Chapter 5
Tom had been exhausted by the time he reached his bed that evening. The day had been filled with preparations to film the video in the morning, edit Chris's part into it, and upload it all to social media. (Not that he was in charge of the technical side) However, none of it had been that simple. Since the time he went silent in your shared conversation on Friday afternoon, Tom had spent the weekend preparing everything with the much required aid of Luke. Had it not been for his publicist none of this would have been possible.
The rights to anything even resembling Loki were in the hands of Disney. Luke had made countless phone calls ensuring that filming this video was possible, especially when it was not immediately tied to any form of publicity regarding the show. Upon much back and forth, Disney had allowed Tom to appear in the video as Loki, only if the video was less than 5 minutes, and he would agree to two extra interviews exclusive to Disney + for season 2 of Loki. At the end of the day, the interviews never truly bothered Tom. Most cases he enjoyed talking about his upcoming projects. Only when they took a turn into his personal life did he feel trapped.
Chris was easy to convince to film the quick video snippet, especially after Tom hinted that there was a woman motivating this endeavor. His 'brother' had plenty of questions after that—which mostly resulted in the same answer from Tom— 'I don't know'. He didn't know what you looked like, where you were from (apart from the South), your relationship status, not even your name... Well, that wasn't entirely true. Ms. L/N. He knew that much at least...
Once the chaos of the day died down and after the rescheduled meetings all took place (he had to rearrange his schedule over the course of a couple of days to film the video), he had yet to hear from you. Tom tried to hide the disappointment from Luke as the two shared the remnants of gin from the other night—Luke was ecstatic. Social media was thumping, Disney saw an uptick in viewings of all Marvel films on their streaming network, everything had gone swimmingly. But that didn't mean Tom had accomplished his goal.
"Still haven't heard from her?" Luke questioned, bringing the glass to his lips.
He was met with a solemn shake of the head from Tom, matching his movements with a sip of gin. "Not yet. Was it too much? The winks. The little comments. The—all of it?" pushing out a sigh as he adjusted his glasses out of habit rather than necessity.
"It wasn't too much, mate," setting his now empty glass on the coffee table. The 'tutting' sound from Tom's direction reminded him to grab a coaster and begrudgingly place it underneath the glass. "Has she posted anything on Instagram yet?"
"I've just told you she hasn't messaged me."
"No, I mean has she posted a picture or a story. Anything regarding the video?"
"I don't understand what you mean."
Luke shook his head, signaling for Tom to hand over his phone. "One of the smartest people I know and yet, absolute shit with technology," muttering to himself, which Tom pretended to ignore. It was a losing argument anyway. Luke tapped around, clicking on your account icon—which looked to be a picture of a beach. Yet, your profile was set to private.
"C-g fan 0-8-2-0? Any idea what that means?" Luke asked, keeping his eyes on the phone as he continued to click around.
"No, I've rattled through different shows, films...books..."
"Could it be an actor? She's outgoing enough to send something to you. There could be someone she fancies more."
Tom's hands had been rubbing up and down his face, missing his beard more for the comfort of the sensory release when he was particularly stressed. Eyes narrowed as he directed his gaze towards his 'friend'. "You're not helping."
"My helping quota is maxed out today. Do you understand what a pain it can be to find a glue stick at the very last second?" referring back to the insanity when Tom insisted that Scott's illustrations be pasted in the leather book. However, it was the actor who took the time to read over every single one of Scott's words and write them elegantly into the book. No amount of Old English translation truly prepared him for reading a nine year old's writing.
Luke called it a night shortly thereafter, assuring Tom that all would be alright. Like the good friend he was, Tom thanked his publicist numerous times, despite the grief he had received earlier. He really was fortunate to have people like Luke in his life. Perhaps they would all laugh about this one day. Remember that time Tom tried to get a woman to fancy him by dressing up like Loki and reading a children's story?
But that was hours ago when they parted ways and despite being exhausted, Tom glanced at the clock to see the midnight reading mocking him. The gentle snores of Bobby beside him did not help, envious of the canine's comfort. Just then, the darkened room lit up with a silent alert from his phone. Reaching for the device, he noticed the Instagram logo appear. That was odd considering he had always used his computer to log on.
