Unicorn - Tom Hiddleston fanfic

5 - Letters

When your tea is finished you put it on the table to your right and go about opening the letters. It's difficult with only one free arm so Tom puts down his mug and helps. 

"See, I told you they knew you were alive," he says triumphantly, glimpsing the first letter. You take it off him and read it aloud.

"'Hi! 

'We all miss you loads and loads and loads. We would come to see you but apparently the ward is closed off to the public. We've been waiting outside for days but they still won't let us in. And now we have school... help!

'We're really really sorry about your siblings and your mum. Just so you know, we're always going to be here for you. Who needs family, eh?'" The handwriting changes. "'Geez, Amy! You can't put that!'" you read, smiling. 

"'Anyway,'" you continue, "'when you do finally get out we've started a petition. Angry letters to the government and suchlike. To stop innocent people being hurt in bizarre Secret Service missions. Do you know how many people died in the blast? And some were trying to hold back that guy who pulled you free. Tell him thanks from us; apparantly you're on the same ward.'" The handwriting changed again. "'What are you two doing in there?! - S'," you read. You laugh and shake your head. 

"'See you soon! Love, Amy, Sam and Jem'," you finish. You smile and place the letter carefully on your bedisde cabinet. Tom picks up the next one and slices it open with his thumbnail. He hands you the letter and sniffs the envelope suspiciously.

"Perfume," he grimaces. "Not a nice one, either."

"Probably my Aunt Cath," you say. You begin to read the letter; it's a postcard with a picture of a koala on the front.

"'Oh my word!'" it begins. "'Dreadful news! Poor, poor you, lovie. Just to think that as we're settling in Australia you're in hospital somewhere in rainy London. And with no family or help either! Oh, I have never felt so bad! I wish I were there for you, lovie, I really do, but I can't come back. I'm working on a koala ranch right now and I've named one for you. 'Unicorn'. I named two oher baby koalas, brother and sister, after your siblings. Again, I'm so, so sorry. Aunt Cath.'" You finish reading and turn the postcard over. The koala has a name tag around its wrist and you peer at it, unable to read it properly. Your head still hurts and you're tired.

"It says Unicorn," Tom says gently. You smile and place the postcard on top of the letter from your best friends. Tom hands you the third letter, already opened but not read.

"'Dear Miss,'" it says. "'We offer you our deepest and most sincere apologies about the death of your family due to one fo our agents. We work hard to ensure that the public are not harmed in our lines of inquiry but this got out of hand. The agent has been relieved of his position. Your attackers were apprehended and are currently being moved to the Arctic circle for interrogation.

'Yours, the British Secret Service'." You finish reading with a sigh. You refold the letter and place it on the table.

"A letter of apology from the very top," Tom says, smiling. "That's got to be good news. Isn't it?"

"It won't bring them back though, will it?" you say, your voice cracking. Tom's smile fades and he puts his arm around you, wincing as his burnt skin moves and stretches slightly. You put your head on his shoulder and cry and he rests his head on top of yours, saying nothing, just holding you tight and letting you cry away all your misery.