Tom Hiddleston one shot/drabble collection

The birthday suit incident

A/N: Hello! I hope you are all well 😊

Yes this story is based off of the short story Tom mentioned during an interview with Benedict Cumberbatch, when they were doing the press tour for War Horse. After rewatching this interview recently I thought it would be interesting to explore and expand upon what Tom said. So I hope you enjoy!

Also would anyone be interested if I opened up to prompt requests?? Let me know if you would be!!

~

Summary: Once filming began for Archipelago Tom started to develop a crush on you. You are the first assistant director. However, he was too shy and reserved around you while on set. One day after Tom woke up late and had taken a freezing cold shower, he realised during his rush to get ready he'd forgotten to grab his boxers and socks out of his suitcase. When he went to the tall cupboard at the top of the stairs to retrieve said items, he wasn't prepared for what was going to happen next.

Warnings: semi-public nudity and mild angst

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Tom had woken up late and jumped into the shower. It was freezing cold. Someone had forgotten to switch the boiler back on, before everyone went to bed the night before. Which seemed to be a regular occurrence, but it needed to be switched off before filming began. Otherwise the sound the boiler made while heating up would interfere with the microphones. Although Tom thought the quicker the shower was the better, and the coldness was motivation to shower faster than normal. Yet the fast pace of showering was becoming the new normal anyway. When Tom was done he turned the shower off and then he wrapped a crisp white towel around his waist. Then he made a mad dash out the door. However, he'd forgotten to get clean boxers and socks out of his suitcase.

The suitcase was seated above a tall cupboard out in the hall. Just the thought made Tom sigh and hastily walk back the way whence he came, then slightly diverted to the left towards the staircase. And the tall cupboard just happened to be directly in line with the top of the stairs. He got there though in very little time at all, after all his long legs could carry him no problem. As he reached up he began humming to himself, or to be more precise he was humming 'The Bare Necessities.' Once he had his suitcase down he began rummaging through it, while still humming. He tucked his boxers and socks under his left arm after he picked them out. After zipping up his suitcase he grabbed it to put it back into place. He was actually struggling to keep hold of his boxers and socks under his arm as he was reaching high up, but he didn't notice his towel was loosening around his waist too. During his struggle he'd stopped humming and began muttering under his breath. However he didn't hear the front door opening, nor did he hear the people walking in. Also at that exact moment that the people were at the bottom of the stairs, Tom's towel slipped off and had fallen around his ankles. The suitcase eventually stayed in place, yet it was evidently too late to save his towel.

*Gaps*

Tom was standing in his birthday suit, luckily he had his back turned to the people at the bottom of the stairs. He gulped hard with his cheeks reddening from embarrassment.

"Erm...morning, Tom." The sound of your voice only confirmed Tom of the exact time it actually was. (Y/N), you are the first assistant director and you've arrived with the entire film crew. Usually you show up at this time to 'knock on wood', so the living on set actors know you were around.

Tom was too embarrassed, wet and cold to even respond verbally to you. What didn't help matters is the fact that since filming for Archipelago started, he had developed a huge crush on you. So instead of sinking down to reach for his towel and increase further embarrassment, Tom cupped his hands over his privates and ran for it. The towel lay abandoned where he once stood, and as he ran he could hear laughter from the crew echoing down the hall, except for your own laughter as you tried to muffle into your palm. Once he'd reached his room he slammed the door closed, then he leaned against the white wooden door. His heart was pounding in his chest, the water was still dripping off his body, and the cold air made goosebumps appear all over his body. About a minute later he heard a soft knock at the door. It startled him slightly.

"One second!" He called from his side of the door. Then he inhaled deeply as he positioned himself facing the door and to the side a little. He slowly opened the door a crack, so only his face could be seen and he exhaled at the same time. He saw you standing at his door with your hands clasped in front of you, with his towel between them and a smile on your lips.

"I think you dropped this." You said softly as you held out his once abandoned towel to him.

"Ye-yeah, thanks." Tom chuckled nervously and reached around the door for his towel. "You...er...you didn't see anything, did you? He asked shyly.

"Well you have a very nice arse, Tom. But no, nothing else." You said honestly and gave him a cheeky wink when you talked about his arse.

"Th-thanks. I should...erm...get dressed. See you shortly." He replied without waiting for your reply as he closed the door quickly. You understood completely though.

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During the lunch break Tom sat with his co-star Amy Lloyd and a couple of others from the film crew. They were chit chatting away in between mouthfuls of food when you made your way over to their table with your own plate, cutlery and glass of water. Tom was midway bringing his fork up to his mouth when you stopped. He peered up at you awkwardly in mid action, while the others stopped talking and looked between the two of you. Then the food on Tom's fork decided to slide off and splat back down on his plate, some even splattered on his shirt. The very same shirt he needed to wear for the next scene. Amy and the crew members sniggered at his misfortune. He cursed internally as he tried to wipe away the stain on his shirt, with the little napkin that was beside his plate. You also tried to hold back a laugh as you watched him fuss over the mess. He soon excused himself from the table, which was at the same time you sat down opposite him. He took his plate and half empty glass of water with him, and he dropped them off by the kitchen sink. Usually he would even wash up after himself, today though was a different sort of day.

Even after lunch Tom seemed to be awkward and clumsy, he messed up his scene a few times too. It just wasn't his day.

At the end of the day someone actually remembered this time to switch the boiler back on, Tom thought it meant they were still recalling back to the incident from that morning. Hence why they'd remembered to put it back on in the first place. Also he spent the rest of the day trying to avoid you, although that only proved to be of great difficulty, considering how closely you were working together.

"Tom?" You whispered loud enough to be heard outside his bedroom, after you knocked gently on the door. There was a long pause before Tom made any effort to move and open the door. "Hi, Tom." You smiled softly at him.

"Hi, (Y/N)." He replied shyly, barely looking into your (e/c) eyes.

"I just wanted to say that, erm...don't worry about what happened today. Seriously everyone may have had a kick out of it, and I know you'll laugh too one day. In the meantime though..." you quickly turned around and hoisted up your skirt. You had removed your knickers purposely to show him your arse, even though no one else could see it too to match his embarrassment, you did it anyway. You just didn't want him to feel embarrassed any longer. And you wiggled your arse a little as well, which made Tom chuckle.

"You have a nice arse too." Tom giggled once you readjusted yourself and turned back around.

"Thanks." Your cheeks flushed hotly under his gaze and compliment. "Feel better?" You added.

"Yes, thank you." You both couldn't stop smiling. "Can I say something?" He asked seriously after a short pause.

"Sure!" You replied happily.

"I-I've had this huge crush on you." He said and bit his bottom lip nervously waiting for your reply.

"Good, because I like you too." You edged in closer to him before kissing his cheek.

Tom felt like a child again around you while standing in the doorway. Suddenly though, Tom crashed his lips against yours as you began to back away. It took you a few seconds before responding and started kissing him back.

"If you had seen anything. I'm usually a lot...bigger. It's just the shower was freezing and I..." You shut him up by kissing him harder and wrapping your arms around his neck.

You ended the night on good terms and had a date lined up for the following night after filming.

Originally published: 15/06/21

Edited: 07/09/21