Chapter Text
As you finished separating your wet clothes from your other possessions, you stood up, stretched out your back, and headed to the living room, all the while still wearing your wet attire. As you stood in the hallway, you noticed Tom over in the kitchen, messing with a tea pot.
"Hey Tom," you began, making your way over to the kitchen.
"Oh hey," he replied, whirling around, "Did you get all your stuff unpacked?"
"Yeah, I was wondering if I could maybe take a shower and get out of these wet clothes," you finished, gesturing to your soaking figure.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, of course," he responded, soon realizing a slight problem. "All of your clothes are wet though, aren't they?" he asked, slightly quirking an eyebrow up as you nodded your head in response.
"Alright. Well, since your stuff is drying in your bath, why don't you shower in my washroom?" Tom suggested. "I can grab you a shirt and some pants, if you like."
"Clothing is always welcome," you quipped with a rather dopey smile, causing Tom to give you a sample of his signature laugh with a hint of his tongue grazing the top of his lower teeth.
"Follow me then," he returned as he began to head down the opposite hall. As you reached the first door on the right, he opened it and waltzed inside. However, you hesitated, not wanting to intrude in his personal chambers. Soon a faint voice could be heard from inside.
"You can take these if you like-- ______?" Through the open door, you saw the tall man whip around, looking like a lost puppy dog, partially confused as to where you had disappeared. Espying you through the same opening, he quickly chuckled, "you can come in, darling. You don't have to wait outside."
As a pale pink flushed over your cheeks, you entered the room, your eyes cautiously darting all around as if they had no idea where they should settle. A bed covered in a pure white duvet graced the wall to your back. A quick glance to the left confirmed that a closet, only partially open, was built into the wall. Straight ahead of you, stood the lovely Brit in front of a chest of drawers with one drawer slightly open. Slowly, you began your advancement toward the man.
"Are these fine?" He inquired, extending his arms towards you, clothes in hand.
"They're perfect," you murmured, gently removing them from his arms.
The corner of his lips quirked upward ever so slightly as he turned to his right and led you to the washroom.
"Alright, so," he began, giving a quiet solitary clap as he showed you were everything was. "Here are the towels, freshly washed, and you may use whatever shampoo is in the shower. Do you need anything else, darling?"
"I think that's it, thank you," you meekly responded with a tender smile.
"Well," he stated, "I'll leave you to it then."
With that, he exited the washroom, closing the door behind him. As soon as the resounding click of the door had sounded, you began to remove the wet clothing that clung to your body like the remaining heat that clung to your now freezing temperature. You were silently grateful that your undergarments were not nearly as soaked as the rest of your clothing, meaning that they were still wearable. Stripping yourself of the wetness, you turned the knob on the shower to the warmest setting possible. When it was properly hot, you quickly stepped inside, sliding the glass door shut and letting the warm water cascade down your shivering body. Your delightful shower lingered on for approximately twenty minutes, and when you emerged from behind the steamy glass door, you felt refreshed and completely relaxed. After drying off with the fluffiest towel imaginable, you slowly slid the large clothes onto your freshly cleaned body, languidly dawdling in the washroom. Resting your palms on the counter with your head down, you lifted your heavy head and as water droplets splashed into the sink, you gazed upon your bare face and starred into your eyes. For whatever reason, you always did find eyes fascinating. The way they seemed to course with electricity, creating shapes and motion in such small orbs. A hesitant knock on the door pulled you from your thoughts as a gentle voice was heard on the other side.
"Um, ______?" it began, "I don't know if you're done, but I've made some tea and--"
Unlocking the door, you swiftly swung the door open, adjusting your eyes to look upwards at the tall man.
"Oh my," he began with his signature smile, "it feels like a sauna in there."
"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry," you profusely apologized, "I was so cold, I just couldn't help myself."
"It's quite alright, darling," he returned, a smile tugging at his lips. "Anyway, I was just going to ask if you wanted to have a cup of tea with me."
Silently, you nodded your head and the two of you started off towards the kitchen after turning off the light. When you had reached the kitchen, you could distinctly catch the scent of Earl Grey as it reminded you of dreary weather when you would fix yourself a cup on days like today. Shyly, you rested your elbows on the island in the middle of the kitchen and placed your chin in the palms of your hands. As Tom reached in his cabinet for two cups he politely asked how you take your tea.
"A dash of sugar and milk, if you please," you replied sweetly.
After mixing everything together, he turned back to you, handing you the freshly made tea. As you gave a small "thank you," you reached for the cup, accidentally brushing hands with Tom, which sent a light shade of pink all over your face while Tom's small smile got a bit bigger. As your fingers curled around your mug, the warmth emanating from it penetrated through your skin, further heating you up to a more comfortable temperature. After standing in a comfortable silence for a solitary minute, Tom finally broke the quiet hush that had settled.
“All better now?” He inquired.
“Much, thank you,” you replied, your gaze moving downward onto the dark marble counter on which you were leaning.
"Would you like to move to the couch?” He requested.
“Sure,” you swiftly responded.
As you proceeded to move to the sofa, Tom followed directly behind you. Passing the coffee table, you rested on the farthest side of the couch, next to the window. After placing your bum on the cushion, your gaze adjusted to the dreary London town that was covered in rain.
"I've always really enjoyed this weather," you commented.
"Maybe you should move to London then; you'd get plenty of it," Tom smiled and you returned the grin.
"I guess I could do whatever I wanted now, not having a job to tie me down and all," you responded.
"No family or anything?" He inquired.
"No, both of my parents have already passed and I don't have any siblings."
"What about a significant other?" He asked, wiggling his eyebrows playfully.
"No," you chuckled, "I never really dated that much. It always seemed like there wasn't anyone special enough to make the possibility of heartbreak worth it."
"Ah, I see," he replied, his eyes shifting down to the ground, seemingly in thought.
"What about yourself?" You returned, "Any special someone?"
"None at the moment, no," he smiled.
"Ah, I see," you copycatted.
Turning your gaze to the clock above the television, you noted the time. 6:37. At this, your stomach seemed to also realize the time as it howled with hunger.
"Hungry, are we?" Tom simpered.
"Maybe just a little," you laughed.
"Well, as your clothes are all drenched, and you can't really go out in that, how about we order something?" He suggested.
"Sounds like a plan."