Tom Hiddleston x Reader One Shots

Anxiety Attack

Trigger warnings: Anxiety, description of anxiety attack, mention of extreme stress

Summary: Tom accompanies you to your first red carpet event, when he notices your having some anxiety, he takes you somewhere quiet and help calm you down.

The premier for your latest movie had been a success, thousands turned up to see it and it had it's own hashtag trending on social media. The red carpet was beginning in a matter of about 20 minutes, leaving you such a short space of time to settle your nerves. Tom, your co-star, had accompanied you to the red carpet, he was more than familiar with all the celebrity stuff.
You fidgeted with your hands and did some of your breathing exercises to steady yourself, begging yourself not to let this get out of control. The embarrassment of having an anxiety attack here of all places would kill you.

Tom approached you and put a hand gentle on your back.
"Good evening darling," He smiled brightly. "You look absolutely stunning tonight!"

Your cheeks blushed pink and you thanked him, returning a compliment on his suit.
He immediately noticed your behavior and gave you a look of concern.

"Are you okay?" He asked quietly. He put a hand on your arm and guided you to the side.

"I- Yeah, am good." You said.
"You're shaking." Tom said worried.

"Uhm.. I have an anxiety disorder," You looked away from him. "I have panic attack and take medication for it.. but sometimes it's out of my control." You choked back tears. And gripped your chest, unable to get any air.

He grabbed one of your hands in his and led you away through the bustle of backstage personnel, walked along a hallway and into a small room labeled 'Sound Control. Staff only.'

He opened the door as let it click shut behind him, light turning on automatically. He brought one of the chairs over to you and you sat down, watching him pull another chair in front of you.

"Alright, we're going to take this slowly. All I want you to do right now, is breathe. Okay darling?" He said calmly.

You nodded and let out a shaky breath.

"You can get through this. I'm here with you, it's going to be alright."

He made such a relaxing atmosphere in the room that you felt you could put your trust into him. You let your guard down a little, allowed yourself to be vurnable and didn't try to hold everything back.

Tears escaped your eyes and you quickly wiped them away. Tom reached into his pocket and handed you a small packet of tissues.

"Thank you." Your voice wavered. "I'm sorry about all this-"

"No, no, don't apologize." Tom interrupted.
"You have nothing to be sorry for, this can't be easy to deal with. We're just going to sit and get you to a place where you feel ready to go out again."

You eyes widened and you gulped. You really couldn't manage that right now.. this was only the beginning of your nights anxiety.

"But that doesn't have to come soon. We can sit here for as long as you need." He assured.

You looked up at him with grateful, watery eyes and struggled a smile. He moved closer to you and took your hands into his, moving his thumb over your skin to soothe you. He coaches you to breathe with him, repeating
"In.... and out.... In..... and out." until your breathing properly again. You notice you have stopped quivering and the embarrassment starts to seep in.

"Tom.." He looks up to meet your eyes. "I know you said not to be sorry, but I genuinly didn't mean for this to happen, and I've disturbed your night too. So I am sorry."

He smiled at you and gave your hands a small squeeze.

"I've never had an anxiety attack, but I've felt nervous and anxious before, enough to know that it's unpleasant. And to live with that everyday isn't easy. I think you've done incredibly well tonight. You came, that's a big step. These events will become easier to cope with, I promise you. And I'm going to give you my number, so you have someone to contact if you feel panicked again."

You reached your arms out to hug him and he leaned in to wrap his arm around you. He held onto you tightly.

"You've got this."