Tom Hiddleston / Reader (4) - Part 4
Tom shifted his gaze from his papers to you and then greeted you with a surprised tone. He looked very good; he was wearing casual but stylish clothes, sunglasses and the same cap that he had worn in Australia to avoid being recognized. He was tanned and in a great shape, his hair was a bit curled from the humid summer air and he had shaved this morning so the skin of his face looked very smooth. There was no way to avoid the old attraction returning because Tom just looked so handsome, in a very casual way which reminded you about the time when you had enjoyed his company very much and he had felt comfortable enough with you to be himself… just Tom.
- Hi! How are you? you asked with a cheerful tone, took off your headphones and turned the music off as well. You had not expected to run into Tom and therefore your voice sounded surprised but also delighted; it was a pleasant surprise because you had been secretly wondering how Tom was doing these days.
- Good, good. Tom answered and put the papers back into his bag. He seemed to be more surprised than you were to meet you so suddenly, or more like bump into you… actually you into him. He took his sunglasses off and smiled.
- Yeah, I can see! You look great! you exclaimed and took a glance at Tom from his head to toes. There had been times during your working-relationship that had pretty much exactly two years when Tom had looked very tired and stressed out, which of course was no surprise considering that he had always such tight schedule and therefore you were particularly happy to see him looking so well-rested and not even a bit stressed out.
- Thank you. Tom answered with a delighted as well as flattered smile on his face. He had meant to contact you many times but since your ways had parted in such awkward way, he had not dared to call you; he had feared that you had nothing to say to you because he had not been capable of being happy for you and Chris. Oh no, Tom had pretty much started to push you away and to avoid spending time with you without other people around which had eventually caused your resignation. “And you?” he added almost immediately with a polite, yet curious tone.
- I’m also good. you replied and after a quick inhale and a shoulder-shrug you added “You know…” and smiled widely at Tom. You liked your life very much but since Tom had not contacted you even once after your resignation you were not quite sure if he was that interested in hearing how you were doing. Sure, you were at fault too because you had not contacted him either but then again, you had tried to be his friend until the end, even when it had become rather apparent that Tom had not felt comfortable around you anymore… for whatever reason.
- Actually I don’t. Tom said and chuckled. “Oh-“ you sighed in return. Apparently Tom wanted to know what was going on in your life… or maybe he was just pointing out that he did not know how you were doing these days.
- We haven’t been in touch. he commented with a tone that was quite neutral but there was an undertone of sadness in it… or maybe you were just imagining it.
- True, not since I quit. you commented and then added after collecting your thoughts and gathering your courage “I’m sorry, I meant to call you.” It was the truth; you had thought about it many times but then decided that if Tom did not contact you, it meant that he did not want to have anything to do with you… and that had been the reason why you had not picked up the phone. Besides, you had pretty much wanted to just charge your batteries and take some distance to the show business, especially now with the new job and the new responsibilities that had come with it.
- Likewise. Tom commented and took a quick glance at you from head to toes; you looked great, although you always did, but now you looked like you finally had your life in order. You looked very confident and overall… just happy, which meant that you were living a life that was exactly the way you wanted it to be. Clearly things were going well with Chris as well… which was great of course, although Tom couldn’t help feeling a light sting of jealousy in his heart when he thought about you and Chris together… happily in a relationship… in love.
- So how are you? What do you do nowadays? Tom asked eventually as he tried to read your expressions. “Waitressing galas?” he asked with a playful tone which made you laugh out loud. You had not been waitressing anywhere since that one time and it had convinced you about the fact that being a waitress wasn’t for you.
- Oh gosh no! you exclaimed as you continued laughing. “I’m working as a tour guide.” you continued as soon as you had calmed down and stopped laughing. “Where?” Tom asked with a curious tone.
- A bit all over. It’s great! I mean, I get to see all these cool places and tell their stories. you explained with your eyes almost shining as you spoke about your work. Seeing you so enthusiastic about what you did for living made Tom feel genuinely happy for you. He could actually imagine you being able to turn the occasionally-boring history into a fascinating story that captured your audience and made them basically see the events right before their eyes.
- Yes, that sounds great. I am happy for you. Tom commented and flashed a wide smile which made you blush as you mumbled “Thank you.” You couldn’t quite understand why on earth seeing Tom was making you so… instantly attracted to him! Sure he looked great but now there was something else as well; it was almost like you had returned to the time when you had had a crush on him but since you had been working for him at the time, you had been unable to act upon your feelings or even tell about them to Tom.
