Chapter Text
Alone, but utterly loved
It was one day into filming his new movie. A new town, a different country, new people to work with and if it wouldn’t be for the director, Tom would be a stranger among strangers.
It was kind of awkward to be here, just as every time when he started something new, but especially after working for so long with people he knew by heart and learned to love. Tom felt not only a little out of place, but utterly alone somehow. Especially since today was his birthday.
After a long day of talking, going through some first lines and expressions, looking at new clothes and all, he could finally leave and was really happy about it. He felt tired, not deep down in his bones but emotionally drained, like a balloon loosing air.
It hurt that no one seemed to remember him getting older. Not that he wanted to be especially reminded that he turned 33, but he would have expected some stupid jokes at least.
Of course his Mom had called him first thing in the morning when he was only half awake. It didn’t matter, her happiness was intoxicating and he looked forward for more of it. Right now, he only looked forward to climb into his bed and hide in his little fort of blankets and pillows; not seeing, not hearing anything, simply turn invisible to everything around him.
For a moment a tiny spark of anger flared hotly in his stomach. He was angry about his so called friends, the rest of his family and most of all about Chris. How could he forget? But mostly he was pissed about himself caring so much.
They were just friends after all, right?
He sighed heavily once inside his hotel room, carelessly dropping his jacket and keys to the table near the entrance. He didn’t even bother checking his phone again; the nagging voice in his head had already told him that no one would think of him anymore since it was pretty late by now.
Shedding his shoes and tie was all he managed to do before he collapsed on the large bed. It took some strength to pull the blankets over his head with his weight lying on top of them. It didn’t work out right away and frustration and anger took hold of him, spilling over in the form of hot, salty tears when the soft fabric finally collapsed over him. Tom let them fall freely, his tears, bathing in the glory of his own misery.
It took some time, but eventually he fell asleep. With hardly enough air to breath beneath the many layers and too much heat surrounding him like lovers arms. But he did and he didn’t notice the door being opened and almost silently closed. Nor did he see the tall, broad figure stopping in front of the bed, watching him sleeping restlessly and barely recognizable under all the layers.