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nahoney22 · 1 year

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Outcast (part 1/2)

Ebenezer Scrooge X F!Reader

word count: 3.8k

• Gif is mine, please credit if used •

After sitting back and holding your tongue about the way your boss goes about business, one Wintery night left you feeling rather frosty.

warnings: SFW, confrontation, Scrooge is a meany, reader is female and is wearing a dress, employee and boss relationship, mention of debtors, fluff at the end 😚 no use of y/n and not proofread ✍️

A/N sometimes it’s good to stray away from the Star/Clone Wars fandom for a bit and since my new obsession is this film, I couldn’t help myself

Masterlist

Part one | Part two

𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙

Another year, another harsh winter. Maybe even more harsh than the last.

Painful pellets of cold snow blister along your features as you walk to your oh-so-lovely work in the early hours of the morning.

Luckily your hat managed to prevent the snow from blinding you completely so you could make out the outline of the Scrooge and Marley building where you had both the fortunate and unfortunate life of working there. Fortunately, it was a means of work so you were occupied, getting paid for something other than being a housemaid or someone who worked in a sweated industry. Supposedly being a secretary wasn’t all too bad yet the unfortunate side… was your boss. Ebenezer Scrooge.

Speaking of which, he was sitting in his office already upon your arrival. His door was closed and you spotted through the small window that he seemed to be in a heated discussion with whoever was on the other side.

At least you had enough time to hang up your coat and hat, brushing off any snow that dusted your clothing before checking the books. You turn to say a quick hello to Bob but frown to see the friendly faced clerk was nowhere to be seen. That is until the door to Scrooge's office bursts open and Bob appears with his face the same colour as his hair. Red.

“Bob? What is it?” You asked worriedly, watching him walk to the coat stand and wrap his scarf around his neck before slamming his hat on his head.

He inhaled a deep sigh and went to open his mouth but stopped when the sound of floorboards creaking interrupted him.

You both turn your heads, looking to see Scrooge stood there with his head high, chest puffed out and hands behind his back. “Still here Cratchit? I was certain I had told you to go to the factory to collect more ink.”

You blink and a frown crosses your features. “But sir, an order came in just last week? It will take Bob three hours to walk all the way there?” You even went ahead to check the books to see if you were correct but Scrooge had already snatched it out of your grasp before you could even flip the page.

“Yes we did. But Cratchit here has a habit of spilling every drop he can.” He gives you a stern look as you slowly pull your hand back, finding his gaze sometimes hard to look at. Especially when he was in one of his moods which gets a little more testy around this time of year. “And in doing so, he has now sacrificed a week's pay.”

With your eyes widening at the seemingly unfair punishment, you look back at your friend whose chest was heaving. Never had you seen him so angry. There was no kinder spirit than Bob Cratchit; a loving man with a just as loving family. You wish you could say the same about a certain someone.

“Sir, I’ll get ill if I go out there in this weather!” He gestures to the window, the snowfall being heavier than usual and you couldn’t even begin to tell him how slippy the pavements are at this time in the morning. “I need to work for my family, my boy. H-he’s ill.”

Your heart panged with sadness as Bob tried to plead with your boss, eyes watering just slightly.

“Well, if you get sick and you need the week off I will allow it. But then you’ll be sacrificing two weeks worth of pay.” He chuckles almost darkly, a daring look on his face as if to say ‘defy me and reap the consequences’.

The shock at his words made you audibly gasp, causing Scrooge to look at you with a questioning glance but all you can do is scoff and shake your head.

He had been cold towards you both in the past but this was taking the cake significantly.

It was a shame, really. Sometimes you did not even mind your boss and had come across his sensitive side maybe once or twice… or just the once. It was the perception of the townspeople that typically swayed one’s opinion on another and he just so happened to have a negative one. Granted he was not so popular yet was all at the same time. To which was a misfortune since you had spent many a time (although you would have thought it was little until Bob pointed it out one day) that you would find yourself gazing at Scrooge in his office. Simply imagining what it would be like to give him just a touch of tenderness as you caressed a hand over his bristled cheek. After all, he was quite a handsome man.

Then, what may be a foolish idea at first, you head straight into his office, ignoring his protesting and swipe up some shillings from his desk.

“What do you think you’re doing? How dare you steal money from me!” You ignored him, purposely brushing past him with the skirt to your dress following swiftly behind and gesture for Bob to stick his hand out.

As he does, you pour the money into his tattered gloved hand. “This is my week's pay. I would like you to have it.”

“Ma’am, I couldn’t possibly-.” He goes to protest, ready to give it back but you closed his hand firmly.

“Yes you can. One of us here has a family and it is not me and it is not Ebenezer,” you glance over your shoulder to gauge your boss's reaction, none short of furious, “you need this. I also do not wish for you to go to the factory as we have plenty of ink in stock here. Go home and get warm. We will see you tomorrow.”

