#hons there's a line of 9 people behind you do NOT start arguing with me about the difference between two cakes

[strawberry-cowmilk]

hons I worked a 10 hour shift today I deserve a treat you will not believe what happened today (the tags is just maybe 1/10th of everything)

[misssophiachase]

Thanks to the talented @klarolineagainnaturally for the gorgeous cover, I am in love with it! So, in honour of Valentine’s Day, here is an UPDATE, thank you for the love you’ve all given me so far. Let me know what you think. 

Synopsis: One wedding involving a best man and maid of honour who've grown up together but don't know quite how to reconcile their unresolved feelings.

Mr Mikael and Mrs Esther Mikaelson and Dr Grayson and Mrs Miranda Pierce request the pleasure of your presence at the wedding of their children:

The Hon Elijah Edward Mikaelson and Dr Katherine Elena Pierce

On the twenty-third of June, twenty-twenty one, 1400h at Ely Cathedral followed by a reception at Mikaelson Manor, Ely Cambridgeshire

Dress: White Tie

23rd June 2021, Mikaelson Manor, Ely Cambridgeshire - 9:39am

“Okay, less trying to manhandle the cupcakes and instead more hustle, Mikaelson,” Caroline ordered, barely slowing down in the process.

Klaus, meanwhile, was trying to be annoyed but couldn’t stop thinking how adorable she was when taking charge. He’d met her in the kitchen as directed and was already in full ‘save the cake’ planning mode. She was in her element clearly.

He was a little disappointed she’d decided to change out of the shorts and robe combination into jeans and a t-shirt but Klaus decided that it was okay if he could spend even a little more time with her. Once the wedding started he doubted they’d have much time to talk, let alone anything else.

Which was unfortunate for Klaus because he had a lot he wanted to say. Over a decade’s worth of things, in fact.

The realisation that he’d liked her since high school but was too stupid to see it.

Then falling in love with her two years ago when they pseudo speed dated and watched romantic comedies on Valentine’s Day. He’d woken up with her cradled in his embrace and Klaus knew it probably wasn’t a coincidence they’d ended up that way.

The night had been unlike anything he’d ever experienced with anyone. When she pretended like nothing happened Klaus had no choice but to deny it too. He’d been in denial ever since until now.

The previous night’s events had been playing on repeat in his mind as he tried to sleep. She stole his sandwich and then they talked, like really talked.

Then there was that whole other thing that happened before Tully ate the wedding cake. Nobody knew about that yet and given it was his brother’s wedding day it was probably best.

Too much to say and too little time clearly.

“So, what exactly are these bonbons for anyway?” He asked, removing one from it’s white box and transferring it to the cake stand.

“It’s Bomboniere.”

“What now? We can’t all be wedding aficionados,” he joked.

“They are the gifts for the guests,” she explained. “We’ll make them the cake, not overly traditional but problem solved.”

“Well, not to nitpick love,” he murmured, she gave him a look which clearly meant she didn’t believe him. “But what are you going to give the guests instead? I mean I don’t need a gift, even if my presence is a gift in itself to the happy couple.”

“Ignoring that ego, I assumed people wouldn’t notice?”

“If you mean my grandmother as well as Mikael and Esther then good luck,” Klaus shared.

“Well, do you have any better ideas?”

8.5 hours earlier

“Well, do you have any better ideas?”

“I only mean that you could kill a few of the jokes and add some more sentimental content, I realise you do have that stand-up comedian dream but I’m sure it can wait a little longer,” Caroline teased, sandwich in hand. He’d long given up hope she’d return it to him.

“Sentimental? Have you met me, Forbes?”

“Oh come on, I’m sure you have something buried way deep, deep, deep down inside.”

“Cute.”

“He’s your brother, you must have something you could share about growing up together and…”

“Well, there was that time he wet his pants when Kol…”

“Not what I meant, Mikaelson, and you know that. He’s getting married, this is your only opportunity to do this and you have to get it right.”

“So, what have you written for your Maid-of-Honour speech?”

“Oh, so now you’re going to copy me? Trust me, I don’t think you could pull off half my speech.”

“Let me guess, you are going to say something like...'the best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds.'

“Did you memorise The Notebook?”

“You made me watch it remember?”

“Yeah, like two years ago."

“What can I say, cheesy lines have this annoying ability to lodge themselves in my brain, unfortunately.”

“Let me guess you’d say: a wedding is a sacrament... a joyous celebration of love and commitment. In utopia. In the real world... it's an excuse to drink excessively and say things you shouldn't say.”

“Says the girl who’s judging me but using her own rom com lines.”

Klaus realised he was trying to play it cool and quoting the Notebook and recognising dialogue from The Wedding Date wasn’t a great look. Klaus didn’t want to admit it, especially to Caroline, but he might have watched those movies a few times since.

It was ridiculous, especially given he didn’t like them..much...but they reminded him of her. He figured if he couldn’t have the real thing he’d torture himself with romantic comedies instead. Messed up, right?

“ So it isn’t true?”

“That guy had the right idea.” Of course he knew the guy was called Nick but Klaus figured he’d already embarrassed himself enough.

“So, you don’t believe in marriage.”

It was faint but he could sense the change in her tone and strain in her voice. For a split second Klaus felt buoyed, like maybe he still had a chance with her. But at the same time he wasn’t sure if he was imagining things.

