A Stroll in the Park (Tom Hiddleston X Fem Reader)

A Rare Occasion

This Story is set in March/April kinda time 2017 :)

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You had always been one for exercise. A casual stroll, breezy jog, relaxed cycle, it didn't matter. As long as you were moving you were happy. Pushing yourself beyond your limits didn't interest you all that much, just making sure you don't collapse at the ripe old age of 27 from too much shitty food. 

Today was no exception to this, you were strolling through Hyde Park, a go-to for your daily walks, in the early afternoon. You were walking with hyper-interest on everything around you, particularly the people. Not out of paranoia, but general interest. You've always adored people watching for as long as you can remember. Away in your own world watching everyone mill about in the vague sunbeams that shone through the abundance of clouds you vaguely register seeing your dog trotting on ahead of you. This doesn't spark any real concern, he's always been well trained, he had to be, german-shepherds tend to run riot unless they're well trained and exercised. You knew he would snap back to your side if you called on him so allowed yourself to carry on studying each person, alone or with a group, running or sitting, laughing or studious, it didn't matter, the idea that all these people had woven their way through other peoples' lives and had an entire existence out-with you that you would never witness was just so mesmerising. On rare occasions something would happen to disrupt your thoughts when walking.

This happened to be one of those rare occasions.

"Yes, OK, hello you handsome chap I see you-"

There were many people here so many conversations going on but this voice stuck out like a sore thumb. It seemed so out of place yet so at home at the same time, it melted into your ears like the sweetest honey you could've imagined. It was like this voice was the one sound your brain had craved to hear your entire life. It also seemed...familiar?..

"My you are friendly aren't you!"

You turn your head to see a man crouched down with a small, brown dog sitting between his legs and earplugs wires dangling dangerously close to the ground from his shorts pocket as your own dog jumps and runs circles round this poor stranger with the lovely voice. You quickly realise that you are the one that needs to do something here, your dog is about to topple this poor guy over!

"Oh God, I'm so sorry about that, here let me get him, he's really friendly I promise, he wouldn't hurt a soul!" you begin to explain, feeling quite flustered as your dog is your pride and joy, he's never approached a stranger before without your go-ahead.

The mystery man turns, still crouched in the middle of the path, to face you. Across his face a warm grin is plastered as he begins to forgive you, explaining that it's really no bother at all. This should've calmed you as some people can freak out when a bigger dog approaches you and he could've easily flipped if he wanted. But instead of calming you, this smile makes your heart stop and your stomach tighten as you realise your dog just chose Tom Hiddleston to jump on. 

He was talking to your dog. He was stroking your dog. He was introducing his dog to yours. He was standing. He was looking at you. He was talking to you. 

Crap. He was talking to you.

"Are you alright? You look a bit flushed."

You scramble to compose yourself as you realise his smile hadn't faltered, not once. He must've been used to women freezing in their tracks when they saw him. 

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine... sorry, he just doesn't usually run off like that it just surprised me that's all" you manage to choke out as he looks at you. His eyes are focussed on yours but you don't feel analysed. There's something weirdly familiar about him, like you've known each other for years.