After so many months of sitting back and allowing Scrooge to talk down to folk, you had finally lost your resilience and had to do the right thing. Truthfully, you wish you had done something earlier but who were you to interject in your bosses affairs and clients? However this was aboout Bob; a friend.

So many had left this office with their faces as white as snow, tears streaming down their cheeks and silent sobs bursting from their chests when Scrooge had either denied them money or charged more than they owed. It made you wonder, how many people went hungry that night because of the man you worked for.

Surprisingly, the young man did not even bid a farewell to his boss as he left. You watched him leave into the snow and let out a relieved exhale but your small shift of happiness diminished when you felt a cold presence behind you and it wasn’t from the brief chill that had blown in.

“Who do you think you are?”

You chew on the inside of your cheek, suppressing your laugh of disgust before you finally turn to face him, chin up. “Is something the matter?” Feigning an innocence.

Scrooge's fists clenched by his sides, eye twitching. “How dare you dismiss my staff. How dare you go into my office without my permission, may I add, and pay your wage to them.”

You shake your head at him. “And how dare you almost dismiss him to his death. Do you realise how sick he could become if he made that unnecessary journey?” You move past him, taking Bob’s place on his small desk, shifting and tidying up his notes.

His jaw was so sharp and tight it could cut through paper and he had the nerve to laugh at your words. “His death? Please, he would have been fine.”

You pause the shuffling of some papers and stare right at him, almost through him. Your gaze was strong, powerful and one that almost made his knees buckle. Have you always appeared so fierce? A fire in the winter storm?

“How can you be so selfish?” Your words were slightly hushed. He couldn’t help but feel his face soften for just a mere moment. You didn’t even sound angry, just disappointed as if there was no chance of change for him. “So cruel? Do you get some kind of satisfaction of wanting to be an outcast all your life?” You continue, the flames of the candle by your left light up your eyes and for a second he wasn’t too sure if it was the reflection of the candle at all.

Your words stung, more than he thought they would have but granted, it was about some time someone was willing to put him in his place. He just didn’t think it would be his quiet secretary.

“That still does not give you the right to send Cratchit home. I need him to work today.” He ignores your harsh yet truth-filled words, fixing his shirt collar and tie as if someone had just had their hands round him and tried to knock sense into him.

“And I shall pick up the slack.” You grab yourself a quill and a small ink pot, making small adjusts to the paperwork.

Scrooge raises a brow and smirks a little. “You’re aware you have given up your wages for this week?”

You could almost hear the smirk on his lips without even looking. Feeling something nudge at your legs, you glance down to see Prudence rubbing uk agaisnt you, asking for pats which you gladly gave. “I am aware. I am also aware that given this disagreement and the mere fact you disagree with me helping my fellow colleague that my stuff will have to be cleared out come the morrow?”

He’s taken aback as you look his way once more. There’s no sign of sorrow on your face at the possibility of you losing your job, in fact it seemed that there was expectance.

A small whine from Prudence catches his attention, her puppy-dog eyes almost pleading him in a sense to let you stay.

Agitated, he runs a hand through his greying hair and stands straight with a small stomp of his foot. “I expect a full report of yesterday’s money-lending antics on my desk by the end of the day. I also expect a new order of five ink well pots to make up for the ones that had been spilt this morning.” Then he turns, and leaves through the archway of his office and closes the door behind him.

A wave of relief washes through you and you share a look with Prudence. “I know girl, I know.”

𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙

When six o’clock draws near you almost cheer. Scrooge had not spoken a word to you since that morning which for some peculiar reason made the day appear longer than usual.

Every now and again, you would look up from your spot that is usually accompanied by Bob to glance through the window to Scrooge’s office, both horrified and curious to see him already looking back. Once your eyes had locked, he’d quickly look away and shake his head, mumble soemthing to himself and you curse yourself for not being able to read one’s lips.

You collect the reports as requested and make a stand. Your dress had crumbled a little so you straighten it out and rest your hands on hips to have an idle touch of your corset to make sure it was locked properly in place.

What you didn’t see was your boss stealing a glance your way again, his blood running hot and not because he was still angry from this morning. The second you turn back around and he just knew you were coming into his office he almost frantically tided up his desk the second you knock on the door.

“Come in.” He clears his throat, a quill in his hand as he scribbles a whole load of nonsense onto some parchment as if to look ‘busy’.

When you enter, you head straight to his desk and gently place your work of the day ontop

of a small pile already there and take a step back. “Is there anything else I can do before I leave tonight, sir?”

Obviously aware of your presence, he only now looks up at you. His room was dark already, lit by a few candles but you seemed to glow the most. Your face was neutral, soft to touch. He blinks out of his unwelcoming daze, almost disgusted at himself for finding something or someone nice to look at.

