You don’t do it on purpose mind you, when you “accidentally” bump into him in the hall. He just always happens to be there. When you first began working with him, you turned a corner and walked face-first right into his broad chest.
You: “Oh my goodness. So sorry, chancellor.”
Ardyn: (tips his hat to you) “It is I that must apologize. Do have a good day. One…”
You didn’t register that last part as he was already walking away. The next time happened to be in that same hall, at that same spot. Face-first again, you groan in slight pain and embarrassment.
You: (trying to laugh it off) “I swear I am not doing this on purpose.”
Ardyn: (he chuckles politely at your attempt for humor) “Well, given the circumstances, I believe an introduction is in order.”
He takes off his fedora and moves his body to a low, exaggerated bow. He takes your hand in his and plants a soft, lingering kiss to your knuckles.
Ardyn: “Ardyn Izunia-”
You: “-Chancellor of Niflheim. I-I know.”
Of course, you did. Who didn’t? You only see his face everywhere in the papers and on t.v.. Sometimes heard his deep, lulling voice on the radio and over the PA system.
Ardyn: “Ah, so you do. Then it seems, I am at a disadvantage. May I inquire your name to even the score?”
Was he implying that you were playing a game? Regardless, you give your name to him and he repeats it back in a low timbre that almost made you melt in place. Ardyn stands upright and returns his hat atop his thick, unkempt hair, you realized how tall this powerful man is.
Ardyn: “Hmm. Please enjoy the rest of your day. Two…”
There he goes again, mumbling something as he simply saunters away out of earshot. Is he counting? Since that day, you felt bad about bumping into him. You didn’t want to upset the chancellor. You gathered that he was counting his accidental encounters with you and panicked that it was a reference to a “three strikes, you’re out” kind of deal. Would he really fire you for bumping into him? Not wanting to take the risk, you decided to take a different route to your work station. So far, it worked rather well. You didn’t see him in your route, only during briefings where you took extra care to sit all the way in the back so that you will be the first to leave and not risk familiarizing your face with his chest ….That last part came out wrong. Probably because you were too busy staring at his wide frame as he spoke at the head of the table. Good thing there were so many other people in the same room so that he wouldn’t take account of your presence let alone the deep blush reddening your cheeks.
Some time has gone by and you take your usual route. It was comfortable considering that hardly anyone goes this same way, just you. You listened to the sound of your own footsteps bounce off the walls as you read over your notes for your next assignment. A sudden pain whiplashes your senses, your nose intakes a deep musk you knew all too well, your vision obscured by a familiar white shirt and vest. You freeze.
You: “Astrals spare me…”
You hear a throaty chuckle, you remember that husky voice anywhere.
Ardyn: “You truly must watch where you’re going. You may just be waltzing into certain danger.”
You: “S-Sir, I am truly, truly sorry. I did not think you go this way-”
You bit your tongue before you finished that sentence, but he heard you loud and clear and tipped his head slightly, an amused glint in his eyes.
Ardyn: “Oh? And pray tell, why did you think that? Could it be…”
He leans closer to you, his intense, golden eyes meeting yours.
Ardyn: “That you are purposefully avoiding me?”
You: “No, no! Well….yes, but only in the hallway! Y-you see, I felt like I was offending you. You’re a busy man, powerful man who needn’t have to deal with something as trivial as nearly tripping over someone in the hallway. That would be such a burden, n-not that I dare say that such burdens offend you but…”
Oh dear lord, you’re rambling. Somebody stop you! As if he heard your inner turmoil, Ardyn places his hand on your shoulder and looks down at you. He gazes down at you with hooded eyes, the usual honey tint taking on a darker tone that seemed to accentuate when he furrowed his brows. Oh no….is he mad? He clears his throat darkly.
Ardyn: “That’s three.”
Before you can even dare to ask what he meant by this, he forces your back hard against the wall.
Ardyn: “You see, dear. You did not wrong me. Our chance encounters were a thing I admittedly looked forward to. The little faces you make in my presence even when you think I wouldn’t notice are quite…quaint. And dare I say…enticing. It made me curious to see what other faces you can make when I’m near you. But then suddenly, you no longer walked the same hall as I. And to just now find out that it was done purposefully…”
He squeezes your shoulder and brings his body closer to yours.
Ardyn: “That…I do find offending.”
His face is so close to yours now.
Ardyn: “I suppose by now you have surmised what happens after three?”
You weren’t sure whether you found your voice to answer him or not, or whether he waited for you to give him one or not. But in that once-quiet hall, he closed the distance between you two.
~My Tumblr Back-Up And Stuffs~ 