Luke...
There was no need to plot Luke's demise though. He sat straight up in the bed, startling Bobby in the process. Glasses snagged from the bedside table to make sure he was reading the alert correctly.
cgfan0820
Sent a video
1 minute ago
The app immediately opened when he tapped on the alert. It was fairly user friendly as he tapped on the View Video option. It started off silent, frantically turning the volume up on his phone.
There were children everywhere. He didn't count, but by his estimation, there must have been thirty—perhaps less. It was incredibly difficult to gauge the number since they all seemed to be moving. Not a single one was still in the video. He had worked with children in the past, but apparently working with child actors was different than a classroom full. One child was bouncing a ball. Another was drawing a small figure. Even if the actions weren't dramatic, there was a constant motion. An energy. The camera was obviously held by a person—was it you?
"Hakuna!" the person holding the camera called out. That voice.
As if with some sort of magical abilities, like those he portrayed in the movies—this woman actually held them with just her voice. The entire class stopped their movements, turned to the camera, and responded with — "Matata."
A soft giggle came from the camera operator. That giggle. "It means no worries. Nicely done, friends. I need to show you all something, so you better face the board or else you'll miss it."
"Why are you recording us?" questioned a boy who had already started to move around again—even going so far as to pace around the room. He looked so small. Would he have come up past Tom's waist? Admittedly, he felt like a giant at times, but these children were young. The idea of being the only adult in a room full of them made Tom wince. It wasn't as though he didn't like children, he simply didn't know how to behave around them. He tended to speak to them as if they were just small adults.
"Why are you walking around the room? Why is Ellie drawing on her arm? Why can't I work at Disney World? Some questions we may never know the answer to, Scott," you explained, causing little pockets of the room to laugh or comment about how you would be awesome at Disney World.
Tom couldn't see you, but he could see you. You spoke to them as though they were friends, peers rather than students. You had managed to get the one student drawing to stop and managed to get Scott to stand still—all without reprimanding them. The concern Tom had previously faded away, because simply a glimpse into this room and he felt at ease. It was obvious the students did as well. It reminded him of being a small boy at home with his sisters than any sort of schooling experience he had as a child.
"Sai, hit the lights for me!" you called out.
"Figuratively. Not literally!" another few students added, causing the camera to shake from a silent laugh. Rubbing at his cheek, the smile could not fall from Tom's face, especially when he heard the sound coming from the board.
"I am Loki of Asgard!" he bellowed in the background. He couldn't see himself though, as the camera was focused on the illuminated faces of the class and specifically Scott.
"I've seen this one before," the kid said, shrugging his shoulders, playing it off as though he were too cool to be excited by the character.
"Have you? I'm going to bet you haven't," your voice assured him warmly. The excitement was evident in your tone as well—contagious even as Tom shifted in the bed to get a better look at the child.
As the story began, the realization became more evident on Scott's face. "That sounds familiar," the smile audible in your words.
"Scott! Scott! That's your story, dude!"
"Yeah, that's your story!"
"Loki is reading your story!"
"This is so cool!"
"Loki must have thought your story was as amazing as I thought it was, Scott," your voice carried over the sounds of his excited classmates.
It was the look on the young man's face that made it all worth it. The countless phone calls. The extra interviews. The insufferable wig. Everything. The smile spread wider than one thought possible on the boy's face. The way he puffed up his chest at the praise from his classmates. The sense of pride that filled the classroom. Scott's eyes moved to your camera, and something else entered his eyes. Thanks? Gratitude? What was it? He was looking at something just beyond the camera. Was it you?
Tom received his answer almost immediately when he heard the soft sniffles of the camera operator. "Ms. L/N is crying! It's okay Ms. L/N!"
The video shook, hearing you clear your throat over anything that the students said in the room. "You know a good story always gets to me!"