“No, that will be all. I expect you same time tomorrow.” He dismissed you with a wave of his hand. As you begin to leave, his curiosity got the better of him and stands to his feet and follows after you before you could leave. “W-wait. May I have a moment of your time?”

You were quite surprised how quick he was to catch up to you and even more surprised how he managed to stand in front of the buildings door before you could even reach the handle. Pausing, you give him a quizzing glance and rest your hands together over your stomach. “You may, Sir.”

“What you did today for Cratchit,” he begins, walking over towards the desk you were previously sitting at, finger trailing along the old wood, “what possessed you to do such a thing? It was not your money to give away.”

There was some shock that hit you that he was willing to discuss this morning again. But alas, you give him your answer. “If you were to hand me the money from your own hand it still would have been mine and regardless, I would have given it to him. He needs the money more than I do.”

He’s stunned but still confused. “And you do not need money? Does your husband, partner have a worthy enough income?”

For some reason you found yourself chuckling at his question and he instantly took offence. “What is so funny about that?”

“Forgive me, I am not laughing at the question. I am simply laughing because for all the time you have known me, you should have realised by now there is no ring on my finger.” You hold up your hand and of course, there was no jewel in sight.

To say the least, he was surprised that you were not for accounted for. “You have never been courted? I am… surprised.”

You shift a little, unsure how the topic of you giving Cratchit money was related to you being unmarried but by the look on his face, he genuinely seemed interested. It made you feel…odd. But in a good way. Maybe you telling him off today may have sunken in. And he’s surprised? You don’t know wether or not to blush but your cheeks naturally warm up anyway.

“If you are to put it like that then yes, I am. Unmarried and never been courted.” You sigh.

“Oh.”

You pull your lips into a tight smile and slowly nod. “So seeing as I only have to care for myself and not my husband nor children, I am stable enough to help a family man.”

“And if you are to go hungry?” He quizzes.

You hum in some kind of ironic amusement, tightening your coat around your body as you hear the wind pick up outside. “Then I will be the same with many of the rabble we take money from.”

He scoffed, thinking you were joking for a second but the look on your face said otherwise. “We do not take money. We lend the money to those in debt and catch them out when they can not pay it back. Their burdens are of their own consequences.”

“And so you must ask them for extra? Knowing they can not pay on time?” You don’t look to him as you speak, hoping to not start up another fight as you were about to leave. You were lucky enough to remain working here after this morning. “Again forgive me Sir, but I have been on the receiving end and during Winter, times are exceptionally hard.”

There was a hint of subtle emotion in your voice and you sigh, shaking it off and look over to him to see an unreadable expression. His eyebrows were furrowed, lips turned downward yet his eyes showed just a little something. Remorse? Guilt? You were unsure. What you were sure of however was that you wanted to get home and curl up in your lonely bed to get away from this cold.

“May I be excused for this evening?”

He closes his eyes, taking in all what you had said but felt conflicted in one’s self. Of course he thought what he was doing was right. People must reap of their consequences but your voice was telling him that one should not suffer because of them. “Yes, very well.”

He steps aside and actually opens the door for you, surprising you at the small gentlemanly notion. “Thank you Sir. Please be careful when walking home, it is rather slippy.” You mention as you step out the door, sliding on your gloves and inhale the crisp and bone-chilling air.

“Goodnight.” Ebenezer quickly adds as you begin to walking down the snow covered steps, pausing to look back his way.

“And to you.”

———

The sound of someone thumping against a wooden door frame was what brought you out of your work, gazing up to see your boss standing in the doorway to his office and looking at you. “Do you have a minute to spare?”

You carefully place your quill back in the ink pot, careful not to drop any spillages on your paperwork before making a stand. He steps into his office, you following and closing the door behind you. “Is everything okay?”

“Quite, yes. I-I’ve been thinking. All last night, I simply could not sleep no matter how hard I tried.” He sounded worrisome and you certainly hoped he had not fallen ill because of the weather. Even if it was a big fat ‘I told you so.’

“Oh Sir,” you walk towards him and hold your chilly hand to his head, completely freezing him and he was certain he didn’t freeze up because of how cold your hands were either, “are you ill?”

“No, ah - I,” he’s stammering awkwardlly, face flushed as you come close to him but gently moves your hand away from his face, “I wanted to express my apologies for how I acted yesterday. I was rude and unkind to my… best workers.”

“…We are your only workers, Sir.” You can’t help but blush and laugh softly. However, you were pleasantly surprised to hear him apologise to you - it was never like him to do so. Gods, did you manage to wear down the Ebenezer Scrooge?

He laughs a little and nods, rubbing the sleeve of his suit on his left arm. “Yes, yes that may be true but I was foolish yesterday. I have you to thank for making me realise how callous I behaved. Therefore, I have a gift for you. And for Cratchit when he returns to work.”

