Just Like That

It was finally here. After waiting for what felt like an eternity, the day you two would meet had finally arrived. It didn’t matter that you two had spent countless hours in deep discussion, or even heated debates over every topic imaginable. It didn’t matter that you had fallen asleep to Tom’s voice reciting sonnet after sonnet. Nor did it matter that Tom had watched the little video snippets you had sent him throughout his day more times than he cared to admit. None of it could possibly compare to standing side by side with the person you loved.

That didn’t mean this all came without its fair share of nerves. It didn’t help matters for Tom when his originally scheduled flight was delayed. The plan had been to fly in on Thursday night and meet first thing in the morning before the chaos of the day took over. Now, it seemed that he would be landing and going directly to the first panel of the convention. There wouldn’t be a chance to see you before the hordes of guests filled the ballroom 

As Tom entered the car, seeking refuge from the few photographers that managed to spot him, he immediately pulled out his phone to text you. Even seeing your name in his contacts was enough to bring a smile to his face. 

Darling 

Months of speaking back and forth, wondering if he was crazy to feel so connected to an absolute stranger, who never actually felt like a stranger from the moment you two first began speaking, all of it came down to today. Would he be too much for you? Would the crowds and the obligations of his career be more than you were willing to sign on for? Tom wouldn’t blame you if after today you chose to no longer engage in this—was it a relationship? Could it be deemed that this was more than the growing infatuation of two strangers? 

Would he not be enough? Had you built this image in your head of a man who was constantly put together, knowledgeable, charismatic? In reality, he thought himself to be no different than anyone else you could encounter. His navy blue dress shirt that he donned had a coffee stain at the bottom, which was why he paid careful attention to keeping it tucked in just right. His contacts continued to bother him so he kept rubbing at his eye. He hadn’t had but two hours of sleep in the past 24 hours. Would all of his humanity be insufficient in your eyes?

He wished these pangs of inadequacy would choose any other time to plague him, not as he was only thirty minutes away from you. Texting had been his initial idea, but hearing your voice had a way of calming him far behind a simple text. As the ringing took place on the line, he allowed his eyes to wander out the window at the trees as he passed by.

“Well, hello there!” you greeted, immediately bringing a smile to Tom’s face. He could hear your excitement. “One second…” a gentle command, the pause allowing Tom to hear the commotion all around you.

“Is that the boyfriend?” another woman called out from the background. Your laughter was Tom’s clue that the question was directed at the phone conversation. “Is that him?!” it came again. 

“Darling, is that person talking to you?” he questioned with a chuckle, relaxing into the seat for the first time in the past ten hours.

“Boyfriend! Your girl can’t stop talking about you!” the voice called out, even though there seemed to be some distance there now. The shush that came next was a very distinctive ‘you’ move. He’d been on the receiving end more than once before.

“You make friends when you’ve been sitting in line together,” you eventually answered, paying particular mind not to comment on the stranger’s use of the word—

“Boyfriend, hm?” quirking his brow despite being alone in the backseat, his amusement written all over his face.

“Hm?”

“You heard me, love.”

“No, reception is terrible in the hotel.” The sheer fact that you were continuing the correspondence meant that you could hear him perfectly well.

“You’ve been referring to me as your boyfriend.”

“I didn’t want to refer to you as your real name. People would look at me like I was crazy and security would probably kick me out,” covering your ear with your hand to drown out the general chaos within the hotel lobby.

“Ah, so ‘boyfriend’ is merely a cover?” yet he wasn’t saddened by your words. He knew you better. “I suppose I can’t call you my ‘girlfriend’ then?” Even using the term in a slight jest made his heart quicken. 

“Oh, no! Yes!” he heard you call out excitedly. “I mean—,” trying to reign in that energy. “You could—I wouldn’t be opposed to…” you rambled, to which all he could do was smile.

It amazed him that even in the small moments of panic, when he felt as though he must be the only one with all of these feelings—your reactions, your words, you made him see that he wasn’t alone.

“Miss Lady! You better tell that boyfriend of yours that if he doesn’t get his ass over here, he’s going to miss the panel!” the voice from earlier called out, sparking laughter on both of yours parts as Tom could easily hear her as well.

“I may have mentioned that I was waiting for you to join us. Among other things…,” you admitted with a blush that you were thankful he couldn’t see.

“I do hope you haven’t been waiting for long, darling,” his heart aching just a bit at the thought that you had to stand in a line to see him in person. It seemed so distant and cold, but you had insisted on it once you found out that he would have to come directly to the panel. A brief meeting before he had to throw himself on stage? That didn’t seem right.

“It’s only been a couple of hours,” you shrugged to no one but the inflatable T-rex going up the escalator. A typical Dragon Con sight.

“Hours? You’ve been in line for hours?” he called out, so enthusiastically in fact that his driver glanced in the mirror to confirm that his passenger was alright.

“I know. Apparently you’re famous or something,” laughing at just how out of touch Tom seemed to be with the lengths at which many of his fans would go to see him.