You both were silent for a moment, just basically looking around and trying to come up with things to talk about or come to a conclusion whether there was anything to talk about or not. Yes, it was possible that whatever had once been between you and him, friendship, had been lost completely and in that case you were just someone that he had used to know, once. Tom sighed and battled with himself whether he should or should not ask you about your relationship. He didn’t particularly want to hear how great everything was with Chris, well, it was quite obvious that things were going great between you and him, but Tom was not entirely sure if he wanted to hear you saying it out loud. However the more he thought about it, the more important it started to feel… to show you by asking that Tom wanted you to be happy.
- So, how is Chris? Tom asked eventually after a few minutes of somewhat awkward silence.
- He’s good. you commented immediately but then you realized that you had not talked with Chris since the beginning of spring. The thing was that even though your relationship with him had ended you had stayed friends and therefore sometimes called to ask the usual how-are-you’s but now it had been about three months since you had talked with Chris. “The last time I spoke with him at least” you mumbled and chuckled nervously. Tom was staring at you very intensely which made you realize that Tom thought that you were still together with Chris. “Uhm… I haven’t seen him for a year” you added after a deep inhale.
- Really? Tom asked with a profoundly surprised tone.
- Yeah… We broke up just few months after my resignation. you explained and smiled a little. Talking about it did not make you sad anymore but of course it brought back some memories and not all of them were pleasant.
- Why? Ton asked or more like gasped. He had noticed after he had finally accepted the fact that you loved Chris that you were happy with him… that Chris was the man who made you happy… and therefore he had not even considered the possibility that it was over between you and Chris. Especially because you looked so happy, radiant even… although he immediately realized that even if you did not date Chris anymore, it did not automatically mean that you were not dating anyone. It just meant that you were not dating Chris Evans, that’s all. You did not reply immediately and therefore Tom stated with an apologetic tone “I’m sorry… I did not mean to pry.” You recoiled from your thoughts and said “It’s okay” with a sincere, yet thoughtful smile on your face.
- No drama… just… it didn’t work out. You know, our lifestyles were too different and our worlds were too far apart. you explained after collecting your thoughts again.
- Yes, time zones can be difficult. Tom commented with a slightly worried look on his face. He felt a bit guilty for hoping every now and then that it wouldn’t last… but now that he had heard that it had not lasted, surprisingly enough he was not jumping for joy because of it; he knew that breakups were never easy and even though you now looked very happy, there must have been a time when your eyes had been filled with tears and Tom hated that thought.
- Yes, exactly and now that I have a firm schedule at work, it just… didn’t… you said and paused because you didn’t quite know how to finish the sentence. “…but it is okay! Like I said, no drama” you continued and chuckled a little to brighten up the mood a bit. You could see that Tom had mixed feelings about what he had just heard; he was balancing between “I’m sorry to hear that” and “I knew it!” but you had a feeling that he was on the “I’m sorry to hear that” –side.
- That is nice to hear. Tom said and then added “I think” with a slightly hesitant tone. You glanced at him with a surprised expression because you were not exactly sure what he had meant by it; was he happy that it had not worked out between you and Chris or was he happy that there had been no drama and you were okay with it. Tom cleared his throat and explained that he was not delighted to hear that it had not worked out between you and Chris because it had been rather obvious that you had been happy with him. Tom also clarified that he was happy that you were alright now and clearly life had worked out very well for you after all. You nodded and said “Thank you”.
- And how about you? Found that Miss Right yet? you asked after a small silence.
- I did. Tom stated firmly. Your first reaction was to sigh “Oh?” with a slightly disappointed tone. You realized instantly that you had sounded a bit too surprised and not exactly positively surprised so therefore you hid your disappointment and stated with a wide smile on your face “That is wonderful!” hoping that your smile wouldn’t look too fake.
- So tell me, an actress, a singer or a model? you asked curiously.
You felt rather silly for being so surprised to hear that Tom was dating someone… although he had not exactly said so, no, he had just stated that he had found his Miss Right and the rest you could basically imagine yourself… and you did… No wonder that Tom looked so well-rested and stress-free; he was in love. Which was great… it would have been a bit better though if he had been in love with you… but hey, it was only life. Besides, you had not seen Tom for a long time and therefore you scolded yourself silently for even thinking about such things; Tom being in love with you secretly all this time… waiting for your relationship with Chris to end so he could… to do what exactly? To date you instead? The more you thought about it, the less sense your thoughts made to you and therefore you now scolded yourself silently for even dreaming about such thing. This sudden and accidental meeting with Tom had momentarily made you confused… Yes, confusion it was and nothing else. “Ehehehehe” Tom laughed and shifted his gaze away from you.