“I believe in marriage if it’s for the right reasons and with the right person,” he replied, noticing her face soften slightly. “I just think the concept that the wedding day is supposed to be the biggest and happiest day of your life is wrong. It’s about the commitment, not just one day.”

“I think that’s fair, everyone gets caught up in all of the wedding festivities and forgets about the real meaning behind it all.”

“As we hunt for wedding rings in the garden and madly try to perfect our speech the night before,” he teased. “Although that part about drinking excessively and saying things you shouldn’t has my Great Aunt Maude written all over it.”

“Noted,” she chuckled. “So, maybe that’s what you need to say in your speech then.”

“I’m not sure my mother would appreciate me insulting Great Aunt Maude during the speeches, even if she will probably be too drunk to remember.”

“Not that part,” she shot back, rolling her eyes exaggeratedly. “The part about marriage being not just one day but a commitment shared for life.”

“Let’s hope everyone is too drunk to remember me saying that,” he joked. “I do have a reputation to protect, Forbes.”

“Well, maybe it’s time you stopped caring about what people think and be yourself. If there is anytime to do that it’s for your brother’s wedding.”

“You have this annoying habit of eating my food, making me watch romantic comedies and also making me feel guilty.”

“It was one sandwich, Mikaelson. If you don’t want me to eat it next time don’t add mayonnaise. As for the guilt, maybe that is just your conscience screaming to be heard in the form of a best man speech.”

“I never said I wasn’t taking notes.”

He held her gaze, a genuine smile that had been suppressed. Instead of looking away, Caroline’s blue eyes remained trained on his. It was as if there was no wedding or kitchen or mayo sandwiches. Just them. At this moment.

Klaus could pinpoint the exact moment he knowingly fell in love with Caroline Forbes, it was when she teased him about crying during the Notebook. The moment he unknowingly fell in love with her was when she rolled her eyes at him when he gave a smart ass comment during english class. Here and now, Klaus knew no one would ever compare to Caroline Forbes and that he needed to get out of his comfort zone and tell her just how he felt.

“Caroline…”

“Wow, is that the time?” She interrupted, her creamy cheeks tinged slight pink as she consulted her watch. “We should get to bed if we want to be functional tomorrow.”

Then she was gone as quickly as she’d arrived. Klaus wasn’t sure how to feel. Disappointed she’d interrupted him or relieved that he didn’t make a fool of himself.

Either way, sleep didn't come easily that night.

“Hello?”

“What did you say?” Klaus broke out of his trance wondering how long she’d been trying to reach him.

“I said, how are we going to fix the Bomboniere issue,” she pressed. “It’s T minus four hours until the ceremony starts. If only your grandmother and parents didn’t have such a keen eye for detail.”

“It’s not detail, it’s how things will look,” he drawled, knowing his parents’ motives all too well. “I’m surprised they thought a cupcake would suffice to be honest.”

“Well, Kat wanted to do a donation gift to the hospital for the Bomboniere and there was so much back and forth during the planning stages that a cupcake was a quick fix.”

“A donation gift?”

“In lieu of a gift, the happy couple donate to a chosen charity on the guest’s behalf.”

“That’s a brilliant idea.”

“Well, not to brag but it was my suggestion.”

“Of course it was,” he said warmly, thinking it was just another reason to love her for being so kind and generous. “What was their issue with a donation to a good cause? Oh hang on why am I even asking, it’s my parents, I know exactly why.”

“Well, apparently your father argued it would be showing favouritism to donate to one particular cause and given Elijah is supposed to represent all people and groups it wouldn’t be a good look.”

“Oh please,” Klaus scoffed. “That is a lie and we all know it. I love how my parents can still manipulate every situation to their benefit even years later.”

“To be fair to Kat and Elijah I think it was just easier to give in to avoid further disruption of the event plans which were already fairly delayed.”

“It’s their wedding and they should be able to choose what they want,” he growled. “Okay, I have an idea.”

“I’m listening.”

“We nominate a half a dozen different charities and it is up to the guests to choose where their donations go. Then father can’t say the bride and groom are being partial to one charity over others…”

“But that the decision is ultimately up to the guests.”

“Exactly.”

“But there’s not much time to make it happen.”

“I hate to stereotype but I’m going to,” he shared. “Men don’t take that long to get ready, with the exception of Kol, so we can get this done in time, I promise.”

“I’d like to help...”

“On the other hand, and not to stereotype, but some women take longer to get ready.”

“You’re talking about Rebekah aren’t you?”

“Apparently I am incredibly transparent too. How about I work on this and you find a cake or cupcake topper?”

“Wow, you know its name? Have you ever considered wedding planning as a new career direction, Mikaelson?”

“You tell anyone about my part in this and I will detail the almost wedding ring loss in my best man speech and that is a promise, Forbes.”

“You drive a hard bargain,” she mused, her smile widening and tugging at his heart more than he was expecting. “But I’ll take it.”

She held out her hand and Klaus was almost afraid to touch it given the feelings it would no doubt conjure up and now was neither the time or the place. He acted against his better judgment and enveloped his hand in hers.

Her skin was soft and enticing and as soon as she touched him, the feelings he was trying to ignore had made their way from bubbling below the surface to front and centre. But there was a wedding and Klaus wasn’t even sure if she felt what he did so it really wasn’t the time.

