Author's Note: I'd like to thank the lovely @fireandiceland for dragging me into this wonderful rarepair!
It was the calm before the storm. Arthur sat just outside the double doors that led to the conference room they would be using for the weekend. He took a large gulp of his coffee. Black and bitter, just what he needed to steel himself for the hell hole he was about to enter.
He was just making his way over to the trash can to throw out his cup when he spotted a very frantic Kateryna. She was rushing towards him, fiddling with her shirt.
“Are you alright Ms. Ukraine?” he asked as she approached.
“Please Arthur…How many times must I tell you Kateryna is just fine.”
“Forgive me. But really, you seem…frazzled.” Kateryna’s grip on her shirt tightened, her gaze falling on it. “I-I…I’m in a bit of a predicament,” she admitted, “My shirt’s top button broke, and well…I look less than professional without it.”
Her grip on her shirt loosened slightly, revealing a bit of her cleavage. Oh. OH. That was what she meant. Arthur, who had been staring for a moment, quickly looked away, blushing furiously. “Ah, I see…W-Well…If you still have the button, I could fix it for you.”
“Oh that would be wonderful, thank you!” She looked around. “Where should we do this?”
“There is a small conference room nearby that’s rarely in use. We can work there.”
Kateryna nodded, letting Arthur lead her.
When they got inside, Arthur locked the door for more privacy.
“Sit there,” he said, gesturing to a nearby chair. He wiggled out of his suit jacket and gave it to her. “I’m going to need you to take your shirt off. Use this to cover up.”
Kateryna’s cheeks flushed a light pink. “O-Oh…Okay. Thank you.”
Arthur turned around, giving her some privacy.
Slowly, Kateryna unbuttoned her shirt, throwing Arthur’s back hesitant looks. He painted himself as a gentleman, so he wouldn’t peek right? She shimmied out of her shirt quickly and picked up Arthur’s jacket. She was much taller than the Brit, and he was a twig, especially compared to her, but at least the jacket would cover her front. It would have to do.
“Done,” she called, handing her shirt and button to Arthur.
“Good. It’ll be just a few minutes.”
Arthur took a seat across from Kateryna and started working, keeping his eyes fixed on the fabric. He looked…kind of cute, so focused on such a small task. Kateryna couldn’t help but smile. Perhaps that gentlemanly demeanour wasn’t just a facade like many thought.
“So…Is this a regular occurrence?” Arthur asked, not looking up from his work.
“Unfortunately yes,” Kateryna sighed, “If it’s not buttons breaking off, the chest area is too tight, or the pant legs aren’t long enough, or the dress doesn’t contain…” She gestured to her chest. “This.”
Arthur nodded along as he sewed.
When he was finished, he lifted the shirt and inspected his work. “There you go,” he said, offering the shirt to her.
Arthur turned around once more to allow her to get dressed.
“Hey…” he spoke up after a moment, “I may have a solution to your problem.”
Kateryna looked towards Arthur mid-way through buttoning her shirt. “Really?”
“Let me make you some clothes. Tailor-made to fit you exactly.”
Kateryna froze. That was far too much to ask of him. “Arthur I couldn’t–”
“It wouldn’t be any trouble.” She could tell he was smiling despite his back being turned to her. “I enjoy sewing and knitting in my free time. You’ve just given me a more specific project, which actually helps me.”
“W-Well if it’s not too much trouble…I guess.”
“Then it’s decided,” Arthur cheered. “Can I turn around now?”
Kateryna quickly did the last of her buttons. “Y-Yes. Thank you.”
“We’ll figure out the details after the meeting,” Arthur explained, rising to his feet.
Kateryna nodded and followed him out of the room.
Kateryna had arrived early for the meeting. A whole week early to be exact. She was to meet Arthur to get her measurements so he could start his project for her. Guilt still gnawed at her over it. This was such a big thing, and Arthur was doing it free of charge.
She shook her head. Now wasn’t the time for this. She lifted her fist to the door and knocked lightly.
Thumping came from the other side before the door opened to reveal a disheveled-looking Arthur. His shirt was wrinkled, his hair was more messy than usual with a few strands standing on end, and bags were starting to form under his eyes. Upon seeing Kateryna he immediately straightened his posture, hands combing over his shirt in an attempt to flatten it.
“Oh, Kateryna. I’m sorry…I…I didn’t realize the time,” he said with an awkward laugh.
“It’s alright.” She gave him a warm smile.
They stared at each other for a moment, awkwardly, before Arthur finally broke away with a shake of his head. “Come in, come in. We’ll be working in the living room.”
He led her a short way down the hall, to a cozy little seating area with a couch, matching green loveseat, and a worn maroon armchair. On the coffee table sat a couple of notebooks, a measuring tape, and a black kitten playing with the items.
“Aww, who’s this little guy?” Kateryna asked, already crouching down and offering her hand to the little ball of fur.
The kitten looked up at Kateryna with wide green eyes before pressing his head against her hand and rubbing against it.
