Work Text:
Ruskin was browsing through the newest issue of the Daily Standard, the papers were buzzing under his fingers from the excitement. He was looking for a job - a real, serious job for himself which would be able to satisfy his ambitions.
It was easier to imagine this than to do. Ruskin was really picky when it came to his future workplace. He currently had just occasional jobs which paid him enough that he didn't need to rush with his choice. So he decided to take his time. He was aware that he would not come across the perfect position in a flashlight. He needed patience and consideration over his own needs. Ruskin knew exactly what he wanted - but workplaces like those were rarely advertised in papers. They were filled before the news about them even got out of the department.
First and foremost, Ruskin wanted to get a relatively high salary. It was important to secure himself financially since he could never rely on his parents' support - both of them were dead for a long time. Second, the work Ruskin wished to do was intellectual. He learned reading and writing quite well and he assisted a shop owner during his teenage years, so he was somewhat skilled in the trade market as well. He knew exactly what his abilities were and he wanted to get a job according to that. The third thing on his list was being able to move up in the hierarchy if he worked hard and well enough. Ruskin originally thought that he didn't ask for too much - but as his job hunt got longer and longer and it was still unsuccessful, he needed to realize that he would not find the right position so fast. Still, he didn't lower his expectations, just kept hoping. He turned over the newspaper with that hope in his soul.
Suddenly, he froze in his place, his finger dropping at the side of a certain paper. There was a photograph on the page, Ruskin just stared at it while his heart began to beat faster. It was a picture of a man, the most beautiful man he ever saw. The man wore glasses, but Ruskin could see the sharp, powerful look in his eyes behind it. His hair was curly and two locks from it fell to his face. He reminded Ruskin of angels, and he didn't doubt that this man was, in fact, truly one of them. A higher being fell from the sky and landed in the human world, ready to rule over them. It was only a black and white photo, but Ruskin was convinced that someone like this man was naturally covered in a golden light. Even only through the newspaper, Ruskin wanted to worship him. He didn't deny in front of himself that what he felt was love at first sight. And he wished to devote his whole body to serve this man, submitting himself under him. Only this could make him content. The job hunt didn’t matter anymore.
Ruskin's gaze fell to the name under the picture and his eyes widened. He was none other than Charles Augustus Milverton, one of the most influential people of the country who owned countless newspaper and media companies. Which were by the way, the perfect places for Ruskin to find his dream job there.
Two of his dreams for one hit.
Ruskin clenched his fists from the determination. He knew that it was not only about finding a job after this new experience, it was about something more. He knew that he needed to work in one of Mr. Milverton's companies, but not to fuel his ambitions. He wanted to get close to his man and convince him to personally employ him. Ruskin wanted to spend his life near him, to bathe in his beauty and love him. Even if he knew nothing about him yet.
He was aware that he didn't pick up the newspaper that day as a waste of time. It was fate.
In fact, a life-changing decision.