Work Text:
Rufus stared at the growing pile of departmental proposals that you kept bringing him for approval, knowing full well that the only reason they were on his desk was because the people submitting them didn’t think their department’s director would. On rare occasions, he’d even find a proposal from a director land in front of him when they wanted something his father wouldn’t approve.
He supposed he had to commend the strategy. Skirt around your direct superior to get the desired results. He gave each one fair consideration, but still noted the requester so that he could watch them more closely.
Movement outside his glass office caught his eye. Or maybe it was the light bouncing off your bracelet when you leaned forward in your chair to grab something off the printer beside your desk. You shouldn’t do that. The blouse he approved you to wear was loose. He bet if you had placed the printer behind you, he would be able to see-
His eyes darted up when you swiveled around in your chair and shot him a shy smile through the glass. You shouldn’t do that either.
His eyes followed you as you made your way to his office door, papers in hand. He swore he could smell your perfume before you even opened it.
Swoosh
There it is.
“One last proposal came in for your review, sir. Hello to you too, Miss Star.” You greeted Darkstar before placing your stack of papers in front of him with the name Director Palmer, Space Division on the byline. Rufus was polite enough to pretend to flip through the 3 page proposal as you placed a small envelope on his desk. “And these came for you in the mail. Two Loveless tickets for tonight. Do you need anything else before I go?”
He handed you back the proposal and the tickets. “Toss both.”
“Are you sure?”
His eyes snapped back up to yours.
“It’s just that these are really nice tickets, sir. They are box seats, with backstage passes so you can meet the actors and director. It would be such a waste.”
Rufus’s brow knitted together as he glanced down at your bracelet. You had a date tonight. Not that you told him. But you couldn’t possibly be suggesting…
“Would you enjoy it? Going with me?”
“Of course! What an experience! Box seats, Loveless, backstage. It’s once in a lifetime for some people.”
Oh!
Rufus leaned back in his chair and smiled. You just looked so excited.
Adorable.
Fine. He could take you.
“I suppose that’s true. You can-“
“Would you like me to extend an invitation to Demeter then?” You nodded your head.
The corners of his lips fell. He forced the tickets back into your hands.
Weren’t you just oh-so-eager to help him get a date.
“Like I was saying. You can toss them. I’m far too busy thanks to the endless amount of proposals someone decided to drop onto my plate so late in the day.”
Your smile fell too.
“Oh, I’m sorry, sir. I’ll toss them right away and let you concentrate.”
“Shouldn’t you take responsibility for your actions?”
“What do you mean, sir?”
“You’ve given me a mountain of tasks.” He divided the pile of proposals and tossed half to you. “And you will summarize these ones for me and provide commentary on what you think of each proposal. Now. Or did you think you would drop these on my desk and have me stay late while you parade through town tonight?”
“Oh, well I…I…of course not, sir. Let me just…let me just make a quick phone call.”
You shouldn’t do that. Bite your lip like that.
You hurried out of his office, wringing your hands together. His glass door closed behind you, so he could only watch as you hurried to the phone at your desk. While your back was turned, he pulled out his wireless earbuds and turned on the surveillance feed.
Your voice in his ear perfectly lined up with your lips moving silently in front of him.
“Hi, um, this is Y/N. Yeah! Rachel’s friend. I’m so sorry but something came up at work, so I don’t think I’ll be able to make dinner tonight. Do you want to reschedule or…oh! Do you mean the bar in Sector 2?…Yeah! I’d love to. But I’ll be coming straight from work, is that okay?…okay! I’ll see you then! Bye-bye.”
You hung up the phone.
He removed his earbud.
You swiveled in your chair and turned to him with your shy smile back on your lips.
A muscle on his cheek twitched.
You really, really shouldn’t do that, Kitten.