“He’s very friendly,” Arthur explained, “Can’t say the same for Biscuit though…That’s why he’s upstairs.”
“Alright dear, time to move so I can get to work,” Arthur said to Merlin, picking him up. He rubbed against Arthur’s cheek, purring loudly. “I know, I know. I love you too. Now go play somewhere else.” He placed Merlin on the floor, and the kitten darted upstairs.
Arthur turned back to Kateryna. “So. Shall we get started?”
Kateryna quickly rose to her feet. “Yes, of course.”
Arthur grabbed his measuring tape off the table and moved one of his notebooks close to the edge for quick access. He started with her neck. “Just let me know if it’s too tight,” He murmured, his nose inches from her skin. It made Kateryna blush slightly.
“I’m good,” she replied, perhaps a little too tightly.
Arthur mumbled the measurement to himself before scratching it into the notebook. He repeated the process for her arms, her height, and the length of her legs. He got slightly flustered when it came time to measure her hips, waist, and chest.
“Forgive me,” Arthur murmured as he wrapped the measuring tape around her middle.
He was so close. She could see his long lashes and his face littered with freckles. There was also a little crooked bone near the bridge of his nose. He smelled of earl grey and the earthy smell that lingered after it rained. All things she had never quite noticed before looking at him this closely.
Kateryna held her breath, praying her heartbeat wasn’t as loud as she heard in her ear. Too nervous, she failed to see that Arthur seemed just as flustered, his face bright red as he measured the last few areas.
He scribbled down the last measurements, not daring to look Kateryna in the eye (at least until his blush subsided). Eventually, he closed the notebook. “Now then,” he said with a sigh, “Shall I make us some tea, and we can discuss what kind of clothes you’d like best.”
“That would be wonderful,” Kateryna beamed, “Thank you.”
“How about we enjoy it in the garden? I could use some fresh air.”
Arthur led Kateryna out back to the garden to a set of a table and two chairs. He pulled one out for her to sit.
“Thank you,” Kateryna said, accepting the offer.
“Of course. Now, I’ll be right back with the tea.”
With Arthur gone, Kateryna took a moment to admire Arthur’s garden. The scent of multiple types of flowers mingled in the air making her feel as though she was in a field of wildflowers. She took a deep breath through her nose in appreciation.
It was magical almost, with flowers growing everywhere you looked. Lavender, roses, daffodils, daisies. Almost every flower she could think of had some place in Arthur’s garden. And it all came together with the towering oak in the center. She wasn’t a tree expert, but from the aura alone it seemed very old.
“There we are,” Arthur cheered, putting a tray of tea and biscuits onto the table. He took a seat across from her, added some milk and sugar, and began sipping at his tea. “Now, what kind of clothes would you be interested in? Style, type, fit?”
“I’m not picky, but it can get chilly, so definitely at least some warm clothes. Whatever is easier.”
“Noted. Hmm…Casual or formal?”
“Okay.” Arthur closed the notebook he had and put it on the table. “That’s settled.”
He leaned back, taking another sip of tea. “Feel free to take a biscuit,” Arthur offered, “I made them myself.”
Kateryna timidly took a cookie. Now with the topic of clothes out of the way, she wasn’t quite sure what to say next. She and Arthur weren’t exactly friends, and she didn’t know much about him other than what people said (and those images were often skewed).
“You have a lovely garden,” Kateryna complimented after a moment.
“Why thank you. It’s quite the way to pass the time and keep me busy when there is a lull in work.”
“I enjoy gardening too. Though I specialize in sunflowers.”
“I could never get them quite right. I don’t think there is enough sun for them here.”
She nodded in understanding. “Well, you could always come over to my house and see mine.”
“That would be lovely actually.”
For the rest of the afternoon, the two chatted about gardening, exchanging tips, discussing their favourite flowers, and the like. Arthur had even taught Kateryna a little about Victorian flower language. It was a lovely afternoon, to say the least.
But soon afternoon turned to evening, and Kateryna felt like she had overstayed her welcome. “Well, I’ve had a wonderful time,” she said, rising to her feet, “But I better get going.”
“Why not stay in my guest room?” Arthur proposed.
Her brows furrowed slightly “Are you sure?”
“Yes. I couldn’t have you paying for a hotel. Especially since it’s just me this week. My brothers are off visiting friends.”
She felt her cheeks warm ever so slightly. “Okay then. As long as I’m not imposing.”
Arthur gave her a grin. “You could never.”
She returned it with a soft smile of her own and followed him into the house.
Arthur had been working for a week straight on Kateryna’s clothes. It was starting to get concerning. His bags had become even darker, he was rarely seen without his knitting or fabric and thread, and when he did stop for a break, he struggled to keep his eyes open. Kateryna couldn’t bear to see him go on like this.
She ate dinner alone that evening, just as she had been for the last few days. But enough was enough. After finishing her meal and making a plate for Arthur, she stormed into the living room where he had been working since lunch.