He piques your curiosity, watching as he stuffs his hand into his pocket and pulls out a small pouch and gesturing by the small jingle it held, that meant money. “I would like you to have this, as compensation for my behavior but as well as gratitude for your hard work.” He extends out his hand to where you hesitantly take his offering and almost gasp at how heavy it felt.

He could see you weighing it up in your hand and smiled as your eyes brightened. Clearly, so much relief had fallen from your shoulders. But before you can ask, he interjects quickly. “Fifty pounds.”

Your eyes, which were trained on the pouch, snapped up to meet him with your mouth agape. “F-fifty?”

“Yes.” He nods, holding onto each of the lapels to his dress suit, straightening it out as he stands proud. “And not to worry, Bob will receive the same amount.”

You couldn’t believe what was happening nor could you believe what you were about to do.

You step to the side and place the pouch onto his desk for a second and you could see in his eyes that he is about to question why you’re returning it but before he could open his mouth, your hands found the back of his neck as you pulled yourself in for a warm embrace.

Never had Scrooge felt his life freeze before his very eyes until this moment. He stiffens up like a plank of wood, hands extended to the side pathetically as he takes in the feeling of your chest pressed to his own and your chin resting on his right shoulder.

“Sir, I can not thank you enough. You have bestowed me with enough warmth, room and food for the remainder of Winter and upcoming Spring.” Your breath bristles against his neck, a warmth radiating him and ridding him of all the bad even if just for a mere moment. It sent waves of shock through him.

“W-well, that is quite alright.” Again, his hands stayed to the side. To hear you thank him however ignited the start of a small flame on a fire brewing inside him. Seeing how one person can act to such kindness made him wonder if the same could be said for all the others. “I hope it is a significant fund for you.”

You pull away from him yet your hands now rest on either shoulder, a sweet smile on your lips. “Oh Sir, it’s more than I could have ever asked for.”

He’s looking down at you, trying to ignore the odd sensation in his gut at the proximity. It was improper yet, he could not take his eyes away from you. “Please, call me Ebenezer.”

There was no taking back what you were about to do, but with your heart so full knowing you can live securely for the upcoming months with no hassle, you just had to thank him again.

On the tips of your toes you lean up and place a small lingering kiss to his cheek. Perhaps a little too close to the corner of his lips but as his hands immediately fly to your waist, fingers grazing against the boning of your corset underneath your dress you gathered it was welcome.

As you pull away, your eyes glimmered with innocence and you blushed as you see his eyes were closed, breath a little ragged. Once he opened up again to look at you, he’s breathtaken and you know that maybe it was time to step away.

“Thank you Si- Ebenezer,” as you take a small

step back, his hands had stilled at your waist causing you to stop for a moment, raising an amused brow until he clears his throat and finally lets his hands slip away, “my heart is full.”

He’s speechless, truly. Your lips still lingers on his skin, goosebumps trailing up his arms. As he goes to speak, nothing comes out. So instead, he gives you a smile and a nod of courtesy.

Maybe he will do something nice again for you in the future.

#ebenezer scrooge x reader #ebenezer scrooge #scrooge a christmas carol #not sw related #scrooge x reader #luke evans voice makes me melt #Scrooge #Scrooge Netflix

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nahoney22 · 1 year

Text

Outcast (part 2/2)

Ebenezer Scrooge X F!Reader

word count: 4.5k

•gif is mine, please credit if used•

With you never seeming to leave his mind, what happens when his irritable nephew comes by and offers company for a dinner party this Christmas. Will he accept and will he pick you as a date?

Masterlist

Warnings: none, fluff. Scrooge still a little bit of an arse but we love that for him. Quite a heated 😚, not really happy how it turned out ngl I was rushing towards the end. Not proofread.

Part one | Part two

Never had Scrooge been so perplexed about his own feelings before.

The ounce of kindness he had shown last week was playing on his mind both for the good and bad. Good in the sense that it made him feel positive to do something for another yet, the outcome was not at all what he expected.

As you kissed his cheek, clearly overcome with joy in that moment, Scrooge felt sickened soon after. He let his guard down so quickly, something he had never done before in many years. Though, he did replay the moment you had leaned into him and placed your soft lips to his cheek. It sent waves of butterflies in his stomach whenever he thought about it or glanced in your direction.

He simply refused to let something or someone like that get to him again. He’s adamant about that, so certain never to feel that weakness… until you walked into his office.

“Sir?”

As he was scribbling furiously, just thinking about you and the little peck on his cheek, the point of his quill almost pierced the parchment on his desk as he gazed up at you - heart aflame.

“Y-yes?” He clears his throat, sitting up straight and pushing his messy work to the side. “What is it?”

You enter, closing the door behind you. “There is an issue with one of these logs you filled out last week.” You say, a little nervous as correcting your boss was something you never wanted to do and even felt a little out of turn in doing so.