“Klaus...” the way she said it was so vulnerable and inviting and all he wanted to do was let her finish the sentence but he was also afraid at the same time. He couldn’t do rejection right now, that was for sure.

“I, uh, better get going if we are going to pull this off,” he smiled, albeit awkwardly given his heart was racing due to their unexpected contact. “We’ll compare notes in a few hours.”

He was the one to leave this time.

Klaus felt bad but at the same time he knew it was the right thing to do given the enormous job at hand.

Entering his bedroom, Klaus close the door quietly behind him. He leaned his head up against the door, willing his heart to stop racing and to return to normal so he could try and be productive. Klaus knew he needed to focus.

Then he let his eyes wander around the room. He could be messy at times but this was another level. His clothes were strewn across the whole space. Given he hadn’t packed that much, Klaus was wondering how his clothing seemed to have tripled in that time. 

Then he realised it, there wasn’t more of it, it was just cut into many pieces. He bent down and grabbed a few handfuls of material confirming the jagged edges weren’t a fashion statement but sabotage pure and simple.

Klaus knew exactly who had done it and why. Klaus knew he was to blame for her outburst, although he was certain she wasn’t that upset at the time given she couldn’t wait to get out of this ‘god forsaken place’ he’d dragged her to in the ‘middle of nowhere’ with ‘nobodies’ to ‘the detriment of her social media.’

Yes, he’d woken from a restless night after his time in the kitchen with Caroline and decided it was best to be honest and tell the truth. Klaus couldn’t in good conscience keep dating Hayley when he was madly in love with Caroline. Even if she didn’t reciprocate his feelings Klaus knew Hayley didn’t deserve that. She’d basically packed her bags on the spot while he tended to the Tully cake eating emergency. When he’d returned briefly she’d shut herself in the adjoining bathroom and wasn’t ready to talk.

Looks like she still wasn’t given the bathroom door was wide open and her luggage was missing. On the plus side she’d left but on the down side she’d shredded his entire wardrobe. Immediately Klaus felt sick, rushing to the wardrobe to check on his suit for the wedding. Needless to say it had been unceremoniously massacred and left in a pathetic heap at the bottom of the cupboard.

A woman scorned and all that.

Now, he didn’t just have Bomboniere to fix, as promised, but now he had a suit emergency too.

“Bloody weddings,” he muttered, wondering how he was going to fix this problem.

[seizethesam]

Ode to an Angel-Chapter 9

A/N: Hello everyone! After a week, chapter 9 is here for all of you to read and enjoy! I hope you will like ‘cause it’s an angsty one! Thank you all for reading, liking, reblogging, and of course leaving comments! You honestly make my day better and truly motivate me to continue writing! Thanks!

Happy reading.

Pairing: Daryl Dixon x Female Reader

Warning: Death. Buckle up, it’s angsty with some gore!

The recommended song for this chapter is Make It Rain by Foy Vance.

Chapter 8

Gif's not mine*

 Chapter 9

“No way.”

“Hey, calm down alright, I’ll go with him.”

“This is a shitty plan Y/N and he’s dragging you with him,” Glenn talked as anger took over him. He and Maggie had been through so much since returning from Woodbury. He was on edge.

“No, I’m going with him to make sure he doesn’t screw up,” you reassured him with a low voice.

You did everything in your power to prevent any scene between Glenn, Maggie, and Merle. “You, let’s go,” you said pointing your finger at Merle, sounding a lot harsher.

“Whatever ya say, peach,” he said as he eyed you. He left the cellblock ahead.

“I’ll be careful, okay? Don’t worry.” You told your friends as you hugged them one by one and went after Merle.

When you came near one of the cars, he extended his hand to driver door. “Hey! What are you doing?” you yelled, as you rushed to his side.

“Somethin’ wrong sweetheart? I ain’t doing anythin’.”

“I’m not letting you drive.”

He looked at you surprised but raised his arms in defeat and moved to the passenger side.

Merle was suspiciously quite for the first few minutes of the drive which was very unusual for him to ever shut his mouth. It was the least you’d learnt about him in two days.

“You think you can kill him?” you asked out of the blue, “the Governor?” you weren’t sure if it was smart to get him talk.

“So yer bangin’ my lil’ bro, huh?” he didn’t answer your question, instead he put one topic that you’ve been dreading for the past few days.

Now that you’d ruined everything, you weren’t.

The kiss with Daryl wasn’t like how you hoped it would be. The minute your lips touched his, he became stiff as a brick wall. He didn’t move, he didn’t’ breathe. He definitely didn’t kiss you back either. It was a moment of utter embarrassment.

You had left him where you’d kissed him when you realized he wasn’t even looking at you. He was just staring at his feet. You were a jabbering figure of awkwardness with all your ‘I’m sorry’s, ‘umm, shit’s, oh god’s.

You didn’t see Daryl that night, and the day after that he was gone with Rick to talk to the Governor. A part of you wanted to talk to him about the kiss, about everything to clear the air between you and him, another part of you hated yourself for ruining the friendship you had with him.

“If you must know, no,” you answered as you tightened your grip on the steering wheel. “It’s not like that.”

Not anymore, it wasn’t.

“He don’ belong with y’all people, ya play with him all ya want, but I’m his damn brother,” there he was. He talked as he kept his gaze on the road.

“So why couldn’t you be a brother when he needed you,” you said, voice a little bit louder that you’d expected.