- I’m sorry… None of my business. you commented instantly. “No, it’s okay!” Tom stated and then continued “She is… apparently a tour guide” with a casual yet hopeful tone.
- Oh! That’s a coincidence. you commented. “So a mere mortal then” you added with a playful tone to which Tom responded with the same “Ehehehehe” –laughter that he was so well-known for.
- So… Are you staying in London for long? Or just enough time to change the content of your suitcase? you asked because you wanted to change the subject. You had gotten your hopes up when you had run into Tom so unexpectedly, almost thought that it had been fate… even though you did not exactly believe in fate or such… and therefore you had to either change the subject or end the random meeting before you revealed that you were disappointed to hear that he had met someone special.
- Actually I am staying the whole summer and then going to work with the London theatre in the autumn. Tom replied with a calm, soft tone.
- You’re going to be around a lot then. you commented with a sincerely cheerful tone, maybe even a bit too cheerful, considering that Tom was dating someone and you were just someone that he used to know.
- Yes… yes I will. Tom stated. “Cool” you sighed and squeezed the strap of your bag tightly.
- And you? Busy the entire summer? Tom asked curiously. He had noticed the slight shift in your mood and if he was not completely imagining it… you were a bit jealous… or disappointed. Tom however did not know why that was exactly.
- Quite opposite actually. I am on holiday. you stated and let go the strap because it was getting a bit suspicious and you were afraid that your nervous gestures would reveal too much about your real feelings.
- That is… Tom said and paused to correct himself. “I did not expect that” he chuckled because the (Y/N) he knew was an extremely hard worker who very rarely took any time off from work… even when you had been working with him.
- Yeah… I finally decided to take some time off. you said and kicked a stone casually as you stared at the gravel road.
- But that is good. Tom commented.
- Yeah, it is. you said and shifted your gaze back to Tom. You both were silent for a moment, not really able to decide whether this was the moment to say goodbye for good or not. Tom was assuming that you were seeing someone, well surely a beautiful woman like you wasn’t single… and you had just heard that Tom had found his Miss Right… so there really wasn’t anything to say anymore. Tom inhaled deep, decided that it was better to know for sure and therefore he gathered the bits and pieces of his courage to ask
- And are you seeing someone currently?
- Gosh no! you exclaimed and laughed loudly. “No?” Tom asked with a surprised tone. He had not expected you to react so intensely, especially by laughing out loud like his question had been a joke.
- I’ve been on a holiday from men. you commented and rolled your eyes.
- Really? Tom asked with a tone that revealed that he had hard time believing what he had heard. He had assumed that you were in love… and your life was perfect but apparently… you had just found peace with yourself and that was awesome.
- Yeah… I know that I said that there was no drama between Chris and me… you began and stopped to gather your thoughts before continuing. Tom shifted his gaze to you, having a deeply concerned look on his face. Therefore you had to continue. “…and there wasn’t… but…” you said with a reassuring tone and stopped again because going back to that time of your life was always a bit challenging, no matter that you were now completely alright with the breakup.
- It was not easy to see a person that I cared very deeply for drifting away. you stated eventually with a calm tone.
- Yes… I can imagine. Ton commented. He knew what you meant. He knew because he had seen you drifting away from him when you had started to date Chris… although… Tom knew now, in retrospect, that he had pushed you away because he had been in love with you himself.
- But I am quite ready for new adventures now. you added casually even though it wasn’t really any of Tom’s business; he after all was dating some tour guide.
- I am glad to hear it. Tom stated with a relieved tone and smiled at you.
- So… does your lady-friend live in London? you asked curiously. You did not want to seem jealous and if there was a chance for you and Tom to be friends again… because it had been great and you had enjoyed his company very much… you would very much like to hang out some more. “Yes… she does” Tom answered and looked at you with a surprised expression on his face. Didn’t you get that-
- Cool… well, I hope all the best for you and her. You deserve someone wonderful, Tom. I hope that she is… special. you stated and interrupted his thoughts. “Well, I probably should” you said and pointed at the direction where you had been walking to before running… or bumping into Tom. You wished him very lovely summer and then basically stormed away.
