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

Part 49

Your nerves are fraying. Richard and the production security team are unable to figure out how the tulips keep appearing in your dressing room. Sometimes there is a day gap, sometimes two – but eventually the bouquet appears again. And there's always another red tulip in the mix. The thing is half white, half red now. The notes accompanying the bouquets all run along the same vein now: kind words that completely freak you out.

I know you're not the one throwing the flowers away. It's alright, I don't mind buying you more. – Devotedly yours, MC

Where did you go when you went out of town? Home to see the family? I'd love to meet them. – Yours, as always, MC 

This had prompted calls to both households to make sure everyone was looped in on the situation. Your mother wanted you to hire a second bodyguard, your father wanted you to drop out of the Touring Sundays sequel and come home. You said no to both.

You still have no idea what the initials on the notes stand for – who they are meant to indicate. Everyone seems irritated by that fact. They all give you some variation of: Surely you know someone with those initials.

Yes, because it makes complete sense that you're protecting the identity of the person currently keeping your nerves on edge. You've taken to the unknown stranger as Mister Creepy. Richard disapproves, but that small bit of humor helps to keep your sanity intact.

Matt and Andrew do their best to keep your mind occupied but you find yourself jumping at every little thing. The daily texts and nightly phone calls from Tom distract you for short periods of time and then you're back at work staring at another note, back waiting for the something to happen. The nervous energy works for the suspense of the production at the moment but it leaves you absolutely drained by the end of each day.

You've stopped running in the mornings upon Richard's request based on the argument that it was a predictable routine and a weak point during your day in terms of protection. You don't argue. You're doing enough stunts again that you're getting your exercise just memorizing the routines.

Richard is ever present on set, no longer leaving you in the building during the workday to run errands. And you're spending as little time in your dressing room as you possibly can. Moving spaces would prove pointless since security seems powerless to stop the 'gifts' from arriving. The 'gifts' would probably just follow you to the new location, anyway.

The thing getting you through the day today is the promise of Tom's presence for the next day and a half. He arrives late in the evening, well after Richard has knocked off for the day. As soon as you answer the door Tom wraps you up in his arms. You grant Bruce a muffled 'hello' before he heads back to the car. Once the pair of you are inside Tom is still reluctant to release you. You tilt your head up to rest your chin on his chest. "And hello to you, too."

"Hello, ______. Sorry it's so late. I would've been here sooner if I could have made the traffic cooperate." He still has his bag over his shoulder but doesn't seem to care or feel the weight of it as he looks down at you. "What time to you have to be up in the morning?"

You half shrug, "Early? Well, a little later than early now that I'm not running in the mornings anymore. Maybe Richard would allow it again with you and Bruce as backup..."

Tom's smile fades a little bit. "I didn't mean to bring it up right as soon as I walked in the door. Sorry, darling." He gives you a squeeze, "I'll happily be backup to defend you if the need arises, though I hope it won't come to that. Do you think Richard would like John to fly over and join him until Bruce and I are here?"

You shake your head. "Mom suggested a second bodyguard as well."

"Smart woman." Tom says as he finally releases you. He nods in agreement with the sentiment.