Unscripted Love • A Tom Hardy fanfic

Chapter 26

Over the next few days, Tom had gotten quite a lot of good news. His audition from before Christmas went well and they officially casted him as the lead in Mad Max. The whole process was still being worked out; they wanted him to go to Australia in the coming months to begin test filming. Tom already felt over his head, but he held it together pretending like it was just another job when inside he had a panic attack every time he thought of it. With big shoes to fill, Tom felt very unprepared and quite inexperienced, but he made sure to never let on during his interview or during discussions with the director.

The second wave of news came one cold morning after a snowfall. They had just settled into living together, Tom had finally felt more comfortable sharing the space. 

He hung up the phone and paced around on the porch with a cigarette between his lips. It was a great opportunity which is why he already accepted it without thinking. He hated having to leave Fiona, but he would have to eventually, right? He just didn't expect something so soon, he hoped she would understand and not be upset with him.

Tom put his cigarette out in an opened frozen soda can and headed back inside to find Fiona was sitting at the tall table eating a bowl of cereal. Henry was next to her bowl trying to lick the milk as she ate. Fiona held out a spoon of milk for the large cat to enjoy. Tom was mildly grossed out, but it wasn't his cereal. 

"Love," Tom said, slipping his black phone in his pocket. 

Fiona dropped her spoon in her bowl as if she was about to get scolded. "Sorry, I know it's gross but I love my Henny Penny."

"No it's not that, I mean that is kind of disgusting but not what I was going to say," Tom laughed. "I have an audition, well it's a table read actually for a play."

"Like a theatre play?" Fiona asked, putting a huge spoonful of Rice Krispies in her mouth. 

"Yeah, it has a great director that I worked with once before and love to again," which wasn't a lie but he would have taken the part regardless. He didn't believe in picking and choosing work, if an opportunity arises you take it. "The only thing is, it's in Chicago."

"Like, Illinois?" She turned to Henry who was splashing the milk back in her bowl. 

"Yeah."

"That's great," Fiona brought the empty  bowl to the sink. "Do you have the part or you have to audition?"

"Well I pretty much have it, they just want to go over the script with me to make sure it's something I'd be good at," Tom took his hooded sweater off and hung it on the hook behind the door. 

"That's great babe," Fiona hugged him. "When do you have to go?"

"Two weeks and then we'd do workshops and rehearsals. It would run until late March," he held her hands in his, "you're ok with this?"

"Of course. That's your job," she looked up at him. Tom knew better than to think she would be upset. She had always surprised him so far at how easy going and accepting she was. "I mean, I will miss you uncontrollably, but I'll be fine."

Fiona understood but she was deeply disappointed. She was looking forward to them actually living together but after only 2 weeks he'd be leaving for 8. This was what her life was going to entail, she thought, so she better get used to being with him but alone.