The Girl in the gilded cage (A Tom Hiddleston story)

Talking about the future

*Malina*
It is overwhelming. All these feelings tumbling around inside me. His words doesn't make it better. That man truly has a way with words, but what he says, is it even possible to feel this strongly this fast ? But I know it is, because I am feeling the same.
I look up at him and he smiles softly at me, making me feel like I am being bathed in sunshine. He really is the most handsome man I ever saw and I don't get what he want with me. But I am happy that he wants me.
We are in the middle of another kiss when we hear the door open, and we fly apart, not ready to let others know. "Malina ? Tom ? Are you in ... oh.. hi there". Joe says as he sees us. We are both slightly out of breath and our clothes and hair are ruffled.
"Yeah Tom accidentally closed the door when he came to help me. I found the umbrella by the way". I say, smiling at Joe. I trust Joe not to tell on us, he is a good man.
Joe looks from me to Tom. I know that he knows and I blush. Joe smiles. "You two better get out of here and back to work. Tom I need you to help me with something".
"Sure". He says. His fingers softly running over my hand as he leaves. "See you later Malina".

*Tom*
I walk beside Joe, trying not to smile like a total idiot. I am trying to get my heart and my mind under control. I am afraid I might have scared her. I totally let my guards down, spilling out the content of my heart.
"Tom !" Joe says, glancing up at me. "She is a wonderful girl, well woman. But be careful here son, her father is very old fashioned. And Ioan, you need to watch out for that one too, he has a real mean streak and he has the idea Malina is his".
"I.. We..". I sigh, there is no reason denying it, Joe clearly knows and I trust him. "Thank you, I will be careful. I don't want her to get in any trouble because of me".
"Well I think it is to late for that my friend. Just watch your back and keep it on the down low at least for a while". He says with a smile, padding me on the shoulder.
It is like everything is different and infinite better with Malina in it. We have decided to keep our relationship hidden for now, it just seem like the best thing to do. We go for long walks in the evenings, just talking, holding hands, kissing a bit in the shadows. I just want to be with her, get to know her better. We share most our views on life and people, even on the circus, despite our different upbringings and age. She is smart for her age and she makes me feel younger. I know it is a big age difference, but we honestly don't feel it and don't care.

*Malina*
We are walking hand in hand through a little forest next to the circus, it has been four days since our first kiss and we are enjoying some time alone after tonights show.
"What do you think your father will say about us ?" Tom asks, sitting down on a fallens tree trunk, padding next to him. We have decided not to tell neither mine or his family yet. We want to get to know each other better, to be totally sure first.
"He will be worried that you will take me away. There is no one else to work on the high line but me. My niece Mina is only 7 years old and for more than forty years there have been a Lupei on the high line. Mina is scared and until she is old enough, it is up to me". I tell him.
"And if you fall there will be no one. Your father ended in a wheelchair and your mother was killed. How can he wish that for you ?" He asks me. It is hard for him to understand.
"It is our legacy. It's a tradition. My grandfather owned the best circus in eastern Europe, but he gambled his money away and sold it. My parents came here when I was a baby, 21 years ago. Circus has always been our life. But it isn't yours Tom and one day soon you will leave. That is what my father will fear most when he finds out about us".
"And what about our age difference, what will he think of that ?" I know he is worried people will say he is robbing the cradle or that he has seduced me, but he hasn't. So far our relationship is very demure, even though our feelings are strong. He hasn't tried taking it farther than kissing.
"I don't think he will care much". I tell him, wanting him to feel better about it. "He was 25 years older than my mother. She was her second wife". My father is seventy years old. I have an older half brother from my farther first marriage. He is 42 almost 5 years older than Tom. "No his main concern will be that I don't leave and don't stop working the high line".
"And what if you want to do that some day ?" He asks.
"I have never known any other life". I tell him truthfully.
We walk back slowly. We want at much time as possible together and it is nice getting away a bit from the constant noise and bustling about in the circus.
Just before we reach the grounds, he pulls me into his arms, kissing me softly, and I moan softly, feeling dizzy as always when he kisses me.