Work Text:
It was an especially dark, stormy night. The media mogul Charles Augustus Milverton woke up from his sleep to the sound of the thunderstorm. For a moment, he didn't know where he was because he couldn't recognize the room, then he remembered that he was on an overnight business trip with his secretary, Ruskin and they decided to stay in a hotel for the night. The next lightning lit up the room, letting Milverton see the sitting figure on the other bed covered in a blanket.
"Ruskin?"
Whenever he decided to sleep in a hotel or an inn, Milverton always ordered one room with two beds - he only felt safe at home so he chose to keep Ruskin close to protect him if it was necessary. Ruskin was a skilled fighter and devoted to him until the end. Milverton never saw him fear before - but now, Ruskin was sitting on his bed with a terrified expression on his face, shivering every time when he heard a thunderstorm.
"Ruskin?" Milverton repeated louder because he saw that Ruskin didn't hear his voice. "Is everything alright?"
Ruskin, finally noticing that his employer was talking to him, shook his head but this wasn't convincing. Not at all.
"I am fine." Milverton knew well that Ruskin was lying. "Why don't you sleep, sir? You shouldn't be tired tomorrow.”
"You neither." Milverton told him gently and slightly sat up in the bed and switched on the lamp. "You don't like storms, am I right?" He asked, trying to phrase it in a way to not insult Ruskin by saying that he was afraid. Milverton didn't want him to think that he looked down on him for his weakness when this was not the case. He didn't like seeing Ruskin in a state of worry and he wanted to make him feel better.
"I have hated storms ever since my childhood and I never grew out of it." Ruskin admitted quietly. "I used to hide from the storms in my mother's bed. She let me sleep with her on stormy nights."
From his speech, Milverton sensed that even the memory of his mother's closeness was able to calm Ruskin down a little. And this gave him an unhinged idea which he was sure by the next morning that it was due to his tiredness. He couldn't have another reason for it, could he?
"Well, your mother is not here, but if it is enough for you, you can come here." He noted. "To my bed."
He saw that Ruskin's eyes widened from the unexpected offer. He was worried if his sudden direct approach scared Ruskin even more than the storm - after all, employees rarely liked sleeping in their boss' bed - so he awkwardly added.
"Of course, only because of the storm. You know that I would never try to force you to do anything you don't want to, Ruskin. I will not touch you inappropriately."
"No, sir, I wouldn't mind that!" Ruskin cried out and after he realized what slipped out of his mouth, he turned even redder. "I... I know that you would never hurt me. It's just... wouldn't it be disrespectful to sleep in the same bed as you? I am just a secretaty." He lowered his head.
So they were both worrying about the same thing, Milverton smiled while Ruskin's words kept echoing in his mind. The smile remained on his face when he gestured at the other man.
"You have been by my side for many years, Ruskin. I assure you that it wouldn't be disrespectful. You can come here."
He watched as Ruskin walked to him and shyly slid under his blanket. Milverton switched off the lamp and lay back. Ruskin seemed to be determined to make sure that he keeps his distance from his boss. But this intention didn't last long. At the next thunderstorm, Ruskin threw himself into Milverton's arms and buried his head into his chest. Milverton felt that a warm feeling spread over his body for Ruskin's hug, he was surprised by his secretary's sudden bravery, even if it was because of his fear of the storm, but it didn't cross his mind to toss Ruskin away, he needed to admit that the touch didn't make him uncomfortable. He would have even stayed like that for the rest of the night, but Ruskin, realizing what he had done, evaded from him so vehemently that he fell down from the other side of the bed.
"I am terribly sorry, Mr. Milverton!" Ruskin apologized desperately. "You can punish me for it. I want you to punish me for misbehaving."
"Well, I don't want to do it." Milverton reached out and gently, to not scare him away, took Ruskin's hand. "I want you to come back. It is fine. You haven't done anything wrong."
Milverton was able to convince Ruskin to come back, but he could feel how frustrated the other man became, not wanting to do anything disrespectful again. Milverton wondered what could ease his secretary's worry and from a sudden urge, he gently brushed his hair.
"I had no problem with you... touching me like that." He said, the word "hug" didn't come to his mouth. "Would it make you fall asleep easier?"
Ruskkn couldn't answer, but he almost unnoticeably nodded while he avoided his employer's gaze.
"Then let's sleep. We have work to do tomorrow." Milverton told his secretary and seeing that Ruskin still didn't move, he leaned closer instead of him. Ruskin first seemed to be keen to keep his cool, but by the next thunderstorm struck into the night, he was in Milverton's arms again. Milverton hugged the trembling body to himself and felt the warm breath on his skin. He soon sensed that Ruskin's panic started to fade away and despite that the storm was still rampaging, he was even able to smile.
"Thank you, sir." He whispered. "I think I don't hate the storm as much anymore."
"That is good to hear." Milverton answered without letting Ruskin go. "If it helps, you can stay in my bed at home too when the weather is like this." Milverton suggested after a long silence, but he saw that Ruskin couldn't hear his words. He already fell asleep.
Milverton let out a chuckle. This was fast. He just enjoyed Ruskin's warmth for a while and closed his eyes. He didn't mind that Ruskin didn't hear his offer, he knew that he would tell it the next time.
On another stormy night.