Curate, connect, and discover
Sigma X !GN Reader
YEP, GUESS WHO JUST CRANKED OUT 1K WORDS IN LIKE TWO HOURS?? Fair warning, not much romance here, but I tried. ;-;
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His heels clicked as he walked down the hallway, glancing occasionally into the rooms with a tilt of his head to perform any final inspections.
Opening the door at the end, he barely stumbled into his office from exhaustion. Sigma knew he still had paperwork to file, lying on his desk in stacks, so he began the excruciating walk, just ready to get the day over with.
…Until a polite cough came from the entrance.
From you, who was stationed near the door as the guard for his office. He whipped his head around, giving an embarrassed chuckle before beginning:
“Ah.. good evening. I had to come later than usual," He explained, staring at you curiously. “Er, I believe another guard should have come for the night shift, yes..?”
“I took it,’’ You answered smoothly. “They had some family work to attend to. I apologise for not informing you earlier, this came into my attention quite recently.”
His brows furrowed. “Why not give the shift to—?”
“The guards you normally trust are either on vacation, or general leaves. I was the only one available, so..”
He shook his head. “You shouldn't overwork yourself, though.”
You gave a polite smile. “Please, don't worry about me.”
Seeing as you wouldn't budge, Sigma sighed and just walked over to his desk, flopping down onto his chair to begin. But, instead of providing his entire focus into the paperwork, his thoughts ranged from any errors to schedule delays to now you.
How come the night shift guard hadn't informed him of their situation, and that they could not work tonight? Sigma would have been fine without a guard for the night. But instead, they informed you to cover.
Scribbling his signature onto a document, he placed it onto a pile of papers before moving on to the next from the stack.
Had the guards been overworked?
Indeed, his usual guards had been on leaves; he'd memorized all the details by heart—the casino and his employees as extension were his family, after all.
He glanced up from the paperwork, moving his gaze to you.
“I insist again, you should—”
“I’m fine, sir.” Your hands move to your handgun. “Your safety is the priority.”
He dragged his eyes back onto the file, running his fingers through his silver-lilac hair. “It’s.. really rare to need such protection, especially this late into the day. I must emphasize, your pay won't be affected if you leave. Of course, you'll be compensated with overtime wages if—”
“It’s not the money,” You interrupted quietly. “I.. just want to, y’know?”
His hand slowly left his hair, his eyes blinking in confusion as you two locked stares. “What..?”
Shifting on your feet, you looked at the floor. “...Yeah.”
His brows furrowed as he tried to figure out this puzzle you'd just presented over to him. You'd work the night shift just ‘cause?
From what he knew, you lived in the casino permanently as he did, which was unlike the rest of the employees, who had families and homes in actual countries. There wasn't much in your file referencing to your past, and while that was intriguing, he never questioned it to avoid making you uncomfortable. Heaven knows how awkward he feels when someone asks him of such.
Slowly, you rose through the ranks and he gave you the duty to guard his office along with a few other trusted members.
“...Why don't you take vacations?” He asked, his tone quiet, matching yours.
Your head snapped to him, and you took a few seconds before responding: “I do take holidays, don't I?”
“Not in the way others do,” He murmured, suddenly gaining confidence. “They leave the casino to visit their friends and family in the countries below, but you…”
“...don't really have anyone,” You finished his sentence. Taking in his shocked expression, you explained, “Down there, I mean.”
Sigma slowly stood from his office chair, his eyes still widened. “What do you mean you have no one?”
“Just a combination of.. coincidental events, leaving me with no direct family.” You rubbed your temple. “It has its upsides though, right? Not having to take vacations to visit them..?”
“Everyone wants a place they can call a home!” He moved around the desk, his coat swaying as he walked over.
“You’re right.”
Hearing you, his steps faltered.
“...Like how you call the casino home, so do I.”
He straightened, fixing his gaze on you. He tried to find words to answer, but found none.
You gave a small smile. “Everyone has different stories as to why they're where they are; I’m sure you do too. But the place I now find myself in? I couldn't be more grateful. Especially for a manager that is so regularly concerned for the well-being of his employees.”
Slowly lowering his gaze from you onto the floor, he swallowed before answering, “...Why wouldn't I?”
You laughed slightly, making him stare back in confusion. “Managers usually don't care that much. You're really appreciated for all the work you do around, actually. Hell, we’re all concerned for you.”
“R..” He slowly began walking again. “Really?”
You closed your eyes, sighing. “Of cou—”
Your breath hitched as you felt arms wrapping around your torso. His scent, a lavender cologne, enveloped your senses as you tried to understand the sudden contact.
Slowly, your arms encircled his neck, and you felt him burying his face onto your head, his hands trembling as he squeezed you further.
“I.. I appreciate you all too. This casino.. it's my home, like you,” He mumbled into your hair.
Your eyes widened, and you couldn't help but smile.
“But please, retire to your room.” He pulled back just enough to give a determined look into your eyes.
“...Fine.” You looked back, your grip on his shoulders steady. “But you'll have to leave too.”
“H-huh..?” He tilted his head.
“Get some sleep, sir.” You smiled a little wider.
He blinked, turning his head to look back at his desk, glancing at the files. Then he fixed his gaze back at you, and gave a genuine laugh.
“Ah, fine.”