You've Only Just Arrived (a Tom Hiddleston fan fiction)

Part 10

Damn technology. You almost, almost managed to sneak to London to surprise Tom. Though you would have very much enjoyed seeing his reaction upon finding you waiting for him after finishing his day, this turn of events works just as well. He really should be on set so you make a mental note to remind him of that – after wrapping yourself up in his arms. You try to contain your fidgeting while waiting for the plane to taxi to the gate, and then again in the slow progression to disembark.

And again there's Customs. You repeat the mantra you had taken up as soon as you'd read the text from Tom telling you he was going to meet you at the airport. You will not run through Customs. You will not run through Customs. God. What a photo op that would be. Yank actress body slammed trying to bypass security. Imagine Mark's face when he read that headline... oh he would be furious. He'd never let you travel alone again, that's for sure. 

You know you have a silly smile on your face when you finally get to the Customs counter, but you don't care. Somewhere in this airport Tom is waiting for you.

The agent gives you a stern look after studying your passport. Your smile falters as you panic internally. Surely nothing is wrong with your paperwork. She speaks and finally an ever so slight smile cracks her stony expression, "You pair have caused a commotion out there." She motions to the approaching security guard, "He'll take you on from here." Oh goodness. Your thank you comes out accompanied by a sigh of relief.

You hear the hum of the crowd long before you round the corner and emerge from through the closed doors to see the mass of people waiting beyond. Your eyes quickly find their target, locking onto the gorgeous man now dazzling you once again with a look of pure joy.

You're having a flashback to the night of the awards show – tuning out everyone and everything around you – security, fellow travelers rushing onward, and bystanders alike. Unlike that night, this time you're still in control of your limbs. You manage to shuck your bag between the moments in which you see him and when you've propelled yourself across the space between the two of you and into Tom's waiting arms.

You mumble out one word before kissing him: "Surprise!" Your surroundings slowly come back into focus. When you settle back onto your feet you bite your lip, now sheepish at your display of affection in such a public space.

Tom keeps his arms held around you in a loose embrace. "It was quite the surprise. I think Peter caught my reaction on his phone if you'd like to see it later."

You nod, then remember that your phone is in your bag that you abandoned in the floor behind you. You take a step away from Tom to turn and find the security guard holding your bag with an amused expression. "Erm, thank you. I do have another bag that we need to go claim, Tom." You add the afterthought while you shoulder your bag again.

The two men exchange nods before the security team leads the way to baggage claim. Tom waits to take your hand in his before the pair of you follow close behind. You form quite the procession walking through the airport. "I can't believe you just flew eleven hours to see me..." He says.

You stop as though to turn around, "Well I can always go right back, d'you think the plane is still there?" Tom doesn't release your hand so you resume walking alongside him. "I have the time since the read through got delayed for a week... I would just be sitting there trying to find things to fill my schedule in the meantime. I know you're working though so we can do dinners or something. Speaking of which, you should get back to set. I'll find a place to stay that's close by and..."

Tom cuts you off, "You don't have a hotel yet?"

"Last minute trip. Just got off the plane. Someone was supposed to be at work so I could get settled and changed before surprising him."

He pulls your hand to his lips to kiss your knuckles. "But I found you out."

"Yes, you did. I should have enlisted Peter too – to help distract you until I arrived at least." You give your head a quick, exasperated shake.

Tom cuts his eyes at you, raising an eyebrow with interest. "Too?"

"I asked Benedict to keep tabs on you. Which is why I know that since it isn't raining out there, you, sir, should be at work." You sidestep to bump your shoulder into him.

"I will go back to finish the day. But did you really expect me not to come to greet you?"

"Oh I'm thrilled that you did. Since my plan fell apart I may pout a bit later... when you're not standing there. I think, perhaps, the airport might have appreciated a little notice though." You take a moment to smile at the onlookers and security surrounding you now that you've made it to baggage claim.

Tom releases your hand to loop his arm around you and pull you close to him so your back ends up resting against his chest. He wraps his arm across your body and clasps his hand onto your shoulder. Rather than awkwardly try to loop your hands over his you hook your hands in the crook of his elbow. After a moment of both of you staring at the many other travelers also waiting for their bags you feel him rest his chin atop your head. When he mutters you can feel the motion of his words, bringing a smile to your lips. "Which bag are we looking for? The dark blue one?"

Right. Watching for your bag. "Yep. Hmm good memory. The black one is still back in L.A." You don't dare nod your head for fear of changing the stance the pair of you have taken up. The security guards have created a sort of bubble around you. The ebb and flow of sound as people carry on with their lives starts to lull you into a trance. How long have you been up now? The nap you had on the plane didn't help all that much.  

Standing there watching for your luggage Tom speaks quietly, almost to himself. "You know... You could stay with me. If you wanted."

You don't immediately reply. Your brain and heart take up opposing stances – caution! says one, fuck caution! says the other - and are screaming at each other, full force. Your body's vote, while duly noted by both parties, is cast aside for the time being. It's been awhile – hence your body's insistent YES. Not to mention that its Tom.

The whole point of flying here was to see Tom. Following that line, staying with him makes sense. Of course you had packed assuming you would be staying in a hotel nearby - cute clothes for adventures around town and the like, but your suggestive sleepwear sat tucked away in the bag back in L.A. You're trying to remember what exactly you did pack.

Really though, staying with him doesn't necessarily mean that anything more would happen. Stateside, the evenings always ended with Tom either dropping you back at your hotel or sending you home by car. Attraction wasn't the issue... respecting boundaries? Confidence?

But how long have you been arguing point and counterpoint with yourself? Oh God – oh – say something. Say something! Say anything! Pineapple! Chair! Respond damn it.