Art Imitates Life

Chapter 17

Tom woke to the incessant buzzing of his phone. Groggy, he reached for it, blinking as his screen flooded with notifications, each headline more shocking than the last.

TIMOTHEE CHALAMET ACCUSES TOM HOLLAND OF PLAGIARISM.

New Young Voices Artist Under Fire: Was Tom Holland's Art Really His Own?

The words hit him like a punch, leaving him cold and disoriented. He scrolled through the articles, his mind spinning. Timothee had accused him of plagiarizing one of his works, claiming that Tom's piece in the Met's Young Voices exhibit bore a striking resemblance to one of his own paintings. Timothee had gone to the press with a detailed statement, each line dripping with calculated malice, and Tom could see how it would look to an outsider—two artists with a personal connection, a recent confrontation, and now accusations of copying.

He felt his heart pound as he came across another headline, this one with a photo that made his stomach drop: a screenshot from his private FaceTime with Chris, his family, and friends, announcing their engagement. It was the moment he'd shared with them so happily, twisted now into an invasion of privacy. Tom barely registered Chris walking up beside him, his face shifting to horror as he took in the screen.

"Timothee leaked that?" Chris whispered, anger tightening his voice.

Tom's throat closed up. "He... he's doing all of this to ruin me."

Chris wrapped an arm around him as they braced themselves to leave the hotel, but the storm outside was worse than they'd anticipated. Paparazzi crowded the entrance, cameras flashing as soon as they stepped outside. Shouts rang out, questions blending into a chaotic mess as the reporters closed in, some of them calling out cruel insinuations, accusing Tom of lying, cheating, betraying his friend.

Tom felt his breathing quicken, panic clawing up his throat. Security surrounded them, guiding them through the crush and into the waiting car. Once they were safely inside, Tom slumped back, overwhelmed, the noise and accusations still ringing in his ears. He covered his face with his hands, his chest tight with a mixture of humiliation and anger.

Chris reached over, his hand resting firmly on Tom's back. "Tom, look at me," he said gently. Tom's eyes met his, and he could see the hurt and frustration simmering in Chris's gaze. "This isn't you, alright? None of this is your fault. Timothee's trying to twist things, but people will see the truth. We'll get through this. You'll get through this."

Tom nodded, though tears pricked his eyes. "I just... I don't know why he'd do this to me. And... he leaked something so private."

Chris pulled him close, letting him rest his head on his shoulder, and they sat in silence as the car pulled away, Tom's thoughts a tangled mess of anger, betrayal, and heartbreak.

The flight back to the United Kingdom was tense, the constant buzz of his phone a reminder that the world was watching, speculating, doubting. Chris held his hand through the flight, staying by his side and helping to keep him calm. But nothing could soothe the hurt gnawing at Tom's chest.

When they finally arrived at his family's home, Tom felt a wave of comfort seeing the familiar place, the quiet strength of his parents waiting for him, but his relief was short-lived. Sitting on the doorstep, waiting with an unreadable expression, was Harrison. Tom could feel the tension radiating off him from several feet away.

Harrison stood, his gaze hard, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. Then Harrison stepped closer, his voice tight. "Is it true, Tom? Did you... did you cheat on Chris with Timothee?"

Tom's heart sank, and he shook his head vehemently. "Harrison, I'd never do that. Not to Chris, and definitely not to you. Timothee's been playing games, manipulating things to make me look bad. He... he kissed me. It was him. I didn't want it."

Harrison's eyes softened, confusion mixing with guilt as he looked at Tom. "Then why didn't you tell me? Or Chris?"

Tom swallowed, feeling Chris's hand rest reassuringly on his shoulder. "I didn't want to hurt you or make things harder for anyone. Timothee's been twisting everything from the start. I thought ignoring it would make it go away... but I was wrong."

Chris's jaw clenched, his voice steady but filled with barely restrained anger. "He went too far, Tom. This is more than just a petty rivalry. He's trying to ruin you, to hurt the people you love. But he doesn't get to win."

Harrison nodded, his face softening as he pulled Tom into a hug. "I'm sorry, Tom. I shouldn't have doubted you. I had no idea Timothee was capable of something like this."

They stood there for a moment, all three of them grappling with the fallout of Timothee's betrayal. After a while, Zendaya arrived, her face determined, and they gathered inside, huddling in the living room as Tom's parents listened, horrified, to everything that had happened. Together, they worked on a plan, discussing ways to address the rumors and prove Tom's innocence. Zendaya suggested reaching out to artists Tom had collaborated with, people who could vouch for his originality and work ethic, while Harrison offered to contact their college professors.

By the time they wrapped up, Tom felt a new sense of purpose replacing the shock. His family and friends were here, fighting with him. He wasn't alone.

As the others headed home, Chris stayed behind, helping Tom clear up the remnants of their meeting. After everyone else had left, Chris turned to him, his expression soft but a little hesitant.

"Tom, I need to ask... why didn't you tell me about Timothee?" His voice wasn't accusatory, but there was a sadness there, a vulnerability Tom hadn't seen before.

Tom took a deep breath, guilt and worry mingling in his chest. "I didn't want to put you in a situation where you'd feel like you had to protect me. I didn't want you to get hurt or dragged into his mess. You... you mean too much to me, Chris."

Chris stepped closer, his hand cupping Tom's cheek, his gaze intense. "Tom, I'm your partner. I'm here to protect you—no matter what. And if anyone tries to hurt you, you come to me. Always. I'll handle it, I promise you."

Tom felt a flush creep up his neck, his heart pounding at Chris's words. The fierce protectiveness in Chris's gaze made him feel safe in a way he hadn't thought possible. He leaned into Chris's touch, a smile tugging at his lips.

"Alright," he whispered, his voice soft. "I'll come to you. You're... everything to me, Chris."

Chris's hand slipped around his waist, pulling him close, and they shared a quiet, lingering kiss, a promise of resilience and support. Tom felt his heart settle, a warmth spreading through him as he let the tension of the past day fade away in Chris's arms.

He knew they had a fight ahead of them, that Timothee wouldn't let go easily. But for now, with Chris's arms around him and his family by his side, Tom felt ready to face whatever came next.