Dinner Part Two

We both know you wouldn’t be able to keep your hands off of me.

Did he really say that?

Did he?

He did.

The entire trip to the bathroom was you asking that over and over. Did he actually just say that?

It ticks you off, for one thing. It just infuriates you, and your very sure of why.

You were uptight and coiled from the second you walked into the bathroom. The lights flash on from the detection of your movement, and you very nearly scream in surprise of the sudden illumination.

He’s just so… so….. not wrong.

Standing in the bathroom, staring at your reflection in the mirror, you have to stabilize yourself on the counter. You stop, your anger flushed face staring madly back at you. What can you do? How do you continue talking after he goes and says something like that?

Deep breaths. Breathe. Inhale, hold for ten seconds, exhale. Peace. Pure, complete blankness of mind that eases the tensed muscles in your neck and arms. Safety, here in this space. Bliss. You breath again.

And something breaks your solid concentration.

“And I, will always love you….”

“Shut up,” you growl at the radio, straightening back up and fixing your cardigan. If he wants to play.

You’ll play.

Just before heading out, you throw the mirror a wide smile. Building up confidence.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dinner passes with normal conversation, but your mind keeps drifting to that sentence. You wouldn’t be able to keep your hands off of me…

Baseball. If there were a way to go back to the night of that game… You’d make sure that he called you the next morning. Make for positive that you hopped the plane with him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She’d been more… flirtatious, this evening. Or maybe she didn’t know she was reacting the way she was.

Either way- I’d definitely noticed. The way her hips moved when she left the table after my… comment. Or how she gave me this weird glance on the way back.

Like it was challenging me.

I liked it much more than I should. Much more.

She just was sitting there, messing with her loose hair, it falling in curls down past her shoulders. It probably smells like shampoo. Feminine shampoo.

“What else have you been up too?” She asks, pursing her lips before capturing a piece of steak with them.

“I read the script for Thor 2 last week,” I reply, trying my hardest not to think about that piece of steak, “It was… interesting.”

“Just interesting?” Her eyebrows raise, and the small ring on her middle finger catches light.

“No, no!” I quickly amend, “It was amazing- nothing short of amazing.”

“Great,” she smiles, her eyes lighting up with happiness, but that doesn’t last long. Before I’m able to keep that picture and dwell on her simplistic beauty, her irises darken, lips turning back down, “I hope I get to come back.”

I do not understand this girl. So full of talent and energy and passion for everything, yet no self confidence.

“I wouldn’t worry about that,” chuckling, I reach for my water and take a sip, “I won’t have anyone else help me prepare for Loki but you.”

She’s silent, and looking up to her, that pretty face just closes off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Tom,” you begin, sitting back in your chair carefully, “I need to say something.”

He gives you the most reassuring smile, and it warms you. Almost enough to have the courage to continue. But only almost.

“Anything, love.”

You take a deep breath, steadying yourself. You’re so nervous, your hands are shaking, and your palms are sweaty. Your heart is going to beat out of your chest.

“Um,” you try, swallowing, “Well…”

“You’re nervous,” he states, the tone of his voice getting softer, “It’s only me, love. You can tell me anything.”

You wish you could believe that.

You’re about to say it. So, so close to letting it fly, when you look up and see Tom watching you, his eyes curious and kind; that mix of blue that breaks you to the point of wanting to cry.

Taking another deep breath and letting it out in a slow shaky halfway laugh, you stare at your hands in your lap.

“What is it?” Tom whispers, leaning in closer.

You swallow the lump in your throat and force yourself to speak, “Alright, I’m going to say this, and I totally understand if you just never want to talk to me again, just please don’t shoot me down immediately.”

Tom leans back, a gentle smirk on his face, “Okay.” You want to slap that smirk off. Or kiss it off.

Whichever.

“Okay?” It’s like you’re checking the word for yourself to make sure that it’s a valid answer, “Um, I really don’t know how to say this-”

Eyes twinkling, he chuckles and the sound reverberates through your body like an earthquake, “You’re cute when you’re frazzled- Sorry,” he apologizes for interrupting, “Please continue.”

He just called you cute.

Goosebumps break out all over your arms, a shiver shuddering through your frame.

“I was going to say, that-” Another deep breath, and you prepare yourself. This is it. Now or never.

Crossing your arms over your chest and propping your elbows on the table, you swallow the lump in your throat and say the words as quickly as possible, thinking about ripping a band-aid off, “I like you. There- I said it. Ridicule me. Mock me. Just don't leave. Okay? Because even if you don't think the same way, you're a great friend, and I don't want to lose that.”

Your eyes close with a soft release of air before you hear his chuckle.

“Let’s go dance.”

What?

You sit there, just staring at him. Confused as all get out, because you had just told him everything.

Everything.

He stands quietly, moving around to your chair and holds his hand out. Numbly placing your own in his, you stand and allow him to lead you in the larger room where you see couples spinning around the floor.

Your mind is reeling. What did you just do?? Or was it all a dream and you only think that you did it? Because he didn't respond at all.

Not even his face. Nothing in his look or eyes or anything showed any indication of you spilling the beans.

And, it just so happened that you being the lucky butt that you are, the fast, up-beat music switched over to a slow, peaceful tune when he stepped onto the floor.

Great.

He takes you to the center and grabs your other hand to hold up as if you’re about to waltz. Pulling you closer, his right hand wraps around your waist- but doesn't stop. Instead, it lands on the small of your back, fingers spreading out slowly. A blush rises to your cheeks when he starts moving his feet to the beat and you try to look anywhere but at him.

“Love?” You feel his hot breath on your ear and it sends shivers down to your toes, “I would never ridicule you.”

He leans back and kisses your cheek, “Or mock you.”

And he leans forward, placing his forehead against yours. There’s this moment where you can’t breathe- can’t even take a breath because those two gorgeous eyes have got you. They’ve got you completely held captive. You’re not even sure how your feet know to move to the music, because all you can think about are those eyes.

Blue seas, that must have galaxies inside, because there’s no way that’s all they could be. They betray him; you see the pent up nerves, the anxiety. The hope, and fear. And happiness. Undeniable happiness.

His nose brushes yours lightly, his eyes closing as he whispers, “And I would never leave you.”

His tone of voice stalls you, and you find that your feet have stopped. Instinctively, your eyes close with a shaky breath. Your palms are sweaty, and you just know that he feels it. His fingers draw tiny circles onto your back before his whole hand pushes you forward into his frame. Your breath hitches and you try to voice the only question that is running through your head: What?

“Tom,” you whisper, but you don’t get the chance to finish. He bridges the gap- kissing you ever-so slowly.

And, goodness, you’d forgotten what he’d tasted like completely. You forget the room of people around you; lose the sound of the band and chattering. It’s him. Just utterly him, and you’re sure that nothing in your life had ever resulted in this much peace.

Because that’s what you feel. After months of worrying, of anxiety from wondering how he was or if he was thinking about you- you feel peace. Like nothing is easier than just standing here, being in his arms and knowing that you weren’t alone. That at least, for now, you had him to yourself.

And he wasn’t anyone else- but Tom.

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MASSIVE, TREMENDOUS THANKS to the ever lovely Kelshie, who helps me LOTS AND LOTS. And SPECIAL, SUPER-DEE-DOOPER thanks to Algie888, my newest awesome friend :D She helped write some of this chapter, guys!! Check out her awesome spin-off of this!! It’s called “Only Ever” and I think you’ll find it AMAZING.

Also thanks to my cousin Brit-A-Naaaay :D Love you dearie! And to D’ANNER, because you helped with the plot outline for this A LOT.

Please telllll me your thoughts!!!