All Roses Must Wilt (a Tom Hiddleston fanfic)

Chapter 16- The Hotel

Mm.. I wonder what time it is? I slowly open my eyes, stretching. That's when I realize I'm still on the plane. I glance over and realize what I'm doing.

I quickly lift my head from Tom's shoulder, who, might I add, is already awake. "Ah, I'm sorry.." I mumble.

He smiles, glancing down at me. "It's alright. Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah..." I wipe my mouth lightly with my coat sleeve. "I didn't drool, did I?"

Tom laughs lightly, causing some people to stare. I guess not everyone is a morning person like he is. "No, you didn't."

"Ah, good. What time is it?" I ask.

"Almost 7:30. You slept through the turbulence."

"Slept through the turbulence... wait, but that means we're landing soon!"

"Yes, in about five minutes. Something wrong?" He asks.

"Yes! I don't look presentable at all!" I complain, combing my hand through my hair.

Tom smiles gently. "You look beautiful, Rose."

I blush lightly, looking away. "Ah, thank you, Tom. But I don't. I just woke up from sleeping on a crowded plane."

Tom gently takes my hand in his so I can't fret over my hair any longer. I'm almost afraid to let him see me like this. My hair is tangled, there's no doubt I have dark circles under my eyes, and for all I know, my eyeliner from yesterday could be smeared. And here he is, looking as perfect as ever. "Why are you acting so nervous around me?" He asks.

"I'm not.." I object. But to tell the truth, I was acting nervous around him. Maybe because Kate made me think that there's a possibility he could like me. And I could like him.

"Well I'm starting to worry about you, darling, you're not acting like yourself."

I shrug. "I'm alright, Tom. I promise."

"Alright. If you insist." He pats my hand lightly before releasing it, returning his gaze in front of him.

"Ah, Tom?" I ask softly.

"Yes?" He asks, glancing at me.

"Where will we be staying?"

"Oh, it's actually a very wonderful hotel. I think you'll love it. Don't worry, though, I made sure we got two separate beds." I smile lightly, chuckling. He gives me a confused look in return. "What's so funny?"

"I had a feeling you'd do that. Just get one room for us," I say.

"Well of course. I wouldn't leave you in a room by yourself," he responds, grinning. "Especially not in a room with Jackie."

The plane attendant suddenly speaks up over the intercom, informing us that'd we be landing soon, so we have to buckle up and not get up from our seats. Which kind of sucks because I have to pee.

The plane lands and slowly comes to a stop. A steward talks to us for a bit, but I don't pay attention. People began to rise from their seats, getting their luggage from above them. This is it. I'm in New York. I unbuckle and start to reach up for my small bag I brought on board with me, but Tom sits me back down, assuring me that he's got it.

No matter how many times I object, Tom insists on carrying my bag. I cross my arms lightly, exiting the plane after him.

He smiles, glancing at my face. "Oh, now you're going to pout, little one?" he teases. This just makes me pout even more, and he lets out a "Ehehe!"

After even more security checks and the hassle of making sure all of our luggage is gathered, we finally leave the airport and get two taxis.

"Tom, you can straighten up a bit in your hotel room, but I expect you to be at that meeting as soon as possible," Jackie instructs him. "I'm going straight there so I'll be waiting for you."

Jackie and one the two men, who are obviously Tom's assistants, or perhaps his bodyguards, get in one taxi while Tom, the other body guard/assistant and I get in the other. The three of us pile into the backseat. The good thing is that we've got plenty of room. It doesn't take long for us to get to the hotel, and when I see it, I can't stop gaping at it. This seems like the type of hotel rich people would stay at. I glance at Tom. Oh, yeah. He's pretty rich. I grab my luggage from the trunk before Tom can, and I gaze up at the fancy-looking building while I wait for the two of them.

Tom puts on a pair of sunglasses and a baseball cap. "Do you have your lanyard, darling?" He asks me.

"Oh, yeah.." I quickly pull it out of my jacket pocket and slip it over my head.

"There could be reporters anywhere in this city," he explains. "And they know I'll be in New York this week."

I nod and follow him into the hotel. And then I realize I still have to pee. I try not to nervously move around too much as Tom checks us in. But I sort of can't help doing it. "Er, Tom?" I ask softly once the deck receptionist goes to get our keys.

"Ah, hold on, little one." The desk receptionist comes back, and Tom takes the three keys. "Thank you. Now, what do you need, darling?"

"I, uh..." My cheeks begin to heat up.

"What's wrong?"

"I-I need to go..." I murmur.

"What?"

I roll my eyes, motioning for him to come closer. He leans down a bit. "I have to go to the bathroom," I whisper.

Tom quickly lifts his head. "Oh! Why didn't you just say so?" I scowl lightly and he laughs. "Alright, alright. There's a bathroom over there. I'll wait out here for you."

I nod as he takes my bag, and I head into the bathroom. The minute I step in, I notice how nice it is. Practically everything in the lobby was made of marble, and practically everything in here seems to be made out of it, too. I can only admire all the marble for a few seconds before I remember I have to use the bathroom.

After I finish, I feel much better. I wash my hands and quickly return to Tom.

"It's amazing in there!" I say.

Tom laughs. "Oh, Rose. Only you would get excited over a bathroom."

I frown lightly. "Oh, shut up. Let's go to the room so you can get ready for that meeting."

He smiles. "Jackie's just a little stressed, my meeting isn't for another two hours. I can settle into the room with you." We start to walk towards the lift.

"If you say so.."

Tom presses a button and the lift opens immediately. "We're on the fourth floor. Room 402. Here's your key." He hands me a key just as the lift door closes. I take it, putting it into my pocket. We stand in the lift, not speaking. Then the doors open again, and Tom offers for me to go first, so I do. I go down the hall until I see the numbers 402, written in gold on a white door. Tom nods at me, smiling. "Go ahead, open it."

I purse my lips lightly, using the key he gave me to unlock the door. "Oh my-"

"You like it?" Tom asks, cutting me off. I'll have to thank him for that later. I try not to use that phrase too often. I step inside, coming to a large, bright living room area. Two blue, plush-looking couches, a huge telly, and... is that a balcony? Not to mention there are beautiful looking coffee tables and vases with daisys in them. Why fresh flowers? Oh well. It makes the room look wonderful, that's for sure. I realize I haven't replied to Tom's question, but I don't care.

I drop my bag and slowly walk in, almost afraid to touch anything. Then I gently sit on the sofa. I never even knew they made seats these comfortable. I sprawl out, burying my face into a pillow just as comfortable, if not more.

Tom drops his bag as well, crouching next to me. He gently brushes my bangs away from my eyes with his hand. "Darling?"

"Hm?"

"You haven't even seen the rest of it," he replies, grinning.

I giggle lightly. "I'm not sure if it can get any better.."

"Well come along now! I'll show you the rest and prove to you it can." He holds out his hand to me and I take it. I'm so glad I let Tom being me here.