Work Text:
"Ruskin." Charles Augustus Milverton started to talk after silently watching what his secretary was doing for half a minute. "What are you doing?"
He raised his eyebrows and his expression was the definition of utter confusion. He and his assistant came to the Hyde Park for a walk, but of course, Milverton very much had a hidden motivation behind getting annoyed by the public when he could enjoy the peaceful nature in his own big garden instead. He wanted to keep an eye on a certain merchant who took his wife and little daughter out to the park to have a picnic. The merchant was not his target, only a stepping stone to it - but Milverton planned everything carefully whenever he was working on an evil plan, making sure that nothing would get traced back to him. All they needed to do was watch the man from a distance, so he didn't understand what Ruskin was attempting to do when, similarly to the merchant, he put down a blanket in the grass and opened his bag which was full of different kinds of foods.
Ruskin didn't turn embarrassed from the question. He smiled at Milverton while he explained himself, not stopping packing out of his bag.
"You see, sir, I thought that it is the best way to stay unnoticed by the man we are monitoring if we do the same as him. Having a picnic for ourselves." He noted and his cheeks got painted by a slight blush when he added. "Besides... we never had a picnic here in the Hyde Park. I wanted to try it out once... with you."
After this, he shied away from Milverton's gaze and concentrated only on serving the meal. We never had a picnic here because how does it even look like if I, one of the most powerful people in the country, does it, Milverton thought sarcastically, but Ruskin's latter sentence made him swallow his complaints. Ruskin was his most loyal subordinate, who worked restlessly, supporting Milverton's projects which would have been impossible to pull off without his assistance, so Milverton decided to make Ruskin's wish come true. He is going to have a picnic with his secretary and he will not show him that he views his idea ridiculous. On top of that, Ruskin was right. This way, the merchant he monitors will not suspect anything.
"Then let's have a picnic together." He agreed on a seemingly cheerful voice - but his curiosity was not just a facade when he continued. "What have you prepared for us?" He asked, knowing well that Ruskin always put his heart and soul into the meal whenever he made the food for Milverton. But aside from the sandwiches Ruskin already unwrapped, he had no guess what else he brought with himself.
Ruskin's eyes sparkled up.
"Oh, a lot of things, sir. I promise that you will not stay hungry." He said and he took something else out of his bag. "The main menu is sandwiches, but I made different types, so you have a variety of choices. Above that, I brought food - strawberries." He clarified enthusiastically, knowing exactly that it was Milverton's favourite. "And desserts as well. Strawberry pie, strawberry cake - and whipped cream to make sure that you don't lack the topping."
Milverton's eyes widened from the surprise. He didn't actually expect that Ruskin would prepare this much - but the thought that he had cake and pie as well, and even whipped cream, fitting to his sweet tooth, ended up changing his mind about this occasion. He didn't mind eating in front of the whole world anymore. He is going to have a feast while he will get the job he planned done. Ruskin truly thought of everything.
"Thank you, Ruskin. Great work." He complimented his secretary and the smile that appeared on his face was genuine. "I am sure that we will have a satisfying time while we keep an eye on the merchant. And as I see..." Milverton stopped when he peeked at the man and his family who had a much poorer picnic in front of them - but of course, they didn't have a Ruskin. "We will have a better picnic than them. All because of you."
Ruskin became redder by Milverton's speech. He made a wishful move to touch his hand, then, as he realized that they were in public, he just put his hand close to his employer.
"I just want you to have a pleasant time, sir." He replied with a gentle smile. "And if that happens, I will have a pleasant time as well."
Milverton smirked. He understood well what was behind these words. One of his fingers reached for Ruskin's and he made sure to make up for the touch his secretary missed out.
"I will have it - and you will have it as well." He stated and he took up one from the strawberries which was ripe and red like Ruskin's face.