He just laughed with his raspy voice. “Sweetheart, there’s a whole damn lot you don’ know about us, ya best keep yer pretty mouth shut,” he warned as he reached the inside of his boots and drew out a large blade, his face was turned to you all the while.

You didn’t respond, you just chewed your bottom lip and looked at the road.

He sharpened the blade with the metal around his arm creating an annoying shinking sound, almost fatal. When he was done, he shoved the blade inside his metal armor and started to secure it with duct tape.

“Was afraid I’d kill him, or somethin’” he started speaking, surprising you, “my pops.” You refused to say anything, wanting him to continue.

“He was a real piece a’shit, I didn’t know he was doin’ tha’ same shit ta him,” he continued taping his blade, he was taping a little too much.

“Doing what?” you finally asked.

He let out a raspy chuckle, “see hon, whole damn lot ya don’ know,” he teared the rest of the tape and threw the remaining out through the windowpane.

“Left here?” you asked as you drove through the forest.

“Ya got it,” he replied, and you turned the steering wheel to left.

The next few minutes were quiet, which you appreciated. You didn’t have the energy to put up with Merle’s bullshit. But he didn’t feel like talking, either. His lips were a straight line and the lines on his forehead were even more visible due to his frown. You could say that he looked nervous.

After a while he finally spoke.

“Now,” he raised his voice, “Sorry ta ruin tha’ pretty face like yers, but I gotta do this alone, sweetheart,” he continued as he turned his body towards you in his seat.

“What—” you couldn’t even process what he was saying when you saw his good hand approaching your face with a fist. Then everything went to black.

-

Smoke. Smoke and gasoline.

That was everything. Smell of smoke and gasoline. No, that wasn’t all. You realized the throbbing pain on your right temple. So, you were alive.

Where the hell were you?

You weren’t dead. You weren’t sleeping in your bed, either. You were sitting, no you were stooping. And your head was on a somewhat uncomfortable place.

You fluttered your eyes and saw the blurry gear shift. You’re in a car. That’s good. Then you remembered.

Merle.

Shit.

You snapped open your eyes with realization and lifted your head from the uncomfortable place, the steering wheel. The sudden movement made your head dizzy, the seat beneath you were sliding under you. He punched you right in the face.

Now, he was gone.

“Fuck,” you whispered to yourself as you held your head in between your hands and saw the blood. You checked yourself of the rearview mirror. Blood were spilling down the left side of your forehead and there was dry blood on your right eyebrow, where Merle had hit you.

You could sense the black eye coming.

You were awakened, but the smell of smoke and gasoline was still here. And that was when you saw the smoke raising out of the hood. The car was crashed against a tree and the gas tank was probably leaking.

“Fuck,” you cursed, this time much louder. You needed to get out of the car before it blew up.

You started fumbling with your seatbelt buckle. You were pushing and pulling, but it wasn’t coming off. “Come on,” you groaned. With one last strong pull you were able to get out of the seatbelt.

You turned left and opened the door to get out but just as the door was opened just an inch, a walker threw itself on the door and closed it back. There were two more behind it, limping towards the car. “Okay,” you gasped and pushed yourself towards the passenger door, which was open.

You summed up your remaining strength and threw yourself out. The three walkers were still scratching and scraping the driver door.

You got up and started limping away from the car as fast as you could. You turned to see the car, and the minute you turned your head, the car went up in flames along with the three walkers with a horrid boom that almost made you go deaf.

The hotness of the explosion surrounded you as you started walking again. You needed to arrive at the meeting place as soon as possible. You already screwed up, allowing Merle to take off without you.

You weren’t close but you weren’t far either, maybe half an hour walk if you were lucky.

By the time you got there, the place were already emptied out. There were few of the dead ones on the floor. The skull of one of them was bashed on the wall, the others looked like knives.

Where was everyone?

You didn’t expect this place to be so quiet. You didn’t want to admit but you were scared that it was so silent. You walked through the small building to get to backyard. There, you saw the angel wings.

He was kneeling in front of a body, not making a sound. No. Was he? No! Your steps were slow and silent, and hesitant to see what was in front of you.

“Daryl?” you called for him, but your voice was not loud enough. He didn’t move. Was this a good thing? “Daryl?” you tried again.

His face slowly turned to your direction and you shut your eyes closed. You weren’t ready for this. “I ain’t dead,” he growled, and you sighed, feeling the weight lifted from your chest.

You took another step towards him and finally saw the body. The sight brought shivers down your spine and created a lump in your throat. Instantly, your hand went to your gaping mouth. Merle. He was lying dead on the floor with a hole in his chest and a bashed skull.

His brother, his fucking brother was dead, and he had to put him down. You were out of words to say. Hell, you weren’t even sure if you still had your voice to speak. The only thing you did was kneeling next to him.

He was scooping in front of the body and had his palms facing up on his thighs.

You’d lost your brother once, but he lost his twice. There was no comparing in grief, but he had a second chance with him to maybe make things right. For the second time he was gone, for good this time. Nothing you said could make him feel better, so you didn’t try. You were just there for him. You were there. He wasn’t alone. And that was enough.

After what seemed like hours you shifted your weight on one leg and turned to him.

“Come on get up,” you whispered as you put a hand on his shoulder. He got up from the floor with your help even though, he didn’t need you supporting him but he didn’t flinch away either. “We’re gonna bury him alright?” you suggested.

“Nah, s’ waste a’time,” you murmured.