- Wait! Tom shouted as soon as he had snapped out from his thoughts. You stopped walking and froze still for a moment before turning to look at Tom and asked “What?” with a confused tone.
- It is you! Tom exclaimed and walked to you.
- What is? you asked and chuckled nervously as you tried to find answers from Tom’s eyes. Tom took a deep breath and then replied “My… Miss Right” with a deeply hopeful tone. You chuckled nervously as you tried to put the puzzle pieces together. You shifted your gaze away from Tom and asked “So you’re not… dating a tour guide?”
- No. Tom replied with a smile on his face as he shook his head. “But hopefully soon I am” he added. He sounded nervous and shy, almost as if he had been waiting to be rejected by you and therefore he did not want to sound too enthusiastic or be too pushy. “Oh” you commented and shifted your gaze back to Tom. You stared at him with a puzzled and profoundly surprised expression and for a moment you were completely speechless and therefore you couldn’t say anything.
- Listen, would you like to go to a park with me? Tom asked after a moment of silence.
- Now? you asked and raised your eyebrows which made you look at Tom with a “deer in the headlights” –look.
- Yes, unless you have something to do. Tom said. “I-uhm… I-I… I don’t” you stammered with strong disbelief in your eyes as well as in your voice. You couldn’t believe that this was happening; Tom had just stated that you were his Miss Right… and that he was not dating a tour guide at the moment but he was hoping that to change soon… which meant that you were the tour guide that he was hoping to date.
- So, what do you say? We’ll get some picnic –things and then we’ll just go and enjoy the day. Tom spoke. He sounded even more shy and nervous and your incapability of forming your thoughts into words was clearly not helping him at all. “You and I… on a proper date” Tom clarified.
- A date-huh? you managed to ask eventually.
- Yes. It is about the time, don’t you think? Tom asked or more like commented. You chuckled a little as a response.
- Before you’ll get snatched by Chris Evens again. Tom stated playfully and winked his eye at you.
- You’re terrible! you exclaimed with an amused look on your face. Tom laughed and continued
- Or by some other Chris. There are many blokes named “Chris” in London-
- Fine! Yes… I would love to go on a picnic with you. you laughed as you tried to contain your excitement. “On a date” Tom said to correct you with a firm tone. He did not want to leave any room for error or for misunderstandings; this was going to be a date and he wanted you to admit it too. “What?” you sighed with a confused tone.
- Say it. Tom demanded and stepped a bit closer so he was now standing right in front of you.
- Say what, Tom? you asked with a slightly shaky tone because you realized that Tom was standing very close and even though you had not expected him to enter your personal space so suddenly, you couldn’t deny the fact that you had hoped him to and now having him here, standing so close that you could basically feel his breath on skin, it was… wonderful.
- “I would love to go on a date with you”. Tom said and put his hand under your chin. He guided you to look up straight into his eyes. “You’re a handful, you know that?” you commented with a shy smile on your face. “Just say it” Tom demanded with an assertive tone that was also deep and soft.
- Fine! I would love to go on a date with you. you said even though you almost stumbled with your words because the longer you stared into Tom’s eyes, the more lost you got into them… and the more lost you were, the more attracted you were to him. “Good… and now I am going to kiss you” Tom whispered as he leaned closer. You felt butterflies in your stomach, your skin tingling as you closed your eyes. Tom stared at you for a moment, gently brushing your lips with his thumb until he couldn’t wait any longer.
Tom closed his eyes after admiring your gorgeous face for a moment, pressed his lips on yours and sighed against them. You opened your mouth a little as you wrapped your arms around him and pulled him close. Tom shifted his hand from your chin on your neck and finally sank his fingers into your hair. He placed his other hand on your waist and slowly slid it on your back as the kiss intensified and grew. However this time Tom kissed you in the most romantic ways possible because he wanted you to fall in love with him. He was gentle and modest, considerate and his mission was to worship you with his lips until you got bored with him… which was never was going to happen because he decided to make sure, do his very best, to prevent it from happening.
You enjoyed feeling Tom so close, kissing you in the most gentlemanlike way, basically adoring you with his lips… making you reconnect with your old feelings and falling deeper and deeper into them… or not exactly; this was something new; this was not the old crush that you were falling into again but something much more profound and ground-shaking. This was love and when his lips parted from yours, you felt it in your bones that you had found your Mr. Right… It was Tom and it had always been him.