Work Text:
"Grrr." Charles Augustus Milverton stepped into the warmth of his manor with a quite annoyed growl. It was heavily raining outside and he had the bad luck of forgetting his umbrella at home when he went to the meeting with the House of Lords. He was soaking wet when he got back to the carriage and by the time his clothes and hair dried inside, he arrived home. He didn't want to wait in the cold carriage and his cold clothes until one of his bodyguards fetched his umbrella. It didn't even matter anymore if he became wet for the second time, since he was sure that he already caught the cold.
"Welcome back, Mr. Milverton." His secretary, Ruskin, greeted him at the door. He ran to assist him immediately, Milverton suspected that he was waiting for his return in the hall like he did all the time. "I prepared your umbrella because it seemed that it would rain, but you accidentally forgot it at home."
"I know." Milverton murmured grumpily, then he realized that his secretary was not to blame for his bad fortune, so he quickly corrected himself. "I am sorry, Ruskin. The rain affected my mood quite badly."
"It is understandable, sir." Ruskin nodded in a worried voice. "You are soaking wet. I already ordered the servants to prepare a warm bath and a tea for you. Until then, I will take care of you."
"Thank you." Milverton let out a relieved sigh while Ruskin helped to take down the wet coat from him. Ruskin was gentle and caring, like he was not just his assistant, but actually his partner - but Ruskin was always like this when it came about his needs. After he was done, he brought Milverton his claret-colored housecoat to warm him up and he escorted him to his study.
"I heated up the fireplace in advance to make sure that the room is warm by the time you get back, sir." Ruskin said and closed the door behind Milverton. Milverton sat down on the sofa and leaned his head back at it tiredly. Ruskin was immediately at the desk to gather a handkerchief. Milverton first had no idea what his secretary wanted, he only understood it when Ruskin stepped to him with a shy look on his face.
"May I dry your hair, Mr. Milverton?" He asked. "I don't want you to catch the cold."
"I got soaking wet until I got to the carriage. It is bound to happen." Milverton noted, but he let Ruskin take care of him nevertheless.
"Hopefully, not." Ruskin answered and he started to pamper Milverton's otherwise soft and curly, but now, wet and messy hairlocks with tender movements. Milverton gave himself over to the enjoyable sensation as Ruskin dried his hair. The study was warm and he was close to the fireplace. He didn't feel the cold anymore.
"Have I told you that..." Milverton started, but he cut the sentence away in the middle.
"What, sir?" Ruskin didn't stop caressing him as he spoke.
Milverton was about to say Ruskin was so doting like they were a married couple, but instead, he let out a chuckle.
"Nothing. I am just very grateful for your work." He complimented his secretary.
Ruskin blushed, his fingers stopped for a moment at Milverton's face.
"I am happy to be useful to you, sir." He replied with devotion and continued drying Milverton up. It was good to have someone on his side like Ruskin, Milverton thought and closed his eyes. This somehow brought him further warmth. Maybe enough that he will indeed not catch the cold.