“No,” your voice was a little harsher than you’d expected, “we are going to bury him.”

Even though you didn’t know Merle that much, he deserved a proper grave. Or it could be just a personal matter now, your brother didn’t get to have a grave, so you made sure Daryl’s had.

He didn’t try to argue with you. He sensed the confidence in your voice. You looked around for something to cover the body, not wanting Daryl to see his brother like that anymore. You gazed around the area and saw a large tarp at the back of a beat-up truck.

You walked up to the truck dragged the tarp out. It was heavy in your hands. Daryl saw you having trouble in carrying the thick layers of plastic sheets and came to you to help you carry the load.

You carefully wrapped the body and carried it back the truck. In the meantime, neither you nor Daryl said a word. You two were moving synchronized like all of the movements were scripted. You didn’t need to say anything.

The sun was getting lower and lower. There wasn’t time to find any place to bury the body. Even if you’d found a place you didn’t have shovels. So, you suggested to go to prison and bury him there, next to the others.

The archer seemed to hesitate at first but subtly nodded.

By the time you had gotten to the prison, the sun was barely holding up on the horizon. You waved at Maggie as she opened up the gate for you without saying anything. You drove the truck next to the graves and got out, Daryl following you.

He opened the back of the truck and dragged the body of his brother out while you took the shovels from the ground next to the fences. He took one and started to dig.

You continued not to say anything during the burial. You stood up and looked at Daryl as he shoved the last shovels of dirt on the grave and finished burying. He looked tired and somewhat angry. The lines around his face visible, even though the sky was even darker.

It had pained you to see him like this, for the first time you preferred to see him pissed off rather than like this; upset and broken.

There were so much that you wanted to tell him.

It wasn’t easy to get over what he was going through. You’d known. You were just getting over yourself. And you wanted to help him out, take his hands and drag him with you to the sunlight, to the comfort of people who still loved and cared about him.

He stood straight and looked back at you, chewing his lip. He wanted to talk but the words got stuck in his throat.

“I’m sorry,” was all you could say. Your voice cracked, not being able to carry the weight of all the other things not being said.

He responded with a nod and that was enough.

He knew you were there for him.

-

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[miss-m-and-her-blog]

He’s My Girl (Chapter 9)

TITLE OF STORY: He’s My Girl CHAPTER: 9 AUTHOR: miss-m-and-her-blog WHICH TOM/CHARACTER: AU Actor!Tom GENRE: Romance, Action, Drama FIC SUMMARY: He’s a guy, she’s a boy in disguise. He’s an actor, she’s a stuntman or -woman. How can it ever work when the famous Tom Hiddleston stars in an action film, with Charlie or Charlene as his stunt choreographer? RATING: T WARNINGS/TRIGGERS/AUTHORS NOTES: Just a few swear words from Tom and Ian as they try to out-man each other haha :P Anyways, I’m placing the links to the previous chapters and you can find them below ^_^ FEEDBACK/COMMENTS:

Prologue | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 |

It has been a week since the principal photography for The Last Deal started, and Tom has been laboring with the action sequences that he has to be in. But, luckily, Charlie and Julian are there to help him with that.

Charlie, on the other hand, is secretly enjoying seeing Tom in action and executing the techniques he had taught Tom. The shoot for the day had taken so long that they are still at it until 10 o'clock in the evening.

They could see the gentle snow fall from the skies as it blanketed most of the establishments that are all lined up at the edge of River Thames; the Temple Pier was chosen for this particular scene, courtesy of George.

"Cut! Tom, can you do that again? When you turn and hit Dom?" George pointed out to them.

At that time, Tom was in a fight scene with Dodong that will appear at the middle of the film. Behind the scene, Paula sat in a folding chair next to the director's seat as she watched Tom.

She is already in costume as Leigh, her character (yet covered in a thick jacket because of the cold weather.) With that, she needed to wear a long periwinkle-colored wig because Leigh is supposed to have purple dyed hair. But she carefully observed Tom as he grappled with Dodong; quietly worried that Tom would just get another fresh bruise because of insisting that he wanted to do most of his stunts.

Then what the fuck is Julian for?  She internally grumbled.

Paula suddenly remembered to have her make-up redone, but Gwen was nowhere in sight to call on the make-up artist.

Ah, I almost forgot, Gwen had to go to the ladies' room. Maybe I'll follow her.

Before leaving the set, she motioned to Tom that she will just go to the ladies' room situated at the nearby pub, and he understood it.

Paula stood up and went at the back. She followed the street that leads to the pub. When she got inside, no one recognized her because she was wearing a full costume for the film, and there were a lot of people inside the pub, even though it was just Wednesday.

But when she got near the restrooms, Paula saw Julian and Charlie, and they were waiting outside the ladies’ room. Now, what the hell...?

She hid herself over a corner for a while to see what they were up to. Julian had his back on the wall, then he tapped Charlie's shoulder; there, Charlie went inside the Ladies' room. Paula was about to shout at them; maybe they're just a couple of peeping toms that are trying to get off from spying on the ladies' room.

And even in a place as public as this? Perverts. Her eyes squinted with anger with those thoughts.

But after a few minutes, Charlie made a run for it as he got out of the ladies' room and so did Julian. Now, Paula wanted to really scold them but they immediately bolted out of the pub, unnoticed.

