Unexpected
It may be because your days are starting to blur together. From working swing shift at the factory to doing art commissions. But you can’t believe you forgot that tonight was your cousin’s party. You could have sworn it was tomorrow. Thus, why you are standing in the crowded kitchen in your pajamas.
“Y/N! you’re finally awake.”
“Brad I thought your party was tomorrow?” You look at him in dismay. Everyone is dressed nicely and you are in old, old pajamas.
“Nope it’s right now.” He wraps an arm around your shoulders and navigates you around the room.
“Brad I’m in my pajamas what are you doing?” Struggling, Brad doesn’t let you go.
“Well knowing how you are. You are going to steal some food then go back to the basement to hide. Since you are already embarrassed, why not introduce you to a few people.” He chuckles with an evil grin.
“Oh my god, no!”
“Yes! …. Burnstien! Welcome, have you met my baby cousin?” Brad’s grip tightens as he drags you along.
Finally escaping Brad’s grip. You are embarrassed all the way to hell. He introduced you to twelve different people, half were coworkers. But the most embarrassing thing was that he introduced you to Tom Hiddleston. You are such a secret Hiddlestoner; that’s why the embarrassment is so horrible. You had planned the perfect outfit to wear, but too late now you had the wrong date for the party. Brad just had to of worked with him in his latest movie. Sulking away to the food area, you plan to pile a plate with food and scamper back to your room in the basement.
“Hey Y/N.” An infuriating voice whispers from behind as a hand slips under your shirt.
“Allen go away.” Turning you push him away. The smell of alcohol hits you hard. He reeks of it.
“C-Come on Y/N. It’s a party and you’re in your pajamas. We can make our own party downstairs.”
“Allen how did you get in?” You try not to gag at his offer and the smell.
“Brad invited my boss. He sent me instead, after having a family emergency.”
“Ugh just go away.”
“Come on Y/N. just a quickie.” He reaches for you again.
“I said no!” You punch him right in the face knocking him to the ground.
“You bitch.” Allen mumbles through his hand that is holding his bleeding nose.
“I suggest you leave before the police are called.”
Recognizing the voice, you look up to see Tom Hiddleston just a foot away from you. Holding his hands up in surrender. That’s when you realize your hand is still in a fist. Ashamed and angry you head to the basement forgetting your hunger. Locking the door behind you. You flop onto the bed in frustration.
“What a great first impression.” You grumble to the silence.
*knock knock knock*
Irritated that it could still be that letch. You ignore the knocking. But the knocking doesn’t stop.
“Who is it?” You groan clearly irritated.
“It’s Tom, can I come in?”
Groaning in mild annoyance, zipping your sweatshirt all the way up before unlocking the door. Opening the door, a crack to make sure it really is him.
“What do you want?” Trying not to snap at him. Depressed on why he would be down here.
“Checking on you.” Surprised at the gesture. Opening the door all the way you step to the side allowing him in. “I also brought you this.” He hands you a plate of food.
“Thank you.” You set the plate on your desk.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah just ex-boyfriend drama. Which is why I’m living here.” You vaguely motion to the room.
“You paint?” You can tell he is lightening the mood by changing the subject. He points to your art easel. Which is currently housing your latest painting.
“Sort of I mostly do water paint. I’m not finished yet. It’s supposed to be Ben Schnetzer’s Khadgar from World of Warcraft. I still have to do the outlines.”
“It’s good.”
“Thanks.” It feels odd hearing the compliment from him. Biting the inside of your cheek you try not to look you are blushing.
“Are you sure you are okay?” He turns to face you, really staring at you. As if he is looking at you and not past you.
“Yes.”
The silence in deafening as you two just stand there for a few moments. But before you know it the conversation has picked back up about your art. Leading you two to talk the whole night, sharing the plate of food, and ignoring the party upstairs.
Since then you two have become best friends. Always sending you selfies of him on set with the other actors. Which you would retort with the most odd and silly selfies.
But earlier today he sent you a text saying that he would be on the Jimmy Kimmel show with Betty White. Because he knows how much you like the late-night talks shows and Betty White. So, when its time you turn the TV on and continue painting.
“Well Tom it is rumored that you have a new girlfriend.” Jimmy’s question perks your ears. You give the TV your full attention.
“Well not exactly. I do not have a girlfriend at the moment but there is someone I am trying to woo.” Tom tries and fails to hide a smile.
“Really? Who is this mystery person?” Jimmy inquires.
“We met at a party through mutual friends. She actually forgot that the party was happening. So, she appeared in the kitchen in her pajamas. Her cousin who was the host, started introducing her to everyone as they passed. Someone tried to grope her and didn’t listen when she told them to go away. Since I was right there I went to intervene when she punched him right in the face.”
“what?” Betty is in disbelief beside him.
“Yes. That’s when I knew it. I knew I was going to be punched too! Because I was in the proximity.” Jimmy and Betty start laughing unable to stop. Tom is smiling fondly.
“Oh my god.” You can’t believe he just said that.
“Did she punch you?” Jimmy asks once he can breathe.
“No, we became good friends.”
“What about the wooing? Is there any progress?” Betty questions patting him leg like he is a child.
“No. Either she is just ignoring it or she doesn’t realize I’m trying to woo her. I might be too subtle.” Tom reveals.
“Well Betty do you have any advice to help Tom?” Jimmy asks.
“You have to be direct. Next time you see her; tell her how you feel, give her some flowers and kiss her senseless. So, she knows you mean business. If she doesn’t get it then, I’m going to snatch you up.” Betty is serious.
So surprised at this revelation and Betty’s advice. You fall off the chair in shock. Numb with disbelief to belief that Tom has been trying to woo you. This was completely unexpected. You were just friends the last time you checked. You end up staring at the wall thinking of all the signs you missed.
After watching the interview. You avoid Tom like the plague. Giving short responses to his texts and phone calls saying you were busy with back orders and extra shifts at work. Which wasn’t a lie but not as busy as you made him believe.
Wiping the excess paint off that landed on your hands on you decided it’s time to take a break. In the kitchen you plan to make a sandwich. When there’s a knock at the door. Disregarding the peep hole, you open the door to find Tom standing there.
“Uh…hi.” Surprised at seeing him, you are at loss for words.
“Hi. Can I come in?” He seems uneasy.
“Yeah, sure.” Stepping to the side he walks past you.
Pausing waiting for you. “Have you caught up on the back orders?” You both stand idly in the foyer.
“Yes, for the most part. I only have a couple left and they’re half way done.” You both can tell that the other in tense and in the need to say something.
“You saw the show.” Tom states rather than questions.
“Yes.” You skirt around and try not to look at Tom directly.
“I meant everything I said.”
“What?” You stare wide eyed at him. Seeing the way his green eyes shimmer in what looks like hope.
“I have been trying to woo you over the past month. I like you Y/N.”
“Really? … I wondered if there was another reason when you bought me that book.” You mutter, realizing that was defiantly part of the wooing.
“May I ask then? What do you suggest in my efforts to woo you?” He steps closer and you can see his natural predatory walk kick in.
“Well for starters. I would go with Betty’s advice.” Smiling you tease him. Rewarding you with his own toothy grin. Before following Betty’s advice to kiss you senseless.