Dancing with Love (a Tom Hiddleston fanfiction) -Book 1-

the first dance

(a week later)

As the premiere of the show loomed just two weeks away, the time had come for Nat and Tom to dive into their first official dance rehearsal. They'd spent countless hours together over the past few weeks, learning about each other's lives and sharing quiet moments that deepened their connection. But now, all those conversations and late-night talks had to be translated into movement, into something that would captivate an audience and show the world what they could do as a team.

Tom had chosen the song "All of Me" by John Legend for their first dance—a foxtrot. It was a beautiful song, filled with emotion and vulnerability, and when Nat had asked him why he'd picked it, he'd looked almost shy, his eyes dropping to the floor for a moment before meeting hers. "It just... feels right," he'd said, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "The lyrics, the melody... it's how I want this dance to feel. Like every step means something, like we're telling a story."

His sincerity had touched her, and she'd nodded in agreement, understanding the unspoken words between them. There was something deeply personal about his choice, something that spoke to the connection they were building, and Nat was determined to make this dance as meaningful as Tom wanted it to be.

As the music began to play in the studio, a soft melody filling the space, they started their first run-through. The air between them was thick with anticipation, both of them focused on the task at hand. Tom was trying so hard, his face a mask of concentration as he moved through the steps she'd taught him. His footwork was careful, almost too careful, and his grip on her hand was a little too tight. But as they glided across the floor, something magical began to happen. The rhythm of the music, the closeness of their bodies, and the unspoken understanding between them began to take over, and their movements grew more fluid, more in sync.

Yet, as the final notes of the song faded, Tom abruptly pulled away, a look of frustration crossing his features. He ran a hand through his hair, sighing heavily. "That was... terrible. I'm like a robot out there, Nat. My footwork's a mess, and I keep forgetting the steps. How are we going to perform this in front of millions of people?" His voice was laced with self-criticism as he began to pace the room, his agitation growing with each word. "I mean, I can barely keep my balance, and I'm supposed to be graceful? And my arms... they're just flailing around. What the hell are they even doing? Nothing useful, that's for sure—"

Natasha stood still, her eyes following him as he rambled on, the corner of her mouth lifting into a soft smile. There was something so endearing about the way he was so hard on himself, so determined to get everything right. It was almost as if he didn't realize how much progress he'd made, how far he'd come since they'd started. She could see it in the way his movements had become more fluid, the way he was beginning to trust her lead and let go of some of his stiffness. But more than that, she could see how much he cared—how much he wanted this dance to be perfect, not just for the show, but for her.

Before she even realized what she was doing, Nat closed the distance between them, her steps quick and purposeful. Tom was mid-sentence, still lost in his self-deprecating rant, when she reached up, gently cupped his face in her hands, and kissed him. The action was so sudden, so unexpected, that Tom's words died in his throat. His eyes widened in surprise, but only for a moment before they fluttered closed. He instinctively leaned into the kiss, his hands coming up to rest on her waist, pulling her just a little closer.

The kiss was soft and sweet, a tender brush of lips that spoke volumes of the unspoken emotions between them. It was a kiss that told him he wasn't alone, that they were in this together, and that everything would be okay. When they finally pulled apart, Nat kept her hands on his face, her thumbs brushing softly against his cheeks as she looked into his eyes, her heart pounding in her chest.

Tom looked at her, his breath coming out in a quiet rush as he tried to process what had just happened. "What... what was that for?" he asked, his voice softer now, almost vulnerable.

Natasha shrugged, her smile widening, her eyes sparkling with a mix of mischief and warmth. "Just to remind you that you're not alone in this. We're a team, Thomas. We've got this." she said, her voice gentle.

Tom stared at her for a long moment, the weight of her words settling over him like a comforting blanket. He could see the sincerity in her eyes, the way she believed in him, in them, and it made something in his chest tighten, something that felt a lot like hope. Slowly, a grin spread across his face, and he let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.

Maybe he wasn't perfect on the dance floor yet, but with Nat by his side, suddenly, the idea of dancing in front of millions didn't seem so terrifying. As they stood there, the warmth of her hands still on his face, Tom felt something else settle over him—something that felt a lot like peace.

He stood there, still feeling the warmth of Natasha's lips against his, the softness of her touch lingering on his skin. His heart raced. The kiss had caught him completely off guard, but it was exactly what he needed—what they both needed, perhaps.

Natasha's hands, still gently cupping his face, her eyes searching his for any sign of regret or uncertainty. But all she found was a mixture of surprise and something much deeper, something that mirrored what she felt in her own heart.

Tom's lips parted, and he hesitated for just a moment, still processing the rush of emotions coursing through him. Then, with a slightly shy smile, he asked, "May I... may I kiss you again?"

Natasha's breath caught in her throat. She hadn't expected him to ask, especially after she'd been the one to make the first move. But hearing his voice, soft and unsure, yet full of sincerity, made her heart swell with affection. She nodded, her smile growing as she whispered, "You don't even have to ask."

Tom didn't waste another second. He closed the distance between them, his hands finding their place on her waist again as he leaned in. This time, he kissed her with a confidence that hadn't been there before. The kiss was slower, more deliberate, as if he wanted to savor every second, to memorize the way she felt against him.

Natasha responded in kind, her arms slipping around his neck, pulling him closer as they lost themselves in the moment. The studio around them seemed to disappear, leaving only the two of them, wrapped up in each other.

When they finally broke apart, both of them were breathing a little heavier, their foreheads resting together as they smiled. Tom brushed a stray strand of hair from Natasha's face, his touch gentle and affectionate.

"Thank you," he whispered, his voice filled with gratitude.

Natasha chuckled softly, her thumb brushing lightly against his cheek. "For what?"

"For making everything better," Tom replied, his eyes locking onto hers. "...and for that kiss."

Natasha's laughter was soft and sweet, a sound that made Tom's heart soar. "Well, I guess you'll just have to keep impressing me if you want more of those," she teased, her smile turning playful.