Character Appreciation: Ministry Worker

Arcade, Kurtis Stryker: Kingsley, "Busted!", catching someone/thing

Holmes: incorruptible

Word Count: 391


"Audrey…" His protest comes out in a whisper. Part of him wants to give in, to act on the things he feels for her. But he can't. Not here, at work, where anyone could walk in and see them.

"Live a little, Weasley," she says, plump lips quirking into a mischievous smile. "What's the worst that could happen?"

He almost laughs at that. A lot could happen. A storage closet at the Ministry of Magic isn't exactly his idea of a romantic retreat. He loves his job, and just the thought of doing anything that could jeopardize it makes him want to throw up.

"You look like you're going to faint," Audrey notes, brows knitting together.

Merlin, he wants to be impulsive. Some dark corner of his brain has always envied his brothers for their reckless spontaneity. He gets the feeling they wouldn't think twice when faced with an opportunity like this.

But Percy has always been the exception. He's always been too calculating, to cautious, and his mind races now.

"I guess I'm not as seductive as I thought." Audrey huffs out a sigh, but she doesn't back away. Her lips are dangerously close to his.

Percy shakes his head. "You are very much seductive," he assures her. "I just… Not here. It's inappropriate, and—"

She cuts him off with a kiss. Maybe there's part of him that doesn't want to break away, that likes the way her lips feel against his, but he cannot act on it. Before he has the chance to pull away, though, the door opens.

"Busted!"

The deep, steady voice is all too familiar. Percy looks up, certain his face is the same color of a beet, and tries for a contrite smile. Of all the people who could catch them, why did it have to be Kingsley?

"Good morning, Minister," Percy says. "I assure you, this isn't what it looks like."

Kingsley just shakes his head, lips pulling back into a toothy grin. "Get back to work, Weasley," he says. "You too, White." Then he turns on his heel, still chuckling as he walks away.

"Are you embarrassed?" Audrey asks.

"Mortified," Percy confirms.

She presses a chaste kiss to his cheek. "I'll make it up to you. Dinner and drinks after work?"

Percy relaxes at that and offers her a nod. "It's a date."