Distraction
Atlas!Rhys x Reader
A/N: I had posted this yesterday but Tumblr cucked me and it all got deleted. So-- I had to retype it all. I am sorry for the delay. I am not used to doing x reader stuff so this is more of a warmup thing? If you want a part 2, let me know. This was requested by Anonymous, I hope you enjoy!
Summary: After building Atlas from its former shambles, the newly found CEO Rhys finds himself to be overwhelmed with work until a familiar face reappears in his life. A new assistant.
A long, harsh day weighed heavily on the back of the CEO’s neck. Paperwork, staff complaints, remodeling mishaps, bandit attacks, the list seems to never end. Rhys began to think he’s in way over his head- even though he has his friends to help, there is only so much they can do. The young man sat stiffly at his work cluttered desk with his elbows propped on the hard surface. His stressed face occupied by the familiar warmth and the cool metallic sting of his hands. A man lost in thought brought back to reality by a knock at the large metal door. The simple tone of the knock is one he grown accustom to. The pattern is none other than Fiona’s three prong bunny-hop knock. An oddly childish tune from such a serious person. Before Rhys could respond, the automated door had slid open while FIona entered and a familiar face followed closely behind. “So, Rhys, got a minute? I may have solved your little problem.” The stylish ex-con basted with a slight cocky tone. With immediate interest, his head rose from his hands with his miscolored gaze trailed to his friend who stood with her hand on her hip. However, his attention went to the slender figure behind her. His eyes traced over the details of your face and ended at your eyes. Those beautiful e/c eyes. He could recognize them anywhere. The two used to work together at the late Hyperion Station. It’s to Rhys’s relief that you’re still alive and in one piece. “Y/n” The CEO stammered out. “Oh, so you two already know one another?” Fiona asked. “Well, that makes this a lot easier. Sasha said that they’re pretty handy with organization and..stuff.” She paused slightly as if she were trying to remember what her sister had said. “I.uh..” Rhys seemed distracted for a moment before he shook himself out of his thoughts. “Yeah, we used to be old co-workers. “ The tired tone struck harder than he had expected, in hopes to ease the fatigue he allowed a friendly smile to occupy his lips. “It’s good to see you again. How have you been?” You seemed rather surprised that Rhys would remember you. Yes you two worked together but you two didn’t talk much. It wasn’t that you didn’t want to, you just didn’t know how to approach him. Every time you tried to hold a conversation with the cyborg, you would fumble over your own words or his friend Vaughn would claim his attention. Though, the awkward play continued for years, you two always managed to help one another and make the cluttered environment of Hyperion seem less as such. You both had a silent appreciation and trust of that. Rhys, however, wasn’t any better at holding conversation. He himself found it difficult to talk to you. Not for any harsh reason, only because he found you very attractive which caused him to be a loss for words. Perhaps he was taken back by the fact that someone like yourself would be wanting to talk to him? Either way, he knew his luck when it came to talking to people of interest, so he kept his mouth shut most of the time. “It’s good to see you too, sir.” You replied in a polite yet formal tone. A soft smile formed on your lips in return of the friendly gesture. “I’m-- alive.” You responded with a quiet chuckle to follow. Your gaze met his for a moment --as if his heart had skipped a beat, Rhys seemed to be at a loss for words. Those feelings from before had struck back in the harshest way possible. That smile, he never realized how much he missed it. After a moment of awkward silence and staring from the dreaming CEO, he finally stammered a question. “Not that I’m complaining but, why are you both here? Please tell me you brought food--”