The next thing she knew, Gwen came out of the ladies' room, holding out a single rose while reading a note stuck to the stem. Paula called out Gwen, "Gwen! What is that?" She asked like she didn't witnessed the scene earlier.

Gwen had the sweetest smile on her face as she read the note; Paula came over to see.          This rose is as red as your hair.          You are like a fire wisp shining           In the middle of winter

Paula grimaced at the note, "Whoever wrote that, sure is a poet."

Gwen only chuckled at Paula's sarcasm. Then they both noticed the words, Your secret admirer signed at the bottom.

"Ooh, a secret admirer! I wonder who could it be!" Paula teased.

Gwen was quiet yet the joy was beaming out of her. She could only wish that her secret admirer is none other than Charlie.

Finally, Tom's fight scene with Dodong is done.

"We'll call it a night. Good job, people!" George announced to the cast and crew.

Tom immediately found Paula in the midst of the people packing up the equipment and  lights. He was on his way to her spot, when a group of girls waved and said hi to him. He waved back and smiled after they passed by. Paula saw it and immediately threw fatal glares at the female production assistants looking Tom's way.

She then rolled her eyes at them and they retaliated by dirtily eyeing her. Tom saw the exchange between Paula and the girls; he only shook his head and held up his arms.

"Hon? What's with the killer gaze?" Tom lulled and placed his arms around her waist.

"Nothing," She spat at the girls' way.

Tom chuckled and pulled Paula closer, "You know, no matter how many girls or even guys try and get my attention... My eyes are set only on one thing--you."

Tom slowly tilted up Paula's head to look at her, eye to eye, "My dear, dear, darling honey." He mumbled sweetly as he rubbed his nose on hers.

Paula was defenseless with him being so cute and wrapping his arms around her; it was enough to make her smile. When he finally saw how her tight lips slowly curled into a bright smile, he placed a kiss on her cheek and rocked her back and forth in his arms.

"Just don't wink at them, for fuck's sake, or I'll lose it." Paula squinted playfully as she booped Tom's cheek.

Tom let out an ehehe and held Paula. However, she caught sight of Charlie parting ways with Julian, and they seemed to have had shared a good talk with each other.

"Wait... Call Charlie here, I have something to ask him."

Tom nodded and said, "Charlie! Hey man."

Charlie stopped from walking away and instead, went their direction.

"Yeah, Tom?" Charlie had his eyes on Tom but Paula spoke up,

"Charlie, what were you doing with Julian at the ladies' room at the pub? I saw you two, then Gwen came out with a rose and a note."

Tom leaned down to Paula, "What?", then to Charlie, "Did you really?"

Charlie felt cornered, he and Julian weren't so discreet after all. Charlie stood close to them so no one else would hear them, "Okay, you got us. I'll tell you why."

Tom and Paula nodded and focused on listening.

"I'm helping Julian with Gwen. He told me that he's no good with flirting, so I'm helping him win his way into her heart."

Paula threw her hands up, "What? Why are you helping him?! Gwen likes you!"

Charlie only stood back, "What? But Julian likes her."

Tom can see that Charlie is clueless what Gwen feels for him. Or maybe, he's this way because he likes somebody else.

Maybe it's Ian. The prodding thought buggered Tom.

"Why would Julian turn to you for help? He could've gone to me," Tom complained.

At that time, Charlie couldn't say anything. Would he tell them that he helped Julian because of their agreement not to tell anyone his true identity? Then, as he beheld Tom, he found another answer; his alibi.

"I'm helping him because I know how it feels, when that one person you like has no idea that they are the only thing that makes your world turn around."

Tom stood straight; he doesn't want to take it the other way, but he felt like Charlie is talking to him directly.

Paula crossed her arms on her chest, "But it should be you and Gwen!"

Tom patted the top of Paula's head, "Come on, hon, Charlie's not into Gwen. Charlie must like somebody else."

He meant Ian but Charlie's eyes almost betrayed him when his gaze flickered quickly at Tom. Luckily, Paula and Tom didn't saw any of that.

Paula sighed. "Well shit. How kind of you to destroy Gwen's hopes of you becoming her boyfriend."

"Well, I didn't mean to do that. You can see how Julian is madly in love with Gwen." Charlie argued.

Tom raised his hand, "I'm a first-hand witness."

Charlie pointed a finger at Tom, "See?"

Paula rolled her eyes, her ship is not going to set sail like she wanted it to. Charlie then proposed something, "Now that you know, you two could help me with Julian and Gwen."

Tom met glances with Paula, "We'll be glad to lend a hand."

Paula wanted to say no but Tom already agreed to it.

Charlie's lips stretched into a grin, "Thank you so much! At least I won't be alone in advising Julian; he sure is clueless when it comes to women."

Tom chuckled because it's true, "And I believe he will learn from the expert."

Charlie and Tom shared a laugh with that, while Paula; she didn't said anything else afterwards.

"I have to go, I need to go back to the hotel," Charlie wore the strap of his body bag on to his shoulder, ready to go.

"Take care, man," Tom waved at Charlie.

Charlie only waved goodbye at them and he was gone.

"Why do you think Charlie doesn't like Gwen?" Paula thought out loud.

"I don't know. Maybe she's not his type." Tom placed an arm on her shoulder.

"Then, who does he like?"

Tom paused; he couldn't guess who or even speculate what, but--Charlie's eyes looked like they hide pain and pleading in them sometimes.