His eyes narrow and holds out his hand, gesturing for the book to which you hand over. A small shuddering breath escapes him however as the touch of your fingers briefly touches his own but you don’t seem to have noticed. Good.

As he checks everything over, he’s almost horrified to see that indeed, there was a mistake. It was only a minor error, a simple misplacement of a decimal point but that is besides the point. He never made mistakes.

Eyes glancing down at the date, he cringes mentally to see it was the exact date he had succumbed to some good in his life. “Ah,” he tenses, fingers flexing against his desk as he suddenly finds it hard to look up at you, “I see.”

You nod slowly, feeling quite a little tense yourself. You wouldn’t particularly say that Ebenezer went back to his old ways, but he had been fairly distant with you. Perhaps you hugging him and giving a small kiss on the cheek was out of line. Though, you believed he would have addressed it, surely? So for now, you kept quiet just as he had been.

“It has been corrected.” He notes, making the necessary changes to the book before sliding it towards you, finally glancing up in your direction. Had your skin always glowed that certain way? Subconsciously he swallows the saliva that built in his throat, wiping his sweaty palms on his suit pants under the desk. “Is there… is there anything else I should be aware of?”

You shake your head. “No. That will be all.” Swiping up the book, you turn to leave but stop as an abrupt noise of a chair scraping across the wooden floor caught your attention. Looking over your shoulder, you raise a brow to see Scrooge standing straight, looking at you but his face reads confusion and nervousness. “Is everything the matter?”

“Yes, I uh,” he struggles to find a reason for his sudden burst of bizzare behaviour, “I saw a spider on my desk.”

“Oh,” you begin to walk back towards his desk to deal with the pesky critter but he quickly moves round the front of his desk and holds his hands up.

“That is quite alright. I can deal with it.” His arm extends, a gesture for you to head towards the door and get back to work.

You’re quick to notice his tone seemed different. There was no anger, no snarky comments he just seemed… peculiar. “Well if you insist.” He walks with you to the door, his hand grasping the handle.

“Indeed I do.” He nods firmly but when you smile at him, his knees go weak and he finds himself smiling too. A rare but handsome sight.

You’re both staring at each other, breaths both a little shaky as clearly you both think about the elephant in the room. If you took one step closer to him, you’re bound to be chest to chest and although you find yourself tempted, you know in your mind that it would be foolish. However, you were unaware that he was thinking the same. He could cloud your senses in a matter of moments, he could take you in his arms and tell you that you’re special for making him feel this way. Subtly, his eyes flicker to your lips…He could perhaps kiss you too if you would allow him.

But, before he could open his mouth (if anything was going to be said anyway) the door bursts wide open sending you tumbling onto the ground upon impact.

“UNCLE EBENEZ- oh dear, are you quite alright?”

You’re rubbing the back of your neck as you sit up to see what could have possibly made you fall so much. Vision blurred briefly, you squinted to see two men looking down at you, seemingly worried glances on their faces.

“What do you think you are doing? Barging in here without invitation?” Your boss snaps at the younger gentleman who has now crouched down in front of you, extending his hand to you.

A look of apology plasters the man’s face, once you sit up and get your bearings. “I was just so excited to see you Uncle and to share my exciting news! Now help me first with this pretty creature I clumsily sent flying.”

Scrooge was shooting flames through his eyes at the back of his nephew's head and a wave of jealousy overpowered him just for a brief second. He thought you were pretty? Bah! Only he can express those secret feelings.

Oh, so he knew you were pretty. Dare he say he also thought you were positively enchanting too. He sighs mentally, that simply did not help his case in trying to get this feeble feeling inside him about you to fade.

Both gentlemen take a hold of your arms and in a matter of seconds, you’re hoisted straight onto your feet. One of the men lets you go and you lose your footing just slightly as you didn’t prepare yourself for such a quick helping. Something wraps around your waist and you’re pulled into something tall and slender. Oh yes, your boss.

Eyes widening, you glance up towards Scrooge and are surprised to see how red his face had gotten. You suspected it could be one of three things. One, there’s a window open and a very cold draft has blistered in. Two, the clear anger he had towards this other gentleman or three, the proximity between the two of you. Oddly enough, you wish it to be the third.

Your face cringes a little at your thoughts and you could almost slap the back of your hand for thinking that way about your boss. But dare you admit he had been on your mind an awful lot?

“There! No harm done. Apologies Miss….?” The young man politely asks for your name to which you give it, standing straighter but for some reason, Scrooge’s arm still held you rather close in case you were going to slip if he let go.

“A very beautiful name may I say.” He charmed with a beaming and rather infectious smile. He then looked between the two of you and a curious brow was raised. “Now then Uncle, I was not aware you were courting someone?”

