Work Text:
"Your afternoon tea, Mr. Milverton." Ruskin said while his shaky fingers put down the tray onto the desk in front of the other man who kept sitting on the sofa and leisurely smoked his pipe.
Charles Augustus Milverton took the pipe out of his mouth and coughed. As he grew old, he coughed more and more because of his pipe, but Ruskin unfortunately couldn't make him quit smoking once and for all. It was a victory on its own that Mr. Milverton agreed that he would only smoke once a day.
Ruskin grabbed the chance and put the pipe away for the rest of the day. He glanced at Mr. Milverton whose coughing stopped by now. He was relieved to see that there was still no sign of weakness on the wrinkled face and the golden eyes were as bright as they used to be when Mr. Milverton was working restlessly to cause damage and pain to society. Ever since he retired, he stopped managing his companies daily and only took a look if everything went well once in a while. But Ruskin stayed on his side, even if he barely had tasks as a secretary anymore. He was overjoyed that Mr. Milverton didn't send him away. Ruskin didn't want to leave his beloved employer either. Not until his last breath.
"Thank you, Ruskin." Mr. Milverton answered and flashed a smile at him. "You didn't forget my strawberry cake either." He noted, pointing at the piece of dessert on the plate.
"You should know that I will never forget, sir." Ruskin replied, smiling back gently. "I still want to make you the happiest man."
"You still know how to do it." Mr. Milverton reassured him and after Ruskin finished serving him the tea, he gestured at the place on the sofa next to himself. "Sit down. I want you to stay. I want to enjoy your company, not just your tea and cake."
Riskin's heart started beating faster for the offer. What Mr. Milverton said filled him with incredible happiness. He didn't hesitate to obey. He sat down next to his employer and let the other man lean his body to his side. Mr. Milverton took a sip from the tea and started to talk in a dreamy voice.
"What a peaceful, quiet afternoon. It reminds me of the ones we spent together when I was not hired for a case. Just me and you - the only people in this world who have a complete understanding of the greatness of pure evil."
He let out a sigh. Ruskin could hear that he got nostalgic. Those times, there was always an unusual gentleness in his expression when he looked at Ruskin.
"Those were good days." He said and he drank another sip from the tea.
"Our current days arent, sir?" Ruskin asked suddenly. He wanted to make sure that Mr. Milverton's pleasure was the same as it always was and he didn't lack anything, even if he couldn't commit evil deeds like he did in the past.
Mr. Milverton's smile broadened. He reached and brushed Ruskin's cheek, making him blush even harder.
"Yes, they are." He replied. "After all, I am here in good health - and you are, as well. Your cakes and teas didn't change either. And nowadays, we have more peaceful afternoons." He added tenderly.
"I hope it will last forever." Ruskin closed his eyes and gave himself over to the warmth of Mr. Milverton's presence. He heard that his employer let out a chuckle and he felt another touch - now on his lips.
"Even if not forever, long enough that we can enjoy it to the fullest." He murmured and he continued drinking the tea in peace.