of himself - they also felt like demonic creatures who were naturally drawn to evil fun. Just like Milverton.
He watched the cat with a smile on his face. He was unaware how innocent he looked now, comparison here or there. He was currently not the incarnation of pure evil but a man who loved his cat and made sure to bring her a good time.
"Mr. Milverton."
Milverton got startled by the sudden voice coming from behind his back. He froze in his place and he let the feather go, which, as it was successfully captured by the cat, seemed to be doomed to its fate. The cat grabbed it with her fangs and ran to the corner to play with it in peace. Milverton was finally able to drag himself out of the shock and he looked up at the man standing behind him.
"Ruskin. Is there a problem?" He asked and stood up. It was his secretary, the only person who was aware of his secret regarding the cats. Milverton trusted Ruskin completely, but it still crossed his mind what Ruskin was thinking now as he saw him playing with a cat like he was just a child.
"I am sorry that I startled you, sir." Ruskin said and Milverton noticed that there was an almost invisible smile at the corner of his mouth. He is not sorry at all, he thought. He actually liked the sight. "I just wanted to ask you if I can serve you the tea. It is almost five a clock." He continued with a blushing face.
Milverton smiled back at his secretary. He was not angry at Ruskin, at this moment, with that shy smile on his face and the tiny blush, he found him as cute as the cat he was playing with. He reached out and patted the blushing cheeks.
"You can." He answered in a mellow voice. "I got thirsty."
Ruskin was unable to hold back his chuckle.
"I am not surprised by that, sir." He noted, then he added a moment later. "But it is good to see you taking a break from the work sometimes. I will be right back." He told him and walked out of the room.
Milverton stared after him until he left while the cat was still playing with the feather in the corner.