Work Text:
It was a cozy evening in Charles Augustus Milverton's secret villa at Brighton. The sun already went down and the landscape fell into the darkness, but in the manor's living room, the light of the oil lamp was shining brightly, making the shadows dance on the wall. It was the perfect environment someone could retreat to from society. There was no pressure, no gossiping servants and no threats which could harm his life - that's why Milverton liked coming here from time to time. The manor's existence was hidden from the public, so no one disturbed him on the breaks he occasionally took. Sometimes, he only brought his secretary, Ruskin along with himself. The only employee Milverton had his complete trust in and felt safe, even comforted in his presence.
Ruskin was now watching how the shades were changing on the wall, taking up different shapes as the little light grew or became smaller in the lamp. On his lap, his employer rested his head and read a book while Ruskin gently pampered his white, curly hair. Ruskin didn't speak to not disturb his beloved Mr. Milverton, but he kept glancing at him again and again. He didn't want to stare at him for long, long minutes because he was afraid that it would distract the man as well, even if Mr. Milverton was completely aware of his feelings towards him. Yet, he still peeked at him to bathe in the beauty of the lamplight sparkling in his hair locks, turning them to silver. It made Mr. Milverton appear so ethereal, like he was not even real, only part of Ruskin's dreams. But Ruskin never let himself forget that what he was currently living was the beautiful reality.
Ruskin smiled and continued caressing his employer's forehead. He liked being here in the Brighton manor, the only place where he could be intimate with the man he loved more than anything in the world without needing to fear that someone would discover them. Back in their London home, he was only allowed to touch Mr. Milverton after they made sure that no one was watching. No one could discover their secret, or even start to gossip about them. Mr. Milverton, as the King of Blackmail, ruined several men for the same - showing, in society's eyes, disgusting and forbidden affection for other men - so it could never be widespread that he and his secretary were, in fact, playing a similar game when they were alone. But in Brighton, where it was just the two of them, no one was there who could take advantage of this. Ruskin could love Mr. Milverton as freely as he wanted - and Mr. Milverton could comfortably read his books in Ruskin's arms while his secretary kept pampering him with his gentle touches.
Ruskin let out a sigh and closed his eyes. He was insanely happy in this reality. He wished his time here would never end and they would be able to live like this forever - but now, he didn't let his sorrowful feelings take over.
He sensed that Mr. Milverton suddenly moved. He watched as the other man settled up, changing his position to not let his hands go numb. He sat up on Ruskin's lap and this time, laid his head down on his shoulder, then without saying a word, he continued reading the book like nothing happened.
Ruskin didn't talk either. He wrapped his arms around Mr. Milverton's waist to hold him and blew a kiss onto his face. He saw that a smile appeared at the corner of his employer's mouth for that, but neither of them broke the silence. They just enjoyed this cozy, intimate evening and felt like they owned the entire world.