Colleague!England x reader: Overtime (intended fluff)

Untitled Part 1

It has been a very busy day. You had two meetings this morning, then a few errands to run, then another totally unexpected meeting and then, out of nowhere, your boss decided to asses you some project with a close deadline. Now, you had to stay overtime to complete the immense amount of paperwork that was given to you. You sat in your study, at the table, working yourself off over the documents. Had you not been so concentrated over your work, you would have noticed a certain blonde man watching you from the doorframe.

'You should certainly take a break'

You jumped and looked around in confusion. Arthur was in the doorway, smiling fondly at you. He was wearing a navy blue sweater over his white shirt. Or it could be a one-piece just as well. His hair was a bit messy. You looked at him in confusion.

'Why...uhm, why are you still here? I thought everybody has left already...'

'Well, somebody had to make sure you don't work yourself to death. And I just couldn't leave a lady all alone in such a big building. But you're right, everybody else left.'

'That's...very nice of you. But you don't have to do all this...'

'And miss the opportunity to be all alone with you? Not a chance!'. You blushed bright red.

'I...I have paperwork to do'

'Oh, I know. Our boss is a tosser for giving you so much work to do.' Arthur looked around the room, then his fingers started touching the books in the shelf. 'Wilde, Byron...Are you a romantic, ____? Oh, you even have Shakespeare...' He took the book from the shelf, lightly tracing the cover with his long, slender fingers. 'So, are you?'

'Not too romantic but, I, uhm yes, I think there is somebody for everybody' His eyes glistened with a weird flame.

'So...' He was playing with his fingers and balancing on his feet '...have you found your special person?'

You looked at him bemused. He has declared his love for you multiple times, but never actually asked if you already had somebody.

'Arthur I...'

He stopped you midsentence, grabbing your hands gently, brushing his thumb over your sleeves in a soothing manner. 'Hey, we don't have to hurry, let's take it slow. I'll wait as much as you want, just...don't...don't give up on me.' He was so cute, looking with his green, tired eyes at the object of his desires. His hand went to move a strand of hair from your face to behind your ear. After that, his knuckles brushed against your cheek. A sensation of warmth spread all over you. You knew Arthur loved you, he had made it clear many times, but you've never been so close so.. so intimate.

You gently pried his hand away.

'I'm sorry, Arthur...I... But I have to work now'. The man retreated his hands with a disappointed look on his face.

'Then...maybe some tea would help? I can bring you some, if you want it'

You smiled gently at him.

'That would be very nice of you, Arthur...'

He disappeared in a second. You went to caress your cheek, where his hand had brushed a minute ago. Arthur... well, he was a complicated man. A complicated, mysterious, kind, absolutely gorgeous man. Arthur was British, he came all the way from London. He liked books and tea and gardening. He was a loner, just like you. But he was kind and polite, he always knew what to say, how to behave. Unimpeachable in his fashion. Everything he wore looked good on him. Mesmerizing green eyes, that could hypnotise a whole army. Fought in war. Has a cat named Crumpet. But there was more, there was something to him that you couldn't explain. Something that always drew you near him, close to him. A softness, he was a misfit, a beautiful one, and you just wanted to be next to him forever. But you also feared. You heart had been broken before, and you feared now. No, no one should ever break your heart again!

'Here you go, love! One for you and one for me!' He smiled his usual smile, the one that could melt the whole polar icesheet. 'I was thinking, please tell me if I can help you with anything, I'd love to help...'

Why, of all people, had he to be so nice to you? So open about loving you and so willing to watch over you like you were his lineline?

'No, not really, I'm sure I can manage.'

A dark cloud of sadness passed over the Englishman's face. But it went away just as fast as it came.

'Ok, then, I hope you don't mind me staying here for a while...I... I just want to be close to you... If that's convenient for you, of course!'

You looked at his puppy eyes. He looked so genuine, so true about his feelings.

'Uhm... I don't know... and you must be tired yourself...' you glanced over at his dark circles. Plus, his pallor and overall tired expression made you sure he would just rather sleep right now.

'No, don't worry about me, I'm fine!'

Arthur had spent the next two hours curled on the sofa, drinking tea and skimming over some books. When you were finally over with the paperwork, you glanced behind you. Arthur had fallen asleep, with the book in one hand and the other under his head as a pillow. You raised and went next to him, sitting yourself lightly on the sofa. Your hand went to his shoulder in a gesture meant to wake him up, but you suddenly stopped. Arthur was...well, he looked so peaceful and beautiful, with his marble like skin and his golden hair. There was something almost so... magical about him, like he was a supernatural being.

'Arthur...Arthur wake up!'

He woke up with a groan. It took him a minute to realise where he was, then he looked at you and his gaze softened.

'Ah, ____, sorry I fell asleep. I must have been a little tired after all.'

'It's ok, but you shouldn't have stayed overtime because of me. Really, Arthur, you should have gone home!'

'But I couldn't leave you all alone, could I?' His hand took your hands gently. '_____, you know I have feelings for you. I... I love you so much, it hurts me, ____. I want us to be together. And I don't understand why you don't want me. I might not be Prince Charming, but I don't think I'm all that bad.'

You wanted to retreat your hands from his, but he didn't let go.

'Please, ___, just give me a chance. I know I can show you that I'm worth your time! Have you ever been in love? I want to care for you, and caress you, and spoil you, and do this-'. He cupped your head and kissed you softly. Arthur's lips were warm, and it made you flustered all over. The man's hands kept touching yours like he didn't want to let go. You gave in to that kiss. After all, what could possibly happen?