Both of your bodies stiffen and you’re blushing ridiculously. So doing what you think is the right thing, you step out of his grasp and give him a small nod and then turn to his supposed nephew. “N-no it is not like that. I am merely just one of his workers.” You gush quickly, self-consciously straightening out the skirt to your dress.

Harry’s mouth falls into a small ‘o’ shape and then looks to his Uncle again. “Oh that’s a shame as I was wondering if you and my loving Uncle here,” he grins at Scrooge whose face shows nothing but irritance, “would like to come to a Christmas party I am hosting tonight! Well, I say me but it is really Hela.”

“Hela? Who is that?”

“My wife. I suppose you would know that if you had shown up to my wedding last spring.” The tension was a little too thick for your liking. So quietly, you excused yourself and swiftly left Ebenezer’s office.

The pair of them watch you leave and once Scrooge has closed the door behind you, he is already practically growling at his ‘foolish’ nephew.

“She seems nice, Uncle.” He hints a little too playfully for his liking, making the man scoff and move back to his desk and sit back down.

“What is it you want?” He sighed miserably, picking up his quill and getting back to business.

Harry places his hands on the desk, leaning a little down towards his Uncle as if to get his full attention. “I already stated. You, maybe that rather attractive lady you have working for you, my home for a Christmas party tonight!”

Ebenezer pauses for a second and checks a small Callander to his left before returning his gaze back to his work. “Christmas is not for another seven days.”

“It’s an early party! Oh come on, Uncle please? I never see you and Hela is more than thrilled at the thought of you finally making your acquaintance with her.

The older man lets out an obvious heavy sigh and places his quill down. “I think you and I are both aware that my presence is not tolerable, Harry.” He leans back, folds his hands together over his chest and ever so slightly gazes to the window where he saw you. “Besides I also do not think that she will appreciate my company either for the evening.”

There was a doubtful glance on Harry’s face as he looked towards you and then to his Uncle. “I would not be too sure about that…”

Scrooge was quick to pick up on his meaning and merely scoffed once more but it did pique his curiosity. “How so?”

Harry smirks just a tad. “Well, before I interrupted you both I did see the way you were looking at one another.”

He narrows his eyes. “Which is how?”

“You will see.”

𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙

He did not how he managed to lure Scrooge into his plan for the evening but he did. And how Scrooge even managed to convince you to come with him was a miracle all by itself.

Alas however, he stood in front of his old and badly cared for mirror as he straightened out his old dresswear and dusted off his shoulders. It was a little looser than he remembered from around twenty years back when he had a more muscular build to him but, he had nothing else. Although critical of others, he’s surprisingly a critical of himself.

He found himself once more, as usual nowadays, scoffing to himself at the thought of trying to impress another but as he grabs his cane and hat, he takes a steady breath and makes way towards your home.

One step, then another and another he feels nerves tingle in his belly as he tries to think of any good conversation starters or anything that isn’t remotely work related too.

Perhaps he could make a comment about the music that will be played. No doubt it will be joyful and full of cheer that already seemed to be giving him a headache before even stepping foot into his nephews home. Or maybe he could compliment her appearance? His eyes widen at the thought, would he even dare? Would it be out of turn for him to do so? As he walked up the cobbled path to your little humble home, he clears his mind, takes a deep breath and knocks on the door.

There is some silent cursing from behind the door as you hurried to get your shoes on and wrap a scarf round your neck for the winter season. With everything you needed, you yourself inhaled a deep breath and opened the door to see a pink-cheeked Ebenezer.

“Good evening,” you say softly, steppping out and locking the door behind you before you turn to ace him once more, “you look… very smart, Sir.”

He’s truly blown away by what he sees. Your hair is styled to almost perfection aside from the stray piece of hair that dangled down the side of your cheek. You’re sporting a simple yet elegant looking gown that made you look effortlessly beautiful and there was only a simple slither of makeup on your cheeks. You looked beautiful before in his eyes but now he was a little breath taken.

Your shy yet awkward smile was enough to signal that he had just been stood gawping at you rather than address you so he quickly clears his throat, gives a little stomp of his cane and raises his head. “Thank you ma’am, you too look, uh, quite devine.”

He extends his arm to you, knowing this was probably an okay move to make and his throw was correct once you link your arm though his and make haste.

The walk there is silent, a little awkward at first until Harry’s house came into view. “I was not aware you had a nephew, Sir.”

The topic is a little sensitive for him as it would be for most but your curiosity was not at all one of malice. “I thought I told you that you’re allowed to call me by my name and not Sir.” He replies to you with a pointed expression yet there was flicker of a smile hindering on his face somewhere. “But to answer your question, he is the son of my late sister.”

Your face drops but you do slowly start to remember that there is a picture on hiw desk of him as a young boy with a young girl. There is an ache in your heart and as you begin to apologise he holds up his hand to stop you.

