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

Part 25: Time Marches On

Faster and Faster

"I'm sorry, Love. It looks like I'll be gone longer than expected," Tom says during our evening call.

"What's up?" I ask. "There's this charity event for UNICEF in Paris, and I told them that I would attend.  It appears that celebrities help bring out generous patrons," Tom says. I don't begrudge him nor the charity. I know Tom loves his work with the group and the good that it does.

"So, when will you be back?"  "It looks like it will be a week longer than expected. I'm sorry, Mia, I really am," Tom says, and I know he means it.

We were planning to hole up at his apartment for two days, just us, take-out, movies, and lots of time without our clothes on. Tom and I are both a little frustrated, I'll call it, with the distance. Two weeks doesn't seem like very long, but when the romance is new, it can seem like an eternity. Plus, for me, I miss just the nearness of Tom - touching, holding hands, kissing, feeling each other's warmth near.

"I'd give anything to be with you right now," Tom whispers, and I feel the familiar butterflies in my stomach. "Me, too. Even if it was just to wrap my arms around you," I say. Tom groans. "Oh, Mia, as much as I love when we're intimate...and I do, so please don't think I'm minimizing that part of our relationship...what I love most is just when you're soft and sweet, and I get to embrace you. I was very much looking forward to making love to you this weekend, but I really just want to hold you."

Tom and I had tried 'phone sex,' for lack of a better term, but it didn't work for us. I think it's because of the missing intimacy he's just described.

"Okay," I say, exhaling some of my frustration.  "We can do this, Hiddleston. We just have to buck up, Buttercup." "Ma'am, yes Ma'am," Tom says in mock seriousness, though I detect a laugh in his voice. "We can do this, Tom."

"I know we can, Love. I know we can."

Slower and Slower

On set this morning, Anna is acting like an excited teenager. Pratt is on his way back with the rest of the cast from the promotional tour. All except Tom. Though it's not their fault, it seems they've left a man behind. I try not to resent them for it, but I do a little.

"You know, I know it's not the same, but Evans and RDJ are having a drink with Chris and me tonight. You're welcome to come, Honorary Avenger." Anna whispers the last part in my ear. We're still not sure how the bosses at DC would feel about my acceptance into the Marvel group, so we rarely talk about it on set.

"Yeah. Maybe. I don't know," I say. I know I've been a Gloomy Gus the last day or two. It's not like me to let things get to me, but then again, I have never been in love like this before.

Alright, Mia, time to snap out of it, I think.

"Alright. Sure," I say with an upbeat tone. Anna looks at me and smiles. "Does this mean Momma Mia is back?" She asks. "You bet your sweet ass I'm back," I say with a grin. With that, Anna and I head to makeup to get ready for the day's filming.

Something in Between

I plan to meet the gang at a local pub. Before I leave the apartment, I call Tom to see how his day has been. He seems glad to hear from me, though he's a bit distracted with something.

"So, Anna and Chris have invited me for a drink," I say. "That sounds lovely, Darling. I'm sorry to cut this short, but I must run," Tom says. "Sure, I understand," I say. "Bye, Darling," Tom says and ends the call, just as I'm about to say, 'I love you.'

As I leave for the pub, I try not to dwell on it. After all, Tom is busy just as I am, and not every phone call is going to be love, and kisses, and more love. Let it roll off your back, Mia. It's not a big deal, I tell myself.