A shaky exhale left him on that note. “Or something is closer to it,” remarking as a hand slid through his hair, despite knowing he probably shouldn’t do that lest he wished to look like a deranged cockatoo before the panel.

“Besides, they’re probably all here for Chris anyway,” you teased, attempting to get a laugh from the man by mentioning his Thor co-star and friend. These nerves rarely made appearances before interviews, panels, and the like. You know this anxiety stemmed from you. “You’ll be wonderful, honey. You always are…,” you assured him softly, even bringing out a term of endearment that you tucked away for certain moments.

Closing his eyes, he relaxed in the seat a bit more, allowing a moment to take it all in. And also, fight off the inevitable urge to say those three words he had been wanting to say since the very first time he heard your voice. Since he read your messages about Scott’s writing. When you cried over your last day of school. All the moments he wished to say those three words, were also the moments when he grew to love you the most. 

“Hey, I’ve heard picturing the audience in their underwear helps,” an edge of seduction incorporated into your words.

This brought a steady groan from Tom which coupled with your laughter. “There is only one audience member I wish to picture in their underwear, darling,” he promised, a smile resting on his face with his eyes still closed.

“Better be your girlfriend’s.”

“It most certainly is…,”another promise he’d never likely break. The vibrating of another incoming phone call broke up the moment of content between you two, as he glanced down with a slight sight. “Chris is calling.”

“Talk to your brother. But hey—,” you paused, that excitement building up once more. “I’ll see you soon.”

And with that, there was such a new meaning that hadn’t really been present before. This promised of something new, a beginning. A chance to see if the fire and spirit that you both possessed for one another would be felt face to face. It was daunting—but after your brief phone call, the nerves were slowly being replaced with excitement.

Moments later, your new friend was calling for you to ‘get the fuck back in line’ as it was now moving to fill the ballroom. You had wished they would have waited just a little while longer before filling the room, because you knew Tom was still on his way. Protectively, you wanted him to have a little bit of down time before being thrown out on stage. Luckily once you were all stashed in like sardines, they announced that it would still be ten minutes or so before the panel began. 

Taking it all in, you realized that you were only three rows away from the stage and who would be sitting directly in front of you? The name card read TOM HIDDLESTON. It was so incredibly odd to see his name just written out like that. So few times did you refer to him as both first and last name–as if combining the two made it all a reality. Yet in a few short minutes, it indeed would have be real. You knew exactly who it would be when your phone began to buzz.

Tom, Dear

Tell me where you’re sitting.

Darling

Bit bossy, Mr. Hiddleston. 

Besides, I left. This was fun while it lasted.

Tom, Dear

Miss L/N…

The smile on your face didn’t falter from the moment he sent the text and even now as you were inevitably being scolded for your brattiness. It didn’t matter. Your heart was going to beat out of your chest if you didn’t keep this as normal as possible, which meant—being a bit of a brat.

Darling

You can’t scold me. I’m a paying customer. Where’s the charm, sir? I paid for the charm.

Tom, Dear

I’ll show you charm.

Before you could retort, there was a collective gasp from the antsy crowd, accompanied by shrieks and squeals of excitement. The energy shift was felt in something you could only describe as the doors opening on a Black Friday sale. Had you reached out, you could have felt it in the air. Looking up from your phone, you saw a familiar face dipping out from the backstage curtains. 

Wait–was that him? It was so fleeting, that you joined the strum of excitement and curiosity. “Is that Tom? Is that him?” The questions were asked throughout the ballroom. When the face leaned out even further, the crowd recognized him as Tom Hiddleston.

Everyone recognized Tom immediately, except you. They were recognizing Tom Hiddleston, actor, professional—and that’s what you saw too. Here was this accomplished movie star that had graced your television screen. You couldn’t see the man that had attempted a face mask with you over FaceTime, nor could you see the man that gently guided you while making a fried egg for the first time. All you could see was what the audience saw and the energy increased—the celebrity.

Now, you were only three rows away from him as he stood on the stage, peering out from the side curtains, looking directly into the crowd. He was searching. The noise didn’t phase him. The massive crowd didn’t seem daunting. He had such a purpose looking out, as though he’d be able to find a needle in a haystack. He tucked himself away into the shadows once more.

Tom, Dear

Have mercy on me. Where are you?

There he was. There was the man you had come to know and love. The one you seemed to have some unspoken hold over, yet he was the one that held your heart in his hands. There would be an adjustment period, of course. You would be seeing him face to face for the first time with hundreds of others. Not the typical first date.

Darling

You’re going to cause everyone to go into a fit if you do that again!

Tom, Dear

You have me in a fit!

Darling

You won’t be able to see from there. Don’t worry about it. Aren’t you supposed to be getting ready for something?

Tom, Dear

You’re insufferable. Do you know that? Maddening, absolutely maddening woman.

“Looks like your boyfriend isn’t gonna make it. It’s all good though. You can go all gaga eyes over, Loki,” your friend from earlier commented, giving you a little pat on the lap. She didn’t note how your goofy grin had to be held back by biting your bottom lip, or how you were practically shaking with anticipation. 

“That’s the plan,” you confirmed, deciding to go without responding to his last text. At least, not yet anyway.

