A/N: Sorry this part is really short but I have been trying to write all day and it’s taken three hours to write just this much so I am just going to post what I have done. Tomorrow is going to be better! (If I can get it together I might post the next part really late tonight)
Warnings: mentions of stress and work.
“Hey.” You said knocking on the door frame. Mr. Graves looked up from his file, a hint of a smile on his lips.
“Good evening, Ms. (l/n).” He said, folding the file and placing it down on his desk. He motioned you in and you gladly strolled in, stopping in front of his desk. You took your time and studied the man, noticing every minute detail about him. His overcoat and suit jacket were resting on the chair behind him, leaving him in his vests, button up, and slacks. You briefly saw that one of the cuffs on his sleeves were undone, a result of one of the files that he was thinking about earlier in the day. He looked worn down, the stress of the day had finally caught up to him now that it was night. You noticed that you had been silent for too long and he had caught you studying him. You blushed, your eyes falling on the floor as you bit your lip.
“I don’t know what your plans are for tomorrow, but if you don’t have any Christmas plans, you are welcome to come over to my apartment and have dinner if you’d like.” You finished, your eyes meeting his. This time a smile did grace his lips and he sat in silence a moment before speaking.
“I would love to join you for dinner tomorrow, (f/n).” He spoke and you felt the smile spread across your lips before you spoke. You clasped your hands in front of your chest grinning into them.
“Excellent! I’m going to be cooking a prime rib with gorgonzola sauce, scalloped potatoes, and a green bean casserole. Do you like red wine? What about desserts, do you have a preference?” You gush, planning every aspect of the dinner tomorrow night, prompting a soft chuckle from Percival. The noise caused you to snap out of your trance, causing you to blush when you noticed the look in Percival’s eyes.
“I love red wine. Don’t worry about dessert, I’ll bring something for the two of us to share. Do you want me to accompany you home? It’s late and New Yorkers are crazy during this time of year.” He informed me, standing up and putting on his coats. With a wave of his hand his files were sorted and but away, some in baskets that were next to the door, the rest in a small bag that he lifted on his shoulder. You opened your mouth to protest, you could walk home just fine by yourself, but he sent you a look that you knew that you would be walked home no matter what. You smiled, looping your arm through his and headed out of the door.
“Thank you Mr. Graves, you are very kind.” You grinned as you stepped outside. He seemed relaxed next to you as you ventured through the cold streets you directing him the entire time.
“You better keep that statement a secret, I don’t want everyone at the office to start getting mushy on me.” He jokingly cautioned, before continuing, “And if I will be attending dinner with you, please, call me Percival.” He finished. You smiled now and looked up at his beautiful, dark eyes.
“Percival.” You whispered, as if you could taste the name that was dancing on your tongue. The corner of his lips turned up in response, pleased at how the name rolled off of my tongue. From this proximity, you could see he faint wrinkles that littered his forehead and eyes and you could see a slight five o’ clock shadow forming. You could smell his unique scent, it hypnotized you into taking another step towards him.
“Are we close to your apartment?” He asked, causing you to step away from him slightly.
“Yes, it’s that one right there.” You replied, shaken up at how lost you had become in his eyes.
“The one right next to the building on the corner?” He asked, a slight tone of amusement in his voice. Your eyebrows raised in confusion.
“Yes, that one.” You replied, causing Percival to chuckle.
“The building next to it is where I live.” He finally admitted, causing you to giggle in understanding.
“How is it that in the four months I have lived there, we never figured this out?” You questioned, incredulous at the whole situation. He just shook his head in response. The rest of the walk was in silence, a smile was plastered on both of our faces.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” He said, stopping in front of the door to your apartment complex. You smiled turning to look at him again before you walked inside. He gently grasped your hand in his gloved one and pressed a small kiss to your knuckle, his coffee eyes never leaving yours, taking your breath away.
“Tomorrow, yes, at 5, on the ninth floor.” You spoke, your cheeks growing redder due to your discombobulated thoughts. He smirked at your response to him and turned to walk away before you grabbed his arm, pulling him close to you again before pressing kiss to his cheek and darting into the warmth of your building. You never turned to look back at him, but if you had, you would have seen the man with shock smeared across his face, yet a smile on his lips and a gloved hand touching the spot where your lips had touched him.
