Limerence (Tom Hiddleston fanfiction)

Chapter 3

I looked at him stunned, completely unable to formulate words. 

"Uh... er, uhm..." he burst out laughing. 

"I'm joking! Ehehehe." I cover my face, ashamed that I almost believed him. 

"That wasn't very gentlemanly! You should be ashamed of yourself." I teased, he chuckled as I revealed my bloodshot face. 

"Scarlett, I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself." he laughs a bit more as he finishes his pastry. 

I look down at my pants, I really should get out of them, before they stain my pants, but dry cleaning is out of the question. I'll just throw them in my washer. I look down at my phone, it is almost a quarter to 12. 

"Tom, all jokes aside, I really should go get this washed - I have my own washer so it really is fine. I should probably also go put something dry on. My apartment is luckily close by." for a moment I can see the disappointment in his eyes, he smiles halfheartedly. 

"Would you like me to accompany you? Maybe then I can buy you lunch?" I smile. He doesn't want to part ways, it is endearing and completely flattering. 

"You can, and it isn't necessary for lunch, I can make us something. I have a fully stocked fridge, and not to brag, but I make a mean chef." he smiles excitedly. 

"You do? I'll have to be the judge of that. Are you certain? I don't want to be a bother, more than I already have been?"

"I'm certain, you can tell me more about yourself and the art exhibition tonight." he gets up as I rise from my seat and collect my things. 

"I'll just be a sec," I say turning to pay when he catches me by the arm and shows me that perfect set of white teeth. "Already taken care of, darling." I sigh as I lead the way out of the restaurant and put on all my layers before facing the cold. 

He walks close to me, so close that I can feel his arm brushing against mine every few steps. The streets had begun to fill up since this morning, and I can notice his ducking his face every now and again, even behind his sunglasses. I pretend not to notice as we head up the stairs to my apartment. 

"It is small, but it's home," I said before opening the door. "Make yourself comfortable, I'll just take a sec," he nods as he enters, and takes in the space. 

I hover at the doorway of my bedroom, looking at Tom Hiddleston standing in my living room, his face strikingly beautiful. He is so much more uniquely beautiful in person, he walks over to the window turning my radio on and admiring the view. 

I close the door, leaning against it closing my eyes. This can not be real. I must have imagined everything. I look at my trousers, making sure the stain is still there. It is, luckily. I quickly undress and throw my clothes on the floor, taking a quick shower to get rid of the coffee smell and I throw on a pair of jeans and my sister's fiancé's oversized hoodie. He gave it to me once when the three of us had a sleepover. I look at my reflexion, I am flushed, I apply some powder on my nose and hurriedly pick up my clothes to throw them in the washer. 

When I submerge from my room, Tom is sitting on my couch, looking at my book collection sprawled over the coffee table. He smiles at me as I walk over to him, I sit across him on the coffee table. 

"So, what would you like? Can I make us some omelets? A pasta dish, something quick. You must be starving. I know I am." I laugh as he smiles at me, he has an incredible smile. Goodness...

"I like the sound of an omelette," I nod in agreement, he follows me to my kitchen and sits opposite me at the small island counter. I have been using it as a storage space, so I quickly clear the boxes I still haven't gotten round to unpacking. Eartha Kitt's "C'est Si Bon" starts playing and I start humming along, smiling. remembering his face when he tasted the pastry for the first time. 

"So, Scarlett, what did you major in?" I whisk the eggs and turn to face him. 

"Art History, I've always loved art. So, good move inviting me to an art exhibition." I wink and turn back to the pan. I can't believe I just winked at him. What has come over me?

"I had no idea! It seems that our entire meeting is a serendipitous coincidence." he brushes his fingers through his hair. "My mother is an art exhibitioner, so I grew up with an admiration for the arts."

"She is? That is so cool. Definitely a pleasant and unexpected turn of events." I agreed. "So, Tom, what do you do?"

The question left my lips before I could process it, it was such a regular question that I hadn't even given it any thought. I didn't want to place him in an awkward situation, explaining to me how he is a very famous actor, but then he answered to my relief a very vague - 

"I'm in the entertainment business." I decided to quickly change the subject. 

"What would you like as the filling? Maybe some mozzarella, bacon bits, I have some leftover chicken and fried peppers?" He nodded. 

"That sounds delightful." Tom's phone rang. "This will just take a moment." he took the call, walking to the other end of the apartment. I could just make out a few words from his conversation. "...no Luke, I'm not going to that.", "I met someone...", "Yes, I will have a plus one...", "Yes, she is,"... Was he talking about me?

"Goodbye, you too." he rang up. "Sorry, my uhm, friend." I poured us both a glass of lemon juice and I was just finished dishing up our plates. I handed him his and sat opposite him at the island.

"Thank you Scarlett, this looks amazing." I shrug, I hope it tastes as good as it looks. "So, I noticed you have a couple of books on your coffee table,"

"Mostly classics, I'm an ardent reader. I had English literature as a subject on varsity, I loved it."

"I earned a double first in classics." he smiles while taking a bite. "hmm... this really is great, you are a good chef."

"Thank you! And no way? Where did you study?"

"Cambridge." I smile, of course. Such a prestige university for such a prestige young man. "What I really want to know is your story. Tell me more about you? 

I told Tom all about my university life and about everything I love about South Africa and the Western Cape. Tom sat back, always with a soft smile and amused look on his face. We had moved to the couch after telling him about my first kiss, which he had requested to hear. I couldn't help but feel so comfortable with him like I had known him for much longer than the better part of a day. When I finally reemerged from the rabbit hole of history and childhood stories the sun was beginning to set. I looked down at my phone, it was almost a quarter to six. 

"Tom! How late is the art exhibition?" he looks down at his watch and his face is also stunned.

"It starts at 7:30, I quickly need to go for a change of clothes, I'll pick you up in 45minutes? We can show up a little late, I'm sure no one will notice if we sneak in." He gets up and throws his coat on, I walk him to the door. 

"That sounds perfect, what should I wear?" he turns to me so quickly that I bump into him, he smiles down at me, he really is very tall. 

"Darling, anything. I'm sure you'll look gorgeous in just about anything." I smile, he doesn't take a step back immediately and I'm certain he feels the chemistry just as clearly as I do. 

I have to bite my lip to control the trail of my thoughts. "If you say so." he smiles and turns around, halfway out the door.

"Scarlett?" he turns to me, again and I lean against the doorframe. 

"Yes?" he gives me that smile, that earth-shaking, heart melting smile. 

"I really like you." he turns before I can reply, and is down the stairs in a flash. 

I close the door and sink into the ground... I am completely captivated by this man, smiling so hard my cheeks hurt.

Tom Hiddleston likes me.