Work Text:
Charles Augustus Milverton was sitting on the bedside and watched how his secretary, Ruskin was sleeping, his chest lifting up and down as he took his breaths. He could see that at least, Ruskin's breathing was strong like he was completely healthy. The truth was that Ruskin caught the cold and woke up with a slight fever. As soon as he noticed that his secretary's brown gaze was faint and his voice was hoarse, Milverton immediately called the doctor.
"He will be fine by tomorrow." The doctor told him after the medical examination. "He just needs to take the medicine and rest for this day."
"Fine." Milverton nodded. He decided that he would make sure that both of the orders will be fulfilled. It was boring to work on his evil plans without Ruskin. He wanted to get back his assistant as soon as possible.
Of course, when he was cured.
Milverton had no problem with making Ruskin take his medicine. His secretary obediently did as he was told like always. However, Milverton needed to face a lot of complaints when he ordered Ruskin to stay in bed for the day.
"I am not that sick, sir." He stated after he sneezed. "Let me assist you on your side. I can do my job just fine."
Milverton actually didn't doubt that. Ruskin was not his secretary without a reason, he was hard-working, skilled and devoted to him in body and soul. Milverton valued Ruskin and he needed to admit to himself that he even got attached to him during the years. So he was determined to make Ruskin rest and cure him by tomorrow.
"In that case, I take a day off." It slipped out of his mouth as the idea of how to solve the problem rose in his mind. "Your wish is granted, you will be on my side while you also stay in bed."
Ruskin blinked. It was clear that he was surprised by this turn of events as Milverton didn't take days off like this and he rarely even went on vacations. However, it was still a good deal for him to accept. He nodded and started heading towards his room.
"Yes, Mr. Milverton."
After that Ruskin agreed to lie down, he soon fell asleep. Milverton remained on his bedside like he promised and he got more and more bored by every passing minute. He wanted to get his newspaper from the study, so at least, he could read, but he didn't want to leave Ruskin behind. If he wakes up while he is not there, he would think that Milverton broke his promise and he didn't want his right hand man, the only person he never lied to, to think that. He also couldn't send any other servants to the study which was locked when he was not there, to make sure that no one would pry among his personal belongings. Only Ruskin could go when he was not inside and he wanted to keep it that way.
What should he do then? Milverton tried to come up with something to entertain himself. He looked around in Ruskin's bedroom, but there was nothing which interested him. Ruskin's room was simple and clean. Ruskin belonged to Milverton, he was his right hand and possession and he sacrificed his entire personality for that.
After the look-around, Milverton's gaze fell to the pillows next to Ruskin's bed. He ordered the servants to bring in more to make sure that Ruskin can rest in comfort, but his secretary didn't need more pillows than what he already had. Milverton watched the pillows and his eyes sparkled up as he got a sudden idea. Pillows reminded him of a game he liked playing during his childhood - as he had no one who cared for him, on his own. Milverton only wondered for a moment whether he was too adult for this or not. Then he just shrugged his shoulders. It was a way of entertainment and he used to be good at it.
Was he still the master of it? Can he do it as good as he was at blackmail?
With a smile at the corner of his mouth, he began to play.
*****
When Ruskin woke up an hour later, he first didn't see anything and this made him worried. It was so good to fall asleep while the beloved Mr. Milverton was on his side. Ruskin's heart was beating fast from the joy until he fell to his dreams. He hoped to wake up seeing the other man still sitting there and watching him with that observing look in his beautiful, golden eyes. But Mr. Milverton was nowhere to be seen. In fact, nothing was to be seen - only the neverending whiteness.
Was he still dreaming? His room was not so white.
Or... did he die in his sleep and get separated from Mr. Milverton?
But before he could begin to panic, he heard the familiar voice from above.
"Ruskin, you are awake."
It was Mr. Milverton and he sounded very much alive. Which meant that he was not dead. He let out a relieved sigh, but he still didn't understand how the world became so bright.
However, a moment later, he got his answer.
Suddenly, the whiteness broke and he finally saw Mr. Milverton's face. His employer was smiling, with a smile he never saw on him before. It was a child-like, playful and carefree smile which made Ruskin's heart burst from the joy.
"I made you a pillow fort while you were asleep." Mr. Milverton noted cheerfully. "What do you think? I was the best in this when I was a child. It seems that I still haven't gotten out of practice."
A pillow fort. The whiteness was a pillow fort and Mr. Milverton made it for him. Ruskin smiled at his employer. He didn't ask why, he didn't find it strange, in fact, he was mesmerized - and the fact that Mr. Milverton was the pillow fort making master and gifted one for him made Ruskin fall in love with his employer again.
"Thank you, sir." Ruskin replied in a loving voice. "I think that it is the perfect pillow fort."