The Extra (A Tom Hiddleston Fanfic)

Red Carpet

Coming in for breakfast a couple of morning later, Tom was sitting at the table, side saddle in a chair, sipping coffee with a strangely smug smile on his face. He was just out of bed himself so was all tousled hair, loose pyjama bottoms but no shirt. Even now, after all their time together she still felt that familiar twitch looking at him like that. Somehow she managed to keep the blatant desire out her voice when she greeted him, "morning sweetheart" as she walk in.

He didn't say anything, just smiled and got up, unfurling his long legs and padded barefoot across the room. Slipping a hand around her waist, he pulled her in, kissing her on the cheek. He whispered in her ear "I know something you don't know" sounding like a mixture between the God of Mischief and the cheeky 5 year old she knew her could be. Supressing the rising urge to kiss him into the middle of next week, she squinted at him suspiciously and said in her best mum voice "Now Thomas Hiddleston what HAVE you been up to?".

He grabbed her hand, pulling her back to the table and said "I couldn't possibly tell you - it would spoil the surprise!". With a flourish he pulled out her chair and bowed "Your Royal Highness, please be seated".

Giggling like a schoolgirl, she sat as he had poured her some orange juice and got her a bowl of cereal from the side counter, placing it in front of her with a dignified "Mademoiselle". As she looked down, she saw that instead of her usual cereal, there was an envelope sitting in her bowl. It was white, her name embossed in gold lettering on the front. Surprised, she looked up and
Tom was sitting opposite her again, sipping his coffee looking at her over the rim of the mug.

His eyes twinkled with mischief as he asked innocently "I wonder what it could be?" He sat with an expression of mock intrigue, while she just laughed and stuck out her tongue at him. Picking the envelope up it felt heavy and expensive.

Carefully, she opened it with shaking hands. It looked official, but she reasoned, not scary. Scary official tended to come in brown envelopes, not white and gold. Inside was an embossed card. It read
"Miss Rose Martin is cordially invited on 25th September to..... the UK Premier of the film she kindly put up with in her house ! Please remember to bring an appropriate Asgardian otherwise entry may be restricted" RSVP - the man now sitting opposite you"

She laughed out loud, amused and relieved in equal measure. She felt such a wave of love for the silly, wonderful, handsome man opposite her who had gone to all this trouble. She was excited but instantly terrified. She put the card and the envelope to one side and looked at the smirking Tom.

He'd watched her open and read it, knowing full well what it contained. As he saw her face pale , and panic in her eyes, he started to worry. Would she refuse to go? Would she not want to go with him? In case there was any hate from so-called fans. Not about her performance, oh no, that had gone down well at the test screenings. No, he knew she would be worried about appearing with him in public, together. Officially. The trouble with Katy had marred what should have been a wonderful new experience for her and he felt sad and ashamed all over again.

He got up and walked round to her side of the table, standing behind her massaging her shoulders as she sat, elbow on table and hand under her chin, contemplating the invite.

"Speak to me Little One" he said softly " tell me what troubles you? I thought you'd like to experience a premier, walk the carpet, the whole nine yards. I'm sorry if it makes you feel uncomfortable darling. You don't have to go, honestly, I understand " he bent and kissed her lightly. " why don't you talk to Claire? Get her perspective?" He sat back down and looked at her with a soft smile. " I just want to show the world how incredibly lucky I am sweetheart to have you by my side, I'm sorry."

For a moment she sat and looked at him as if she was seeing him for the first time. He'd done all this for her. To prove there was a past that was just that. The past. Going public, meant declaring to everyone that they were together. Everyone. If she had any doubts, that thought dispelled them instantly. "Of course I'll go Tom" She said with a smile. But I warn you - I'm going to need a new dress!"