“Well, as I said before you treader off to...where ever you go in that weird brain of yours, I may have found a solution to your problems.” Fiona nodded in your direction before continuing. “Y/n here seems sane enough to help you out. Kinda like an assistant.” “I don’t need an assi-” “Shut up, yes you do.” She interrupted the CEO. “Have you seen yourself? You have more bags under your eyes than Vallory does her entire body.” She walked to the desk and leaned her hands against the edge. “C’mon Rhys. This is one time I’m practically handing you help. What do you have to lose?” Rhys glanced from you to Fiona then back to you who stood behind, patiently waiting for them to finish. You felt uneasy knowing the two of you were talking about you as if you were not there. You felt his gaze on you once more which in return was met by yours. Little did you notice the heat rising in your cheeks, causing you to blush. Was it perhaps that someone was staring at you? Or, that you were scanning over the details of Rhys’ slender face. From his two-toned eyes to those soft lips trailing to the tattoo that peeked ever so carelessly from the neck of his outfit. You found him cute before but now.. he has changed so much. Even in this tired, stressed state you found him to be very handsome. “Alright .” His soothing voice pulled you back to reality. “You win, Fi.” “When have I ever lost to you?” A chuckle of victory cooed from her voice before turning on her heels to walk towards the exit. “Have fun you two. You know where to find me if you need me. So....try to not need me.” With that, Fiona left the office as the door closed behind her. Now it’s just the two of you, aware of such, you began to awkwardly fiddle with the edge of your jacket while you waited to be given orders. Admittedly, Rhys has never had an assistant before so he was unsure on where to have you begin. Also, knowing there wasn’t a spare desk in the room made him feel a bit uneasy. “Please, have a seat.” He managed to speak with a motion of his hand to one of the cushioned seats in front of his desk.”Make yourself comfortable.” You did as told and sat on the oddly comfortable chair. It seemed to envelop you in nothing but soft warmth which you found extremely cozy. It became obvious when a soft sigh of relief escaped your lip without intention. A soft, genuine smile formed on Rhys’ lips once more, happy to know that you found comfort even in the clutter. “Well, if you don’t mind, I’ll have you work at my desk until we can figure something out for you, desk wise.” “Oh, I don’t mind at all, sir.” You replied in a happy tone. “As long as I’m helping in some way, I’ll work anywhere you need me.” Your soft voice sent chills throughout the aching body of the CEO. “I..w-well..Thank you.” He replied.
Distracting himself from you, he looked over the piles of paper in front of him in hopes to find something to get you started on. He found just the thing. Taking a couple of piles, he placed them in front of you. “Do you mind sorting through these and separating the urgent from the others? If you find doubles, just toss’em. If you’re unsure of what’s what, feel free to ask. And please, just call me Rhys.” With a quick wink, his focus turned to the monitor in front of him. That familiar heat rose back into your cheeks from the charm of this man. Taking the stack, you began to quickly skim through reading key words to see what was absolutely important and what could be trashed. This went on for several minutes with nothing but the clacking of his keyboard and the sounds of papers being turned to fill the silence. The sounds began to irritate you a bit so you spoke up to fill the dead silence. “It’s been a while since we’ve talked. What happened? I heard you were being hunted down by Vasquez for a while.” The clacking stopped for a brief moment before a sigh followed. “That...is a long story.” “I have time if you’re willing to tell.” Rhys looked at you with a spark that seemed to shine in his eyes. His heart bubbled with a feeling he hasn’t felt in a long time. He truly has missed you. “Well, it all started with a...job change.” Rhys began. You both continued to work while Rhys told of his adventure of how he ended up as the newly found CEO of Atlas. Of course, there were many times he had gotten way into the story and acted out a few things and of course did silly voices when impersonating other people. The next few hours seemed to pass quickly as the two talked, you asking follow-up questions of his story which allowed him to know you were listening. The end of the day crept quickly upon you both, catching both by surprise. As the alarm chimes, the sound used to be pleasing to the CEO’s ears. This time, he felt disappointment in his gut. The both of you look at each other for a brief moment, silence filling the room. You stand from your chair and straighten your top before turning your attention back to Rhys. As soon as you were about to speak, he beat you to the punch. “Y/n. Would you..like to..maybe.. uh..” The man began to rub the back of his neck while his eyes shifted to the side. “Would you like to get a drink? It’ll be on me.” You gave your boss an odd look, as if you thought he was kidding but noticing how nervous he acted, you gave him a solid answer. “I would love to, Rhys.”