You've Only Just Arrived (a Tom Hiddleston fan fiction)

Part 48

You've been here before – though this time it is Richard standing amongst a mass of people talking to them regarding your safety. Admittedly last time Mark had been yelling at the hotel security team. Richard's method of quiet anger doesn't make your ears bleed and seems to incite a little more fear in the group listening.

Matt, Andrew, and a few others had popped by to see what the fuss was about and had been quickly escorted away. You're just about as red at the tulip that still sits nestled into the bouquet of white. At least this time you're not looking at a completely destroyed room and the loss of nearly all your material possessions.

No, this time there's still some small inkling of hope that the tulips are just gifts from a misguided fan. You really want to think that. As an option it is far more appealing than the alternative, which Richard has been expressing for the past half hour. To his mind the tulips mean danger - specifically that you're in danger.

Someone has grown a little too attached, again.

You really don't like his theory.

Once Richard is satisfied that he's put the fear of God into the production's security team he's willing to take you home. In your opinion his insistence that he look through every room of your place before leaving you to try to salvage the rest of your off day is a bit of overkill but it's the only thing that will appease him in his heightened state of paranoia.

He scowls at you as you follow him room to room, then back out into the main living area. "You should be more concerned about this, _____."

You are concerned, very much so, but freaking out about it won't change the fact that it is happening. "You're doing your job, and you've scared the security team into triple checking that they're doing theirs..."

He grunts in response. He isn't happy that you're trying to make light of the situation and you amend your expression accordingly and shake your head.

"Richard, I'm trying really hard not to let fear rule me. If it makes you feel better I'll have a complete freakout about it once you're gone."

He frowns at your words, still taking stock of your apartment. "You should rearrange the furniture in here. The loveseat blocks your pathway to the door from the bedroom."

Move the loveseat? You fight back the chill of goosebumps trying to erupt over your skin. You're not going to rearrange your place for optimized fleeing capability. That is not a thing that is going to happen.

With a practiced smile you force a lightness to your voice. "I'd trip over everything if I started moving furniture around."

He grunts again.

"I'll figure something out." You put your hand on your hip and furrow your eyebrows together in thought.

It wouldn't happen today but at least planning it out might make Richard worry a bit less. It's also something good to distract from the moment.

Once Richard is gone and you down a glass of wine to steady yourself, you call Tom. You start with idle chatter about the drive back and how his day is going before you update him regarding the tulips.

Tom is quiet at the news and you find yourself wishing you'd thought to video chat with him rather than just call him. Then, softly, "I'm coming to stay with you."

"Oh – no – that's not why I told you... Tom. We talked about this... With your production schedule it doesn't..." The stress of the discovery, the conversation, the wine – all combine to send your stomach into flips. You want Tom to come stay with you because he wants to. Because he's able. Not out of some sense of duty or obligation.

"Stop trying to deprive me of my white knight moment, ______." He's not going to budge much now that he's made the decision. "I'll stay there, at least the few days surrounding my off days... And then after Ben's premiere it should be more manageable to make the drive every day."

Benedict's premiere for one of the projects he'd been working on before filming Jack & Emily with you was still a few weeks away. It gave you a timeframe to prepare for living with someone – not just sustain the environment for a short visit but properly live with someone. You hadn't had a roommate for a few years now – you've either been able to afford your own place or had been living out of suitcases in various hotel rooms.

"Say something, darling."

You smile and emit a light chuckle before speaking. "I love you?"

He laughs. "Thank you for sounding so confident."

Even with the cheery thoughts Tom is summoning you can't quite shake off the ill feeling that has surfaced. Still, you're doing your best to try. "Hmm you're welcome. Maybe once you're here –" the thought makes your heart leap a bit – Tom living with you! – "Richard will worry less."

"It's his job to worry, ______. Honestly I'm all for him continuing to worry about your safety."

The rest of the conversation circles around the logistics of Tom traveling back and forth until after the premiere, and talk of the premiere itself. Tom has been talking with Benedict while you've only exchanged texts with him. Details still need to be ironed out - dinner before or after? Arriving together? Not to mention what to wear...

The next day you arrive on set to find that Richard has cleared the vase and tulips from your dressing room. He seems pleased with himself and the heightened state of awareness of the security staff. Admittedly, you are able to concentrate a little more without having that vase of flowers reminding you of events.

And then the next day there is another bouquet of white tulips, this time with two red ones – and a note.

I noticed someone threw away the previous collection. And now nothing can be delivered without a note? How could you not know they were from me, _______? Don't worry, you are forgiven. And I've replaced the flowers.

-Devotedly yours, MC

Richard is livid. He tosses the bouquet again, altering his instructions to the security staff. Nothing to be delivered to your dressing room. Period. No gifts, no notes. Nothing.

The next day you hold your breath as you enter your dressing room, releasing it when you discover the counter space still empty. 

And then the bouquet appears after lunch, with three red tulips enclosed in the numerous white ones. 

You're pretty sure Richard is going to have a conniption.