Life Is What You Make It (A Tom Hiddleston Fanfic)

Part 18: The Sleepover

A/N:  Okay, readers, here's the next update. I know Mia flew off the handle in the last chapter. Maybe she was hangry again?  Anyway, this chapter will hopefully get them back on track for where this relationship is going. As always, votes and especially comments are appreciated, solicited, begged for... I hope you enjoy!

Awkward

Tom and I clear our food and beers away, and settle on the sofa to watch TV together. Though I know Tom is getting over (and may be completely over) what transpired, I can't help but feel awkward at the situation. It's like I've gone to school on the first day, walked into class late for everyone to stare at me, and I've just realized I forgot to put on underwear. Yikes!

I sit as still as a stone next to Tom as he picks up the remote. "Would you like to watch a movie, Love?" he asks.

"Sure." 

"What are you in the mood for? Action, comedy, thriller?"

I admit that I have my go-to movies when I'm upset or out of sorts. They help me to escape and feel better in the end. With my unease right now, I don't know if I feel comfortable telling Tom my feel-good movies.

"Well, Love, what'll it be," Tom asks, looking at me.

Gulp. Okay, Mia, you created this awkwardness. Now you might as well jump in with both feet and do the backstroke in it.

"Well, I was thinking of something light. Like, maybe, Young Frankenstein? Since it is October and all," I say hesitantly.

A smile spreads across Tom's face. "Young Frankenstein it is."

Tom quickly skims through his online movies to find our choice. As the opening credits start to scroll, he takes a quilt from the arm of the sofa and pats the space between us, beckoning me to fill it. "I don't bite," he says softly.

I move next to him, and he covers us both with the quilt. I am silent for some time, but I start to relax as the film gets underway. I laugh at Mel Brook's humor, and guffaw at some of the saucier lines. Tom puts his arm around my shoulder and pulls me closer.

As the scene starts between Peter Boyle and Gene Hackman (the Monster and the Blindman), Tom and I both laugh and snort at Peter's great deadpan.

"You know it's okay," Tom says, looking at me. "What's that?" I ask. "We're going to have tough conversations and awkward moments. As long as you're honest and open with me, I'll always forgive you," he says.

"But I hurt you," I say with a hint of sadness in my voice. "You did, but it wasn't out of viciousness or some desire for self-gain. It was to understand something that needed understood. I'll never hold it against you if you're trying to find the truth in something. After all, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger," Tom finishes.

"Or, it will just try to kill us again," I say with a smirk on my face. Tom starts his 'eheheh' at my comment, then he kisses the top of my head, and we resume watching the movie.

Truth or Dare (I Mean It This Time)

As the end credits roll, Tom asks for another selection from my favorite movies. Thinking for no more than a second, I pick Star Trek, the 2009 version with Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto. "Really, the one with that Hemsworth guy in it?" Tom deadpans. When I simply nod, he says under his breath, "Well, at least is doesn't have the insufferable bloke, Benedict Cumberbatch." I happen to be informed that he and Benedict are quite good friends, so I know this is in jest.

Tom searches through the list of films and finds my choice. As he starts it, I snuggle in next to him, feeling the evening's chill start to take over the flat. "Do we need more quilts?" Tom asks. "No, you're all the warmth I need," I say, burying my nose in his shirt briefly to warm it.