“Happy Friday, folks!” called out the moderator, entering from the opposite side of the stage to which everyone began clapping. “Hope you all know how to pace yourself. Are any of you planning on making it to the parties tonight?” to which the crowd erupted in cheers. You’d never really been one for all the parties, but it was a highlight for most. “Luckily we’ve been given a great reason to wake up early on this Friday morning. We are here with some of the stars of the Disney + series.

“First up. Oh Captain, my Captain! Anthony Mackie!” The cheers continued as the man came walking out, smiling and waving to the crowd. This was apparently who your new friend beside you was hoping to see as she all but jumped out of her chair to wave at him. “Ice Ice Baby! It’s the Winter Soldier himself, Sebastian Stan!”

You ducked down to look at your phone and quickly type out the following message…

Darling

You know you love me.

Third row, six from the left.

“And how else do you introduce the next performer other than the God of Mischief…Tom Hiddleston!” But his name was drowned out by the applause, but that didn’t stop you from seeing him…

Seeing him…Right there. 

The man that entered the stage was tall and lean. His light blue dress shirt was complemented by the dark wash of his jeans that perfectly framed his long legs. You imagined that if he just turned to the side, you’d have a perfect view of his spectacular ass. He was one of those men that was graced with a body that could look good in anything. And he hadn’t shaved. It had been a back and forth until you full out admitted to him how turned on you were by the beard—to which he made a joke that Loki would have to grow a beard then.

Despite having been up for hours and knowing there had been zero down time between this panel and his plane ride—he looked amazing. A smile and wave to the crowd as Tom positioned himself behind his chair. 

“Let’s give it up for this amazing stage!” And everyone jumped to their feet in an ovation to show the trio their love. You jumped up as well, tugging on your dress…something you hardly ever wore. If ever there was a time to pull out all the stops, it was going to be today. 

Each of the actors waved, Tom even mouthing words of thanks  as he seemed to pull something out of his pocket. His phone. In any of the interviews you had ever seen recorded, you hadn’t noticed him looking at his phone. Glancing at yours, you saw the tiny print below your message change to Read.

Just like that...you found it difficult to breathe. Your brain was forming the connections between the person just in front of you and the man you had been sharing the most personal details of your life with for the past several months. Your eyes darted up to Tom who seemed to look up from his phone at the same time as you.

He scanned the rows, mouthing numbers as he counted. He started on the opposite side of the rows, counting—one, two, three, four— Even though the audience was still applauding, you felt the courage built inside of you to yell out, “Stage left!”

You weren’t sure how it happened, but he stopped his counting as though he heard you. Although he had already been smiling, politely, there was an addition to his demeanor. Excitement. Eyes slipped back to his side of the ballroom, a glint of eagerness because he knew you were here. He heard you in the crowd. 

One, two, three, four, five…His eyes settled on you at six. The noise stopped. The chaos stopped. The world stopped. You both stood there in your own universe. It wasn’t until the realization slowly formed on his features, melting any form of worry you may have had that you caught yourself holding your breath.

“Hi,” you mouthed, giving him a little wave, laughing at your own ridiculousness and the drama of the moment. This couldn’t be real. This wasn’t your life. Your life involved children asking you why they had to learn division or wanting a hug before leaving for the weekend…This wasn’t your life.

“Hello,” he laughed, mouthing in silence. He was so in awe of your presence, noting the way you tilted your head back to stop any tears from falling down your face. It was your trademark move when you didn’t want tears to ruin your make-up. “Please don’t cry,” he mouthed again, wishing to do nothing more than cradle you in his arms.

“Me? Cry? Pfft,” you mouthed in response, pretending as though you had your emotions in check. He could read you though. He knew these tears. These were the kind that fell freely when you heard a brilliant film score, or the first sip of hot cocoa, or when you felt indescribably happy.

And then—he mouthed a response to your earlier text. You had said You know you love me. Now it was his turn to respond, without any need for his phone whatsoever. So much could be lost in translation when it came to text, or even a FaceTime conversation. Despite the noise, the commotion—all of it. You knew when he dipped his head down, face softening with his gaze….he mouthed “I do love you.”

“Miss Lady!” the woman beside you called out, tugging you down into your chair. At that moment, you realized that the majority of the ballroom had already sat down and the participants on the stage—all save for one–had sat as well. “I don’t know what you’ve got going on, but I’m gonna need some of that,” leaning into you, as you giggled profusely. The tears were nowhere to be found anymore.

“Look at that. Tom’s been in this country for less than an hour and he’s already making his moves,” Mackie joked gesturing down the table towards Tom, as the room filled with laughter and a blush crept to Tom’s cheek. “Can’t take you anywhere!”

You would have laughed as well if your face hadn’t turned bright red, covering your eyes with one hand in the hopes that no one noticed that it was you that he had been looking at. That dream was short lived  as the people around you turned around to whisper words of adoration. It was all a blur. 

All you knew was you had to make it an hour without throwing yourself onto that stage, making out with your boyfriend, and getting thrown out of Dragon Con.