All Roses Must Wilt (a Tom Hiddleston fanfic)

Chapter 34- Back in Love Again

The minute I open my eyes, I sit up in bed and look over at Tom. And I let out a breath of both relief and disbelief. He's still asleep. Does he feel alright? He's usually up way before I am. But then I soon realize the reason he's still in bed. He doesn't get up for another thirty minutes for his jog. So that means I've woken up quite early this morning. And I'm unable to get back to sleep. Maybe I can join him on his jog today. Yeah, maybe not.

I climb out of bed, stretching lightly. Today I want him to wake up to eggs, toast, and tea. Not exactly a full English breakfast, but it will have to do. I become surprised when I see him stir and open his eyes lightly.

"What're you doing up, darling?" He asks, sleepiness clear in his voice.

"I can't sleep," I say softly. "Just rest a bit longer, Tom."

He holds out his hand, motioning for me to come closer. So I do. I sit on my knees next to his bed so I can see his face better.

"I need you," he says, looking at me.

"Wh-what?"

He gently pulls me closer to him, scooting over on the bed. "Come on, Rose. It won't kill you, will it?"

I try to tell him I was about to do something, but I just end up stuttering and climbing into bed with him anyways.

I haven't felt this close to him in a while. His arms snake around my waist, pulling me closer. I feel his chest rise and fall against mine continuously in a steady pattern. "Thank you," he murmurs into my hair.

"You're welcome," I whisper, resting my head in the crook of his neck. I feel his legs shift until they're entwined with mine so we are able to be even closer on this small bed of his.

I can tell Tom has fallen back asleep, and I try to as well. But I can't. And I'm not able to slip out of his grasp to go make him breakfast. After about ten minutes of just lying there with him, I carefully try to move. I don't get very far before his arms tighten around my waist and he lets out a breath.

"You don't want to stay with me, love?" He asks softly.

"I just have something to do," I say.

"Then I'll come with you."

"No, no... You stay right here. For at least ten more minutes, okay?"

"What're you planning, Rose?" He asks. "What's your hurry?"

"Don't worry about it." I kiss his collar bone gently, hoping some affection would convince him to release me. But I think I've just convinced him not to let me go. The second my lips brush against his neck, his hands grip the fabric of my shirt, pulling up on the back slightly.

That makes me pull away from him completely, a shocked look on my face. "Tom!"

Tom pulls away, too, propping himself up on one elbow. He's fully awake now. "I'm sorry," he quickly says, giving me a worried look. He runs a hand through his hair, looking down. "I-I'm not sure why I did that. I just couldn't think while you were doing what you were doing."

I let out a breath, sitting up on the bed. "It just surprised me. I'm sorry."

He lays back down on the bed, sighing. "I think I'm just going to go back to bed for a little, just as you asked of me. I'm sorry for what I did."

"I understand. It's okay." I gently lean over him and give him a gentle yet long kiss. Then I pull away. "We've only just woken up and already we've had a small fight."

"Well it will be the only fight we have. I promise," he says, our foreheads still lightly pressed together.

Then I pull away, standing up. "I'll wake you up in a bit, okay?"