“No need for that. Although I found him barely tolerable, he is still my nephew if that did mean the loss of my sister. Alas, we move forward.” He grumbles the last part. Gods, he really is getting a little soft if he now thinks of Harry as ‘barely tolerbale’ rather than intolerable.

When you both entered Harry’s home, you both had never felt so much like outcasts in your lives. Although your dress was nice it was nothing compared to the gowns that the other ladies were wearing and Scrooge, obviously, stuck out like a sore thumb and folk seemed to avoid him like the plague.

Your coat is removed by one of the servers that Harry must have hired for the evening and even though you protest a little, it was still taken from your shoulders as did your scarf, Scrooge’s hat, coat and cane as well.

“Uncle, Ma’am! How lovely it is to see you both here. Thank you for coming.” Harry yells over the crowd, some odd glances being tossed in your direction. You grow a little self conscious, wrapping your arms around yourself whilst trying to show somewhat dignity. With many prying eyes, looking you up and down the company you’re keeping is not the most favorable. Which is a shame since you did not seem to mind that part.

“This is a lovely… home you have.” Scrooge says through slightly gritted teeth, well out of his comfort zone as he gazed up to the large sparkling chandelier above the pair of you. As expected, the music was terribly cheerful for his taste but from the corner of his eye he sees you humming gently to the music. Maybe the difference in music tastes was enough for him to try and dislike you less which was seemingly starting to feel impossible. Especially when he sees how calm and talkative you are with Hela who comes over.

“It is a pleasure to finally meet the man who likes to hide away from us.” Hela had teased playfully, earning a hearty laugh from her husband and even a small one from you.

Scrooge releases a strained breath, trying to hold in any rude comment he had the desire to make. “Pleasure’s all mine though please, do not get used to it…”

He felt a small nudge to his side and he glanced down at you, a dubious look on his face as you gave him a stern glance. “You have a lovely home.” You beam at Hela, turning your attention back to her. “I’d be glad to come and visit again and I’m sure Ebenezer would too.”

Hela leans into her husband, smiling fondly at the two of you as she swirls the contents in her glass around. “Say, how long have you two been married?”

It was a good job you weren’t drinking tonight because otherwise whatever you had consumed would have been spluttered all over the floor. With a deep inhale of a sharp breath, you felt rather confound. This is the second time this has happened in the space of very few hours and if it were to happen a third, you would feel compelled to say just under a year.

“Not married. She is,” Scrooge clears the thick tension, clearing his throat and holding his chin high, “too good for me.”

Your heart swells a little at his words though there is a small pang of empathy in your mind. Behind the tough exterior, you had definitely seen his soft side and therefore you knew there was good in him. Good enough for you at least.

Before Hela could speak up, seeing the abashed look on your face, the music swells into a more slow-tempered melody. “This song is my favorite.” Harry chimes, taking his wife’s hand in his and leading her to the open floor.

The two of you stand back, watching couple join together in a dance and if you didn’t feel out of place before, you certainly did now.

For some reason, your mouth decides to speak for you before your mind could process. “Do you dance, Ebenezer?”

“Not if I can help it.” He quips without a second thought but when he does think, he looks down to you. “D-do you?”

You don’t meet his gaze, instead smile a little at his stutter. “No.”

As you turn your head, you’re almost breath taken as his eyes bore into your own. They’re intense but not ones that will make you shake in fear - instead - they were ones that caused a bonfire in your heart. “Would you like to go somewhere quieter? The music is a little too loud for me.” You suggest, giving a little white lie in the process.

His heartbeat quickens and although this mind was screaming no, his heart was saying yes. He nods and the two of you quietly leave the room and decide to slip into an unoccupied drawing-room.

When the door closes, you're both alone. The sound of music from the other room does resound off the walls but it was quite nice. Though, you could hear your heartbeat strumming in your ear.

You walk towards the center, hands clasped together at your front as he takes in the architecture. “Your nephew's home really is lovely. He must have done well for himself.”

“Yes, well I would like to imagine that my brother-in-law had sought him in the right direction after mine and my sister's upbringing.” There was a bitterness in his tone, taking a walk round the room and subtly admiring the large pairings and portraits along the walls.

“Life was rough for you?” You question, watching him as he traced a delicate finger along the mantle above the fireplace, expecting dirt but nothing to show.

“Quite. My father was not a kind man and was not a good role model to have.” His shoulders slump slightly as he heads towards one of the many large windows, eyes casting out towards the downward snow. “I had to provide mostly for my sister and mother because although he was a rich man he spent his way into debtor’s prison.” He seethed, closing his eyes tightly as a wave of memories flashed before his eyes.

You watched him and there was a temptation tingling in your fingers to reach out and place a comforting arm to his shoulder but you held back as something didn't seem quite right with you. “Ebenezer, forgive me if I am out of turn to speak this way but you speak ill of your father and his debts. Yet, many people owe you debts.”

