Calm Before The Storm | Tom Hiddleston x Reader

E I G H T

          You easily snap out of your trance once the man before you advances on Tom; who was now pushing himself up to stand. Your eyes widen and you quickly made your way to stand in front of Tom, swallowing the lump that's formed in your throat.

          "Get out of my way, Y/N." the man seethed. You simply shook your head, looking up at him with pleading eyes. "Now!" he bellowed causing you to wince at his temper.

          "Tom..." you whispered softly, not letting your gaze shift away from the man standing before you, "Can you give us a minute?"

          You heard a scoff, you knew it was impossible to get him to leave. You felt his hovering presence behind you and you turned your head to the side to glance over your shoulder, your eyes almost pleading. "Fine." He grumbled. You noticed him shoot a glare towards the intruder as he started his journey across the room towards the exit. "I'll be right outside." He announced, never leaving his eyes at the man who looked positively murderous.

          Giving Tom a reassuring nod, he left and closed the door behind him. Instantly, as the door clicked shut— questions started pouring out of the intruder's mouth. "Jackson!" you practically shrieked, the pounding headache you had a few minutes ago returned almost instantly at the questioned he bombarded you with.

                      Silence.

          "What are you doing here?"

          A sarcastic laugh slips past his lips as he throws his hands up in the air, a look of disbelief etching on his face. "Gee, Jackson. I'm so glad you're here after my accident. I love you." He practically seethed, narrowing his eyes at you as he crosses his arms against his chest. "Surprised to see me then? Clearly you've forgotten all about me with lover boy outside."

          "It just happened! It didn't mean—"

          "No!" he cut you off with a sharp tone causing you to wince, Jackson was never one to contain his emotions when it came to you. He always showed his true colors. "You didn't even tell me you were in an accident, do I not mean anything to you? We've been dating for almost a year now and still— I didn't have that privilege of knowing my girlfriend got into a car accident. Thanks, Y/N. I had to find out from your neighbor!"

          You took a step back, using the railing of your hospital bed as a support for you to stand— your knees still weak. "It wasn't anything serious. I'm perfectly fine, Jackson. I didn't see the point of you driving all the way over to the city." You responded as calmly as possible, not wanting to anger him.

          "I still had the right to know!" he bellowed, taking a step closer towards you.

          You gave him a slow nod, fear now evident in your eyes as he approached you. "I know, I'm sorry..." you whispered.

          The very sight of you was enough for him, his anger instantly washing away from his body— he could see it, you were scared of him and that wasn't what he wanted. Not even close. "Look..." he trailed off, shaking his head as his muscles relaxed, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you but— it's just, who wouldn't get mad at what he saw? Tell me Y/N, who is that person?"

          You let out a nervous sigh, feeling your insides turn at the sudden shift of atmosphere. You knew that somehow, he knew. You could see the flicker of realization flash in his eyes, but you knew that Jackson— this man, was too in love with you to admit it. "He's Tom..." you mumbled, shifting your gaze down to the ground, "He's—"

          "The father." He whispered, nodding his head slowly in defeat.

          You felt horrible. It took time for you and Jackson to establish some sort of trust— you being a mother, and him having a failed marriage. You had met him through one of your friends, or rather with a double date. She was dating someone and he brought Jackson along and it was rocky for the both of you for a while, always sniping at each other's throats whenever one had the chance.

          Somehow, along the way, you both learned to be civil and after that, you saw something in Jackson that you hadn't before. He had just shown you his tough shell, not wanting to open up to just anybody because of what had happened with his ex-wife.

          You had promised him, that you weren't anywhere near like her and there you were— practically breaking his heart already. You felt pathetic.

"Him or me."

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

          He couldn't help but press his ear against the door, his heart beating rapidly against his chest. It wasn't as if he wanted to do it, he just— he was going crazy. Not being able to hold in his curiosity any longer, his hand instantly lifts up from his side as if he had no control. His fingers wrapping itself around the door knob and before he knew it, he was twisting it open.

          The sight was enough for him— his heart shattering in a million pieces.

          "Tom?"

          He snaps out of it, slightly pushing the door open to interrupt the occupants. He cleared his throat, trying his best to act casual as he spun around.

          "Scarlett, hey." He croaked, the corners of his mouth tugging up to a thin smile. "I have to go. I was just going to say goodbye to Y/N but can you do it for me instead?"

          "Uh, I think you—"

          He cut her off, shaking his head at her. "Please." He whispered, his voice was practically pleading.

          She stared at him in confusion for a second before a sigh of defeat left her lips. Giving him a nod and a tight smile, within a blink of an eye, the man disappeared in front of her— making his way towards the exit of the hospital. Her smile vanished into a frown at his actions but she simply shrugged it off and entered the room, her eyes landing on the stranger. Instantly, it clicked. She decided that this stranger's presence might be the reason to Tom's abrupt exit. "Hi. I'm Sca—"

          Showing his pearly whites, he took a step forward and held out his hand for her to shake. "I know. I'm a huge fan. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Jackson."

          She fought the urge to scrunch up her nose in distaste as someone who carried a torch for Tom to reignite the fire with Y/N and took his hand in hers, "Jackson..." she trailed off, shifting her gaze over to you; narrowing her gaze towards your direction as if to tell you that you and her have a lot to discuss before looking back over at Jackson, "Pleasure's all mine."