"I am clueless, hon. Anyways, let's get home." Then he pulled Paula closer to his body.

What Tom meant as home is his house at Belsize Park where he and Paula stays at for the whole duration of the filming. Paula placed a hand on his waist and they went arm to arm on their way to the car.

A long table was set at the dining hall of Sidney Hotel for the cast and crew as they all had lunch. George was at the head of the table; on his right were the cast and adjacent to them are the crew. Ian stood out as he is the only actor who sat at the crew's side, and he found his place in the middle of George and Charlie. Charlie and Ian chatted actively while eating, comparing the scenes that they were in earlier. Ian's character, Fai Fyodorov, a Chinese-Russian assassin that works for the Triad, is hunting down John and Leigh in the streets of Piccadilly Circus. Ian received a huge rash on his side when he slipped from the motorcycle he was riding and hit the ground.

Charlie's eyes widened, until they softened with pity, "Does it hurt?"

Ian acted like it really does hurt that bad, "I wanted to show you, but we're in front of the dining table."

They both laughed out loud, looking so adorable as friends who can only understand the inside joke that they are having with each other. Tom witnessed that as they were just in front of him. Somehow he was beginning to see that Charlie might like Ian.

So, does that mean that Charlie is queer?

He holds no grudge or even judgement for queer people, but if that’s the case for Ian and Charlie, Tom has no further say in it. But, as he watched them, he felt some sense of envy as he started to realize that they look good together. But, he still doesn't trust Ian's character.

Charlie deserves someone better. Ian is just a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Tom had just stared at them too much, Ian threw a slight dirty look at Tom, as if saying to mind his own damn business. He had to look down on his food to break the surfacing quiet tension; their attention was caught when George spoke up,

"So, Paulie, you're not doing the jump scene?"

George was pertaining to the scene where Paula's character, Leigh, have to jump a high scaffolding to escape the Yakuza that are chasing her. The scene was to be done when they get back home to L.A. but Paula already voiced out that she wouldn't do it.

"I'm sorry, Uncle George, can't do," She grimaced.

"Well not to worry about it, we'll just get you a body double to do it." George thought that he could push Paula to do it, but it seems like he was not ever going to win over that argument. To turn the topic around, George spoke up again, now to Tom, "So, Tom, where would you be this Christmas Eve?"

It was already the 19th of December and five days left till Christmas Eve; it was an inevitable question for the rest of the cast and crew.

"I'll be in Surrey, with my family. My sisters will be there," Tom replied happily.

George then asked Paula and she replied, "With Mom."

He knew better than just to nod at that. Other than Paula, only George knows where Celine, Paula's mother, really is. He asked them one by one, and half of them responded that they will be with their families while the other half insisted on spending Christmas in London. When it came to Charlie, it took him a while before answering.

"I'm staying, I guess." He shyly spoke.

Ian, immediately puffed gallantly and spoke up, "You can come with me to Malibu. You don't have to be alone."

Charlie shook his head, "No, it's all right, I don't want you to worry about me."

"No, really, I insist," This time, Ian sounded very annoying; to Tom mostly.

And so, Tom leaned on the table and spoke with a stern tone, "Let the kid decide for himself."

Ian threw a sharp look at Tom and everyone went quiet.

The two of them looked as if they are destined to be enemies even on off-screen. Tom had his jaws clenched and as if his baby-blue eyes deepened while Ian continued eyeing him with hate.

"You are a piece of work, do you know that, Hiddleston? But can you just mind your own fucking business, for once?" Ian playfully retaliated.

Tom was about to lunge at Ian when Paula stopped him by quickly placing her hand on his arm.

"Hon, no," Paula whispered.

Tom glanced at Paula then to his arm. He didn't wanted to make a scene as they are in a very public place. Meanwhile, as all of this happened, from George to Charlie, then to Julian and Gwen (who are sitting adjacently to each other) and the other crew--they all just looked on at Tom and Ian's subtle fight. Charlie felt helpless to see that her second crush is throwing insults at her ultimate crush. If he is in his Charlene identity right now, he might have felt like the most beautiful girl in the world; as two of the most eligible handsome actors are fighting over where he would go this Christmas.

"You know, Velasquez... Sometimes I just can't let some bullshit go on its way," Tom spatted at Ian.

This time, Ian almost stood up but Charlie managed to hold him down.

George, as the director and the de facto head of the production, had to break it off, "Come on, boys. I'm not letting you two hotheads ruin lunch. Charlie, you can stay here with Al and the rest of the stunt team and crew, if you want."

Charlie only nodded in reply, all the while, he felt embarrassed for Ian and Tom almost ruining lunch. Ian finally sat back properly and tried to finish his lunch quickly. George's professional and diplomatic approach broke the tension off. Now it was official to the rest of the cast and crew; Tom and Ian are not in good terms with each other. When Ian finished his lunch, he walked out of the dining table then left the dining hall.

Before leaving the hall, he slammed the door behind him that the other customers were startled.

“Let him cool off,” Al said to everybody and even to George.

He only nodded while steepled his hands together and then he met glances with Al. If the two of them weren’t secretive of their feelings for each other; the rest of the crew and stunt team would happily push Al and George further to each other.

Paula knows it well that her uncle is gay ever since, but it was just an open secret in the family.

George finally said, “Let’s have the rest of the day off. Andy will be coming in from L.A..”

