All Roses Must Wilt (a Tom Hiddleston fanfic)

Chapter 19- Tom's Loki Side

Tom puts his hands up in defense. "Rose, I- I don't understanding what you're upset about."

To tell the truth, I didn't know, either. All I knew was that I was a little angry with him. Angry because he was so perfect. Angry because he had guessed my feelings for him. Angry because I was sister-zoned. Because he kept calling me 'darling' and kissing me on the cheek, which isn't helping when I'm trying not to like him.

"Rose?" He asks gently after I don't respond.

I sigh and slip past him, opening the doors of the balcony and closing them behind me. The cold air hits my body, and I feel a lot better already. I step further out onto the balcony and lean against the white railings, looking out into the crowded yet pretty city. My second day of being here and I haven't gone sight seeing once.

I feel bad for yelling at him, I really do. But what do I tell him when I go back in there? 'Oh, I've fallen in love with you, but you don't like me back, so I'll yell at you'? Or, 'You're so nice to me, but you're too nice and perfect so I'll just bitch at you'?

I hear the door to the balcony open and I sigh. I'm not ready to talk to him yet. I don't have a good excuse for yelling at him. Something warm is placed around my shoulders. A coat.

"Thank you.." I say softly, pulling the coat around me. "And... I'm really sorry."

Tom stands next to me. He's now wearing a shirt and no longer has his towel. "It's alright. Everyone has their breaking-point."

I stare at him in disbelief. "You're going to forgive me? Just like that?"

"Well, yes," he says, smiling gently. "You're my best friend."

That makes me feel happy. And important. "I really can't thank you enough for always being so nice to me. Thank you, Tom."

"Oh, it's nothing to thank me for, dear..." He cringes. "Ah, sorry... I didn't mean to call you that."

"No, it's alright. You can call me whatever you'd like."

"Well I won't do it if it bothers you," he says.

I raise an eyebrow, glancing at him. "Tom."

"Hm?" He looks at me as well.

"I was overreacting. I enjoy your nicknames for me."

Tom smiles. "Well in that case, I will continue to use them."

I smile back, leaning against the railing once again, looking onto the city with the large amounts of traffic and people among the streets.

Tom seems to read my mind. "Say, how about we walk around for a bit?"

I glance at him, shrugging. I don't want to seem too excited. What if he's busy and can't take me to see the city? He'd feel extremely guilty. "Aren't you busy today?" 

"Not until tonight. I have an interview then. Which you're welcome to come to, by the way."

"Eh, I'm good. On the interview thing, anyways."

Tom frowns lightly, raising an eyebrow in my direction. "You know, it wouldn't kill you to be with me for one of these things."

I stiffen at the way he said that. He made it sound like I was a busy parent and he was a child and I always skipped out on his little league games. But this situation is totally different. I might be in the way, and be a distraction. Plus, what if the paparazzi see us together? They would immediately assume things.

"Oh, come on, Tom. I'll only be in the way."

"Rose, don't think like that. Having you there would make me feel so much better. Please?" 

Dammit. The puppy-dog eyes. I sigh. "Fine. Just stop giving me that look!"

Tom smirks, giving me an evil smile, and leans closer to my ear. "I do what I want," he whispers in a low voice. His Loki voice. 

I shiver runs down my spine. Thomas William Hiddleston... you're only making me become very attracted to you, no biggie. Like, that was one of the sexiest things he's done in front of me, not going to lie. The things I would do to him if only I could...

"You okay, Rose?" Tom asks in his normal voice, interrupting me from my thoughts. "I apologize, I just thought it was a perfect opportunity."

"N-no, it's fine. I, uh... You're good at that... Going in and out of character."

Tom grins. "Aw, thank you, darling! It's pretty easy now since I've been playing him for so long."

I giggle lightly, placing my hand over his heart. "Oh, no. My sweet little Tom isn't turning more like Loki, is he?"

He chuckles. "Hey, there's nothing wrong with Loki."

I smile, removing my hand. "You're right. Besides, I am quite fond of him."

"Oh? So if you had to choose between Loki and me, who would you choose?" He asks.

I smirk. "Oh, Loki, definitely. He'd probably a much better kisser than you are, too."

Tom sighs playfully. "Alright, now I'm offended. Take it back, please."

Ugh, those eyes! That look! I look away. "Well at least Loki wouldn't give me puppy-dog eyes whenever he wanted something!" I tease.

"Yeah, you're right. He'd just demand what he wanted from you."

"Oh, I do like my men controlling," I say, winking.

Tom looks at me for only a second before he bursts out laughing. After I stand there awkwardly for a minute, he catches his breath and straightens up. "I'm sorry, darling, I couldn't take you seriously when you said that."

"Why not?"

"Because you and I both know that you wouldn't date a controlling guy," he explains.

I raise an eyebrow. "Oh? And you know what kind of guys I like, then?" 

"I do. Or I know the type of guy you deserve, anyways."

"And what kind of guy is that?" I ask.

Tom is silent for a moment, then he sighs. "Well, for one, a guy who can make you his first priority. " He turns on his heel and heads back inside. "I'd suggest getting dressed, darling, so we can leave soon!" He calls from inside. 

I can't move. What did he mean by that? I put my head in my hands, trying to think. Did he sound sad? Or was I imagining it? I sigh lightly. "Whatever... I'm truly going insane..."

"Talking to yourself again?"

I jump, turning around. Tom's in the doorway. "Ah, I thought you left," I mumble.

"Never left," he says.

Wow, I'm dumb. I thought he had gone inside, when, in reality, he was just right there the entire time. "Right... I'm gonna go get dressed now..."