She placed the plate on the coffee table and towered over the Brit. “Arthur, you need to stop,” Kateryna scolded.
It took Arthur a moment to register she was there; he was nodding off yet again.
Up close, Kateryna could see all the cuts and pokes he had acquired for her sake. Her frown deepened.
“Just this last piece,” Arthur stated, not tearing his eyes away from the fabric, “Then I’ll take a break.”
“You’ve done more than enough. You can’t possibly think you can get this all done in a week.”
“No…But I want you to go home with at least a few pieces.”
Kateryna sighed. When Arthur was sweet, he was sickly so apparently. “Please, Arthur. You’re worrying me.”
“Ow,” Arthur hissed, dropping his needle and shaking his hand. Kateryna took the chance and snatched whatever he was working on away from him. “Kateryna!”
She ignored his string of protest and pulled him up. As she began to drag him, Arthur finally surrendered and let her pull him. She guided him to the bathroom wrapping his deeper injuries in bandaids.
"Are you hungry?" Kateryna asked as she put the last bandaid on, "Or would you rather go straight to bed."
Arthur rose to his feet, wobbling slightly from exhaustion. "I'll eat or else I'll be up in the middle of the night hungry."
Kateryna nodded, steadying him slightly before following him back to the living room.
Arthur only ate half of the plate Kateryna had prepared before he started nodding off. Kateryna quickly grabbed it before he accidentally dropped it. “Let’s get you to bed,” she suggested softly, pulling Arthur to his feet once more.
Arthur nodded, far more compliant than he had been.
She guided him to his room and laid him on the bed. Once he was comfortable, she pulled the covers over him and ensured he was tucked in snuggly.
When she pulled away, Arthur was staring at her intently. For a moment she worried she had gone too far.
“Thank you,” Arthur murmured, a small smile spreading across his face.
“You’re welcome. Now sleep.”
She headed to the door, stealing one last glance at Arthur before heading back to the living room.
Months passed, and Arthur remained hard at work. Not as hard as he had been though--Kateryna made sure he wasn’t exhausting himself over this. But after months, Arthur finally felt he had made enough and headed over to Kateryna’s house to show it all off to her.
“Oh Arthur,” Kateryna gasped when she opened the door, “You didn’t have to do all this.”
“But I did. You deserve clothes that are both comfortable and stylish.”
Kateryna bit back a laugh. “You sound like Francis.”
“Don’t you ever compare me to that frog,” Arthur spat. But there was a playful glint in his eye, showing he was not serious.
Kateryna let out an amused huff, collecting some of the bags and helping him bring all the clothes inside. She led Arthur to her bedroom, that way she could put all the clothes in her closet once she tried each piece on.
“Thank you,” Arthur said, letting out a sigh of relief as he let the bags fall onto Kateryna’s bed.
Well, she might as well start trying some things on. She opened the bag closest to her and pulled out a lovely evening gown. It was a beautiful, off-the-shoulder dress made of dark blue fabric and decorated with the occasional sparkle of silver on the skirt, matching the wispy accents on the top. It would be perfect for the winter event Arthur had casually invited her to during one of their many phone calls.
“Go on, try it,” Arthur encouraged, arms crossed awkwardly with a lopsided grin.
She nodded and headed to her ensuite to get dressed. Once she slipped into the dress, she was amazed at how well it fit her. It hugged her in the right places, and it actually contained her breasts, unlike most dresses. It was a nice colour on her too. She did a little spin, admiring herself in the mirror.
Minutes later, she stepped out of the washroom. Arthur’s eyes immediately fell on her, jaw literally dropping.
Kateryna blushed slightly, becoming self-conscious under Arthur’s unreadable gaze. “D-Does it look alright?” She stuttered, hands gripping her skirt.
“You look…” Arthur swallowed hard. “You look breathtaking.”
Kateryna’s breath hitched. “Really?”
His eyes were so soft. Kateryna never thought such a short-tempered, jaded man could ever have so much tenderness in his eyes as Arthur did at that moment. He approached her, almost shyly.
“May I try something?” Arthur whispered.
He reached up, knuckles brushing against her heated cheek before he gently guided her down to meet his lips.
Kateryna let out a surprised noise, having not expected such an action. But eventually, she calmed herself and eagerly kissed back, arms coming to wrap around Arthur’s neck. It was slow, chaste, yet oh so intoxicating.
When they finally pulled away, for a moment, they just stared at each other, smiling, a matching dazed look in their eyes. Kateryna rested her forehead against Arthur’s, her arms remaining loosely wrapped around him.
But slowly, Arthur came down from the high, and his actions caught up to him. He scrambled away, face beet red. “Sorry I…H-How about you just try something else on.”
Kateryna smirked and inched closer. “Okay,” she giggled. But before returning to the bathroom with another outfit, she quickly stole a cheek kiss. She dashed into the bathroom with one of the bags, leaving behind a sputtering Arthur.