Slowly, he turns his head to look at you. As you stand there, twiddling your fingers he understands what you are getting at but was certainly not ready to have his pride shot down by your truthful words. “That is the career path I chose and if people choose to ask for money, I will loan it. If they can not pay me back then I either double it or they themselves can be sent straight to debtors prison too. And owe me debts you say? I like to believe that you are also part of this job are you not? As well as Bob?”

His words were rather high strung, wanting to catch you out as if he should argue with you, as if it would break the mold forming between you two. Though, you raised a brow and gave him an almost disappointed look. “I am merely someone who checks the logs and stacks shelves. I do not communicate with your clients as that is your role. I chose this job as I wanted to do just something no matter how undignified it may seem to others. To do something that was not expected of me.” You speak proud and true, not falling for whatever it was he was trying to insinuate.

“I saw kindness in you Ebenezer. I know deep down you do not want these poor folk we have to end up just like your father did.”

There’s a sting in your words but so painfully true. And that sealed it for him, it was impossible to dislike you. You spoke freely and were not hesitant in your words with him. There was no shying away and the fact you saw the good in him rather than the blackness of his heart meant that he too could believe he was good.

So, he chuckles. A true hearty one at that.

“What is so funny?” You quiz, unsure whether to be offended or not as he approaches you.

When he stops in front of you, he is merely inches away from his chest pressing to yours. “I am amused as to how a lady like you can see so much positivity in someone so cold.” Words just above a whisper, you’re entranced by your boss and you audibly gasped as his hands take hold of your own and he slowly brings them up. “Your hands are rather cold too.”

Jittering breaths, you look down at the hands that held your own and bravely close the gap between you two with just a step closer. “Perhaps you could keep them warm for me?” There’s teasing in your voice and he falters just for a second. His mouth instantly waters and you see his Adam’s apple bop up and down at your proposition.

“I would be g-glad to.” He nods, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips and before you know it, your hands are being raised towards his lips and a warm blow of his breath cascades over your knuckles.

His eyes flicker up at you as he does this, seeing your eyelids flutter close as you bask in the warmth of his breath warms your soft hands. Daringly, damned to hell with how inappropriate it was being intimate with his colleague, his lips graze over one knuckle. Then the next. And then the rest.

“S-Sir, what if someone sees us?”

There’s a low chuckle from him that sends vibrations over your body. “I told you not to call me that.”

You hum in slight amusement though you were a little light-headed at the current events. “That did not answer my question.”

“Then,” he pulls his lips away from your last knuckle on your right hand and moves his gaze to the door and then to you, “they will pity you for being seen with a man like me.” For a second there’s a glimmer of sadness in his eyes and so you release one of your hands from his embrace and carefully place it on his cheek.

“Do you know what else is cold?” You say quietly, trying to keep your breath as steady and not unwavered as possible.

“I am unaware. What is?”

In for a shilling, in for a pound.

“My lips.”

His eyes widened at your indirect proposal but your face showed nothing but sincerity. So, he did the thing that he tried so hard not to even think about doing and leans into your touch, arm snaking around your waist until you’re flushed against him. “Is this what you desire? I… I am not a good man.”

With a wry smile you softly nod your head. “Yes, and you are a good man even if you do not see it yet.”

Overcome with the emotion of being wanted, his free hand moves to the back of your head and nestles in your hair as he captures your lips in a somewhat desperate and needy kiss.

You’re almost knocked off your feet as his lips descended on yours, his eyes tightly shut as if he were to open them for it all to be a dream. When you reciprocate, even beginning to move his lips along his, he relaxes.

You could feel your heartbeat speeding up, your other hand placing it to his chest to see if you could feel his; and you can. His head tips, welcoming the feeling of warm and soft lips but he almost faints as your tongue brushes against his lips yet he welcomes the foreign yet exciting new sensation.

Both of your breathing gets a little heavy, fingers tightening on your waist and you gasp as you’re moved back, back pressing to the wall.

Nothing could have expected you for this moment, nothing at all. Although as your tongues probe at one another, swallowing each other’s soft and welcoming moans, you’re completely blown away at how assertive and dominant he became. Especially when one of his hands travels up the bodice of your dress and presses to the side of your neck. His lips leave your now slightly plump ones and you’re shivering in ecstasy as his lips instead caress at your cheek, then your jaw and soon found home on your neck.

Maybe, you both should take this back to his place before you could spoil both of your reputations.

tags for those who wanted a part 2: @8e-h-e8 @simp123321 @jazz-53 @xxsapphire14 @chocotacobread

Masterlist

#ebenezer scrooge x reader #Scrooge x reader #Scrooge x you #scrooge a christmas carol #ebenezer scrooge #Scrooge #not sw related

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