And if Tom had been in that room with you, regardless of the students, the fact he had never laid eyes on your face (because he very much had seen other parts of you), the fact that you two had barely held a full conversation—let alone, truly knew who the other was speaking to.... He would have kissed you. He would have tangled his fingers in your hair, pulled you into him as if his life depended upon it and soaked up every ounce of love you radiated. He wanted to experience your kindness, your humor, your indescribable understanding that you had demonstrated since your very first message to him—
Scott has never been so proud. Writing doesn't come easily to him. He gets trapped in his mind—like we all do at times.
He wanted to know you. And he desperately wanted you to know him. Tom.
The large pools of tears threatened to spill down the sides of his face. Yet that smile never faded. He doubted it would ever go away when hearing your voice. The next part of the video proved to be enough to push the tears over the edge in the form of laughter.
"Loki just said Ms. L/N! You always tell us to read with expression!"
"Did you really tell Loki to do that?"
"He rolled his eyes at you!"
"Ms. L/N knows Loki!"
It was utter chaos, in the best sense of the word. You had been scanning the room with the camera and settled back on Scott. "I told you, Loki is chaos," shaking his head as he gestured to the classroom.
Tom's laughter matched your full bodied laugh, in unison—the inside joke of a metaphor being lost on neither of you. How very odd to laugh with another, thinking the same thing, whatever hours and many miles apart...
"It's THOR!" the kids shouted over the video. Tom had never been jealous of his co-workers' fame, especially when it came to the fans. However, the little 'mhm' he barely caught from you, made him mentally note to never include Chris in another video. No hard feelings, brother.
"Is Iron Man there too?"
"I didn't put Iron Man in my story! That wouldn't make sense," Scott yelled out to his classmates.
"Yeah, but that's Ms. L/N's favorite!"
"Only because of his beard!" announced one of the girls, causing a couple of the boys to make gagging noises.
Oh, really? The same little jab of jealousy, which honestly was ridiculous to feel this way–but Bobby was the only one to witness the quirk of Tom's brow. Another rub of the face, wondering if he should have shaved or not—Loki didn't have a beard though. Regardless of how much he wanted to please you...
"Hey! Let's quiet down so we can hear the end!" Tom noticed how your voice had gone up an octave. Mhm, indeed.
The video ended with the students clapping and cheering, even patting Scott on the back. Tom would have watched the video on repeat had he not noticed that you had sent several messages immediately after sending the video.
cgfan0820
I'm so sorry for just now reaching out to you! Who would have thought that when the God of Mischief reads one of your students' writing, you'd be busy answering questions from literally everyone.
cgfan0820
Please don't take that as complaining! It was amazing! Scott absolutely adored it. We watched the video probably ten more times. Then I had to tell his mom. That turned into an impromptu parent/teacher conference...
Tom winced as that thought entered his mind for the first time all day. He had never considered the effects his video could have on your life. He was about to apologize (anything to start a conversation with you), but he saw the typing sign appear again.
cgfan0820
Fuck. I promise I'm not complaining! I should have planned out a thank you. This is probably the worst thank you in the history of thank yous.
I haven't even said thank you. Definitely the worst.
Oh my God! It has to be midnight there! Here I am sending you message after message and you're probably asleep!
twhiddleston
No! I'm awake!
cgfan0820
You're still awake?!
twhiddleston
I'm still awake.
cgfan0820
Okay...
A silence settled over the conversation. You had both been worried about scaring the other one off, or them not realizing that you were awake and wanted desperately to talk to the other. Tom contemplated what to say— You're lovely? I would love nothing more than to hold you in my arms?
twhiddleston
Okay.
His nerves coupled with fatigue were getting the best of him. Thankfully, the typing sign appeared once more. Technology was fantastic.
cgfan0820
Let's try this again. I'm Y/N. I'm a thirty-one year old teacher from Georgia with a rather extensive collection of witty t-shirts. And you are?
twhiddleston
I'm Tom. I'm a forty year old actor who calls London home. I've recently taken up admiring said witty t-shirts.
It took everything in his power not to add, 'I believe I may be falling in love with you.' Luckily, he wouldn't dare interrupt you as he spotted the typing sign.
cgfan0820
What in the world have we gotten ourselves into?