All Roses Must Wilt (a Tom Hiddleston fanfic)

Chapter 11- The Race Track

When we get to the race track, I'm surprised by how un-crowded it is. I can easily see the track and the car even though there is a high chain-link fence separating us and the track. There seems to be only one small camera crew. And an ambulance. Well, I guess that's a good thing, right. In case Tom does crash, he'll receive medical help immediately.

Tom pays the cab driver, gets out, and opens the door for me. He even holds out his hand to help me. I want to ignore his offer, but it seems a little mean. I gently grab his hand and step out of the cab, almost immediately being bombarded with raindrops. I quickly cover my head with my hood.

"Use your umbrella, darling!" Tom says over the rain.

I shake my head lightly. "I'm fine. I'll wait till you're on the track."

"You're crazy.." he mutters, smiling gently. He puts up his hood as well and we go into the large building.

"Tom!" A man greets him eagerly, shaking his hand.

Tom smiles. "Hello! Good to see you again. This is my friend, Rose," He says, motioning towards me. The man, who looks to be in his late thirties with brown hair and a short beard, outstretches his hand to me and I shake it firmly.

"Well, right this way, Mr. Hiddleston. You've already signed the papers, so we're all ready for you."

Tom and the man chat a bit more as they walk out of the building and out to the track, but I don't pay attention. I just awkwardly tag along behind them. The man hands Tom two helmets, telling him I'm welcome to ride a lap or two after Tom is timed. Tom doesn't even ask me if I want to or not, just nods and smiles. But I suppose it's okay if he doesn't ask me. I'd say no anyways.

While Tom walks towards the car, I take this opportunity to talk to him alone. "Tom."

He stop and turns on his heel. "Yes, darling?" He fiddles with the strap of the helmet.

I smile lightly, gently grabbing the straps, doing it myself. He looks quite funny yet also cute with the helmet on. "Just be careful, got it?"

He smiles, putting a hand on my shoulder as I finish strapping the helmet. "I'll be fine. It's you I worry about, wandering around without protection from the cold weather! Use your umbrella now."

I roll my eyes lightly, taking out my umbrella and opening it. "Happy?"

"Very," He answers. He slips on a pair of black framed glasses, making me laugh. Where on earth did he get those? He ignores my laugh and simply smiles smugly. "Now if you'll excuse me, little one, I've got a record to beat."

I smile. "Good luck with that."

Tom smiles over his shoulder at me as he continues to walk, and I stare after him a while longer as he goes. Then I finally go back to where I'm out of sight of the cameras. I take a deep breath, only being able to hear the pounding of the rain on the road and on my umbrella. He'll be fine. Perfectly fine.

Tom opens the car door and gets in. Another man is out there with a flag, probably timing the whole thing, and telling him when to go.

I suddenly feel a raindrop on my head, and I look up, realizing something. My umbrella has a hole in it. I scowl, annoyed with myself that I grabbed the bad umbrella up in my flat. Whatever.. I shut the umbrella, not wanting the hole to worsen, and pull on my hood, crossing my arms. Back to Tom.

The engine is started by now, and my entire chest tightens as I hear the man with the flag count down.

Three...

He'll be fine.

Two...

People do things like this everyday.