The Extra (A Tom Hiddleston Fanfic)

The Final Act

They walked the red carpet together, holding hands and smiling at the cameras. Rosie was absolutely terrified but, from somewhere deep inside she found the courage not to show it. Perhaps the fact he kept turning to her and whispering words of encouragement helped, perhaps it was the frenzied screaming that accompanied their every move or perhaps it was just the relief that everything was now, so she believed, as it should be. They had made it. Through ups, downs and everything in between. Life was perfect she thought.

The screening went well, the reception afterwards a triumph. Tom and the rest of the cast and crew received all the accolades and applause they so richly deserved. She was complimented on her part and a convincing death which made her both laugh and feel proud at the same time. As she sat and watched them bask for the night in their own glory, she was so proud of him she could have burst. The only fly in the wonderful ointment was, as the night went on, Tom started to look more and more strained. Talked to her less and less, just kept shooting her nervous looking glances. Rosie started, in turn, to worry. Was there something he now wasn't telling her ? She'd been chatting to everyone quite animatedly, beginning at last to relax in the company of the great and good of Hollywood. Had she overstepped the mark? Was he angry? Should she even ask?

Eventually, it was time to leave. Their car arrived and he helped her into it, sliding in next to her with a sigh. He ran his hand through his hair and undid his bowtie letting it sit round his collar as he undid his top button. He rubbed the back of his neck, distractedly.
"Are you ok ?" She asked gently, putting a hand on his arm. He didn't speak, just turned and looked at her with a serious expression. She felt herself blanch under his gaze. There was something definitely up. She cast her mind through all the conversations of the night. She was sure she hadn't put a foot wrong.
"When we get home" he said softly, taking her hand in his " we need to talk. There's something I have to tell you."
His expression made it crystal clear he wasn't going to discuss it now so she swallowed her rising fear and nodded silently . He smiled , a strained, almost fearful smile and they travelled home in silence, Rosie nervously playing with the dagger at her throat.

Half an hour later, they were back at his home. He opened the door and ushered her in, the atmosphere so thick you could cut it with a knife. She had instantly she had felt like she was home here. She fervently hoped she'd be back. She paused in the hallway, removing her coat and shoes. If she was going to be upset, she wanted to be comfortable. He slid off his jacket too, now just in his waistcoat, he looked almost even more handsome with his open shirt and tie. She swallowed as he approached her, wondering where this was going. Things had gotten very serious very quickly and she was afraid.

"Rosie, before we go any further, can I just say that whatever happens next, whatever the outcome of tonight, I have had the most wonderful time sharing our life together, even in the difficult times. I was - and always will be - on your side. Please remember that" he took her now openly shaking hand and she felt he was trembling too. She was scared beyond words. Tom led her into the living room, not putting on a light, just sitting her down on the sofa in the dim light of a fire which burned low in the grate. He stood by the mantlepiece, staring into the fire for a moment then seemed to mentally pull himself together. She braced herself for what inevitably, she felt , was going to be the most horrific night of her life.

Tom came and sat next to her, facing the fire so she could see his now darkened eyes glitter, his incredible cheekbones that had always taken her breath away, highlighted by the warm glow. She thought he had never looked so, well, beautiful and her heart pounded.
"Tom? What is it darling?" She whispered gently "whatever you have to say, please, no matter how badly you think it may hurt, just say it. I'm ready, I know it will be for the best. "
He smiled , his eyes suddenly bright with unshed tears. "That, my darling, is exactly why I do want to say this to you. No matter what I say or do , no matter how trying times are, you are always kind, sweet and understanding. I have known for a while this needed to be said, but tonight, with everything I put you through, it just proved to me I am a fool who should have said something a long time ago. " she was so scared she felt she might faint but she took a breath.

He paused, took his own deep breath and continued to speak.
"My darling Rosie, we have known each only slightly more time than it takes to make a movie. We have probably spent more time physically, even if not mentally, apart than is healthy but that, my darling is the way I have to live at the moment. It's unfair, it's difficult and it's terrible on relationships." He smiled wryly and she raised the corner of her mouth in a half smile of acknowledgement.
" But in all this, in all of this madness, you came along. You brought your beautiful smile, sense of fun, and a strength of will I can only aspire to. You , quite frankly, amaze me on a daily basis at how resilient, compassionate and truly honest beyond question you are. In short I have never known anyone like you and I know I never will again. I hate it when we are apart, I cannot begin to explain how I ever lived without you , or how I would continue to do so, because I simply don't know. All I do know is if I have to spend another day without you, it will be the end of me. Rosie , my love, I am far from perfect and I know my work will be far from easy to live with, but being such a strong amazing woman could you try? Could you find it in your heart to love someone like me day in day out until we have no more days?"

He stopped, sank onto not one, but both knees in front of her taking her hands in his and as she sat wide eyed and open mouthed he said "Rosie Martin, love of my life, my soulmate, my everything, please PLEASE will you marry me?" He looked into her eyes for a moment then closed his and dropped his head, a condemned man awaiting his fate. She was sure he was holding his breath.

For a moment, there was nothing. The world ceased to exist, there was nothing outside the room. Nothing other than his face, the glow of the fire and the sound of her heartbeat in her ears. She stared at him, wanting to remember this exact moment forever.

Slowly, gently, she withdrew her hands and placed them by his cheeks, tilting his head up again.
"Open your eyes Thomas" was all she said softly, suddenly calm. She smiled a hint of a smile, paused to look at his beautiful face once more, saw the terror in his eyes and then she kissed him. Her lips met his, softly at first then more urgently as joy and relief mixed with the heat of desire. Breaking off to breathe, they stayed that way, foreheads pressed together, smiling at one another as she spoke,
"Tom Hiddleston, love of my life, my soulmate, my Prince of Asgard, whatever life and Hollywood throws at us, we will do it together. Yes, a thousand times yes, I will marry you." And they held each other knowing life for either of them would never be the same again, but that was exactly how they wanted it.