All of them responded with a quiet agreement; some of the actors and stuntmen were quite overdone by the action sequence that they filmed this morning; the production crew also wanted to take a rest. Tom, who haven’t spoken for a few minutes, excused himself as he got up from the table and went out of the dining hall. Charlie couldn’t help but follow Tom with his eyes all the while he left. It pains him to see that Tom and Ian are arguing this way. But as to why Tom doesn’t play well with Ian is still a mystery for Charlie.

One by one, the people that ate at the long table left after finishing lunch. Paula went back with Gwen to their rooms, but before that, Paula was kind enough to point out Julian who was just standing near the end of the table, looking like a lost love-struck boy.

“Say hello at least to lover boy right there,” Paula whispered.

"What? No! If he was Charlie, I might even go to him,” Gwen proudly declared that last part about Charlie.

“By the way, where did he go?” Gwen looked around and Paula also started to search for Charlie.

What they didn’t know, Charlie went at the back of the hotel that leads to an alleyway. As soon as he walked out of the dining hall, Charlie felt like he wanted to be alone for a moment as he can also feel the exhaustion. He had been in a fight scene yesterday and this morning and the rigorous sequences were very demanding as the filming can be a repetition just to catch the right moment on film. When he got outside the exit door, Charlie almost let out a shrill scream (which he successfully held back) when he was startled by Tom who was also at the alleyway.

“Tom! Why are you here?” Charlie tried to adjust his voice into a deeper tone.

Tom held out a cigarette that is in between his fingers.

“Oh, that’s why,” Charlie remarked.

He took a long drag at his cigarette; then he let the smoke come out of his lips slowly. Charlie watched him do that, and he had never been more envious with a cigarette all his life until now. Tom put down his cigarette and discarded it even though he only smoked half of it; then, he started talking to Charlie.

“Trying to be alone too, eh?” Tom pointed out.

“Yep. But too bad, this spot is taken.”

“Then let’s be alone together. That’s possible, right?”

Charlie tried to suppress a smile, because deep down, he is more than willing to be alone with Tom; talking to him or maybe having a laugh or two.

Tom spoke up, “Charlie, I’m sorry about what happened before--I was just so annoyed, I couldn’t keep it to myself anymore.”

Charlie stood straight and had his arms crossed on his chest, “Do you have something against Ian? Well, I’m just curious.”

He got up from the railing that he sat on and approached Charlie, “I don’t like the way he preys on you. Paula already told me that Ian is not an asshole to the person he likes to pursue. But, I can see it in his eyes; that bastard has something else in his mind.”

Charlie’s mouth fell open, he never knew that Tom thought that way about Ian.

Tom further explained, “It’s just that--the way he flirts with you; like he already owns you or whatever. It doesn’t just sit right with me.”

If Charlie was assuming and fanciful, he might have thought that Tom is jealous of Ian. But, he wanted to approach Tom’s opinion of Ian, in a practical way where he can put aside his feelings for Tom.

“I know I can’t change the way you see Ian; but, really, Tom... We’re just friends.” Charlie explained.

“You like him too, don’t you? And you’re letting him flirt with you?” Tom said in a gravelly tone.

Charlie has no idea why their conversation about what happened earlier turned to this point. He wanted to deny it, verbally; but his quivering lip already gave the answer away.

“I knew it. Look, I don’t know if you are gay for Ian, or whatever... Just--take a second look at him. He might be devilishly handsome or charming, but, you should also take in mind his motives for you.”

Tom’s point was right; and Charlie could see where Tom is coming from--but, if Tom could only know, Ian’s not really the one he is pining for. In a fraction of a moment, their eyes met. That time, Charlie didn’t want to look away from Tom and he just wanted to stare at his lovely blue eyes. At that time, Charlie wanted so bad to tell Tom the truth; about his identity, his cross-dressing act and also that he likes Tom very much.

Why did it had to be this way? Why did I have to stumble on you that day after my failed audition and have this goddamn crush on you? Charlie thought with agony.

The only words that had come out of Charlie is, “Why are you so concerned?”

There, Tom got closer to Charlie and he almost leaned in, “Because you’re my friend. That’s what you are to me, and I value my friends very much. I hope that’s what I am also to you.”

Charlie didn’t mind the word friend, what made his heart jump around his chest with joy is that he means something to Tom and that he wasn’t just his trainer and a member of the stunt team; he is Tom’s friend. Tom’s eyes shined as they peered down into Charlie’s; he had to withhold his hand that wanted to touch the fetching beard Tom had grown on his face.

“Yes. You’re my friend; and I’m honored to be your friend, also.” Charlie managed to say.

Tom finally smiled and he even let out a chuckle. Charlie didn’t mind looking up to him while Tom beamed down a bright smile at him. Somehow at the back of Charlie’s mind, he thought how long could he keep his true feelings hidden from Tom while not letting himself spill all of his thoughts about Tom. They continued sharing that silence that they so much sought out initially when they decided to come out of the back alleyway of the hotel. But, little did they knew, a pair of eyes were watching the two of them--it was Julian.

He was looking for Charlie as he wanted to talk to him about their next move in the Secret Admirer scheme when he secretly stumbled upon Tom and Charlie having a meaningful conversation with each other. Julian didn’t have to be a genius to know at that moment, Charlie is holding back everything.

But, he felt worried for the both of them; where does this evidently solidified friendship could bring them?