Summary: You who live on the other side of the world from him, can only wish to be able to meet him in person. One night, as you went out for an errand, you passed by a place near your home, which you never thought existed before, and with some phenomenon, your pen, with a past you’ve yet to uncover, lights up to bring you to London.
Series Masterlist
Chapter 1
Author’s note: Thank you for those who gave a reaction and comment on my first chapter! It was just a random thought and I decided to continue it. I have been wanting to go back to writing and I guess this was my spark. :) I'm trying to create build up and I hope I'm meeting the happiness factors. Happy Valentines day everyone!
PS: I am so envious of those able to watch "Much Ado About Nothing, as much as I'm happy for them too. I hope for those who can watch, make the most of the experience in behalf of us who can't go as we're halfway round the world.
Tom’s POV
It was his birthday, yet here he was—spending the day where he felt most alive.
The theater.
Final dry runs were in motion for the upcoming opening night of Much Ado About Nothing, and Tom couldn’t be more thrilled. It had been some time since he had last stood on stage, and stepping back into Shakespeare’s world felt like returning home. The play had already been receiving incredible reception, and sharing the stage with his immensely talented co-star, Hayley—whom he had worked with before in the Marvel universe—only made the experience all the more special.
By lunchtime, the atmosphere shifted.
A quiet invitation led him backstage, and there, waiting for him, was a cake—adorned with the title Much Ado About Nothing. The gesture alone warmed his heart, but before he could even process it, someone began recording, and—
"Happy Birthday to you…"
The entire cast and crew broke into song.
Of course. He should have seen it coming. A time-honored tradition in the theater—if your birthday happened to land on a rehearsal or show date, there was no escaping the celebration. Still, the surprise managed to catch him off guard.
A laugh escaped his lips as he lifted the cake slightly in acknowledgment, his expression a mix of gratitude and amusement.
Someone handed him a glass of champagne, and as the song ended, he raised it for a toast.
“I… well, you got me,” he began with a chuckle. “Truly, I wasn’t expecting this, but I must say—thank you. It means the world to be surrounded by such brilliant, passionate people. This production has been a labor of love, and I know that when we step onto that stage for opening night, we will bring something truly special to the audience. We have put our hearts into this, and I have no doubt that it will shine through. So, here’s to all of us—to the incredible work we’ve done, and to the journey ahead. Cheers.”
“Cheers!” the room echoed, glasses clinking.
Laughter and conversation filled the space as the cake was cut, and Tom found himself swept into various exchanges—quick words of appreciation, shared excitement, lighthearted teasing from Hayley about how he nearly forgot to take a slice for himself.
And yet…
Beneath the joy of the moment, there was something else.
A strange, persistent pull.
Something tugging at his subconscious, urging him toward the door. The sensation was subtle but unshakable, like an unspoken invitation—or a presence just beyond his awareness.
“Everything alright, Tom?”
Hayley’s voice cut through his thoughts. He blinked, realizing his gaze had been lingering toward the exit.
“Yes, yes—sorry,” he said, shaking his head lightly before offering a small chuckle. “Just lost in thought for a moment.”
She narrowed her eyes playfully. “Well, get along then, or you might miss out on the cake entirely.”
With a smirk, she looped her arm through his and pulled him back toward the gathering.
The celebration eventually wound down.
With opening night fast approaching, the cast and crew opted for an early evening—each retreating home to rest and prepare. Tom lingered behind, retracing his steps toward his dressing room, ready to collect his things before heading out.
That’s when he heard it.
A voice.
Soft. Distant. Ethereal.
"I did my best, it wasn't much
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you…"
His steps halted.
It was singing.
"And even though it all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah…"
Leonard Cohen.
The melody drifted through the empty theater, wrapping itself around the vast space like a whisper from another time.
His pulse quickened.
Someone was here.
Quietly, he moved, following the sound, his footsteps near silent against the floor. As he reached the entrance to the stalls, he spotted a figure standing near the stage—a silhouette, illuminated only by the faint glow of the emergency exit light.
The song faded, leaving only silence between them.
Tom let the moment settle before speaking, keeping his voice low, careful.
“Who’s there?”
The figure froze.
Your POV
Just two words—but they might as well have been a thunderclap.
You stopped breathing.
He was here.
Your heart pounded so violently, you were convinced he could hear it from where he stood. You weren’t visible—not fully—but the faint light from the doors cast just enough of a shadow to give away your presence.
Still, you tried. Slowly—carefully—you edged backward, hoping to slip away unnoticed.
Then he spoke again.
“I can see you, you know.”
A sharp inhale. Damn it.
Your body refused to move.
“I didn’t mean to startle you,” he said, his tone softer now. “I just… well, you have a beautiful voice.”
Silence.
He took a step forward. Then another.
“And I couldn’t help but wonder—what is a lovely woman like yourself doing here, alone, in an empty theater, on a Sunday?”
He was closer now.
And you… you couldn’t bring yourself to run.
Because standing before you was the one person you had longed to meet the most.
It was quite a meeting, collision ---well,almost---on the school corridor, I don't even remember if I was in a hurry or maybe it was the fate's design at the time that you'd hold off my arms as I find balance by placing my hand over your chest.
It was a school full of boys and it seems I'm the only female around.
Yet after our paths collided,the scene faded, to evening, an event is being planned.
Cottage core themed, the path,graveled.
The tables were low, mason jars with candles inside as centerpiece to bring light to the place.
I was preparing to sing,as my daughters (even if in reality I only have one,and one son), were entertaining the arriving guests...
The song sounded like "I see the light " but it wasn't really.
I wish I remembered,it was a song that brings ones heart to calm.
I found an opportunity I'm not even sure I'm going to meet criteria
Yet I dared take the step to submit application, maybe I'd be lucky,maybe not.
Every step I'd dare take,just to get that chance to maybe see you face to face.
It's been 203 days since the 22nd of March, 101 since June 8.
I've begun writing letters to my universe, in poetry form---almost---though I intended it to be just letters but it ended up looking like poetry.
So starting today, I'll make separate posts in some of my socials(probably here and in KoFi or Tumblr), on a lengthier letter... Letters I know won't probably reach you but I wanted to write as it may just carry it's energy towards you.
I always hope you're doing well...if not great...one day,hopefully, we will meet at last.
