All Roses Must Wilt (a Tom Hiddleston fanfic)

Chapter 13- Wake-up Call

I frown lightly at the terrible meal I have prepared. A T.V dinner. It's not that I can't cook, I simply did not feel like making anything tonight. And, as weird as it sounds, I could really do with some of Tom's food right now. I may be a woman, and him a man, but he is far better in the kitchen than I am.

I remember one time when I was over at his apartment and it was getting late, so we decided to go get dinner together. But neither of us really felt like having anything that was open (and in my price range), so Tom had offered to make me something himself. I'd never actually known how good of a cook he was until that night. As much as he insisted I stay out of the kitchen so the food would be a surprise, I couldn't keep myself out. I enjoyed watching how he would gracefully stride around the kitchen, stirring something in one pot before moving on the next to swiftly do a taste check... He had seemed truly at peace.

And eventually he hadn't even bothered to kick me out of the kitchen, but instead pulled a stool up to the counter so I could watch him.

At one point he even let me taste one of the sauces, asking me if it was good. But the way he did it... it never really occurred to me how he had done it until now. I had stood in front of the pan, smelling in the sweet scent that wafted in the air, and I had felt a soft hand on my shoulder. His chest barely brushed against my back, and he gently reached in front of me, grabbed a spoon, and gracefully dipped it in the sauce before handing it to me. I had felt his warm breath on my neck as he asked me how it tasted.

The thought makes me blush. How long ago had that been? It seems like a few months ago. It hadn't even affected me. I took it as just a friendly action. How could I have been so stupid? That's not the action of a friend...is it?

I finish eating the dinner and quickly do the dishes before grabbing my phone and returning to my room. I'll get to bed early so I can get to work tomorrow. When I get into my bed, I check my phone, seeing that there is one unread message. And you'll never believe who it's from. Tom. But he'd sent it a long time ago, probably while I was still making dinner. I open the message, reading it.

I hope I did well? -T

Ugh, I feel pretty bad about not getting back to him.

You did great :) good job about the track time. I bed you're already in bed by now, so goodnight -R

I settle down in bed, turning off the lights, and I'm surprised when my phone buzzes only a moment later.

Goodnight, darling :) Sleep tight -T

I send back a simple smiley face so he knows I read his message. Then he sends me a smiley face back. I roll my eyes lightly.

Goodnight, weirdo. I wanted to send the last text, but you're just so stubborn like that xP -R

Yes, yes I am :) I don't want to stop talking to you just yet. -T

Where are you? -R

My apartment. Making dinner. Your favorite, in fact. Do you wanna come over? -T

Ah, the dinner sounds tempting, but I'm gonna have to pass. Don't wanna keep you up any later than you need to be. -R

Oh, you're no fun, darling! Why should I go to bed early when I could be eating a fantastic meal with you? Making memories? :) -T

Like I said, tempting, but I'm going to pass. Maybe you can save some for me? -R

Aw, but it won't be fresh and won't taste as good :( -T

Sorry :/ But I'm already in bed, I don't wanna go out in the cold. -R