Work Text:
You heard the jangle of Prudence's collar as her head perked up, the howl of the wind coupled with the silence of the room made it nearly unbearable. With a huff, the dog placed her head back down, no doubt eager to get back home and in the comfort of her master's house with a nice toasty fireplace. It was indeed starting to get late, but 'twas anyone's guess when you and the stoic gentleman you called your employer would be finished balancing the books before the end of the month.
It also didn't help that you were momentarily distracted as well. You uttered the softest of curses as you struggled with the clasp of your necklace. It was a lovely golden chain holding your late mother’s garnet pendant, your most prized possession. You meant to get the clasp fixed ages ago, but working long hours with Ebenezer Scrooge left little time for much else these days. Times were hard, as Ebenezer Scrooge would say. This is why you volunteered to stay after hours to assist with balancing the books before the deadline. It was just you, him, Prudence, and this damned necklace that refused to stay on your neck!
Unbeknownst to you, your grunt of frustration woke Prudence, who was contently napping. A whine that turned into a yawn caused Ebenezer to pause his writing quill, a brow raised as he saw you fidget with an object around your neck. “That doesn’t sound like you’re working, my dear.”
Suddenly on the defensive, you sat straight up, put kept a hand around your neck to prevent the necklace from slipping. “Apologies, Mr. Scrooge—”
“I believe I gave you express permission to address me by my first name so long as we are in a private company.”
“Ah, yes. My apologies, Mr. Sc—Ebenezer.” You corrected yourself, attempting. “I’m having a difficult time keeping this confound jewelry from slipping. The clasp must’ve broken again.”
Ebenezer was about to leave it well enough alone; it wasn’t any consequence of his that you had faulty accessories. But after listening to the jangling of your necklace for another few irritating seconds, he silently rolled his eyes, stood from his desk, and stepped towards your own. Extending a wry, yet strong hand, palm up. “Let me see.”
“Sir?”
“The sooner we fix the thing the sooner we can both get back to work and finish up for an evening. In case the fact has been relieved from your mind, we’re working on a fast-approaching deadline.”
You couldn’t help but huff in frustration. Of course, it couldn’t be out of whatever little goodness was left in his heart. You couldn’t help but hope. You silly fool.
Slowly, you removed the pendent from your chain and delicately placed it into Ebenezer’s awaiting palm. Once he had the golden thread in his hand he returned to sit at his desk, with you closely following. He first examined the clasp with a magnifying glass. It actually wasn’t the clasp itself that was broken, but the loop it was supposed to be connected to—time and stress had pulled the metal so that it was coming undone.
“Ah, this is a simple fix, I believe.” He mentioned coolly.
“Truly? Are you intending to fix it, Ebenezer?”
“Why not?” He asked haughtily.
“Oh! Forgive me, Mister Scrooge,” you lightly chuckled. “You just don’t seem the fixing sort.”
“Hmph,” he grumbled. Despite his cynical disposition, you found his gruffness almost amusing, against your better judgment. You watched as he fiddled through his drawer for a pair of tweezers, then removed the cover off of the oil lamp near his desk. “I assure you, I am well versed in fixing a number of problems for the majority of my clientele. Not that they would know any better or show an ounce of gratitude!”
Plucked the loop of the necklace with the tweezers and very carefully damaged it just above the flame. You peered over his shoulder, trying to remain as quiet as possible so you wouldn’t disturb his efforts. It hardly mattered, though.
“Must you hover so?”
“Have you ever done this before?”
“I can’t imagine fixing such a small chain to be a great endeavor.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“And you’re still practically sitting on my shoulder as if you were a parrot!”
“I’m not trying to,” you fidgeted, taking a step back from him. “It belonged to my late mother. Along with this pendant," you opened your palm to show the garnet resting securely in your hand. “They’re… the last possession I have of my late mother.”
At that, Ebenezer paused for only a moment. And in that single, almost insignificant moment, you saw something soften in his gaze. But that couldn’t be right. You nearly dismissed it as a trickery of the low-lighted room, or how the oil lamp shadowed those pale blue eyes. But that was foolish. Absolute poppycock.
…Wasn’t it?
As quickly as the moment came, it had passed as he removed the chain from above the flame. “Ah, right then, just like… that.” Using a tiny screwdriver for optics, he held the chain down as he bent the metal with the tweezers, ever so carefully until the loop was nearly perfectly rounded. “Well, I’m no jeweler, but this will suffice until you can get it properly repaired.”
“Oh, thank you!” You genuinely smiled, happy that he took the time to assist you, even if his reasoning was out of concern for his productivity. Or so he claimed. Before you reached to take it back, you paused and handed out the garnet pendant.
“…what is it now?”
“Um,” embarrassed, you felt your face redden for some reason despite yourself. You pointed to your neck, hoping he would get the hint. “Would you mind assisting me one more time, Ebenezer?” A pause. “It’ll be a bit quicker if I had some help.”
He very slowly reached to take the garnet from your hand, though he almost hesitated in his motions. You were surprised when the next words were curt but were neither harsh nor annoyed. “Very well.”
You smiled gratefully as you turned your back to him, lifting any strands of hair that were cascaded from your curls. With calculated, yet cautious movement, Ebenezer laced the jewel on the chain, then raised the pendant necklace over your head, and around your neck. There was a second when his thumb slipped from the clasp but was successful on his second try.
After it was secure, he noticed a wavy lock of hair that you had failed to restrain falling out of your mane. It was as if it was an automatic response, but you felt his dry yet warm fingers brush past your neck and over your shoulder. Instead of removing it completely, his hand lingered. It caused an involuntary shiver up your spine, but what followed was a warmth that budded from your chest to the top you’re your ears. You turned to face your employer who was very much at the precipice of crossing some sort of line. You both were on the edge of... something unseen. But it was there. Your wide eyes flicked up to the man’s cool blue hues. And there was a beat in which you two truly, honestly saw each other in the dim candlelight of his office. You could only hold your breath and prayed it was dark enough to hide your blush.
As if by some unseen gravitational pull he leaned in as he nearly loomed over you, his hand now trailing up just below your ear. He hesitated again, acutely observing your reaction for any signs of discomfort. But you weren't scared no off-put. Far from it. In fact, the pull was mutual. You felt yourself lean in. It was too warm of a feeling, too soft.
You felt—
The clock’s chime as it struck seven o’clock in the evening sharp all but shattered the atmosphere between the two of you. Ebenezer looked as if he had found himself again after being lost in your eyes, his scowl returning to full force as he briskly walked back to his desk.
“Well!” He cleared his throat. “That is quite enough with distractions for one evening.” He swallowed a lump in his throat that felt like he was trying to bury his own pounding heart. Determined to not be overcome with sudden tender feelings he abruptly took his seat once more and furious resumed his work. Which left you to take refuge back at your desk, attempting to hide your own fevered face. It was silent for many long minutes, save for the ticking of the clock.
“…are you almost done with that stack?”
You sat up with a start. “Why, yes, nearly there.”
“Once you have completed that, you may retire for the evening.”
You weren’t sure what you wanted him to say, but you couldn’t help but feel disappointed. “Ah, yes, thank you, Mr. Scrooge.” You continued to etch the last few strokes on the form before grabbing the next one.
“Shall I… escort you home after we’re done? It is rather late after all.”
There it was.
“I would love that, Ebenezer.” You smiled, your own eyes softening in his blue gaze. You could see it more clearly now. That ever-fleeting flicker of warmth.
Like hues of gold on a cold winter’s night.