angel » Tom Hiddleston «

21

It's nothing short of a miracle that Aurora Downey didn't break down completely right then and there. The only reason she's able to focus on anything is because she doesn't want to disappoint their fans.

Her heart beats out of her chest the whole time during their panel though. When they are finished on stage, Tom, Owen and herself leave to go to the room where the meet and greet will take place.

As soon as they step away from prying eyes, Tom can't stand being in the dark about her behavior anymore.

"What happened love?" he asks as he strokes her cheek gently "Are you alright?"

His voice holds many emotions, the most evident being concern.

"I'm fine, don't worry about me." she sends him a fake smile "I just saw someone familiar, but I must have mistaken them for someone I know"

He doesn't respond, just studies Rory's face with prying eyes to make sure she's telling the truth.

"Everything's alright Tom." she reaches up to cup his face "If there's something wrong I'll tell you, I promise."

This seems to ease his mind, so he nods in agreement.

Aurora might not have been totally honest right then but she doesn't want him to worry about her the whole time during the meet and greet.
He has fans to interact with, her personal drama doesn't have to influence his demeanor. She knows he wouldn't be able to concentrate on them if she told him the truth.

Rory could only hope and pray she won't catch sight of the person she wants to avoid the most again.

"Hurry up Mr. and Mrs. Hiddleston, there's a room full of people waiting on us!" Owen nearly shouts back over his shoulder. However stressed and anxious she is, this causes her to chuckle along with Tom.

Holding hands, they follow Owen and the security people into the room where they are met with dozens of fans waiting in a line to meet them and take a picture. She forces a smile on her face once again, hiding her true feelings behind a mask until they are done with this dreadfully long day.

They meet person after person, taking pictures, signing things and exchanging a few words with each of them.

Aurora has a surprisingly good time considering her previous state of mind. Everyone is lovely and talking with them helps her ease up from stress.

That is until a little boy around eight or nine is next in line and walks up to them. He is adorable and there's not a thing Aurora could say that's wrong with him, except the man that stands with him.

Panic and fear washes over her in a fraction of a second for the second time today.

"Hello little man, what can we sign for you?" her voice is shaky, but she forces herself to talk to him nonetheless, desperately trying to ignore his companion.

"Hi" he replies back shyly as Tom steps closer to Aurora. "I was so excited to meet you both, Loki is my favorite."

"Thank you, we are excited to meet you as well." Tom smiles at the little boy. "What's your name?"

"I'm Jeremy." he replies.

"Nice to meet you Jeremy." Aurora smiles and reaches for the poster he brought with him. She signs it then hands it over to Tom who does so as well, before all of them pose for a picture together.

"Can we take one with my dad as well? He came here with me today." the boy asks.

The man walks up close and that's when Rory can't fake her smile anymore. Her face drops and her body goes even more tense, trembling visibly. Tom places a hand on the small of her back calmingly, but it doesn't help the situation much. He recognizes the little boy's father, he's sure he saw him somewhere before, he just can't recall where.

"Aurora, it's good to see you again." the man addresses her.

Even his voice is enough for Aurora to flinch. She subconsciously takes a step back, not even caring anymore what everyone might be thinking of her behavior.

"I can't say the feeling's mutual Jason." she struggles to sound calm and unbothered as she continues to shake in fear.

"Oh come on, let bygones be bygones. We can all act like adults here." he chuckles "The kid just wants to have a picture."

Upon hearing the name leaving her mouth, Tom instantly understands why she was acting so strange and out of it. Rage boils inside of him but he knows he has to keep his calm for Aurora's sake.

"It's ironic you say that, really." Tom tells the man that he so desperately wants to punch until he still moves. "I think it would be the best for you to just leave."

"What's going on?" Jeremy's voice is laced with confusion.

"The poor kid doesn't even know what a monster his father is." Aurora butts in, chuckling but with tears in her eyes "I can only hope and pray he never has to live through what I had to." her voice cracks by the end of the sentence.

"You can't possibly be mad still darling" that disgusting tone catches her ears again.

"Don't call me that." she snaps, tears flowing down her face by this point "I'm sorry, but I can't do this anymore. I wish you all the best Jeremy, I hope you have a great life." she chokes out and bolts out of the room, a panic attack hitting her in full swing.

She runs as fast as her legs can carry her through empty corridors, until she can't keep herself together anymore and collapses on the ground, sliding her back down the wall.

Sobs shake her body and she struggles to breathe when she feels two strong arms lift her back up on her feet and she's pulled into a tight embrace. She might not comprehend much of her surroundings, but she knows it's Tom who came to her aid. His unmistakable scent engulfs her but she still struggles to calm down.

"It's okay love, you're safe now." he pulls her into his chest even closer, stroking her hair gently. His voice is calm and caring, showing how much love he feels towards Aurora.

"He won't be able to hurt you anymore, I won't let him." his sincerity slowly but surely helps Rory's sobbing to quieten. "That's it angel, just keep breathing" he encourages as he hears her breaths starting to take on a steady pace.

'I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry" she whimpers, self-reproach pretty much engraved in her.

"You have nothing to be sorry for Aurora. He does, not you."

She clings onto Tom, being the only safety net in her chaotic and utterly messed up life. After all these years, her poor excuse of a step father still has control over her and it scares her so much.

Aurora feels broken beyond repair and she's not sure she can ever be fixed. But she will try to mend her pieces back together for Tom.

"I love you" she whispers the only thing that's clear in her mind.